Summer camps, Freedlander Pool open in Wooster
This summer at Freedlander Pool, there will be a maximum of 89 people allowed at any one time, and there also will be 30 minutes between every session so that the pool and surrounding facility may be cleaned and disinfected.
With so many things that have changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, families around the area are searching for opportunities to keep their children entertained this summer. Many organizations have begun to announce the summer activities available this year.
There are three primary groups in Wooster that are open with summer camping options: Woo Summer Camp, The Boys and Girls Club, and The Spot Summer Camp. In addition, Freedlander Pool is open.
“There is no doubt that summer 2020 is different for all of us. Woo Summer Camp will continue to offer programming to educate and engage the campers,” said Penny Vanata, head of community outreach at Wooster’s Alice Noble Ice Arena.
WSC is a children’s summer camp at Alice Noble Ice Arena. Camp began June 1 and will continue through Aug. 7, and open skating resumed June 15.
WSC will keep groups of up to nine kids spread out and rotating through 10 separate areas within the arena, with hand-washing required between every activity.
“We have carved out a part of our camp day for ‘brain dump.’ The children have journals that they can write or draw in,” Vanata said. “We know that when we send these home at the end of the summer, they will be filled with special memories that the children and parents can look back on.”
Camp counselors and arena staff wear masks inside the building. The children, however, are not required to wear masks but are welcome to if they choose. When dropping off and picking up their children, parents are met at the front entrance, and children’s temperatures are taken before entering the facility. Anyone with a temperature above 100 F is not permitted to attend camp. Parents are then required to provide a doctor’s note before returning to camp.
WSC will not take field trips like they have in the past but have done their best to come up with a plan that will allow for camp to continue this summer. “The protocols that are in place are there to maximize the safety and well-being of both the campers and staff through thorough disinfection, cleaning and sanitation,” Vanata said.
The Spot Summer Camp at Cornerstone Elementary School is offered through a partnership through the YMCA and Wooster City Schools. This summer camp is provided for children who receive free or reduced lunches through Wooster City Schools. Camp began on June 8 and will continue into August from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with breakfast and lunch provided to campers. There is a 9-to-1 camper-to-counselor ratio to help maintain separation as much as possible.
The Wooster Boys and Girls Club began a seven-week summer day camp program on June 15 for students entering grade 3-9. Grade 3-6 students are at the Edgewood location, and grade 7-9 students are at the Wooster High School site.
Due to COVID-19, The Boys and Girls Club was forced to adjust many of its traditional summer day camp activities. “We were anticipating serving 225 youths this summer but, due to the restrictions, are only able to serve less than half of that,” said Christine Lindeman, B&G Club executive director.
This year no transportation will be provided, and the daily hours have been shortened to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. These new changes also are accompanied by daily temperature and symptom checks upon arrival to ensure the safety of the children and staff.
“Due to recent restrictions, we are only able to have nine kids per group per room,” Lindeman said. “While this decreases the capacity of the camp as a whole, it also gives the staff the opportunity to get to know kids on a much deeper level because of smaller group size.”
The Wooster Boys and Girls Club still has spots left in most grade levels. Signups are at www.Bgcwooster.org.
Swimming facilities around the area have announced their plans for this summer with Christmas Run pool and Knights Field Sprayground closed for the summer due to the Ohio Department of Health Continued Business Closures.
However, Freedlander Pool opened for the summer on June 15, albeit with some changes. Swimmers will be required to sign a waiver before swimming, and those wishing to swim laps or swim with members of their household must reserve a two-hour time slot.
There will be a maximum of 89 people per session allowed at the pool, and there also will be 30 minutes between every session so that the pool and surrounding facility may be cleaned and disinfected. All changing stalls, lockers and showers will be closed; everyone will be required to arrive in swimsuits and change after leaving.
It is required that everyone practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet away from others at all times with the exception of family members. It will be recommended that everyone wear a mask when they enter and exit the facilities.
Freedlander Pool and the three summer camp options supply children with places they can go to keep them busy, entertained and safe while also providing a little normalcy this summer.