Kimball Camp Prepares for Campers!

Kimball Camp YMCA is planning to open our annual summer childcare (day camp) with new careful precautions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “Safety is essential,” said Executive Director Harold Campbell.

He and his staff are adjusting many of the ways programs and activities are conducted. There will be a smaller than usual enrollment to allow for social distancing.  Daily health screenings at the curbside drop-off and pickup of children will be mandatory.  Sanitizing and hand washing will become a pattern in this new way of life.

“Most important is that we will have fun!” Campbell said. “Our focus is to reinforce our goal to communicate honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring to the youth of our community.”

Under social distancing guidelines in the summer program, Campbell expects that Kimball Camp YMCA will be able to accommodate 60 to 70 children age’s four to twelve in our childcare program.

Kimball Camp’s summer childcare program will begin June 8^th, with hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with extended hours available upon request and transportation from Hillsdale, Coldwater, and Quincy.

Campbell said Kimball Camp YMCA is dedicated to provide the community with a safe childcare option for the youth of our community and our essential workers.

“Our goal is to be there for our community’s children and their parents with this affordable childcare option,” he said, “so they can go back to work for their families.”  “This is an unprecedented time for us and the country at large,” he said, “and we feel we must do more than our share to get through it together.”

“Unusual conditions during a pandemic means learning new operational procedures,” said Christa Green, the Day Camp Director. “Training for the staff will include updated cleaning procedures, drop-off and pick-up updates, social distancing practices, and then, of course, ways to teach and help the children understand the new ‘norm’ that will be in existence for a while,” she said.

She continued by saying, “We’re relying on the guidance of the community health experts and referencing all materials available to truly care for the youth we aim to serve.”

Though the number of children will be smaller, the number of activities will remain the same. Kimball Camp YMCA participants will enjoy climbing Goliath, flying on the Giant’s Swing, canoeing along beautiful Long Lake, making new friends and eating yummy s’mores!

They will play outside on the playground, participate in arts and crafts, learn Bible verses and songs, and increase their knowledge and awareness as they learn through fun new activities in the YMCA’s outdoor education program.

Both the children and staff members will be happy to get back to Kimball Camp, said Green. “We have staff that are extremely excited about running the fun and educational programs with our kids while also prioritizing safety.”

Campbell said Kimball Camp YMCA will remain flexible throughout the coming months, closely watching pandemic developments.

Kimball Camp YMCA, which has been making a difference in the lives of

area youth since 1938, is currently conducting a fund drive to provide scholarships for children. Individual donations during that drive are more important than ever before.

Individuals can donate at any time by going to Kimball Camp YMCA’s website www.kimballcamp.com or mail it to 4502 Berlin Drive, Reading, MI 49274.