Dear Wachusett Friends,
I hope this letter finds everyone well and engaged in daily routines to the extent possible given the continued threat of the Covid virus. Covid 19 plus variants have certainly out stayed their welcome and are taking a toll on our society, while also presenting obstacles to the development of our youth. Camp Wachusett is dedicated to opening in 2021 to provide a safe and needed environment for boys to interact and enjoy comradery in a beautiful New England setting.
We have made the decision to shorten the camp season from six weeks to four weeks, due to the fact that Covid has not dissipated to the extent we had hoped and recent news that many states are discussing an extension of the school year. The plan is to operate from July 11th to August 7th. Please contact me if this change affects you and hopefully we can adjust your dates.
Before we finalize our own policies for operation this summer, we must hear from the state of Vermont regarding the 2021 State guidelines for operating overnight camps with out of state populations. It is expected that the state will have their guidelines in place much sooner this year compared to early June of 2020. It is very likely that we will be required to self quarantine for a period and be tested before traveling to VT and that travel will again be by personal vehicle instead of public transportation. We will also continue daily screening of body temperature and symptoms along with hygiene, hand washing / sanitizing and elevated infection control in and around buildings. Vaccines for older staff will be encouraged. The Weiss's and I have been vaccinated. Preseason will serve as a period of staff training for best practices as recommended by the CDC, Vermont Camp Association and State of Vermont Agencies.
The picture of the trophy above was sent from Ohio by a man whose grandfather Isaac C. Hull, from Rhode Island, attended Wachusett and won the "Camp Spirit" award in 1921. This discovery is very significant, since not only is this trophy 100 years old, but our records for Camp Spirit only go back to 1936. We now know that the award has been given out for at least 100 years, except for the years the camp was closed during WW II.
Also, please see the link on our Facebook page to a recent news segment on WCAX Channel 3 in Vermont, about the rising demand for summer camps during the pandemic in which Camp Wachusett was featured!
At this time enrollment for 2021 has been strong, and we are especially happy to see that many families that were new to Wachusett last summer have already signed up for this year.
I will be certain to keep everyone informed as new information surfaces regarding guidelines for camps to operate in Vermont. Thank you for your support and patience.
With Kind Regards and Unaliyi, Phil