Camp Abnaki will re-open this summer
Share
Updated: 12:51 PM EDT Apr 26, 2021
Share
Updated: 12:51 PM EDT Apr 26, 2021
Hide Transcript
Show Transcript
AS WELL AS ALL THE HEALTH CARE WORKERS ADMINISTERING VACCINES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. SUMMER CAMP SEASON IS áALMOST HERE... AND ONE OF THE OLDEST Y-M- C-A SUMMER CAMPS IS áRE- OPENING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A YEAR... BUT THERE ARE SOME CHANGES IN STORE. NBC5'S KRYSTIN RAE TAKES US THERE. JOHN KUYPERS, IS EXCITED TO OPEN DOORS BACK UP AT CAMP ABENAKI áhe's opening a door hereáá AFTER A LONG WAIT. "NOW MORE THAN EVER KIDS NEED TO GET OUT OF THEIR HOMES THEY NEED TO PUT DOWN THE TABLETS AND THE COMPUTERS AND THEIR PHONES DOWN, THEY NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS SOCIALLY." BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, THE CAMP HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE 2019. WHICH MEANS CAMPERS HAVE MISSED OUT ON ALL THE IMPORTANT INTERACTIONS THAT PLAY A ROLE IN CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT. "THEY CAN BE EXPOSED TO OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, LEARN NEW SKILLS, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, AND SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY GROW FROM A TOUGH YEAR." THE CLOSURE HAS ALLOWED THE CAMP TO GET A MAKOVER. YOU CAN SEE HERE, A NEW BATHROOM IS BEING BUILT. THEY'RE RE- VAMPING THE ADMINS. CABIN WHERE GAME NIGHTS ARE HELD, AND FANS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING INSTALLED TO HELP WITH AIR VENTILATION. "WHAT THE CDC IS RECOMMENDING, THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION, THE YMCA OF THE USA, AND NOW WE HAVE OUR STATE GUIDELINES. WE FEEL THAT AFTER A YEAR OF LEARNING LISTENING AND UNDERSTANDING WE'RE ABLE TO OFFER CAMP." CAMPERS WILL BE EXPECTED TO WEAR MASKS WHEN IN CLOSE- CONTENT WITH OTHER CAMPERS WHO DON'T SHARE THE SAME CABIN. THERE WILL BE DAILY HEALTH AND COVID- SCREENINGS, AND EATING WILL TAKE PLACE OUTDOORS MORE OFTEN UNDER TENTS LIKE THIS ONE. "CAN YOU HAVE LOTS OF FUN AND BE SAFE? YOU CAN. YOU SURE CAN." AND ALTHOUGH CAMP MIGHT LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT, THE STRUCTURE, AND LIFE LESSONS, WILL STILL BE THE SAME. GETTING KIDS BACK OUTDOORS IS WHAT JOHN IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST. "PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANT IS FOR THOSE CAMPERS TO GET BACK OUTSIDE AND TO LA