BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — No one wants to say it out loud, but there is growing concern that Coronavirus could wipe out the summer camp season nationwide — potentially decimating an industry whose entire survival is based on eight weeks a year.
While there are no reports of camps announcing closures at this point, the American Camp Association is notably updating camp directors on a regular basis, holding webinars and providing information on management of the virus.
This is hiring season for camps — finalizing agreements with camp counselors, food vendors, setting activity schedules, arranging camp trunk transport and travel for kids to get to overnight camps that are often several states away from where campers live.
Whether overnight camp or day camp, camp “bunks” or cabins are not known for their luxury, spaciousness or cleanliness. That’s part of the experience. But that experience now runs contrary to CDC guidelines for combatting COVID-19.
Financially, summer camps have one business — providing activities in the summer. There is no fallback, expect for overnight camps which lease out space for corporate retreats in the off season. But that revenue is minor compared to what could be the few million dollars in fees that a camp could bill over the summer — money that’s used for staffing, food, transport, insurance and maintenance. Once expenses are paid, most overnight summer camps are left with a slim — if any — profit at all.
…Developing…
