Every summer, the small town of Mentone sees an increase in its population as hundreds of boys and girls arrive in search of wholesome fun experiences like horseback riding, archery,
Mentone summer camps are relieved to get the go-ahead to hold summer sessions in 2021, according to Mayor Rob Hammond.
Hammond, who is owner of Camp Laney, said Friday that the camps will be subject to the same social distancing and sanitation guidelines as schools. Although he did not have an exact dollar figure, the cost of not opening in 2020 was âsubstantialâ and impacted most businesses in town.
While the hit to the overall economy was cushioned by very strong cabin rentals, camp owners were deprived of a yearâs worth of income while continuing with operating costs such as upkeep of their cabins and facilities. Many parents who pre-paid were offered full refunds while others opted to defer until the 2021 season. The economic impact also included camp counselors who saw their summer jobs vanish.