By Greg Ellison
(May 6, 2021) The Berlin Youth Club summer camp will return to in-person activities this summer, after employing a virtual format last year because of the covid-19 pandemic.
Dr. Jennifer Leggour, executive director of Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, provided the Berlin Parks Commission an update on 2021 program plans during its meeting on Tuesday.
“Last year because of covid-19, we had to do our first virtual camp for the summer,” she said.
With CDC guidelines becoming more relaxed, Leggour told the commission, “We think we can do a very small in person camp this summer.”
The camp’s schedule will be similar to that of its predecessors, with the eight-week summer camp being held from the first week in July though the end of August for children between ages 6-12.
“What we plan to do is have groups of no more than 10 children at a time in outdoor locations,” she said.
Maintaining past summer camp tradition, each week will feature a new theme.
Leggour said the activities on tap this summer would be held in one of several outdoor locations within walking distance from Worcester Youth and Family and suitable for social distancing.
“We did get conformation from the Taylor House Museum to use their lawn,” she said.
Other nearby outdoor locations the camp will use are Buckingham Presbyterian Church and the Berlin Library.
“We have three different locations we can rotate the children,” she said.
Besides finding physical space to accommodate the camp, organizers also worked with other agencies to identify children-friendly activities.
“The Worcester County Arts Council has access to some local artists, so we could do art week,” she said.
Other ventures planned are fitness week, with OC Beach Yoga lined-up to provide an introduction to body-balance techniques.
Mind expansion is also on tap with Salisbury-based M4 Reactor group, which offers STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) instructional programs for children and adults.
Leggour said M4 Reactor offers mobile STEM activities for nearby locations.
“We’re trying to get creative and come up with the theme of the week,” she said. “Then we can start promoting the different activities.”
Leggour also credited Carol Rose for providing networking assistance.
“She helped us make connections to find safe spaces,” she said.
Although changes could occur during the lead-up to summer camp, whatever CDC health restrictions remain will be honored.
“We will follow all guidelines in place at the time,” she said. “I wish we could do it like we normally do, but I’m happy to provide anything.”
Apparently, the public also has been happy with whatever Leggour and the service could provide.
“Last year, even with the virtual camp, people were so grateful,” she said. “There’s a lot of gratitude we’re seeing, even for little things that we do in the community.”