COVID-19 Updates

Update May 5, 2020

Earlier this evening, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper shared an update on North Carolina’s modifications to stay-at-home orders activating Phase 1 of our State’s reopening plans. We did receive a clarification from his office that overnight camps are currently not a part of Phase 1. North Carolina is awaiting guidance from the ACA and CDC to determine if overnight camps will be able to open in Phase 2. To read more about North Carolina’s plan, click here.

I know you are aware that, in many instances, overnight camps across the country are canceling their summers and making difficult decisions in the interest of responsible programming given the complexities of COVID-19. None of these decisions are easy and they are incredibly disappointing for staff, campers, families and alumni – all of whom never imagined a summer without camp.

The Camp team and I continue to thoughtfully consider all the factors that affect our ability to deliver a safe, fun and meaningful camp experience. We will share our update and decisions for summer 2020 with you the week of May 18.

Thank you for all the support, patience and trust.

If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sallie Ransom
Vice President, Overnight Camps
YMCA of the Triangle

Update April 16, 2020

We hope you and your family are well and safe. These are extraordinary times that have moved us all to a new normal, forced to us to put so much on pause and pressed us all in ways we couldn’t imagine before this crisis began.

We also know that Camp is on your mind, and we cannot thank you enough for all of your support. From emails to texts to calls to all the amazing messages on social media, we sure are fortunate to have you as part of our Camp family.

Like you, we are continuing to monitor developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak closely. As we approach the summer, we want to update you on our decision-making process and status moving forward.

Establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy Camp community remains our top priority. It also presents a different reality in the wake of public health recommendations and government mandates in North Carolina and across our country. Since this epidemic began, we have been working to answer these two critical questions: Can we safely and effectively deliver our summer programs in the new reality of COVID-19? And, if able, what does it look like at Camp this summer?

To guide us in answering these questions, a Medical Task Force has been convened. Members of the task force include medical professionals with backgrounds in epidemiology and infectious disease medicine, public health experts, YMCA executive staff and Camp leadership.

We are also continuing to work closely with the American Camping Association (ACA) and overnight camps across North Carolina and the country. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is also currently developing specific guidance for day and overnight camps and has connected with the ACA to engage them around their work.

Following North Carolina mandates, guidelines and recommendations from the ACA and CDC, the task force is continuing to explore all challenges, options, protocols and health practices that factor into our ability to deliver summer programs safely.  

Moving forward, we will keep you updated on the task force and key decisions regarding changes to our Camp programs. By mid-May at the latest, we hope to share broader updates regarding our summer plans.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any specific questions or concerns. We will continue to update you as we have information. 

Update March 26, 2020

This is an unprecedented time in our country and around the world. As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 outbreak, these past few weeks have been nothing short of challenging for everyone – especially children. We recognize that these are unique times and we want to do everything we can to alleviate any potential stressful decisions you may have about keeping your child enrolled for summer 2020. Please see some adjusted policies and answers to many questions you may have.

Are you still planning on delivering programs as scheduled?

This summer, children will need Camp Kanata more than ever. We are anticipating an amazing summer and are currently planning to deliver all summer programs as scheduled. We recognize, too, that we are in a fluid, evolving situation. We are following the directions of the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), North Carolina Department of Public Health and other state/local officials. We are also speaking regularly with the American Camp Association among others, and consulting our trusted advisors and Medical Committee.

Summer Update from Camp Kanata on Vimeo.

When will you make the call to cancel a program or cancel Camp?

At this time, we have no plans to cancel any summer programs. We will continue to monitor the situation and will make decisions based on Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and the State of North Carolina health policies and recommendations closer to the start of Camp.

Adjusted Refund and Cancelation Policy

Please note: The final Camp payment deadline has been moved to June 1, 2020.

If you need to cancel your child’s session for this summer, please do so in writing before the dates listed below.

·       For session 1 through 4:          June 1, 2020

·       For session 5:                         June 29, 2020

·       For session 6:                         July 6, 2020

·       For session 7:                         July 13, 2020

·       For session 8:                         July 20, 2020

·       For session 9:                         July 27, 2020

Cancelation received on or before the dates above will result in a 100% refund for all program fees paid to date. Your deposit is non-refundable. As a reminder, once your session starts, no deposits are refundable. In order to cancel a session, Camp must receive a written cancelation notice, available online or via email at CampKanata@CampKanata.org

Reallocating your refunded program fee

During these uncertain times, if you choose to cancel, we hope that you will consider donating all or a portion of your refunded program fee to Camp. These funds will afford us the greatest flexibility to support our operational needs during this unique time. This donation will be tax-deductible.

Not Attending and Waitlist

Not attending your summer program does not entitle you to a refund in any case. If your camper is wait-listed and no space becomes available, or you cancel, you will receive a full refund of your application fee. 

If Camp is unable to run this summer

If for some reason Camp is unable to deliver a summer program, 100% of both your deposit and program fees paid by the cancelation date will be refunded.

Health Forms and Keeping our Community Safe

We understand that many doctor’s offices around the country are waiving appointments and prioritizing families who are experiencing issues related to COVID-19. Living in a residential setting this summer and the health of our staff and campers has never been more important. Therefore, we are holding to our current standard of requiring campers and staff to have a physical within 1 year of their first day of Camp. The Forms deadline is May 8, 2020 for campers.

For any scheduling conflicts with your Doctor's office, please email Eva Hobson and she, in collaboration with the Camp Director, will work through any issues with you. 

Additional actions we are taking to ensure a safe Camp community this summer include adding a pre-arrival COVID-19 screening self-assessment as well as COVID-19 questions/protocols to opening day screening. Your child’s safety remains our number one priority and we will continue to adjust to the guidelines and protocols set forth by the CDC and other authoritative organizations.

What should I do right now?

You do not need to do anything right now. Please work to stay healthy and follow the recommendations of officials---we care about your well-being! You may have heard that, out of an abundance of caution, the YMCA of the Triangle has temporarily suspended all member access and member activities until at least April 30.  Please know that this does not, in any way at this time, impact Summer Overnight Camp Programs.

Are there any other resources that you recommend for talking to my children about COVID-19?

There are a number of useful resources available to assist families in understanding the current situation including these below:

• Talking with your child about the coronavirus: Healthline has published "How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus." 
• Psychology Today has published "How to Talk to Your Anxious Child About the Coronavirus."

We recognize that Camp is a tight-knit community where news spreads quickly, and we want to make sure that everyone has the most up-to-date information. Your passion for Camp Kanata is what makes it such a special place; a place we all look forward to returning year after year.

Our plan currently is to deliver all summer programs as scheduled. We recognize, too, that we are in a fluid, evolving situation. Children all over the world are being asked to give up what they deserve: time each day to learn new things, grow as people and, most importantly, be with friends. Staying home from school, sports, and beloved activities is a difficult sacrifice for children to not only make, but to understand.

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