Dear Camp Parents and Guardians,
For those of us who have experienced summer camp we know it may be difficult to describe the meaning of “Camp”. As Camp Administration, we often hear “It’s an amazing magical place!” or, “I can’t wait for summer camp to start!” and, “I don’t want this to end”. What we need to remember during this time is; Camp is not where you are, it is what you do while being there.
The magic of camp is made by the experiences each camper encounters while spending time with friends and adults who care about them. I hope during this COVID-19 Shelter in Place order you have been able to spend some quality time with your family. I have seen many of you participating in camp-like activities of hiking, riding bikes, and making window projects. These are just some examples of precious moments at camp; creating magical memories together.
Our plan is to continue to move forward with Summer Camp and the Mankato Family YMCA Camp Administration Team has been diligently researching and planning methods to maintain the health and safety of our campers this summer with regard to the developments of COVID-19. The memories made at summer camp, and the joys of summer are priceless, and we will continue to strive to give your children the very best care, as we closely follow state guidelines and recommendations from the CDC to keep your children safe and well. I empathize with the possibility that sending your child to camp this summer may cause concern for you as parents and guardians.
As we prepare and develop new guidelines with regard to maintaining the safety and welfare of our campers, we will also need to edit pre-existing schedules. While camp and associated activities may not be exactly like those of the past, our focus remains on the health, safety, social growth and academic enhancement for each individual child. In order to ensure this, the understanding that flexibility and adaptability becomes imperative as we navigate with intentionality through various phases to reach what we all once knew as “normal”. For example, one change we must implement involves a careful approach for interaction and physical distancing between camp groups. We plan to operate in small groups with a ratio of 1 staff to 9 youth per group. Please inform Dustin Slaughter, [email protected] by May 22nd, if your child has a friend or multiple friends they would like to attend camp with (must be in the same grade). While we cannot promise all requests will be granted, we will certainly do our best to accommodate.
For your convenience, you can find the additional precautions pertaining to the start of camp on June 8th, 2020 online here. If you have any immediate questions, please reach out to us. Continue to look for updates on REMIND, Summer Camp Facebook page, YMCA website and your email.
Many of you have also asked about the May 15 payment deadline for June camps. We are extending that due date to May 22. If you have questions on how to pay your balance, please let us know.
Finally, we ask that you complete this short survey so we can better understand your thoughts and concerns surrounding summer camp. Click here for the survey.
Your continued support and patronage of our camps and affiliated programs is greatly appreciated. On behalf of the entire Mankato Family YMCA Camp Administration Team, thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we develop new policies, procedures and protocols to keep campers safe and well this summer.
We hope to see you soon,
Karri Olmanson
Youth Development Director
Dustin Slaughter
Assistant Camp Director
