WATERTOWN, NY – 4-H Camp Overlook, 4-H Camp Wabasso and the Extension Learning Farm have canceled their 2020 Camp season.
Among the many difficult decisions the local Extension Associations have had to face together, today they share one that is especially difficult. It is with a heavy heart that Extension, after a very thorough review, has decided to close their residential and day camp programs at 4-H Camp Overlook, 4-H Camp Wabasso and the Extension Learning Farm this summer. This decision was not made lightly. Camp leadership spent the last few months carefully following and evaluating the evolving COVID-19 situation. They reviewed CDC reopening guidelines, attended several American Camping Association webinars, and evaluated guidance pertaining to residential and day camps. Extension also remained in regular communication with their respective County Health Departments.
After considering the information and weighing the risk that COVID-19 still poses, the local Extension Associations have decided that the risk is too high for its campers, camper families, and camp staff to open camp for a typical camp season. They would not be able to give campers the full camp experience while following the guidelines to keep campers and camp staff safe. Under the circumstances, the Extension Associations felt it impossible to meet their mission mandates related to youth development in a camp setting.
Full refunds will be provided to all registered campers. Currently Extension is planning other programming options for campers. These options could include virtual camp programming, virtual campfires with camp songs and camp stories, camp programming broadcasted through WPBS kids, and/or possible small group activities in person at our camps later in the summer.
Please go to our websites at franklin.cce.cornell.edu, ccejefferson.org or stlawrence.cce.cornell.edu to learn more.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Stephanie Graf at 315-788-8450 for 4-H Camp Wabasso; Casey Sukeforth at 518-483-4769 for 4-H Camp Overlook; and Tammy Hill at 315-379-9192 for Farm Day Camp.
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