Many college students like myself come home from school for the Summer with a job already lined up if they are planning on working. With the current ever-changing nature of the virus as well as the varying severity in different states, college students home for the Summer are in a tough spot, questioning whether they will have jobs or not. With many states beginning to open up again on May 20th things are looking better for those employed at local shops, restaurants, pools and country clubs, and even Summer camps.
For the last two years, I have been a camp counselor in my town. At this specific camp we swim, ice skate, go on field trips, and utilize various outdoor facilities for sports and field games. However, this year will be very different if my town deicides to open Summer camps; as of right now the plan to open is a go and they are creating guidelines to ensure the safety of the kids, staff, and parents. Summer 2020 is going to be one we have never seen before as far as camp is concerned. The most major change, in my opinion, is the number of kids a camp is allowed to have. For my town specifically, the state is mandating that camps should not have more than 30 kids unless a special request is submitted and approved. In addition, many of the activities counselors are normally able to do won't be in concurrence with state guidelines. Much of the bond that counselors are able to form with the campers won't be present, as counselors and even the campers themselves must still abide by the six feet social distancing guidelines; this is one of the main reasons the activities will be extremely limited.
So, I say to parents: I know many of you will be going back to work, and even if you are not, you still want to get your kids out of the house. However, you have to realize that with our current circumstances, that the camps you and your kids know and love won't necessarily be the camps you know in love this Summer. The state and town guidelines must be strictly followed to ensure everyone's safety, and if I'm being honest that won't be much fun for anyone, but obviously it is what has to be done.
To camp counselors: We have tough decisions to make regarding our involvement in camps this Summer. The directors at my camp have offered all counselors the ability to decline the offer to work at camp. Everyone has different family and health circumstances that they need to consider, in addition to being honest with themselves about how they want to spend these next Summer months. If I'm being completely honest, I still don't know if I will be returning to camp again. Year after year I come back to the camp because of the kids and the tremendous bond we form over the short eight weeks. I'm just not sure the joy will be there for me this Summer without the things that make Summer camp great for kids.
Many young people are facing this dilemma currently, whether that be unemployment or job displacement, the fear of getting the virus themself, as well as a loss of enjoyment of passion for their work as a result of the altered and remote circumstances. Our society has truly been changed as a result of this pandemic, but I'm still trying to decide whether the change is positive or not. I truly hope the light at the end of the tunnel begins to appear soon because otherwise, Summer 2020 will be the most memorable Summer in history and not because of record high temperatures or overcrowding at the beach. I can't wait to tell my kids about this is twenty years.
