Hamilton-area camps in limbo waiting for restrictions to be lifted

For the last few years, twin sisters Anna and Arden Ljungberg have had what they think is one of the best summer jobs in the world.

They have been working as staff at Camp Chippewa, a YMCA day camp at Christie Lake Conservation Area, about 30 minutes away from their Burlington home.

This year, because of COVID-19, their summer jobs are in jeopardy.

I'd be missing out on the experience," said Arden, a camp counsellor in the summer and an education student at Brock University. It's more than just getting a paycheque."

But they say not having income over the summer would add stress to their school year. Classes and extracurriculars leave little time for a part-time job.

When you go to school, you want to be as independent as possible," said Anna, who works as a lifeguard during the summer and studies commerce at Queen's University. We rely a lot on making and saving up money during the summer."

The 19-year-old sisters are just two of the many students wondering how they will make money over the summer as Hamilton-area camps wait for direction from public health authorities. Some, like McMaster University, have already closed in-person camps. But others, like the YMCA, are still hoping restrictions might be lifted before July.

There's still not enough information to make that decision," said Nicki Glowacki, the chief operating officer of the YMCA of Hamilton-Burlington-Brantford (HBB). She said they're still hoping to be able to operate in some way, and are working on developing protocols and best practices for health and safety.

We want to make sure that we can support families, but also ensure that we can safely implement all this physical-distancing protocols."

Despite the uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions this summer, Glowacki said the YMCA is planning for summer so they're ready to open if restrictions are lifted.

We've had to continue to hire our summer staff in case we do operate," she said. The YMCA has hired about 140 summer students - all on the condition that camps are able to operate this summer.

They need money for school, but they also need to develop their transferable skills," she said.

The YMCA of HHB runs both indoor and outdoor day camps in the region. Glowacki said they're hoping to have a clearer picture of what the summer will look like mid-May.

Many other camps across the city, including Camp Kidaca, Mohawk College Summer Camp and Art Gallery of Hamilton Summer Camp, have yet to announce whether their summer programming will operate.

Michelle Stephenson's daughters, 10-year-old Natasha and seven-year-old Naomi, typically spend four or five weeks every summer in day camps in the Hamilton area.

They're both very different. My one is very kind of reserved and quiet," she said. And my other one loves being outside, and doing activities and playing sports."

For the last few years, her daughters have been campers in a number of different programs within the city.

They're getting used to the camp idea, and they do a few PA day camps as well," she said.

Camp is not only a chance for Stephenson's daughters to learn new skills and meet other kids, but it also serves as daycare during the months they're not in school. Stephenson, an executive assistant at McMaster Children's Hospital, and her husband both work full-time.

For now, Stephenson is able to work from home most of the time, but she may have to return to the office as restrictions ease.

We'll just have to play it by ear and see what happens," she said.

Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com