Camp Opening 2020

We are Expecting to Begin Camp on July 6 ~ Here’s What We’re Doing

We are working tirelessly to prepare to welcome campers to Liberty Lake Day Camp in July and August this summer. Now, more than ever, kids need an outlet to play outside and just be kids. We are fortunate to be located on 60 shady acres with plenty of room to enjoy nature while following the recommendations of the NJ State Health Department, American Camp Association (ACA), Environmental Health & Engineering, and the considerations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We embrace the opportunity to support the emotional and physical health of children while allowing parents the opportunity to return to a more normal work situation.

Just like every summer, we pay special attention to the health of our campers. We have additional measures and protocols in place for summer 2020 that we want to make sure parents, staff, and campers alike are aware of.

Camper Groups
Based on the special 2020 state guidelines, Liberty Lake will be adhering to a structure unique to this summer. Camper groups will be between 10-20 campers, plus 2-4 staff. These will be the groups that kids and staff spend the bulk of their day with – at activities, lunch, spirit events, free play, swim, etc.

Activities
Most activities at Liberty Lake will run as scheduled with very little modification – Athletics, Swimming, Fine and Performing Arts, STEM and Adventure. There will be staggered scheduling to create social distancing. There will be no camp musical this summer, but most all other activities should be able to run. The big change will be the lack of elective choices- Groups will split into two or three choices during elective periods, and again- they will remain with their core group of friends.

Swim

YES, WE ARE USING OUR POOLS (and the lake) – Don’t believe the rumors. Afternoon Free Swim for all.

Instructional Swim: Swim lessons up through entering 4^th graders are going to happen, but we must continue to maintain the camper groups- not mixing with other groups this summer. In general, each group will have a general swim level, with a few kids needing beginner support, and some needing more advanced support- which will be provided by their group counselors, under the supervision of the swim instruction staff. We will be training the majority of our group staff to be swim instructors and paying them extra. We will NOT be offering swim instruction to older campers (5^th grade and up) this summer, although they WILL be able to take Polar Bear Club, Swim Team and Jr. Lifesaving.

Sanitization
Campers and staff will wash/sanitize their hands before and after every activity, every bathroom break, bus ride, etc. Hand-washing and hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the camp.
Click here to learn more.

Health Screening
While we will screen and temp check every camper and staff upon arrival, parents will need to help us by screening your own children every morning- and not sending us your children if they are exhibiting any signs of illness. We will give you specific instructions on what to look for, and you may have to fill out a form each day to show compliance.
Click here to learn more.

Face-masks – on the bus, and in rare situations
For 2020, campers will be packing a towel, sunscreen, maybe a water bottle, and now a cloth face-mask as well. This may be the protocol for schools in September as well. As Liberty Lake is mostly an outdoor experience, we are able to minimize the use of face-masks to indoor situations like the camp office or health center, as well as on the camp bus, and if/when some liquid sunshine (rain) passes through and we have to stay dry under tents and pavilions

Transportation / Extended Care
We are planning on having bus transportation while preparing for more families to use pick-up and drop-off this season, when possible. All bus riders over a certain age should wear cloth masks if possible (not young campers, not campers with related special needs, not campers with health issues), and campers will sit one (1) camper to a seat unless they are siblings. Buses will be sanitized after each use, AM and PM.

Drop-off and Pick-up discount times will be extended to at least 8:30-9am, and 4-4:30pm. Extended care from 7am to 6pm will be offered if absolutely necessary, as campers will be restricted to remain with campers in the same grade.

Lunch/Drinks
Lunch protocols will eliminate self-serving, with campers able to order salads or pasta in the morning, as they do with their main entrée. Water fountains will not be used. Disposable water cups will be the norm, and we will encourage campers to bring their own water bottle (with their name on it!)

Orientation
New Parent Orientation and the Meet and Greet (with Counselors) will be done via our new best friend, Zoom. We plan on also creating kid-friendly videos that will explain the new-normal procedures, using our new little friend GEORGE (a cute, stuffed doll). Nurses will make appointments to meet parents and accept/discuss medications face-to-face and on Zoom.

Virtual Tours

Virtual Tours and Personal Tours are available.

Any questions or concerns, please Email director Andy Pritikin at andy@libertylakedaycamp.com or leave us a message at 609.499.7820.