Dear Camp Families,
We are proud that Woodcock Nature Center is uniquely positioned to provide outdoor experiences for our children during what will be an unprecedented summer. While camp will look quite different, we are committed to serving our community through nature this summer.
Our dedicated staff has been hard at work adapting our camp programs and creating high-level protocols that meet the guidelines laid out by the CDC, CT Office of Early Childhood and American Camp Association. While we know that there is no guarantee that our protocols will 100% eliminate the risk of COVID-19, we will continue to adjust to mitigate risks.
Details are provided further below (
please keep reading!
) but
here is an overview of the changes we'll be making
this summer:
- June 15 and 22 weeks of camp have already been cancelled. Refunds are still being processed.
- We are also cancelling all Pre-K and entering Kindergarten through 2nd grade groups.
- 3rd-8th grade programs will be running with only 30 campers per week and under stringent protocols. We will not be able to accommodate everyone who is currently registered.
- We will be adding two additional weeks of camp: June 29 and August 17. Registration coming soon.
- Many procedures and programs will be different. Please read our What to Expect This Summer memo closely.
Why are we making these adjustments?
As you know, Governor Lamont originally announced that licensed summer camps could open on June 29. He has since changed the camp open date to June 22, but Woodcock camp weeks of June 15 and 22 remain cancelled for staff training and planning for the remainder or the summer. See our
May 5 communication
about June cancellations.
Nature camp brings a lot of campers and staff together in the same place (normally about 90 campers on a full week!). With new stringent policies and procedures in place, it will only be possible for us to have 30 campers on our preserve each week (10 per group plus 3 staff each). Maintaining camp at 30 children per week allows us to fulfill a high standard of health and safety.
We feel strongly that it will be a challenge for our staff to execute a quality program with our youngest campers while also meeting the health, safety and distancing requirements
. For this reason,
we have cancelled all Pre-K and entering Kindergarten through 2nd grade groups (Nestlings, Fledglings and Scouts) this summer
.
If you have a registered Pre-K or entering K-2 camper (Nestlings, Fledglings and Scouts), here is what we can offer:
- A full refund to your credit card.
- A combination of a refund and a tax-deductible donation to Woodcock Nature Center.
- Or, please consider donating your full registration fee.
Please use the link at the bottom of this email to indicate your preference.
To help us efficiently process your request please use this link rather than emailing or calling.
This link is for Pre-K and K-2 registrants only.
What about campers entering grades 3-8?
Programs for campers entering grades 3-8 are planned to run as scheduled but in much smaller numbers (30 campers per week). Prior to the pandemic, our popular summer camp was 75% full with many groups at capacity. Unfortunately, new state guidelines mandate that we have no choice but to reduce the number of campers in some of our groups.
If we can no longer accommodate you in your originally registered week, you
will be notified directly via email on or before June 5
. These families will be offered an opportunity to switch into a less full week of camp or one of our newly added weeks of camp: June 29 and August 17. If a switch is not possible, you will be offered a full refund.
All registered families will receive a confirmation of their summer registrations before June 10.
Please note that our online registration system may not be accurate or may be shut down while we sort through these changes.
I already know my camper will not be attending camp.
If your family has already made the personal decision not to send your grade 3-8 child to camp,
please
complete this form
as soon as possible.
It is very helpful for our planning purposes.
Please also know...
Adjustments to the number of campers we serve this summer represents a significant challenge for us both administratively and programmatically. Reductions will be made based on a number of factors but most importantly, date of registration.
We have spent considerable time thoughtfully planning for this summer and will do our best to accommodate our families where possible.
We appreciate your continued patience as our small staff navigates these changes.
We have heard from many of you that there is a deep need for outdoor camp experiences this summer. While we regret that we will not be able to see all of you at camp, we look forward to finding other ways to connect. We remain committed to serving as many families as possible while maintaining a healthy, safe and enjoyable summer.
Be well,
