[Editor's note: Below is a press release issued by the Rady JCC about its Summer Day Camps being sold out , and below the press release is an article about Rady JCC Summer Day Camps that was written on May 22,2020 by Rhonda Spivak ]

WINNIPEG, MB – Three weeks after opening registration, all available 2020 Rady JCC Summer Day Camps have sold out.

“We are incredibly excited about this news,” said Tamar Barr, Rady JCC’s Assistant Executive Director. “During these difficult times, to see such a positive response from our community and beyond is inspirational.”

Individual 2020 Rady JCC Day Camps, starting July 6 and running weekly for eight weeks, will have smaller maximum capacities than previous years due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing restrictions mandated by the provincial government.

“While our camp sizes will be smaller this year, our dedicated staff have worked extremely hard in our preparations to ensure the overall campership experience will not be affected at all,” said Barr. “Campers can still expect to have fun and engaging sessions while parents can rest assured knowing their children will be in a safe environment.”

Rady anticipates close to 1000 children ranging in age from pre-school to Grade 8 to take part this year.  If unable to register already, Rady is now accepting names for its 2020 Day Camp waiting list should any potential spots become available during the summer months. Parents should call 204.477.7510 if interested.

“Every step we have taken and continue to take is done so with the safety and well-being of our campers top-of-mind,” Barr said. “We are looking forward to a great summer.”

To view a complete list of this year’s camp listings, click here.

2020 Rady Day Camp Increased Safety Measures

• Daily health screening checks including temperature checks for campers and staff
• Staggered drop-off and pick-up times utilizing different building entrances
• 20 camper maximums for the majority of camp groups
• No camp-wide activities – programming to be staggered or spread out accordingly
• Swimming limited to 20 children at a time
• Personal protective equipment provided for day camp staff
• No Hot Lunch Program offered
• Toys, equipment, and often-touched surfaces sanitized regularly
• Routine hand washing/sanitization required for campers between activities

MB GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR RADY JCC TO RUN SUMMER DAY CAMPS

The provincial government has given approval for Rady JCC  Summer Day Camps to operate this summer.  Rob Berkowits, Executive Director of  the Rady JCC  wrote in an email to the Winnipeg Jewish Review that the“ Rady JCC is pleased to be offering our summer day camp programs beginning July 6th. We are unsure what the last day of summer camp operation will be in August as amendments may still occur (based on the return of school as specific timing remains unknown).”

The Rady JCC  will have the following camps:

Shemesh -  Preschool children;

Ruach - Children entering Grades 1& 2; 

Keshet – Children entering Grades 3-6 ; 

Adamah - A teen leadership camp for students entering Grades 7 & 8.

As Berkowits explains “The main restrictions that have been issued include a maximum of 24 campers per session and no activities that may involve physical contact such as floor hockey or soccer. We are developing our own Safety Measures Plan for Summer Day Camp from drop-off in the morning to pick-up at the end of the day that will ensure a safe, organized and fun environment for all.”

As Berkowits adds, “We still have a great roster of camp options for families to choose from culinary arts, musical theatre, sports, robotics, dance, art and much more.”

Regarding swimming, Berkowits explains “Initially, we were advised that no swimming would be permitted. The Province has subsequently stated (as of May 21) that access to swimming pools will likely be permitted so the Rady will look at making some adjustments to our camp activities, if possible.”

“The Province has not issued a maximum number of kids that can attend camps this summer.They have only set out restrictions in terms of group sizes, which are 24 per session”, Berkowits points out.

He adds, “We are running 5 school age camps each week, plus a preschool camp and the Ruach camp for grades 1 & 2. We are anticipating and looking forward to having great attendance at all sessions this summer,” Berkowits states.

In 2019, there were between 800-900 camp registrations. However, losing the Sports Dinner this year has affected the summer day camp program, since profit from the dinner usually goes to funding camperships for families that otherwise might not be able to send their kids to camp. “The Rady assisted 144 kids last year. The loss of the sports dinner will have a significant impact on our ability to provide subvention to families this summer. We intend on doing the very best that we can but with extremely limited resources,” Berkowits notes.

“We are asking and encouraging people to make a donation to the Rady to assist in offsetting costs associated with sending kids to our day camps. Hundreds of kids look forward to the camps each summer and we do not want to disappoint anyone.”