Dear Parents,

Since our last email to you about COVID, we have had more positive cases in our camp community, including campers. The symptoms all appear to be similar and are appearing before a test comes back positive. Looking at our medical logs, we believe there will be more positive tests among all members of our camp community. With that being said, we have made the difficult decision to bring this session to a close a day early. 

There were a number of factors that influenced our decision:

  • A talk with the County health authority

  • The impact on our programs after a camper is removed due to a positive test. Campers who have tested positive have either returned home already or are in isolation awaiting the arrival of family members.

  • Keeping our negative rates as low as possible to keep our campers, staff, and your families safe. 

There will be no final performance. The Wednesday night performance was recorded and will be posted online. The performances scheduled for Friday will be recorded today. Online galleries of our visual arts and photography will also be posted along with the camp zine containing our creative writing works. All links will be sent to you at a later date.

TODAY’S SCHEDULE

  • You may begin loading up your camper’s luggage at 7pm with the last load in at 10pm

  • Check in on Winter Street in front of Lausanne Hall. Look for the YMA flags.

  • Counselors will find your student and load luggage into your car.

  • If you cannot arrive tonight, we will have activities for your student until you can arrive at some point on Friday. Pickup may begin at 9am. If you are picking up on Friday, please fill out this short form.

We know that this could be upsetting for your camper, and they will feel some sadness about not having the final performance. One guiding principle for YMA this summer has been “it’s about the process, not the product.” You and your camper should feel very proud of the new skills they gained over the past two weeks, not to mention the extraordinary connections they made with other campers. COVID may have shortened this session by a day, but it did not make a dent on the strong YMA spirit we’ve witnessed this summer. 

We are wishing your families the best, and please let us know how your camper’s health is post-camp.

Galen Cohen