Camp Carysbrook: Coming Back in 2021 Better than Ever
We are beyond grateful for the support and connection of Carysbrook families in this dizzying environment of constant pivoting this year. The roller coaster analogy has long since become moot. The fatigue of planning is palpable, and still we must move forward, for ourselves and for our children who so desperately need to see that light at the end of the tunnel, a return to childhood joys on the horizon.
Will it look different after what we have been through in this turbulent year? Most definitely. This year has tried and tested us all. Camp Carysbrook has learned at an incredible pace to emerge with the confidence that camp remains the antidote for our beleaguered children, exhausted by Zoom, division and injustice, and the utter absence of social interaction. The soft landing we so desperately seek, despite the unknown, is still out there in the 24149 and we are ready and planning to get our campers back to camp.
And so, we are thrilled to announce the opening of registration for the 2021 season. This year marks the 10 year anniversary of Colleen’s role in the management of Camp Carysbrook. Over the past ten years, she has helped expand the reach of camp’s mission and philosophy, cultivated and mentored quality talent in staff, and improved the facilities while honoring the rustic nature of camp. We have a strong foundation on which to build the future of Camp Carysbrook.
This summer is perhaps the most critical in the survival of Carysbrook. The loss of a summer to remember is of financial as well as emotional significance. You will notice that we are changing our rates across the board in order to continue to provide the value you have come to expect. We will be adding value to your camper’s overnight camp experience with improved laundry services, bathhouse facilities, sanitation protocols, and food services.
You will also notice that we will continue to offer competitive rates below our competitors to continue to provide access to the overnight summer camp experience for girls in a safe and fun environment. We are confident that as customers, you value the quality of the experience we provide while continuing to make camp as affordable as possible in spite of the financial obstacles forced upon us by the pandemic and inability to operate in 2020. This change is vital not only to the quality of our programming but also to our commitment to the longevity of camp itself.
What will not change is the mission and philosophy of Camp Carysbrook, a beacon for young women in a world dominated by technology, social media, and isolation, now more than ever. Reconnecting with friends and with nature will be more important than ever as this generation restores depleted skills only attained in a social environment and a community dedicated to developing them in a healthy and fun setting.
We have a lot more information than we did last summer and so despite the unknowns ahead, we do feel confident that we will be able to operate in 2021. According to the American Camp Association, this past summer over 3000 camps offered just such outcomes to young people across the country in a safe and healthy environment with safety and sanitation protocols provided by the ACA, CDC, local health departments and state regulations. The CDC is out with a new study which reports:
“During June–August 2020, four overnight camps in Maine implemented several NPIs to prevent and mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, including pre arrival quarantine, pre- and post arrival testing and symptom screening, cohorting, use of face coverings, physical distancing, enhanced hygiene measures, cleaning and disinfecting, and maximal outdoor programming. During the camp sessions, testing and symptom screening enabled early and rapid identification and isolation of attendees with COVID-19.”
You may notice that these are measures Camp Carysbrook had in place, with the exception of access to testing, ahead of last summer and honed during our retreat model with no reported cases of COVID-19. With testing continuing to improve in accessibility, accuracy, and duration of results, we feel certain that regardless of the virus, government officials will have the data they need to permit operations. Our staff showcased their agility and professionalism in adopting the necessary protocols to bring camper families a Carysbrook experience and we are ready to build on that success in 2021.
Keep an eye out for new details on rates, payment information, important dates, and how we will handle refunds in our 2021 Carysbrook Handbook and coming soon to our website. We hope the promise of a summer to remember, a proper do-over, gives you the necessary energy to get through the road ahead. We will be there to welcome you with the time-tested traditions and outcomes of Camp Carysbrook 1923 to forever.
In the Spirit if Carysbrook,
Erika Schlichter, Director & Colleen Hagan Egl, Owner
