Looking Forward to Camp in 2021

With camp having been cancelled in many states for Summer 2020, many great friendships, bonds, and memories were lost to the pandemic. In a world of "virtual," our children have lost touch and critical growth during this period.

As 2021 approaches and we can finally say "goodbye!" to 2020, there are many reasons to look forward and feel confident about Summer 2021.

1. Vaccine Roll-Out Will Accelerate

Without a doubt, vaccines will play a roll in the reopening of camps, similarly to the vaccines' importance in reopening schools. Even if our children cannot be vaccinated for the summer, staff vaccinations will significantly reduce any risk of illness at camp and help provide assurance of a safe environment.

2. Some camps operated in 2020. So did schools.

Although states like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts did not allow overnight camps to open, states such as Maine and Wisconsin did permit camp operation. Camps that ran in 2020 had extremely low, if not zero, rates of COVID-19 in camp, proving that camp can operate safely in the midst of a pandemic.

3. COVID-19 is no longer a mystery.

In March of 2020, the world closed in fear of the unknown. Scientists and medical professionals since that point have learned significantly more about the behavior of the virus, and we learned that many activities can take place safely with precautionary measures like social distancing, wearing face coverings, and washing hands. Camp directors have been working since camps closed to create COVID-safe camps, planning for a successful year in 2021.

4. Youth sports resumed in 2020.

This is great news for camps! As competitive inter-scholastic athletics resume, schools are proving the model that sports can take place safely with proper precautionary measures.

Although there are many months between now and June, the state of the pandemic is predicted to improve in the coming months. States will soon likely give the official "Green-Light" for camps to open. Let's go Summer 2021!