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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