Barrie day camps resume after challenging school year
After a challenging school year, with much of the time spent in isolation, children across Barrie can reunite with the kick-off of camping season.
Day camps run by the City of Barrie welcomed campers for the first time this season on Monday morning. The camps have been permitted to reopen since Step 1 of the province's reopening plan.
"We know that a lot of students, a lot of children have been doing a lot of online learning so this is their opportunity to really have some outdoor activity, have some fun outdoors and really connect with their friends again," says Jeddy Wong, City of Barrie recreation programmer.
This year Camp Barrie is running out of five different locations across the city to bring them close to as many people as possible.
The locations include:
- Barrie Community Sports Complex
- Dorian Parker Centre
- Tyndale Beach
- Lampman Lane Community Centre
- Parkview Community Centre
"We've already increased spaces compared to what we were planning on at the beginning of the summer," Wong says. "So it's nice to see that people are looking for camps, campers want to come to camp, and they do want to be out here, outdoors having fun with our great camp team."
Wong refers to Camp Barrie as a variety camp. Participants take part in several different activities ranging from arts and crafts to tag, all of them adapted to COVID-19 protocols.
"We modified them so that we can do it within 6 meters of each other," says Wong. "So we'll use pool noodles to make sure that we're staying away from each other, we'll make sure that we have craft supplies for each individual camper, and then there's an emphasis on cleaning, sanitizing and education for campers."
This year's camping season comes after a challenging school year, with students spending much of it learning remotely, isolated from their friends.
Many were happy to be back with each other.
"It's been quite cool," says camper Evelynne Johnston. "I am missing some of my friends because of the coronavirus, but good thing is it's summer, so even though we're wearing masks, we can go to summer camp and make new summer camp friends!"
The camps will be held primarily outdoors, with an option to move indoors at three of the camps in the event of inclement weather. If rain should strike campers at the Barrie Community Sports Complex and Tyndale Beach, where there is no indoor facility, campers will temporarily move to another location.
This is the second year that the camp is running with pandemic protocols in place. Officials say participation is up year-over-year, although fewer applicants are being accepted than prior to the pandemic.
While many of the camps are already full, there is space available at select locations. Complete information on the city's day camp programs is available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
BREAKING Stranded orca calf swims out of B.C. lagoon where she was trapped for weeks
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.