Last spring as we all looked toward the summer, wondering how to keep our kids engaged and occupied, many families were on the fence about whether their children should attend summer camp or not. Several camp facilities took their offerings online with virtual camps, while others closed completely. As vaccines begin to slowly roll out, many parents are left to wonder, what is on the horizon for summer camp 2021?
Will camps open this summer?
Outdoor summer activities for kids during COVID-19
Many parents are completely forgoing summer camp in 2021. De-Shaun Silas Jordan says that her son — who is immunocompromised — will not be attending in-person camp. "I don’t feel that facilities will take all the precautions. With the recent vaccines rollout and states rolling back precautions, I am not comfortable sending him," she told Mom.com.
"He will attend virtual camp and I have decided to run a virtual camp 2 days a week," she explained. Jordan offers virtual courses for homeschooling families and has plans to go on a road trip to visit family members this summer.
Naturally, outdoor activities would be safest during COVID-19. Swimming, surfing, outdoor scavenger hunts, and any other activity where it's easy to maintain social distancing are your best bets for staying safe and healthy this summer. Families not keen on attending in-person summer camp still want to ensure kids are getting outdoors for fresh air and exercise.
Safer outdoor activities during COVID-19
- March 27 was National Camp at Home Day, an initiative that invites families to set up camp wherever they are and learn about the joys of camping and the great outdoors, even if you're indoors. If you missed it, the site offers lots of ideas for bringing the camping experience to your own backyard — or even your living room.
- Day-to-night Harry Potter fun: Set up a DIY backyard Quidditch game in the afternoon, complete with Harry Potter-themed snacks. When the sun sets, screen your favorite Harry Potter film in your backyard theater set up.
- Geocaching is a fun way to get together with friends outdoors and explore new areas of your city or town.
- Inspire your children to be naturalists and discover the world around them through nature journaling. The Nature Journal Collection video series offers step-by-step instruction on helping families become more in tune with nature.
