How summer camps are changing due to COVID-19

It's not too late to sign up for summer camps in and around town, even in this most unusual of years.

While there hasn't been a school year to get a break from, families still want the change of scene, activity and socializing that summer day camps can offer.

Due to COVID-19, the City of St. Albert has suspended its summer camps this year. Some others are a go though, with smaller-group in-person sessions, and physical distancing measures in place. Other camps are going the virtual route, with online camp experiences via Zoom. 

At St. Albert's Visionary Centre for the Performing Arts, camps are going all summer – with a difference.

With musical theatre, video editing, acting, dance and private instrument lessons slated, half and full-day in-person camps are happening in the St. Albert and Edmonton (Gateway Blvd.) locations, but with a twist: smaller class sizes (six to nine participants), mask use and physical distancing. 

"Things have changed quite a bit," said Martha Livingstone, Visionary Centre for the Performing Arts co-owner.

"Craft tables are socially distanced and rooms have marks on the floor for keeping campers apart. When there's music and singing, the instructor and kids wear masks and face away from each other too. And we're focusing more on dance and acting this year and less on the singing aspect of musical theatre."

Livingstone said end-of-week performances will be streamed online for parents, who also have to enter one at a time to pick up kids at the end of the camp day.

Instruments, drum sticks and door handles are wiped down frequently and, for voice and some instrument classes, plexiglass barriers will create a separation between teacher and student.

"Parents have said they're excited the camps can continue," Livingstone said. "A few months in an adult's life is one thing, but it's a long time for a child. One child at last week's camp had been hesitant to wear a mask, but when she saw the others wearing it, she was fine."

There's still room in most camps (ages 3 through 12) at Visionary Centre. See visionaryperformingarts.ca for details.

The Town of Morinville is offering self-guided camps this year for various ages.

According to Tracy Dalzell-Heise, Town of Morinville communications coordinator, the programs allow people to stay active and engaged, in a safe and distant manner.

Family programs include Morinville Rocks from July 20-31: a scavenger hunt for painted rocks on walking trails that even has a prize up for grabs. Details and a tracking sheet are at morinville.ca. Youth programs slated through the summer include those focused on cooking, crafts and water play. See the website for more.

St. Albert Canoe & Kayak is running Canoe Kids week-long summer camps through August.

With no paddling experience required, the half-day camps for youth ages 8 to 15 focus on all aspects of safe paddle sports: canoeing, kayaking, dragonboating, water safety, swimming and more. The camps run at a new location this year in Cardiff Park, adjacent to Cardiff Golf Country Club in Sturgeon County. See sackc.com for full details.

Telus World of Science is always a popular spot for summer camps.

This year's virtual camps run through the end of August, with small group sessions and expert instructors helping campers explore nature, science, space and animals. Campers will be kept busy through activities and an hour or two of live virtual instruction.

You need a device (desktop, tablet, laptop) and internet connection to attend. These camps are $75 per camper. See details at telusworldofscienceedmonton.ca.