Summer day camp is back in session!
Ontario’s Salvation Army Ministries are forging ahead with in person day camps that meet all COVID-19 public health guidelines. One of those camps is The Salvation Army Northridge Church in Aurora, led by camp organizer and youth pastor Sandra Reid.
“Everything will be happening outdoors this summer. We are installing a low ropes course along the tree line to give kids something new and exciting to do outside,” Reid said.
“We are also placing extra emphasis on learning about nature and how to protect the environment.”
A sports coordinator has also been hired at Northridge camp to teach sports and games with COVID-19 social distancing protocols in place. Normally all camp spots would be filled by now, but the pandemic has slowed registrations. The good news is there is still space at Northridge Church, at a cost of $40 per week.
Campers at Northridge are limited to 30 per week, with participants being divided into three groups of 10. Each cohort will remain together through the week and not intermingle with other camp groups. They will remain outside for the entire camp. In case it rains, camp will move indoors to the large gym to meet social distancing regulations.
“We want kids to be kids this summer. They need to be with others, they need to get dirty, to laugh, to have fun, and to make new friendships,” Reid said.
At Oshawa Temple, camp is running for six, one-week sessions this summer, with eight staff leading the camp programs, from July 12 through the week of August 16. Shona Burditt, Youth and Young Adult Ministries director in Oshawa, said each week offers a different theme, including Christmas in July, the Summer Olympics, and Theatre Camp, with space for up to 15 kids per session.
“We’ve tailored the registration in a way we can make sure as many kids as possible can still attend. We still have spots available. If restrictions allow, we can add more spots, up to 20 per cohort,” said Burditt. “We just await to make sure we are safe and camp staff are safe and comfortable. We are following all the provincial safety guidelines.”
Most of the camp activities take place outdoors with games, sports, crafts, Bible study and other special events. Physical distancing, cleaning and sanitizing, wearing of masks indoors, and other precautions are worked into all camp programming. Four tents will be erected on the grounds in case it rains.
Burditt said camp staff are looking forward to being able to interact with campers face to face once again.
“It will be like coming back to Oshawa day camp like it was in 2019, which was amazing. It’s giving people an opportunity to experience camp and get off their screens and be outdoors and be with their friends and just feel like kids,” Burditt said.
Oshawa camps are $100 per session, but financial assistance is available for families, with the goal of making sure as many kids as possible have the summer camp experience.
For community day camp information and registration, please contact each local Ministry Unit directly.
By Chris McGregor