YMCA of Bucks County will offer summer camp programs in summer 2020.
The organization, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Camp Association (ACA) and state and local health guidelines, has modified previously scheduled camp programs to ensure safety while providing children with an outstanding camp experience. Adjustments include the addition of safety protocols for staff and campers, new academic programs and weekend camp, removal of field trips, and extension of deadlines for their financial assistance program.
YMCA of Bucks County offers summer camp in Doylestown, Fairless Hills, Holland, Morrisville, New Hope-Solebury, and Quakertown. Amid the government mandated quarantine that began in March, YMCA of Bucks County immediately began adjusting their camp curriculum, policies and procedures to ensure the safety of campers and staff while continuing to provide a traditional camp experience filled with learning, fun, and friendship.
YMCA summer camp programs in Bucks County will open on Monday, June 15 with new safety protocols already in place based on CDC guidelines and approved by the Bucks County Health Department. These protocols include daily temperature checks and health questions for staff and campers, decreased commingling, as well as scheduled, frequent hand-washing, social distancing and sanitization of equipment/supplies after each program.
Based on guidelines, changes also include the reduction of camp group sizes, changes in activities and equipment usage, and the modification of rainy day and weather emergency plans. Keeping groups small and the same throughout the day and moderate social distancing will also be implemented.
Additionally, activities are being altered, with previously offered field trips to regional locations being transitioned into fun, in-camp activities. Several sports and specialty programs have been modified, added or canceled to ensure that they can be run safely and “touch free.” For example, basketball camp, where youth all touch the same ball for game play, has been transitioned to Sports Frenzy, which will include basketball but through individual skill development only.
Responding to the early closure of all schools and the switch to virtual learning, the Y is now offering Academic Explorers and Academic Explorers Jr. at five of its camp locations. The goal of the program is to ensure that children entering kindergarten and first through third grades are ready for the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Half-day programs will be held at the Y’s Doylestown, Fairless Hills, Holland, New Hope-Solebury, and Quakertown camp locations during a variety of weeks.
Also new is a half-day weekend camp option at the YMCA Doylestown, Fairlesss Hills and Quakertown locations. The weekend option provides a half day camp experience on both Saturday and Sunday. Parents may opt to send their child on one or both days.
For summer 2020, the Y is removing camp deposit requirements and is guaranteeing refunds due to situations related to COVID-19 including job schedule changes.
Financial assistance is available and is awarded based on an application process. Previously communicated deadlines have transitioned to a rolling-basis with applications for assistance due one month prior to the day parents would like their child to enter camp. For full information on financial assistance, visit the website at
ymcabucks.org/fa.
The organization is offering live (via Zoom) Meet the Camp Director virtual camp open house events throughout the spring and early summer to answer questions and provide “in-person” assistance. Upcoming open house dates are available at
ymcabucks.org/camp.
