Sleepover Summer Camp - anyone sending your kids?

[AgentMama]

We are completely on the fence about what to do this year. Our kids go to the same sleepover summer camp every year. Last year was canceled because of COVID. This year camp is a go so far. We're waiting to hear more about the guidelines and precautions in place to make it safe, but just aren't sure it's worth the risk. What is everyone else doing?

 

[bjscheel]

Not quite the same, but I'm sending DD19 to work at camp. I know they are doing things like keeping each cabin in a group and not co-mingling.

She's not a cabin counselor, so will not be sleeping in a cabin full of kids. She will be with each group of kids but only outside. That makes me feel a little better, but I would be okay with her being in the cabins too.

Numbers are going down drastically so I have optimism for summer.

 

[AlohaNow]

DS14 is currently waiting to hear on three different summer camps, all of which would take him out of state. Sea Camp at TAMUG (TX) is taking sign-ups on a waitlist basis only, which I feel is very wise. No deposit due with a sign-up, as they don’t want to have to process a bunch of refunds if camp does not happen. STEM Camp at the Naval Academy (MD) is by competitive admission so he’ll hear back on his application later in the spring. But all website info is as if it is happening. YMCA Trekker camp (CO/Utah) was already full for his chosen trek, so he is on the waitlist for the 2-week adventure. If someone drops, we can pay up fast and get him a spot. So he is on hold for everything at the moment, and we seriously hope that at least one camp comes through for him. Once we have more info we’ll survey the COVID landscape at the time for where he’s going and make an informed decision. It will be interesting to see how each camp handles guidelines and precautions. There has just been so much time at home, boy really needs to get out!

Too bad he is no longer in scouts. Our troop is doing the St. Thomas sail through Sea Base this summer. Now that’s what I call a week at camp!

 

[low-key]

My kid is all grown up, but I would, your only a kid for a while, it would be a shame to loose 2 summers out f that short time already

 

[wilbret]

We are completely on the fence about what to do this year. Our kids go to the same sleepover summer camp every year. Last year was canceled because of COVID. This year camp is a go so far. We're waiting to hear more about the guidelines and precautions in place to make it safe, but just aren't sure it's worth the risk. What is everyone else doing?

Yes, Boy Scout camp in June. We’ve been camping every month since May, I have zero problem with it.

 

[RangerPooh]

Last years summer (sleep away) camps were canceled for all four of our kids, so everyone’s excited about this years camps. Both girls and our older son will be attending Scouts BSA sleep away camp sessions. And two or three will return a few weeks later for the Cub Scout family camp that our youngest gets to attend. Since DH and I are BSA leaders we’ll be spending time at camp too. For our oldest she only has two summers left to attend camp before she graduates high school. So we’re not wasting the opportunity.

Our kids are use to wearing masks and both of us have received our vaccines.

 

[AgentMama]

For those of you sending your kids, what are the sleeping arrangements? I guess our biggest concern is that it doesn't matter if the kids wear masks all day if they sleep in group cabins unmasked.

 

[pezgirlroy]

Yes. We sent our last summer. Our camp was absolutely amazing. Basically, all kids and staff were to quarantine at home 2 weeks before camp. Tested two days before camp started. Numbers of kids were smaller. Camp was broken down into pods. Older kids together, younger kids together. Bunkmates did not wear masks while together in their cabin as they were part of their household. Bunks ate together. It is a fine arts/theater camps so when inside a building doing candle making or fabric arts they wore their masks. All adults other than kitchen staff stayed at the camp the whole time (including two weeks before it started). One week into camp they were tested again. At the two week mark, those kids who were staying did not have to wear masks as much because they were past that window and had all been together. They did continue to wear them around the older counselors (there is a woman who is in her 60s who teaches the fabric arts) just out of respect. This is one of the camps that was studied in Maine. There were no out breaks and the kids had the summer they needed to have. Going back again this summer. As of now, they are following all of the same protocols unless they can less any of them but they probably won't. This camp is and was amazing. I honestly believe it is the only thing that kept my daughter sane last summer.

 

[barkley]

you got me curious with this topic. my kids did camp every summer for several years but aged out several years back. the camp they went to most recently always did registration starting around the first of february and the spots filled up FAST. each session was 6 days so if you wanted more than one week you did back to back b/c the 7th day of the week was the day kids departed/arrived so your kids just continued their stay. that said-i just looked and they started registration back in october for 2021-and it's still open for enrollment. they also changed things so that it's now a 5 day camp so they can have 2 days to sanitize between which means parents would have to retrieve their kids and bring them back for multiple weeks.

the camp is in a state that's been very lax on implementing covid restrictions but the bulk of the campers come from other much more restrictive states so i'm wondering if they had a low number of campers last summer/lots of cancellations causing them to open registration so early this year with an eye to considering scaling back on it's offerings/not opening at all.

 

[wilbret]

Our camp is tent camping, there is no sharing of tents.

 

[fly girl]

Yes, I registered my child for camp this year. Cabins are at 50% capacity. They have a list of Covid protocols, but the main highlights are outdoor eating with tables at a distance, increased sanitizing cleaning in cabins and all over the camp, added hand washing stations in front of each cabin, campers do not have to wear masks in cabin but any time you have potential to be more than 6 feet from other groups masks must be worn. Their main goal is to try and keep distance between groups (each cabin which is about 5 campers is a group)

I wasn't aware until recently, but the camp has already had some overnight and weekend sessions. They have been pleased with how changes for Covid have been received and implemented.

 

[AgentMama]

Our camp is tent camping, there is no sharing of tents.

I think that would make me feel much more comfortable than cabins at reduced capacity.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would send my kids if my kids wanted to go. There is a basketball camp in June my son has gone to each year except last - this post reminded me I need to look and see if they are still holding it.

 

[Minnesota!]

For those of you sending your kids, what are the sleeping arrangements? I guess our biggest concern is that it doesn't matter if the kids wear masks all day if they sleep in group cabins unmasked.

Where my son goes, it's on a college campus. So, 2 people per dorm room. I can see how they could EASILY make it "safer" by only 1 person per room. That takes away a lot of the fun of camp, though - the friendships formed, etc. And, those same kids could just gather in the commons to hang all night, etc. So, I guess I have to look into what they are doing and what my son is ok with - if it's going to be "lame" and no social aspects of it, he won't want to go.

 

[becauseimnew]

Yes, both our girls will attend GS camp.

 

[Kamy04]

My DS10 is going to the sleepaway hockey camp he missed last summer. They are doing single rooms instead of having roommates. It’s on a college campus. They’re going to do as much as they can outside and have plenty of room to distance in the big dining halls.

I am nervous, but the single rooms helps a lot in my mind. He’s been playing hockey since August with 2 games and 2 practices a week, so I’m not worried about the actual hockey. (They spend 5-6 hours on the ice each day)

 

[LuvOrlando]

Wondering if parents can get antibody tests for their little kids? Do they offer that now? If a parent knew a child had it and passed it without issue wouldn't everyone be more relaxed?

MIne are 20's and after the vaccines I'm going to figure out how to double check with one of the antibody tests and then it's all a go (with masks for others of course) I WANT then them to enjoy life, not at the expense of their health but if they can be cleared isn't everyone better off?

 

[mom2rb]

I will be taking 20 of my gymnast to a gymnastics camp. I went last year and was impressed with the safety precautions. Normally I go in June but this year I am going in July. I should be able to get my first vaccine in May, second in June. That makes it a little bit safer.

 

[AgentMama]

I will be taking 20 of my gymnast to a gymnastics camp. I went last year and was impressed with the safety precautions. Normally I go in June but this year I am going in July. I should be able to get my first vaccine in May, second in June. That makes it a little bit safer.

My concern here is that the vaccination still isn't available to children and definitely doesn't seem like it will be by this summer. So this isn't a protection for them, only adults.

 

[pezgirlroy]

My concern here is that the vaccination still isn't available to children and definitely doesn't seem like it will be by this summer. So this isn't a protection for them, only adults.

I understand but I will just add again that we did 4 week sleep away last summer (and we take covid very very very seriously) and our camp did an amazing job and there were no outbreaks.