February 1, 2021 Update
Greetings from Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert…
As you know, we made the very difficult decision not to open our camps during the Summer of 2020. While we missed having the campers and staff members on the shores of Lake Hubert, for us, it was the right decision to make. Since then, we have turned our attention and efforts towards assuring that we can host our campers and staff for the Summer of 2021.
Camp is Prepared
I am quite proud of the camp industry. From the early days of Covid-19 and every day since, the American Camp Association has engaged with world class health and logistic advisors to ensure that camps have the tools and the knowledge to operate safely. Our leadership team has participated in numerous planning discussions and task forces to be prepared for Summer 2021. We are confident that we can operate camp safely and at the high standards our families deserve.
I would also like to thank you, our camp families, for being so supportive during these unprecedented times. Your caring comments and outpouring of support allowed us to get through a quiet summer and the many months since.
Camp in 2021
Normally, during this season, we would be starting the rush towards Opening Day, but we are still working to answer the question that all of us have, “What will camp look like in 2021?”
Unfortunately, there remains too much uncertainty about what the environment will look like in June of 2021. Right now, our focus is on planning for many different scenarios. This includes assuming many of the restrictions that we currently live with will continue, like cohorts/pods, enhanced sanitization requirements, masks, maximizing time outdoors and social distancing. We believe by preparing contingency plans for many environments, the camps can adjust their policies and approaches to provide what is most important to all of us — the best possible camp experience for everyone in attendance.
To do so, we are reviewing all aspects of our program offerings, the guidance from medical, national, and state organizations, and the vaccine situation. Examples of some of the guidance we are monitoring closely include the Minnesota Department of Health’s COVID-19 Prevention Guidance for Overnight Youth Camps, The American Camp Association’s Field Guide for Camps, and the CDC’s Suggestions for Youth and Summer Camps Guide. We have also been in discussions with several camp directors that successfully ran residential camps in 2020, such as Camp Fernwood, Camp Winnebago, and the North Star Camp.
Based on this review, along with the information and knowledge gained this past fall, we are creating our very own Roadmap to Opening Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert with COVID-19. We anticipate posting this document this spring and encourage you to review it with your camper(s) at that time.
Parent Information
To ensure the best possible camp experience for everyone at Lincoln and Hubert, our Parent Information Packet will be different this year. You will receive it in four parts.
• Travel Information will be sent next week.
• We highly recommend that you use Travel One this summer, as they are best equipped to work through cancelled flights, re-routings, schedule changes, etc. They can also seat our campers near each other on the plane, thus reducing the number of people your camper(s) will be exposed to during travel to and from camp. An online form will be included in the Travel Information Packet for requesting air travel.
• The Roadmap to Opening Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert with COVID-19 will be posted this spring.
• All Camp Health Forms will be sent out in mid-March, which should allow families time to make appointments with physicians before the summer arrives.
• The remaining Parent Information Packet will be sent in early April.
In closing, we cannot thank you enough for sticking with Lincoln and Hubert and for entrusting us with your camper(s). All of us here in the Camp Winter Office want to do what we love best, which is creating a summer experience that helps our campers and staff members develop their best selves. We know that Summer 2021 will be different, but we are determined more than ever to run a summer program that will keep everyone at camp safe and sound while making sure to adhere to the high standards our families have come to expect during our long history. Similarly, please know that our core elements will remain at the center of what we do every day: community, excellence, fun, quality relationships, and personal growth and development. We look forward to seeing you this summer at camp and to hearing from you soon!