Several parks and recreation departments in the D.C. area have announced that summer camps are canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See below for canceled or delayed programs.
Maryland
Charles County
The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism has canceled all upcoming summer camps.
Howard County
Howard County Recreation & Parks has canceled all camps through June 14. The department said it will continue to make summer camp decisions throughout the summer two weeks before a camp’s starting date.
Prince George’s County
Traditional summer camps offered by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County are canceled. These include day camps, extended care, summer playgrounds, Xtreme Teen Centers and Safe Summer Center.
“The health and safety of our patrons and employees remain our top priority, and we believe this difficult decision is necessary in order to protect our community,” Bill Tyler, director of the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation said.
Montgomery County
As of May 20, all summer camps are currently canceled, according to Montgomery County Recreation. Updates concerning future summer camp offerings will be provided as soon as they are available.
Virginia
Arlington County
Arlington County, Virginia, parks director Jane Rudolph said in a statement Wednesday that the department considered opening the camps with social distancing rules, cleaning protocols and other safety measures.
However, officials said they were not confident that all campers and staff would “safely enjoy” the modified camp experience.
“We recognize how important camps are to our residents, and we are truly saddened to have to cancel for the summer,” Rudolph said. “Ultimately, it is the best decision for the safety and health of our community.”
Families who signed up for camps will get full refunds.
Those who signed up with a county camp will get a household credit; email the department for more information. Families who signed with a county contractor must contact them directly in order to receive more information about their refunding policy.
Contact information can be found in the department’s guide to summer camps.
The department said it consulted guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Camp Association.
“We will continue to explore opportunities to provide programs and services as national, state and local guidelines allow,” Rudolph said. “We appreciate your patience as we work through this difficult time.”
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Fairfax County
Summer camp programs in Fairfax County are canceled, the Fairfax County Park Authority said in a news release Wednesday. These include all sponsored summer camps, REC-Pac programs, summer camp programs sponsored by the Neighborhood and Community Services and SACC programs.
“We recognize how important camps are to this community, but we need to keep the health and safety of our children first and foremost,” Park Authority director Kirk Kincannon said in a statement.
Loudoun County
The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services said it will not print its summer activity guide and will postpone registration for summer activities. Decision on when the county will start enrollment will be delayed until after the county enters Phase One.
Though much of Virginia began relaxing its safety measures last week, Northern Virginia postponed entering the first phase of the state’s reopening plan.
