Help Save Summer 2021
Kids and families need camp more than ever this summer
Photo courtesy of Sandy Hill Camp in North East, MD
The state of camp in Maryland:
In early June of 2020, The Maryland Department of Health issued MDH order No. 2020-06-12-02.
2020 Maryland Camp Attendance
Down 85%
In 2019, licensed youth camps in Maryland hosted over 3,000,000 camper-days of day and residential camp.
In 2020, that number plummeted to 420,000.
76% of youth camps that operated in 2019 did not operate youth camps in 2020
100% of the camp programs that only offer residential programs in 2019 did not run youth camps in 2020.
Although camps in many parts of the US were permitted to operate, most Maryland camps could not under the June 12, 2020 guidelines.
Yet, out of over 400,000 camper days in 2020,
only 7 COVID cases
related to staff or camper exposure were reported at camps in Maryland!
Thanks to the efforts of many people and organizations, MDH Secretary Schrader rescinded the June 12, 2020 order on March 9, 2021. It was replaced with the following directive:
”All youth camp operators are directed to follow all applicable federal guidance from the CDC on this subject and, where applicable, the Maryland School Reopening Guidance from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and MDH (updated January 2021).”
While this is a very positive step…
Photo courtesy of Y Camp Puh’tok, Monkton, MD
There is still work to do
We continue to urge MDH and the Governor's office to prioritize youth camp staff as "frontline essential workers" in phase 1b as advised by the CDC ACIP Committee (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/categories-essential-workers.html). We recognize and appreciate that the supply of vaccines is a current bottleneck, but we need action soon to ensure that staff are fully vaccinated by early June when campers arrive to camp.
The current CDC guidance (last updated January 4, 2021) still leaves some unanswered questions. We are waiting for MDH Program Staff to provide guidance on the interpretation of the latest order.
Evidence-Based Research Findings
The CDC published an article in September of 2020 showing how, with multiple layers of COVID strategies, camps could run safely.
The ACA published its findings from camps around the country that did operate in 2020. The research showed that, with proper precautions and effort, day and overnight camps can run safely.
The CDC published an article in November of 2020 showing that mental health-related crises in youth have risen during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Compared with 2019, the proportion of mental health–related visits for children aged 5–11 and 12–17 years increased approximately 24%. and 31%, respectively.” Camp is a powerful tool to promote coping and resilience and improve children’s mental health.
The CDC has designated youth camp workers as “frontline essential workers” in phase 1b (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/categories-essential-workers.html see NAICS 7212), but Maryland has not yet followed suit.
Together, we can do this!
Photo courtesy of Camp Letts, Edgewater, MD
Step 1: Find your legislators
Click here to type in your address (and your camp’s) to find the names and emails of the legislators for your camp and your home.
Photo courtesy of Camp Airy, Thurmont, MD
Step 2: Contact them
Here is a template of what you might consider saying so that we, as a camp community, are speaking with a unified voice.
Photo courtesy of Camp Louise, Highfield-Cascade, MD
Step 3: Stay Informed
Photo courtesy of Camp Letts, Edgewood, MD