20 | MAY 14 • 2020
Summer Bummer
Camps, parks, fairs cancel due
to COVID-19.
MAYA GOLDMAN AND CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITERS
Jews in the D
A
s summer draws nearer, communities around the country are con-
tinuing to feel the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and social dis-
tancing. While children are still grappling with the loss of the school
year, their summer experience is now facing the same pressure.
Many local families suddenly have large holes in their schedules. First,
Tamarack Camps announced their closure; then others followed. Here are
some of the organizations that have canceled their summer plans.
UNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM CANCELS ALL SUMMER PROGRAMS
URJ announced the cancellation of their 2020 summer programming on
April 30. URJ runs 15 summer camps spread throughout the country, as well
as teen travel programs to Israel and other locations around the globe. They
are also the parent organization for NFTY youth groups, which run their
own summer events and activities. There are 12 NFTY youth groups centered
around Michigan congregations.
While children cannot physically come to camp, URJ plans to host virtual
programming and events throughout the summer. Families who have already
paid for URJ summer programs will have the option to choose a refund,
credit fees forward to future programs or convert program tuition into a
donation.
CAMP RAMAH IN CANADA CLOSES FIRST SUMMER SESSION
Camp Ramah in Canada, a sleepaway destination in Ontario that attracts
many Michigander campers, has canceled its first summer session and is
waiting until June to decide on the rest of summer. The camp is run through
the Ramah Camping Network, a large group of summer camps affiliated with
the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism that have locations through-
out the United States, Canada and Israel.
The camp offers 10 different sessions tailored for
children grades 1-10. They also offer the Tikvah
Program, an overnight summer camping experi-
ence for Jewish children ages 12-21 with special
needs.
Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, located in
Conover, still plans on opening but has delayed
the start of its summer session to June 30.
HUNTINGTON WOODS CANCELS CAMPS
AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
On May 1, the city of Huntington Woods
announced it would cancel its summer camps and
recreational programming, all Fourth of July fes-
tivities and its summer Concert in the Park series.
The city’
s pool will also not open this summer.
The Parks and Recreation Department plans
to create virtual activities for families, and the
Huntington Woods library has digital program-
ming already put in place.
ANN ARBOR ART FAIR CANCELS ANNUAL EVENT
The Ann Arbor Art Fair, which was scheduled
July 16-19, was canceled on May 7. This is the
first time the art fair has been canceled in 60
years. Fair organizers plan to promote each of
the artists online. (Jewish News parent company
Renaissance Media produces the fair’
s annual
print guide.)
OTHER SUMMER PLANS
Southfield has canceled all city events until May
15 or further notice.
The West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation
Department has canceled all activities until May
31, and their Recreation Activities Center is cur-
rently closed through June 8. West Bloomfield’
s
summer camp registration has been postponed
until May 18.
The Jewish Community Center Day Camps,
powered by Tamarack, released a statement May
4 saying they are "cautiously planning” on pro-
ceeding with their summer.
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