COVID-19 keeps some summer camps closed
For the first time in 67 years, the YMCA has cancelled all programming at Camp Wanakita
The dreams of sleep-away camps for youth in Hamilton this summer were cancelled amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday.
Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced that summer day camps, both indoor and outdoor, may be permitted in July and August “assuming trends in key public health indicators continue to improve.”
Overnight camps, however, have been cancelled indefinitely.
Camps that do operate will be under “strict health and safety guidelines” that will be developed in part by local public health agencies, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, and municipalities. What that framework will look like has yet to be announced.
The Hamilton Spectator has gathered a list of summer camps, both day and overnight, that have already been impacted by the pandemic and whose fate has yet to be announced.
City of Hamilton
In an email, city spokesperson Michelle Williams said Hamilton’s Emergency Operations Centre is “still reviewing provincial announcements and updates from (Tuesday) to determine local programming impacts.”
YMCA of Hamilton-Burlington-Brantford
On May 14, the YMCA announced that it would be cancelling all programs at YMCA Wanakita for the summer.
The Haliburton camp offers overnight and day camp programs for children ages five to 16 that touch on leadership, outdoor skills and self-confidence.
“This will be the first summer ever in our 67-year history that Wanakita and Koshlong Lake will not come alive with campers,” stated Andy Gruppe, general manager for the camp.
“We know this news will be hard for many of you, your children and families, who live for their Wanakita summer. We feel it too,” he added.
Wanakita offers family camp in the summer, which includes activities such as archery, sailing, performing arts and swimming.
As for day camp programming beyond Wanakita, spokesperson Kyla Kumar told The Spectator the organization has connected with its registered families to advise them of “adjustments” to their day camp plans.
An update on the fate of all summer programming is expected in the coming weeks.
“Along with direction from the province, we also need to understand local variables in each community such as whether we'll have access to some of the locations where we currently offer programs such as local schools, and city-owned recreation centres,” she said.
City of Burlington
On Tuesday morning, the City of Burlington announced it would be cancelling all of its summer programming, including summer camps and recreation programs.
After the provincial announcement, Chris Glenn, director of recreation services, said the programs remain cancelled until the city can create modified programming that is in-line with Ontario’s guidelines.
In lieu of in-person programming, the municipality will be offering virtual programming online to respect physical-distancing measures. Those activities include cooking lessons, crafts and workout programs for all ages.
School-based camps
Earlier this spring, both Mohawk College and McMaster University announced that they would be cancelling all inperson summer camp programming due to COVID-19. Those plans have not changed.