May 21, 2020
Dear Summer Camp Families,
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time. It is with extreme sadness that NYA has decided to suspend our 2020 camp season.
This decision did not come easily. Over the last months, I met with local, state, and national officials to stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 developments, best practices, and recommendations. There have been many sleepless nights and infinite Zoom meetings with other camp directors and experts in the field. Ultimately, it was too difficult to balance the need to maintain the health and safety of our campers, partners, staff, and families while maintaining the integrity of the summer camp experience.
I know that we all were very much looking forward to summer camp, and we all hoped for a return to a bit of normalcy after what has been a very challenging school year. I know many families were relying on us to open so they could finally return to work, and our campers were looking forward to the amazing programs and experiences that we had planned for them. As this is my first year as Summer Programs Director at NYA, I can assure you that I never thought this would be the kind of decision that I would have to make. In my heart though, I know it is the right one for the safety of our campers and staff and for the integrity of NYA Summer Programs.
I know this is not the summer we envisioned. Given delays in guidance from national and state officials, it was difficult to navigate a balance between the amazing experience that is summer camp and all of the health and safety protocols that would have to be in place. I am taking comfort in the fact that we are not alone in making this choice and that ultimately it will be the right one for our camp community.
I want to thank our Assistant Director of Summer Programs, Kassi Michaud, for all of the hard work and dedication she has put into planning our Panther Cub and Super Summer Camp Programs. I also very much would like to recognize all of our amazing Partner Camps that bring so many special and unique programs to our NYA summer camp experience. Everyone on our team put in a tremendous amount of work to make this one of our best summers ever, and we all stand with you in sadness that our vision of this summer will not come true.
As promised, NYA will issue a full refund to all families registered for the 2020 camp season. We ask for your patience as we try to navigate this process in a timely fashion.
Please reach out to me at any time if there is anything at all that you need, or if you have any questions. I wish you all health and peace in these challenging times. I have hope that there are better days ahead.
Be well,
Mary Goodrich
Director of Summer Programs
