Dear Camp Families,
I am writing to check in, provide a few updates, and to extend our warmest wishes to you and your families at this challenging time. Though the doors of the JCC are temporarily closed, we remain committed to fostering the sense of community that defines Centre Camp, and we are looking towards the summer with great anticipation and excitement! Please know that we are here for you if there is anything we can do to support you and your family during this time of uncertainty. If we can’t assist you personally, we will connect you with the resources you need. Caring for and serving our community remains our top priority.
We are committed to providing you with timely, transparent updates as we look forward to Summer 2020. Naomi, Maya, and I have received and closely read all your inquiries regarding the upcoming summer. In this email, we have outlined information as it stands to date.
Will Passover Break Camp operate as scheduled?
As stated in previous updates, the JCCs are currently scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 6
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, 2020. Given recent health advisories from the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada, which we continue to monitor closely, it is likely that we will have no choice but to delay the reopening past April 6
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to protect the collective safety of our community. As a result, we have had to make the sad but necessary decision to cancel this year’s Passover Break Camp Program. Rest assured that refunds will be issued with no penalties or processing fees at the earliest possible opportunity once our team is back in the office.
Will The Jack and Pat Kay Centre Camp operate in Summer 2020?
YES! We can’t wait for this summer, and we know our campers will need camp more than ever after this period of physical separation. We are in full operation, working from home, preparing for camp to begin as scheduled on Monday, June 29, 2020. We know this will be our best summer yet!
We continue to vigilantly monitor all updates from the municipal, provincial, and federal governments and to abide by outlined guidelines. We are also working closely with local health officials, the Ontario Camps Association (OCA), and the Jewish Community Centers Association (JCCA) to ensure we are 100% prepared to deliver a safe, phenomenal camp experience this year. In the event this plan should change, we will communicate with you immediately. We cannot wait for another amazing summer.
What is Centre Camp’s contingency plan should circumstances change?
We are big fans of having a “Plan B” here at Centre Camp. Our team is devoting our time to planning for all contingencies and is ready to pivot as needed. We are thankful to have a very strong Leadership Team committed to delivering the innovative and creative experience we offer our families year after year. This summer is no different. We are planning for several possible scenarios and are prepared to make the following adjustments if required:
- Potential adjustments to the start and end dates of camp (June 29 – August 21, 2020; 8 weeks);
- Potential adjustment to the length of each session of camp (currently four 2-week sessions);
- Adjusting the fee structure based on the potential adjustments outline above, should those changes have to be implemented;
- Adjusting procedures with regards to drop-off, pick-up, and busing as required;
- Reconsidering the offerings of out-of-camp specialty programs and field trips;
- Holding open community events before, during, and after the summer sessions;
- We are already working with health officials to put numerous new health and safety protocols in place – details will be shared as soon as they are finalized.
How will upcoming payments, deadlines, and cancellations be dealt with at this time?
If you have already registered for Summer 2020, the best course of action you can take at this time is to leave everything as-is. At this time, our cancellation policy is still active as outlined in the terms of registration, which is also available on our website. Unless adjustments are made in future to the summer session, this policy remains as outlined. As per the policy, cancellations can be made prior to May 1, 2020 less the deposit per camper. With over a month until that deadline, we highly recommend you keep your spots, as we continue to receive new registrations to this day.
Can prescheduled payments be delayed at this time?
In order to ensure that we are prepared to operate at full capacity this summer and deliver the camping experience that you expect, full payment remains due on May 1, 2020. Please be assured that we guarantee a 100% refund of all funds paid in the event health authorities should decide that The Jack and Pat Kay Centre Camp cannot operate this summer. We know the financial impact of this crisis has left many of our families in a difficult situation, and we are deeply sympathetic to the challenges many of our community members are facing. We are doing our very best to continue to serve our community and meet their needs even with our doors being closed. If you need to discuss an alternate payment schedule due to present financial circumstances, please contact me directly. We are here to support you and your family.
On behalf of the Centre Camp professional team and our wonderful, dedicated seasonal team members, we can’t wait to make new memories with you this summer. In the meanwhile, make sure you are following our social media pages to stay engaged with the steadily growing library of fun and interactive online programming the J is creating to serve its community during this period of physical isolation:
I wish you and your loved ones good health during this challenging time. Take good care of yourselves. Although we are physically distant, we do not have to be socially distant. Stay connected, and stay safe. We are counting down the days until the start of camp. Before we know it, we will reopen the doors of the JCCs to an even stronger and more vibrant community, and welcome the start of another great summer!
Shabbat Shalom,
