Fort Wayne’s Parks and Recreation department has cancelled its two youth day camps in response to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement comes just as Indiana is about to enter Stage 3 of Governor Eric Holcomb’s reopening plan, which says youth camps around the state can reopen beginning Friday.
But in a statement Wednesday, the department says it would be “impossible to provide a quality camp experience and still maintain the necessary precautions to keep campers and staff safe.”
Residents expressed disappointment on the department’s Facebook page for the announcement. With social distancing measures keeping kids away from their friends, many parents noted their child’s disappointment over another exciting part of their summer being called off.
Parks and Recreation director Steve McDaniel added, “Our goal is not to simply piece together a program to get people in the door,” highlighting the “tremendous amount of effort and planning” that goes into building the summer programs. “Right now we just cannot create that environment while maintaining a safe place for everyone.”
Customers who registered for the Franke Park Day Camp and Salomon Farm Park Farm Camp will receive full refunds. The department says it will continue to update its website and social media about new and ongoing summer programs in Fort Wayne.
