Southern Alberta summer camps coping with second pandemic summer
After a year that was anything but normal, Albertans are looking forward to what could potentially be a summer of at least some normality.
One part of summer that was severely impacted last year was summer camps for children.
The recent announcement of the government’s "Open for Summer Plan" have given optimism that camps will indeed run this summer.
While the government has plans for the province to fully reopen, camp operators are still being cautious.
"For this summer we’re a more cautious and conservative approach again," said Bill Halma, the director of horns recreation at the University of Lethbridge.
Southern Alberta summer camp (Courtesy U of Lethbridge)
"We want to make sure the experience and the comfort level for all the kids coming to the camp are as high as possible."
Halma said the university did run limited in person camps last summer, but is hoping for a more normal summer this year.
He also noted that since the province’s announcement on a reopening plan, camp enrollment numbers have jumped.
"Our numbers have spiked up significantly over the last week after the announcements for stage two and stage three came about. But prior to that we had stagnated for over a month, we had very few registrations."
While there will be camps at the University of Lethbridge this summer, attendance will still be limited.
Halma noted that the camper to counselor ratio would not exceed 10 to 1 and some camps may be limited in attendance simply because of lack of demand.
Programs like the basketball and ringette camps which are mainstays at the university camps have had noticeable drops in registration.
Despite the province’s plan however, some camps have opted not to open for a second consecutive summer.
Summer camp, southern Alberta. Courtesy Camp Nookoowai
Donny Coulter, the founder of Camp Nookoowai in Fort Macleod, said it was just not possible for the camp to be ready in time for summer.
"The latest we could probably wait was February to get volunteers lined up and travel arrangements made," Coulter told CTV.
The camp was planning on celebrating its 25th summer of operation.
Even with the province’s re-opening plan, Coulter said there was just no way to be prepared for the summer.
While the camp may not be running, Coulter still maintains relationships with those who would attend the camp.
"We are very close to the community, and we believe in relationships, so we have lot of relationships with these kids that last throughout the year. They’re a part of our lives."
Some camp operators are still not sure what their camps might look like and whether or not there will for sure be any camps.
Lethbridge College said that they are still figuring out what exactly the camps might look like.
A spokesperson from the college stated, "Lethbridge College is working to provide summer camp options this summer, and will have more information available in the days and weeks ahead."
While camps may be able to operate to some level of normalcy, they have yet to reach the stage where they can operate the same as they did pre-pandemic.
From the looks of it, a 2021 summer re-opening offers hope, but normal is still a ways away.
With Files from Quinn Keenan
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.