State decides: No overnight summer camps this year
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – As Gov. Kate Brown’s office finishes work on Phase 2 reopening plans and guidelines, county officials received word Tuesday that one thing is off the table: Overnight summer camps.
“After much consideration, and in consultation with the Oregon Health Authority and local public health officials, our office will not be allowing overnight camps to operate this summer,” Alyssa Chatterjee, the governor’s deputy education policy advisor, said in Tuesday’s email.
“We are seeing increased cases in migrant housing and other settings involving overnight programming and, when it comes to Oregon’s children, we can’t take the risk of opening overnight summer camps,” Chatterjee went on to say.
“Our office will continue to work with the Oregon Health Authority to determine whether overnight camps and outdoor schools can operate under modified guidance in the fall,” she added.
“Organizations that typically rent their facilities to adults or families may continue to do so, as long as meals and other programming are not provided,” Chatterjee said. “Organizations should refer to the Outdoor Recreation Guidance for this level of operation.
“We apologize for this disruption in services and recognize the financial impact this has on your organizations, as well as the loss it may present to children and families,” Chatterjee said, concluding, “Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to determine what is best for Oregonians while living with COVID-19."
