Although many questions still remain, St. Albert-area summer camp programs are hopeful they can carry on as usual to some extent this year.
Last year was far from normal for the majority of regular summer camp attendees – many summer camp operators opted to close summer programs for kids due to COVID-19 uncertainties and the risk of changing restrictions. A year later, Alberta is again under stricter restrictions with higher numbers and further uncertainty. However, programs are hopeful, and many are choosing to plan ahead.
The City of St. Albert usually runs a number of summer camps. During normal summers, you'd see kids gathering at Servus Place for everything from science to cooking. This isn't a normal summer, though.
Andrea Gammon, St. Albert's cultural programming manager, told the Gazette in an email that the city hasn't yet finalized its plans for delivering summer camps.
"The City's summer camps plans are tied to the provincial public health measures in place and what those measures look like in the weeks to come is unknown," she wrote.
Gammon noted the city does have plans in the works for two summer camps involving drama and dance, which would be offered virtually at this time.
Salvation Army
The St. Albert Salvation Army Church is in the midst of a hiring process to bring in two co-ordinators and four camp counsellors, despite the uncertainty of what will be allowed this summer, said Betty Fraser, the church's community and program services person.
"I'm really not sure what it is going to look like this year, but we are being very positive," Fraser said
In past years, Fraser has seen 10 to 35 children attending the camps, where they participate in activities and field trips. This year, the field trips will not be happening, but Fraser is optimistic about having camps that children can enjoy.
Jurassic Forest
While the Jurassic Forest near Gibbons doesn't offer summer camps, it has always been a place for families to spend time in the summer. Jurassic Forest general manager Andrea Hrenchuk says they will be open seven days a week, with plenty of COVID-19 guidelines in place to keep everyone safe.
"As the restrictions kind of change, we are hoping to go back to doing birthday parties, field trips for schools, and Girl Guides and groups like that, and we are also hoping to do our adults-only Dinos After Dark events again," Hrenchuk said.
Due to the outdoor nature of the Jurassic Forest, Hrenchuk says it doesn't lend itself to a virtual experience. When asked about what might happen if restrictions last longer or tighten further, Hrenchuk said: "We will have to cross that bridge when we get there."
Other camps such as Royal City Soccer and Snow Valley Aerial Park are already promoting camps and events for this summer on their website. Royal City Soccer is offering discounts to those registered and paid by June 1, 2021, and Snow Valley Aerial Park is promoting their June 4, 2021, opening with two new attractions titled Whitemud Creek Mining and Snow Valley Target Golf. Even though it is hard to say what the summer holds, one thing is for sure: hope is in the air.
