Camp of the Woods hopes to reopen in-person this season, adds virtual option
Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer
Hopeful preparations are underway at Camp of the Woods to safely open in-person activities this season.
“We are so hopeful that we are going to get to run things. It is hard to be especially hopefully when you are in lockdown. But, with some of the things the province has been talking about… help me to be encouraged that come July, when our programs are scheduled to start, we actually might be able to run our in-person camps,” said Adam Kane, Camp of the Woods Program Director.
With information gathered from over 100 families via an online survey, Kane said they were able to use that community input to assess local interest and plan their calendar for the season. He added that it was also helpful to understand the extent of local interest to pursue Camp in a Box, an online activity program. “We wanted to provide an option for campers who still want to participate in camps, but they are not ready to do in person things yet, or live very far away, in a northern community or in another part of the province,” said Kane.
The camp is preparing to offer four in-person programs, including three-day-long overnight camps, mini camps aiming to suit the availability of older teens, day camps and a new addition of family camps. Kane explained that the family camps would give families access to guest cabins, with washrooms and kitchens, enabling them to build their own adventure using camp facilities. He added that there would also be some option of staff lead activities for interested families. “We are mostly just wanting to give families an option, because it’s been so long since people have been able to do fun things, to just give people a fairly inexpensive getaway.”
Unable to provide on-site camping last summer, Kane shared that this year they had ample time to monitor the pandemic, and after receiving a green light from Ontario Health to conduct overnight camps and on site activities; they are looking forward to this season.
“During this really difficult COVID season, I’m just so concerned for our youth. I see anxiety and fear and worry and boredom and just so many things that really are very damaging for our kids, and it just makes my heart hurt. I worry for our younger generation through all of this pandemic. And so, as somebody who has my whole life worked with children, being able for us to provide some really positive uplifting, encouraging and fun activities this summer to really influence and impact kids in a positive way just really makes me excited,” Kane said.
Camp of the Woods has been offering summer programming to kids in this area for over 55 years. “We really love being able to give kids the opportunity to spend time outdoors, to spend a camp experience with their friends,” Kane commented. “The days will be very full. We have a wonderful waterfront; we are going to spend time in the lake. The kids will get to go swimming, and we have lots of fun games and activities.”
Kane shared that they hope to operate at about two thirds of their normal capacity, while adhering to all COVID-19 precautions and guidelines. He added, “We are going to rearrange some of the seating and things in our lodge and in our chapel, so that people can stay six feet apart. We have plans for the majority of our activities to take place outdoors, as much as possible, so that we can maintain that distance.” The camps will maintain smaller group sizes, confining activities within those groups, similar to how school had been operating in the past year, shared Kane.
Camper applications will open on May 15. Further information regarding programs and booking can be accessed via Camp of the Woods website at https://cotwcanada.com/.