Dear Summer Camp Families and Community Friends,

As our camp season fast approaches and the Covid19 pandemic is still a significant health crisis, we have made a difficult decision. After much reflection and deliberation, we will be canceling our 2020 summer day camp programs as they have traditionally been offered.

  This year all of us are struggling with a set of challenges none of us have ever had to contend with before. While we certainly hope this pandemic is behind us as soon as possible, we need to face reality. At The Neighborhood House, we find ourselves asking:

•  How do you plan a program if you do not know when (or if) it will begin?

• How do you hire counselors while unable to inform them of their dates of employment?

• How do you play tag, have circle time, share art supplies, or even ask campers to hold hands while crossing the road when “social distancing” guidelines are still in place?

• Given schools in our area have deemed it not safe to gather through the end of the academic year, how can we assume it will be “safe” to start camp just a week or two later?

• How would we feel if there were to be an outbreak at camp and we put our community, at large, at risk?

Our paramount concern is for the health and well-being of our campers, their families AND the adults and seniors within our small community. At The Neighborhood House, we have a responsibility to protect friends and neighbors of all ages throughout our town.

What now? Well not to worry! We have not abandoned the ship! While the usual day camp program is not in the cards, rest assured that if/when it is safe to gather this summer, we will take full advantage of the opportunity and offer stand-alone programs. In fact, staff are currently planning an arsenal of activities and events to roll out when appropriate. These new events will be offered periodically throughout the week at low or no cost to participants and focus on children of different age groups as well as entire families. We will keep abreast of Gov. Mills’ and the CDC’s recommendations and announce activities when they happen on our social media platforms. We hope you will join us!

While we are incredibly enthusiastic about the new opportunity this presents for the upcoming summer, this was not an easy decision. We realize some of our families rely on day camp as a form of childcare for the summer. For that reason, we wanted to communicate this information as soon as a decision was made so you can make plans accordingly. Please reach out to us if you have any questions. We are here for you.

Summer 2020 is going to be a bit different for all of us, but we are looking forward to making the most of it, TOGETHER.

                                                                                                Warmly,

                                                                                                The Board & Staff of The Neighborhood House

P.S.- Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube for schedule and event updates. You can also sign up for our e-newsletters by visiting our website at theneighborhoodhouse.com or texting “NHH” to 22828.