JCC camps celebrate a summer with no COVID-19 cases

On Friday, August 28th, the Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island ended its camping season and hit a special milestone—no confirmed COVID-19 cases across its in-person camps.
 
Of over 700 campers in JCC programs, none tested positive for COVID-19 at any point throughout the summer. Camp programs took place throughout the borough and include Traditional Day Camp, Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs, Trident Aquatics Camp, Core 24 Basketball Camp, Soccer Camp, Gymnastics Camp, and camp programs at several Cornerstone and Beacon sites. There were also no cases among over 250 staff members.
 
“We are truly thankful for a wonderful summer. Despite having everything stacked against them, everyone rose to the occasion and continued the JCC tradition. Providing our boys with the escape back to normalcy will forever be appreciated! We’re looking forward to next year already,” said camp parent Jason Rappaport.
 
“It was my son’s first year, but it won’t be his last,” said Bobbe Fernando, mother of a camper. “On our way home on the last day, he asked if he could come back next year. As a parent, I was so reassured by all the measures they put in place to keep our kids safe.”
 
Before the camp season began, a camp committee comprised of medical professionals laid out strict guidelines in order to preserve the health and safety of the campers and staff. Temperature checks and health screenings of both campers and staff took place every morning before camp started.
 
Campers were put into families/pods and kept socially distant from other groups. Staff members were required to wear masks and sanitized shared spaces regularly. Directors changed activities to comply with government standards.
 
“We navigated multiples sources of ever-changing guidelines, while dealing with uncertainty, anxiety, and fear. We flipped our model of camp on its side. We endured changes of plans and adapted to new policies and procedures in a moment’s notice. But most importantly, we laughed, we played, we cheered, and we were together,” noted Glenn Wechsler, JCC Day Camp Co-Director.
 
Orit Lender, JCC CEO, said, “This summer, more than ever, it was important for kids to play outside, get away from screens, and reunite with their friends. I’m so proud of all our camp staff, medical committee, campers, and families. By working together, we were able to keep our campers healthy and give them a summer to remember. We are so grateful to the parents who trusted us with their children!”
 
The JCC plans to continue health screenings similar to the ones used by camp as it opens up more of its programs in the fall.