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Listen here to Episode 6 of our Summer Camp and COVID-19 Series as Drew and David sit down together to discuss what they learned and what hope they have for the future.

PODCAST NOTES:

We've spoken with a variety of camps, some who ran programs this summer and some who didn’t. What are some of the common themes that stood out to us throughout this Podcast Series?

The leadership was strong across the board, and everyone made the best decision for their individual camp with the resources they had access to. While everyone was managing their way through the same pandemic, everyone was also running a unique program in a unique region that required a unique solution to this common problem. We saw values-based-decisions being made in conjunction with the resources available. Each camp has unique circumstances and individual solutions to their circumstances. No one made the wrong decision, they made decisions based on the set of circumstances they were working with.

We also saw the value of getting parents on board before beginning summer camp. Both camps that ran overnight camp needed full support from parents in order to operate. Parents wanted options for the children this summer and camps needed to work with their camping community to serve their kids best. 

Camps were very supportive of one another and shared some great information and encouragement. This industry really showed a dedication to others and the overall experience of children nationwide this summer. The camping community was creative, resilient and dedicated to others.

The summer staff were extremely adaptable and deserve credit for making great things happen this year. Their love for camp drove positive results, they had to rally together behind the mission to operate. They continued to build a sense of Community even in the time of COVID-19.

What adaptations did we see this summer that may change the industry for the better in years to come?

The notion that people are more important than a business was prevalent this summer. Camps across the board asked themselves what they could do to serve their community before they tried to serve themselves. Many hard decisions were made this year, but we saw a lot of great leadership that tested individuals to think about what was best for their individual community.

Many sanitation practices should be kept for years to come. Staff and kids were healthier this summer than in previous years because of the extra sanitation and public health measures they implemented. 

We also saw many alternative program options like Virtual Camp and Camp in a Box. These options will most likely not replace a traditional summer camp experience but they will stick around because they connect with children in a unique way.

What hope do we have for the future of summer camp?

We have a lot of hope for the future and so did our guests. Organized camping will look different for years to come but we saw this year that it was possible. Now that camps have some time to actually prepare for the next camping season means that they will hopefully be more likely to run with some normalcy and get kids in the doors. Camps should stay involved with the decision making process in their state and continue to learn from others who operated or didn’t operate this summer. Now is not the time to take a break, it’s time to connect with others and be proactive. Reach out to community leaders and summer camp stakeholders. Look for opportunities to learn and collaborate. 

Camp is not ending, it may look different for a few years, but trust that this institution will get through this tough moment. We are a resilient, creative and dedicated community. Lean on others for connection and to get through these challenging times.

Thank you to all of our guests for participating. We appreciate you.