Summer day camps can operate in Ontario, but expect ‘drastically reduced’ sizes
Province holds firm on decision not to allow overnight camps to operate this summer
KITCHENER — Summer camps across Ontario were given the green light on Friday to begin the process of reopening.
Gone are the days of shared toys and duck-duck-goose as camp operators implement strict new guidelines, factoring in protocols around social distancing into the makeup of the experience.
The approval has only been granted to day camp operators, with the province holding firm on its May announcement that overnight camps will not be permitted to operate in the summer of 2020.
“Based on the advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and with strict health and safety protocols in place, the government is working toward enabling summer day camp programs across the province to reopen this summer,” said Palmer Lockridge, press secretary for Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Todd Smith.
Lockridge said the ministry expects most camps to open in July to ensure they do not disrupt the Learn at Home Program across the province. Both public and privately run camps have been advised to communicate with their local public health units to discuss what opening looks like.
But parents beware, space will be limited as group sizes will be adjusted to meet the new standards. Planning for summer camps usually starts in September, with staff working to co-ordinate schedules, locations, advertising and registrations — most of which had been done before the outbreak of COVID-19.
“But when it became more clear where the schools were going, we really did take our lead from the decisions of school boards and the safety of children,” said LoriAnn Palubeski, Kitchener’s manager of program and resource services. “That’s the point we realized that camp wasn’t going to look the same.”
For camps run by municipalities in Waterloo Region, parents have been able to accept refunds for cancellations. Those parents will be able to reregister their children for the updated summer programming once approved
in each jurisdiction.
And the stakes are high. With children having been out of school since March, summer camps will be the first time they get to experience being among their peers again.
In Waterloo, the city has already announced a tentative list of what children can expect, including a 4:1
mper to camp counsellor ratio, maintaining groups of five who stay together, placing siblings in the same group to limit household exposures and no offsite field trips or on-site special guests.
Camps are expected to run at Albert McCormick Community Centre, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Centre and RIM Park from July 6 to Sept. 4. A list of available camps in that city is now open.
In Kitchener, Palubeski said a survey was sent out to all families who participated in a camp in 2019, with the lion’s share of responses saying were eager for an in-person exthey perience after months of e-learning in school.
“The model will include both inperson programs, as well as some virtual camp-in-a-box programs,” she said. “We want to try a mix of both because we know some parents aren’t prepared to send their children and some parents are.”
Smaller group numbers, no shared toys, more individual activities, no food preparation and enhanced training for group leaders will all play into the “new camp normal,” she said. A report for Kitchener council will be delivered on June 22.
“Camp will look different, but we are going to do our best to make sure kids are with their peers and having some fun,” said Palubeski. “But the amount of children we are going to be able to accommodate will be drastically reduced.”
Cambridge is also working to release a new modified camp program, according to its website.
For overnight camps, the latest provincial announcement offers no new glimmer of hope, Some of the prov
ince’s most popular camps like Camp Celtic on the Bruce Peninsula and Markham’s Olympia Sports Camp have been forced to close their doors for the summer.
For others, it’s meant a complete pivot in how they deliver their programming.
Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, which brings in more than 6,000 campers every summer over its seven locations in Canada and the U.S., is going completely virtual.
In a regular year, the camp serves youth aged 12-16 who participate in five, nine-day sessions spread out over five years, with each year building on the last.
In the 2020 edition, branded as
Tims eCamp, campers will now be able to participate in different activities for the entire summer, with programming starting in July and running until the end of August.
“Particularly at this time, the challenges facing young people in light of COVID-19 are significant,” said camp president and executive director Dave Newnham. “And for the particular demographic that we are serving, it can be a greater challenge than other kids.”
Content will be provided daily, with kids split into virtual cabins under the direction of an online counsellor who will meet with them every morning. Anyone who doesn’t have a reliable connection to the internet, or needs a device capable of handling the program, will be provided with the necessary equipment.
“This is more than a collection of fun activities,” said Newnham. “We are using fun and engagement to draw kids in like we’ve always done at camp, but our purpose is something larger.”
More than 3,200 kids have already signed up for the new experience, with others eligible to register throughout the summer.
“Ultimately, our goal is that we continue to be a positive influence and a place where kids can continue to learn about who they are.”