Important Covid-19 Update for Elburn Summer Camp
I hope that you and your family remain in good health during this challenging time. I’m sure you and your child have been awaiting an answer about summer camp, so it’s with a heavy heart that I tell you that the Kishwaukee Family YMCA will not be offering day camp this summer at our Elburn location. After many long days and sleepless nights, my staff and I worked to find solutions for every possible scenario that might arise. Ultimately, we concluded that the uncertainties are still too great too late in the season. The final decision was made on June 2, 2020.
I know how much your child was looking forward to the Elburn Summer Camp experience. Operating a safe and enriching camp takes many months of preparation under normal circumstances. However, with so many unknown threats, combined with shortages of tests and supplies, as well as guidance from Governor Pritzker not to hold gatherings involving large groups of people, Elburn Summer Camp cannot, in good faith, offer the safe and enriching camp experience your child was looking forward to.
Because we know this may be difficult news for your child, we will not publicize the cancellation of summer camp until Wednesday, June 10, so that your child can hear it from you first and you have time to discuss as a family.
I know this is heartbreaking news. None of us ever imagined we would see a summer without camp at Elburn, but our confidence that together we will rise and thrive remains strong. Please stay safe and healthy, and we hope to see you for summer 2021.
We would like to invite our Elburn Summer Camp families to sign up for Kish Cares Camp 2020, which will be offered onsite at our Sycamore location for children entering Kindergarten-entering 6th grade. Limited spaces are available.
Sincerely,
For questions regarding Kish Cares Camp please contact:
- Acknowledge their feelings. Expect a range of emotions, including disappointment, anger, sadness, or even grief. Most us, including our children, have experienced a lot of cancelled plans, and adding yet another disappointment to the list may feel overwhelming. Acknowledge that it is frustrating to suffer yet another loss.
- Ask: What would help? When your camper is ready, think about what can be done to cope. What are some things that your child can do to share their favorite parts of camp with your family? Maybe they can teach you a game from camp or camp song. Is there a camp meal you can make at home? Not every child will feel better by doing camp activities at home, so let them be the guide. Remember, it may take time for your child to process their feelings to get to a place where they can think about pro-actively moving forward.
- Check-in Again. Over the next few days, gently ask how they’re doing and see if they need more support. Try to remember to ask again as we get closer to the days when camp would have started.
- Resources addressing other challenges that can arise in a crisis:
- How to Talk to Your Children When Bad Things Happen: This article offers help with one of the biggest challenges of parenthood, explaining bad things in the world
- Supporting Families During COVID-19: The Child Mind Institute shares supportive and comprehensive resources for parents on a number of coronavirus-related topics.
- Parenting in a Pandemic: Tips to Keep the Calm at Home: These tips from the American Academy are designed to help families through the current crisis.
- How to Be Your Best Self in Times of Crisis: Psychologist Susan David shares wisdom on how to build resilience, courage, and joy in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic in this TEDtalk.
- Emotional Regulation Worksheets: A Coping Skill Activity: This worksheet and calming technique can help you focus on the present rather than overthinking about the past or future.
- 51 Mindfulness Activities for Kids: These tips and activities can teach elementary-aged students how to practice mindfulness.
