Summer camps change their game plan during pandemic

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Every summer, memories are made at local camps held by organizations like the Boys and Girls club of Bowling Green, and the Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville.

But this year camp is cancelled due to COVID-19.

The organizations developed a solution to bring camp to the campers.

“We had already started an initiative during the after school program when we had to close. We knew that if we set a goal early on and this did roll into summer, we would make it even bigger, better, or robust,” said chief executive officers of the Boys and Girls Club of Bowling Green Liz Bernard.

It’s being done through a virtual calendar of interactive activities, like arts and crafts.

“It was our mission to make sure every program, every bit of fun was available for them to do at home if they wanted to,” Bernard said.

In Scottsville, the Center of Courageous Kids camp is in the same boat as the Boys and Girls Club. CCK is also going digital with songs and live skits by camp staff.

“The good part of this is that our campers get the chance to take the camp experience home with them. When the kids sit in front of their computer screen and open it to their siblings and their parents, i think it really does bring the camp experience full circle and impacts them in a positive way,” said CCK director of community development and civic engagement Ed Collins.

While summer camp organizers say there’s no replacement for an in-person experience, this is a chance to publicize the summer camp experience to children around the nation.

“We are really grateful that even in Scottsville, Kentucky where kids normally come to us, we can now return the favor and spread our program all around the nation,” Collins said.