There is no substitute for the power of overnight summer camp to share experiences, build friendships, and get inspiration. Especially for our campers, Gales Creek Camp is a place of true belonging. There is no feeling in the world like being around people who get it. We don't take that lightly.
Our camp–your camp–is unique in many ways. In a pandemic, some of those unique features become a challenge. The size of our cabins, for example, is typically something that we love because it allows campers to remain close and connected during their entire stay, rather than be broken into small groups. In terms of COVID-19, large cabins are a high risk factor for transmission. Also, we love that our campers come from all over the Pacific Northwest (and even Hawaii and Mexico!). But coronavirus loves to travel, too.
Just as important, GCC is primarily a volunteer organization, relying on fabulous and amazing volunteers, especially for the intense planning that is required for a medical camp to operate. Much of our team by necessity comes from the medical field, which remains under tremendous strain.
So while our planning and governance committees continue to monitor the situation, we're moving ahead without plans for overnight summer camp. But we're not settling for virtual camp, either.
We are confident we can be together safely if we eliminate some of our big risk factors, like bunking close together, eating close together, and combining campers from different areas. So we're planning exciting events without those things.
Drive-In Movie Night was a great example of that. If you missed it, see below.
Now we're planning several one-day programs for campers who live throughout the communities we serve. To reduce the chances of combining campers from different areas, if you live outside the greater metro area, we're coming to you!
