Today, during Governor Baker's reopening press conference, the Lt. Governor announced that overnight camps can open as a part of Phase IV, Step I reopening set to begin on March 22nd, 2021. After camps were quietly moved into Phase IV just before attempting to open in 2020, and holding by a shoestring through a year of no income, this news solidifies Massachusetts camps to continue their efforts to plan for the summer.
Although state-specific guidelines are forthcoming, camps are planning using a COVID-19 Field Guide published by the American Camping Association, having been formulated by an independent scientific consulting firm. In conjunction with CDC guidance and best practices, camps are preparing for the most conservative approach, with hopes that as the pandemic situation improves, so will the restrictions.