Overnight camps are slated to return this summer in Massachusetts after being banned because of the pandemic last year.
According to Michelle Rowcliffe, executive director of the American Camp Association - New England, overnight camps will be allowed under Phase IV of the state's re-opening plan. Gov. Charlie Baker has said that phase will start on March 22 if cases and hospitalizations remain low.
Rowcliffe sais that after a year of zoom classes and social distancing, kids and their families need camps this summer.
"There are so many kids who are just lonely and need to have the socialization and be off their screen," Rowcliffe said. "What we're finding is that camps enrollment is currently really booming. Some of our camps have waitlists already because we're in such a different space. The parents know what everybody needs to do to stay safe. You know, a year ago things were so questionable. We just didn't know anything. And now we know about masking. Now we know about social distancing."
This optimism is being felt across the state.
Wendy Northcross, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, said Cape businesses are cautiously optimistic about this summer, with advanced bookings for lodging starting to back up that optimism.
Click on the audio player above to listen to the full episode.
Segments:
Wendy Northcross - 1:56
Michelle Rowcliffe - 16:42
