Registration opening for in-person summer camps, but expect some changes
Registration for summer camps in the Triangle have opened, or will open, by the end of April.
The town of Cary will hold in-person programs for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic this year. The camp at Bond Metro Park typically has 180 to 190 kids. This year, they'll have between 50 and 60.
Cary's senior recreation manager, Sam Trogdon, said the town is looking forward to the sound of excitement this summer.
"Hearing all the screaming voices, the running around and the excitement the kids are going to have," described Trogdon.
With limited spots, the town is offering in-person summer camps for rising first through sixth graders.
"[There will be] regular cleaning throughout the facility and those high-touch areas, assigning specific equipment to groups so they don't have to share the equipment with different groups and spacing everybody out," said Trogdon.
While it’s Cary’s first summer back in action, the YMCA of the Triangle is gearing up for another busy summer.
"We've been busy keeping kids safe since last March," said Kim Keith, the vice president of youth development at YMCA of the Triangle. "We've been running programs successfully and have done a great job of keeping our children and staff safe and plan to use what we’ve learned as we continue running programs this summer.”
The YMCA will run at 75% capacity and will keep children in smaller groups until new guidance is provided. While the YMCA hasn’t seen a cluster throughout the pandemic, some parents are still wary.
"I know some parents need something for their kids to do. I know the YMCA camps have been great [and] they haven't had any bad outbreaks. I think it's a great option if you need to. I think us, as a family, we err on the side on caution," said Cary parent Kristin Kanipe.
Other families believe it’s what’s best for their children right now.
"The social isolation over the last year has been hard on a lot of people, particularly kids," said Durham parent Scott Schwartz. "Getting them back to some normalcy will be really important."
Registration is currently open for all programs at the YMCA of the Triangle until they are full, while registration for Cary camps will begin on April 20.
