Rekindling Community by Catherine Klene
For the first time in more than a year, a familiar sound could be heard across the dunes of Miniwanca and the valleys of Merrowvista: campers’ voices, laughing and singing as they finally returned to American Youth Foundation properties. AYF Senior Director of Programs Matt Loper said while 2021 was still a year affected by the pandemic, it was thrilling to welcome campers back to Miniwanca and Merrowvista once again.
“Every year, we take great care to build diverse, balanced cabin communities that offer campers the opportunity to make new connections with children from different socioeconomic, geographic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds,” he said. “The application process allowed us to maintain that careful, intentional balance in our 2021 camp communities.”
“It’s so sad when Merrowvista or Miniwanca are empty and an absolute delight when they are filled with communities of purposeful young campers,” Loper said. “There was an electric joy in the air this summer as we celebrated something truly special after such a long, difficult stretch of time.”
AYF Senior Health and Safety Director Astrid Wielens was pleased to report there were no cases of COVID-19 at Merrowvista or Miniwanca this summer. “The coronavirus never entered our camps and that is entirely thanks to the tremendous efforts of camp families and staff that began well before camp started,” she said.
COVID-19 presented new challenges in 2021, but the AYF was determined to offer summer programming at Miniwanca and Merrowvista, even if it would be different. They knew that after 18 months of social isolation, youth needed the social and emotional solace only camp could provide.
Anyone who was onsite at Miniwanca or Merrowvista this summer had to adhere to strict COVID-19 prevention protocols in the 10 days prior to their arrival at camp. Once they arrived at staff training or on Opening Day, everyone was tested for COVID-19 and tested again three days later. This created a COVID-free bubble that allowed those inside to forgo masking while outside or in their cabin groups.
Or, as Andrea Caesar, mother of Merrowvista camper Anelya, said: “Reintegrating her into a group of kids after one-and-a-half years of remote learning was critical this year. I’m so grateful that she was able to spend the summer at camp and reconnect with life as it should be.”
Adjusting Our Sails
This year, the AYF offered a single three-week session at both at Miniwanca in Michigan and Merrowvista in New Hampshire. Due to the unique requirements and limitations of the summer, the AYF knew it would not be able to accommodate all who wished to attend camp this year. Loper acknowledged how disappointing it was to not be able to welcome the usual number of campers, but explained the extended application process implemented this year aimed to make access to camp as fair as possible.
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