Here’s what parents can expect with day camps in Hamilton this summer

As the weather warms up, kids begin to dream of games on the lawn, arts and crafts with their friends, and reuniting with their favourite camp counsellors from last year.

But under the restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, a week at a Hamilton-area day camp will look very different than last year.

On Friday, Hamilton moved into Stage 2 of the province's reopening plan, which means summer day camps in the city will be allowed to run - under strict guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Health.

What will summer day camps look like?

Designated cohorts" of campers, smaller groups, check-in stations with PPE-clad counsellors, regularly sanitized equipment and physical distancing will be the new reality for day camps in Ontario.

The City of Hamilton is encouraging day camp operators to follow Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, which include measures for physical distancing, a 10-camper capacity for groups and detailed sanitization requirements.

Preopening inspections from Hamilton public health will not be required. Additionally, camp operators are not required to advise public health of their reopening plans, with the exception of existing reporting requirements, such as swimming pools or bathing areas on beaches.

Which Hamilton-area camps are operating?

Earlier this spring, McMaster University and Mohawk College, announced they were cancelling their popular summer day camps for 2020.

A few weeks later, the City of Burlington and YMCA Camp Wanakita also announced they were cancelling their summer camps.

Many more camps have remained in limbo, waiting for further direction from the province before making a final decision.

YMCA of Hamilton-Burlington-Brantford

YMCA of Hamilton-Burlington-Brantford (HBB) has yet to confirm whether or not it will be running in-person day camps this summer.

Based on the guidelines by the province, we are examining opportunities to deliver an alternate summer program that could effectively incorporate public health measures to reduce the risk of virus spread," said Nicki Glowacki, the chief operating officer at the YMCA HBB, in an email to The Spectator.

This could include physical distancing, smaller group sizes, daily health assessments with enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures. Glowacki said they are waiting for more information on availability of schools or other spaces to deliver their programs.

If we are able to confirm locations, we would then begin implementation plans include readying facilities, examining possible timing of program, hiring and training of staff, and implementing any site-specific modifications," she said.

City of Hamilton

The City of Hamilton announced June 2 that all city-run summer recreational programming, including Camp Kidaca and Free Summer Supie programs, will be cancelled for summer 2020.

Royal Botanical Gardens

Though the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) opened outdoor gardens to the public June 5 as part of a phased reopening, a spokesperson for the organization has confirmed that its in-person day camps have been cancelled for the month of July.

RBG spokesperson Nick Kondrat said in an email that they have cancelled all July camps with plans at this time to continue with August camps should the circumstances permit."

Dundas Valley School of Art

The Dundas Valley School of Art (DVSA) announced June 16 it will be running a modified version" of their Children & Teen Summer Art Camps beginning June 29.

Health and safety is paramount and we will be strictly adhering to these Ontario guidelines," reads an announcement on the DVSA website.

Camps for children ages four to six are cancelled.

Soccer World

Soccer World, a sports program and day camp in Hamilton's west end, is already gearing up to run summer day camps, with modifications as per the provincial guidelines.

We created our own list right on how we would do it," said Duncan Macintosh, the owner of Soccer World. You have to wash your hands before you go in the building. No parents are allowed. Kids aren't allowed to bring in backpacks. They have to bring in their extra clothes and a clear Ziploc bag so we can identify them in the game."

MJM Equestrian

MJM Equestrian Centre, a horseback riding barn in Hannon, has opened registration for its summer programs for July and August.

We're fortunate in the sense that we have a very big building," said owner Daisy Kosa. And we have relatively few kids in our camp compared to the size of our physical space."

Typically, the camp organizes its campers into groups of eight, which is under the 10-camper limit outlined in the provincial guidelines.

But certainly it changes the camp experience," she said. We don't let the kids in the actual barn where the horses are stabled, because it's very difficult to maintain distancing in there."

De La Sol Yoga

De La Sol Yoga, a studio with locations in Hamilton and Waterdown, has cancelled its summer day camps.

Zacada Circus

The owners of Zacada Circus, a popular school and camp in Stoney Creek, said they don't know how they could run day camps this summer.

It's really hard to imagine having to do all these protocols," said co-owner Christine Cadeau. Social distancing is exactly the opposite of what we do. Kids are there to become friends, to work together, to learn together."

The Great Big Theatre Company

The Great Big Theatre Company (GBTC), a Hamilton-based theatre arts school with programs across southern Ontario, has decided to cancel all of its in-person summer programs - in part because the churches and schools they normally use for programs are closed - and go virtual instead.

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