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Last spring as we all looked toward the summer, wondering how to keep our kids engaged and occupied, many families were on the fence about whether their children should attend summer camp or not. Several camp facilities took their offerings online with virtual camps, while others closed completely. As vaccines begin to slowly roll out, many parents are left to wonder, what is on the horizon for summer camp 2021?
Will camps open this summer?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a list of activities by their risk of furthering the spread of COVID-19. These lowest risk CDC camp guidelines serve as reminders of best practices for summer camp facilities:
- Keep campers in small group settings with other campers from their same geographical area.
- Campers should be able to interact while remaining socially distant.
- Campers should also remain in their designated groups throughout the duration of camp activities.
With these COVID-19 safety tips, many camps will likely open with enhanced social distancing, mask requirements, and expanded sanitation measures. Communities that have been able to successfully roll out vaccines are confident in their ability to handle full reopening. For example, the Reopen Alaska Responsibly initiative indicates that by May 22, the state should be fully open for business.
"One kid is going to Boy Scout Camp. But in a state where everyone over 16 can get the shot, I feel like this is a solid choice for him." Alaska resident and mom of two, Laura Sampson told Mom.com.
A 2020 survey by Campminder, a software company that provides operations management solutions to camp facilities, indicated that the global pandemic forced 68% of overnight camps in the country to close. Summer 2020 marked the first time Lochearn Camp for Girls — an overnight resident program — had to close in 104 years, according to Camp Director Tony Oyenarte.
“We went through the flu of 1918, both World Wars, H1N1. But when June 1 came, and we had to make a decision for the summer, it was focused on: Are we gonna be able to deliver an experience that’s going to be safe and is it going to be fun?'" Oyenarte said in a CNBC news article last summer. "And the short answer, after much soul searching, was no, at the end of the day, we just said it’s not going to be the best experience for our campers and our staff.”
Families looking to attend in-person camp can consult the 2021 summer camp directory at Summercamps.com. Simply enter your zip code for a list of summer camps by state, and click on your child's interests — such as art, sports, or music — for a comprehensive list of camps near you.
Find a virtual summer camp for your child
If attending in-person camp is beyond your comfort level, there are options. Virtual summer camps in 2020 became a semblance of normal that many kids (and parents) needed after months in lockdown. Summer 2021 is shaping up to be a repeat of last year with virtual camps at the forefront.
- The Playground offers free virtual summer camps for kids ages 4 through 18.
- Disney fans and theater kids will enjoy The Lion King Experience, a completely online way to explore theater at home. The program offers a Kids Experience and a Jr. Experience via a PDF download.
- Summer Camp Hub provides a directory of free online camps being offered in 2021.
Outdoor summer activities for kids during COVID-19
Many parents are completely forgoing summer camp in 2021. De-Shaun Silas Jordan says that her son — who is immunocompromised — will not be attending in-person camp. "I don’t feel that facilities will take all the precautions. With the recent vaccines rollout and states rolling back precautions, I am not comfortable sending him," she told Mom.com.
"He will attend virtual camp and I have decided to run a virtual camp 2 days a week," she explained. Jordan offers virtual courses for homeschooling families and has plans to go on a road trip to visit family members this summer.
Naturally, outdoor activities would be safest during COVID-19. Swimming, surfing, outdoor scavenger hunts, and any other activity where it's easy to maintain social distancing are your best bets for staying safe and healthy this summer. Families not keen on attending in-person summer camp still want to ensure kids are getting outdoors for fresh air and exercise.
Safer outdoor activities during COVID-19
- March 27 was National Camp at Home Day, an initiative that invites families to set up camp wherever they are and learn about the joys of camping and the great outdoors, even if you're indoors. If you missed it, the site offers lots of ideas for bringing the camping experience to your own backyard — or even your living room.
- Day-to-night Harry Potter fun: Set up a DIY backyard Quidditch game in the afternoon, complete with Harry Potter-themed snacks. When the sun sets, screen your favorite Harry Potter film in your backyard theater set up.
- Geocaching is a fun way to get together with friends outdoors and explore new areas of your city or town.
- Inspire your children to be naturalists and discover the world around them through nature journaling. The Nature Journal Collection video series offers step-by-step instruction on helping families become more in tune with nature.
