Summer camps planning to operate amid uncertainty of pandemic
The majority of summer camps in Massachusetts are moving forward with plans to open despite so much uncertainty amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Matthew Scholl, president of the Massachusetts Camp Association, says data based on the 90,000 children who attended summer camps across the country last year is “overwhelmingly clear” that camps can operate with the ability to effectively mitigate coronavirus risks.
“There was research evidence that showed there was no direct correlation for camps who followed effective practices between a community’s metrics and the camp. So campers and staff that came in did not impact the community around it in any way,” Scholl said.
The Massachusetts Camp Association submitted that data to the state’s Department of Public Health last month and Scholl says he is awaiting word from state health officials.
Without an update from state health officials, Scholl says it becomes challenging to hire staff and prepare facilities with no income over a long period of time.
“Being able to make that level of investment, which is necessary and we are willing and able to do, is challenging even further if it is going to be lost without the official green light to operate,” he said.
Scholl is hoping to safely reinstate camp activities that were limited or canceled last year, such as overnight camps.