A

fter COVID forced the closure of 
most camps last year, local camp 
directors say they are ready and 
excited to welcome back campers next 
month and give kids a bit of normalcy and 
a lot of fun this summer. 
“Even with all the changes, the goal is to 
make camp look like it did pre-COVID, 
meaning there will be all the activities 
campers would expect such as arts and 

crafts, sports and swimming but with 
guidelines set by the state and CDC,
” says 
Randy Comensky, senior managing director 
of the JCC Day Camps. 
Camp Maas Director Carly Weinstock 
doesn’t think kids will notice much of a 
difference from previous summers. “Once 
they’re there and doing programs, it’s going 
to feel like camp. They’re still going to par-
ticipate in the typical camp activities, but, 

for the first 10 days, there won’t be any all-
camp programs.
”
At Tamarack, meals will be served 
in shifts, according to Weinstock, and 
although campers will stay with their villag-
es, siblings will have time to see each other, 
masked and socially distanced. 
Leaving for camp will also look different 
this year. Instead of excited families and 
campers gathering in a crowded parking lot 
filled with camp spirit, upbeat music and a 
string of green buses waiting to take camp-
ers to Ortonville, parents will have to drop 
their children off at camp. 
Most camps also are decreasing the num-
ber of participants. Tamarack will operate 
Camp Maas at reduced capacity, some-
where between 75 and 80 percent capacity. 
However, because of the fluidity involved 
in addressing all things related to COVID, 
those numbers could be modified if exter-
nal guidelines change. Camp directors said 
this is true of all COVID-related protocols. 
The JCC Day Camps plans to enroll 25 

14 | MAY 20 • 2021 

J

odi Mills says she would 
send her two teens to 
overnight camp in a heart-
beat, but their summer plans are 
uncertain right now. The Mills 
attend Camp George in Ontario, 
Canada, and the province was 
on lockdown until at least May 
19. Even when restrictions are 
lifted, it’s questionable wheth-
er camps in Ontario will be 
allowed to open. And, if they 
can, most likely, Americans will 

have to quarantine in Canada for 
two weeks before starting camp.
Jacob Mills hopes to cele-
brate his 16th birthday at Camp 
George. Because of his age, this 
would be his eighth and final 
summer. His sister Becca, 13, is 
hoping to attend Camp George 
for the seventh time. 
“I honestly don’t care about 
how high the numbers are in 
Ontario. I am not worried. I 
trust the camp staff to do the 

right thing and keep everyone 
healthy,
” says Jodi Mills of West 
Bloomfield. 
If he can’t go to camp, Jacob 
plans to work, play baseball and 
hang out with friends. Becca, on 
the other hand, doesn’t know 
what she will do. 
“Being a single parent in a 
pandemic is rough,
” Mills says. 
“While I need a break, it’s equal-
ly important for them to have 
one, too. Camp is such a good 
place for kids to grow as individ-
uals, be responsible, create bonds 
and have new experiences.
“I keep counting the losses 
in my head. I’m grateful that 
we’re healthy, but they only get 
one childhood, and when the 

What campers and their families 
expect this summer.
Camp 2021

JENNIFER LOVY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

JENNIFER LOVY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Parents Share Their 
Thoughts on Camp

Becca and Jacob Mills

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