Is it even possible to start thinking about summer camps in 2021 considering the current situation with COVID-19 around the world? From our side we can give a definite YES!

All other summer camps in Slovenia, and this region remained open in 2020 and are fully expected to run again in the summer of 2021. However, we made the decision not to open in 2020 as we believed that there wasn’t enough research or protocols in place at that time to ensure our Explorer families would remain safe. Even though it was an incredibly difficult choice to make, we know it was the right decision. Our campers always come first

However, how is 2021 different? 

Better Prepared

Our summer camps have so much more practical information, data, and expert advice in comparison to a year ago. Thanks to the 20 – 30% of camps that actually ran in the US last summer we now have experience, understanding, and knowledge about how to succeed in the current conditions. On top of this are the childcare centers, schools, and businesses that have all provided practical advice from their own experiences. 

The important lessons were learnt from camps in the US. Such as the four from Maine, NY, which welcomed over 1000 campers to their programs but only had 3 cases of COVID and no secondary infections. And there’s Camp Robin Hood in New Hampshire which welcomed over 300 campers but had no infections at all. There are also the 22 summer camps in Barcelona that followed the same advice with very very few infections. All shining examples of how summer camps can go ahead along as a consistent approach to COVID is taken. 

Due to the hard work of these camps in the US and the American Camp Association, the procedures in how to continue with the magic and power of Explorer Camps are clear. We have adopted their multi-layered prevention strategies that worked so well at these camps in the US. This ensures all of our Explorer family is health and safe in the 2021 summer season. See the below diagram to understand the ACA recommendations to run a safe camp in 2021. 

Explorer Safety Plan

Explorer Camps certainly believes that current conditions will improve dramatically by this summer especially when looking at the vaccinations taking place. However, at the same time we understand the need to plan for the all possible scenarios which is why we have gone to such lengths to develop the best possible plan for your child’s health and safety this summer.

Below you can see our Three Steps to Success plan that is based on ACA guidelines, and the experience of American based camps last year.

1: Create a Bubble: We will keep COVID out to the extent possible through appropriate screening prior to arriving to camp, on the opening day and during camps, with the ultimate goal of creating a bubble in the camp community.

2: Limit the Spread of Germs: To limit the spread of germs within camp, we will regularly clean and sanitize the facility, require frequent hand washing, maintain camp “families” so each group is its own self-contained unit within the larger camp community, and require masks during unstructured transition times and other periods where germs may spread. 

3: React Appropriately: If a camper or staff member has symptoms associated with COVID, then they will be firstly isolated from the general camp community and tested along with the rest of their group. A decision will then be made as to the next steps to take.

Next Steps

As we finalise our written COVID Safety Plan, we are committed to following all relevant guidelines, regulations, and best practices. Our team is taking a number of key materials into account:

·            The American Camp Association Field Guide for Camps

·            WHO guidelines

·            European and Slovenian regulations

Over the coming month(s) we will update all of our Explorer families about our approaches and what we’re doing to ensure that our summer camps are firstly safe, and also able to continue next summer. However, perhaps the most exciting news of all is definite research that has come out of the US which shows the summer camps can and do remain extremely safe, as long as the above protocols are followed. 

Thankfully Explorer Camps is ready for the summer!