Seacoast summer kids camps struggle with decision to open

To open or not, eight children or 50, impose a camper quarantine, mandatory masks and tests? These are a few questions weighing on the minds of the people who run Seacoast nonprofit summer camps.

Meanwhile guardians have their own concerns. How do I care for the children when called back to work? Are camp health precautions enough? What's the best balance for my child's physical and mental health?

The Governor's Economic Re-Opening Task Force has approved guidelines for day and overnight summer camps. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced Friday days camps could open June 22 and overnight camps can open on June 28. Neighboring Maine has its guidelines in place. Day camps can open June 1 and overnight camps July 1 in Maine.

As decisions are being made on state and community levels, providers are making their own regarding camp, most with lots of contingencies.

To date, two nonprofits have announced they will suspend camp. Most will go ahead, with a variety of possible configurations.Two remain hopeful, but uncommitted.

In past years, camps were advertised around February; by now, early June, they’d be closing in on capacity.

Meanwhile providers weigh guidelines against realities: counselor availability, building and outdoor space, new requirements, etc.

For New Hampshire Theatre Project, the restrictions and configurations proved too much. It will forgo physical and virtual camps, but offer virtual, tailor-made private sessions.

"It was a hard decision," Artistic Director Catherine Stewart says. "Summer camps are a fun time for students to relax, come together, make new friends, and we weren't going to be able to offer that. ... So the big determining factor was enjoyment."

Ditto virtual camps. After talking to families and educators, "we realized that having the school year end on virtual platforms ... has been really hard on students." Offering more of the same wasn't the answer.

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"It's sad to give up the summer, but it's the summer to pause," Stewart says. "It's not forever. It's the best decision right now."

Some camps are committed, they think. Or they hope.

All the numbers discussed are inclusive of counselors. For PMAC live is limited to 10 people, plus online programs. Hackmatack Playhouse is set in Maine, so it is allowed 50, but will cap at 20.

Regardless of the company, the numbers are markedly lower than previous years. For example, PMAC's entire season will consist of 24 campers; normally they serve several hundreds.

There are camps still working out details. Upside Arts is trying for an in-person camp, but not yet committed. A virtual version is planned with or without it. The Children's Museum of New Hampshire is deliberating. They are looking at live and a summer camp-in-a-box kit program. They hope to give a definitive answer by June 1.

All are working within state restrictions and CDC recommendations, some with in-house additions.

The basics are social distancing, touchless thermometers at drop off, hand-washing and sanitizing, disinfecting surfaces throughout the day, and always or appropriate mask-wearing. Camps with concurrent groups will prohibit crossing over. All end-of-camp public performances are canceled.

To better ensure safety, the Gundalow company canceled all partnership camps.

"Logistically, it was too difficult to accommodate the restrictions in so many places," Executive Director Rich Clyborne says. "And there wasn't staff to do what we need."

The Company will hold 12 camps, each cohort restricted to 10.

It also made changes to its cancellation policy in recognition of the struggle parents face making a choice.

"It's a tough position. I don't envy parents," Clyborne says. "So, we've tried to be flexible. ... If a parent is on the fence, and camp starts on Monday and they decide on Sunday not to send them, we'll give them their deposit."

PMAC is setting stricter in-house guidelines for its music and art activities. "We're going to be super-cautious," PMAC Executive Director Russ Grazier said.

In-house camps will focus on jazz and rock, ages 10 through 17 only. There will be no singing offered.

"It's important young musicians get to make music together. Online tech is not yet in a place that ensemble playing is practical," Grazier said.

“We are all working hard to find creative ways to adapt to virtual education," he adds. "On the flip side, we'll be doing a lot of ... one- and three-hour virtual programs."

Both Seacoast Rep and Upside Arts plan extended precautions. The two will expect camp counselors to quarantine for 14 days pre-camp. Both will likely request families limit activities outside camp for the duration as well.

Exactly what the Rep's camp will look like - that's still in the works.

"This is uncharted territory. And the challenges associated with it? Most remain to be seen," Director of Marketing and Development Brian Kelly says. "I'm sure it will come with challenges including figuring out camps with no touching. ... It's one thing to do it with adults, but with kids, (it has) its own challenges."

Upside Arts is waiting word on its venue; the physical season hinges on that location. Regardless, virtual camps are a go, with a possible virtual-live hybrid.

Upside will require COVID-19 testing if it’s available before things get started, a practice others are considering.

The current proposed guidelines are very limiting, "but no matter what happens we can make a fun program for kids," co-owner and co-director Seraphina Caligiure said.

"I know some parents want their kids to get out and socialize, and some don't. But most everyone is burnt out with the virtual thing," Caligiure says. "It's tough because people just want to have a regular, normal, day camp. But it's going to be an extremely different experience."

Hackmatack's camp is set on a farm with a spacious barn, an ideal camp location under the current circumstances.

It's all about social distancing, which is why they're opting for less than half the allowed number.

"It's actually a good time to have a camp. The kids are really restless for something to do," Executive Director Michael Guptill says. "We had kids sign up already, ... only one we haven't had before."

Holding camp in spite of the low number is about the mission, and helping parents, Guptill says. "And it's about remaining an active part of the community."

It's a comment voiced by all the organizations.

"If we can do something, we should," Kelly says.

There is also a question of overnight camps. At this point, both Upside and the Rep plan to go forward with theirs if circumstance allows. Once again, things will be quite different.

"It's all so sad. We miss our kids," Caligiure said. "We want to be crazy with themes and play games with them. But the most important thing about this is we have to be safe."

While the adults deal with the "what if, and if so," the children wait, just hoping for time with friends and "having a summer." Time will tell.