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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