May 15, 2020
For Immediate Release
Contact: Coy Vaughn, Director
Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission
[email protected] / (734) 971-6337
Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission Cancels Summer Day Camp for 2020 Season
ANN ARBOR, MI –Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission voted at its monthly commission meeting on May 12, to cancel summer day camp programs at Rolling Hills, Independence Lake, the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center and the Ypsilanti-based Playground Camp for the 2020 season.
This decision was not made lightly and as Commissioner, Dan Ezekiel said at the meeting, “it was one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make while serving as a Commissioner for Washtenaw County Parks.”
Washtenaw County Parks feels responsible for the well-being of the children of our community, and the ability to provide them with quality programming in a safe environment. Staff have explored every possible way to run camp safely and effectively before making this tough decision. However, with the spread of COVID-19 health and wellness must be the top priority. It is with heavy hearts that summer camp programming is canceled.
“We look forward to summer camp as much as our campers, but our priority is protecting the health and safety of everyone in our local communities,” said Rhonda Bouma, Park Superintendent at Rolling Hills County Park.
Those who have already registered for the camps will receive a full refund or credit for the 2021 season.
Washtenaw County Parks staff are currently working on developing virtual programs and resources for campers. They anticipate the launch of some of these programs and resources by June 15 and will be offering opportunities to engage with camp curriculum throughout the summer.
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Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission
The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, founded in 1973, currently manages 14 parks and 33 nature preserves totaling more than 6,000 acres. Washtenaw County Parks provides recreational and nature-based programming. Visit us at washtenaw.org/parks on Facebook and Instagram, or call 734-971-6337.