At least three sleepaway camps in Quebec have decided to temporarily close due to outbreaks of COVID-19, Radio-Canada has learned, sending hundreds of campers home just one week into the season.
The number was two last night, but a third camp closure was confirmed this morning.
In a letter to parents on Monday, the director of Camp Ouareau in the Lanaudière region said all 150 campers were to be sent home on Tuesday after seven cases of the virus were recorded at the camp.
“We are extremely sad that it has come to this,” Jacqui Reil wrote. “This decision was not taken lightly.
Rail said he expects additional cases may be discovered in the coming days. The camp will open on July 13.
It was supposed to be back to normal for summer camps this year as they all closed in summer 2020 and some didn’t open in 2021.
The Association of Quebec Camps (ACQ) has identified at least two other closed camps in the province and says there may be more. The association does not name the camps.
Decision ‘unreasonable’, parent says
The closure comes as a headache and a disappointment to some parents, many of whom plan their summer around their child’s time at camp.
“Seven cases doesn’t seem like a lot to close a camp,” said Emmanuelle Lamar-Cliché, who rearranged her day to pick up her daughters from Camp Warro today.
She called the situation “absolutely ridiculous” and the decision “unreasonable” when almost all health measures in Quebec have been canceled and when “there are people who are crowding restaurants and theaters.”
She said it’s also a shame for her children, who have been dealing with COVID-19 restrictions for the past two years.
“They wore masks to class, studied from home, neglected social life and extracurricular activities. They finally had a chance to get out in the fresh air and have fun with friends,” she said.
The Camps Association calls for clarity
In his letter to parents, Rail said the decision to close the camp was made following advice from the region’s local health board. However, public health authorities say they have not made that recommendation.
“We have been informed of the closure of the camp,” said Pascal Lamy, spokesman for CISSS Lanaudière. “The complete closure of Camp Waro remains the decision of the camp administration.”
According to the province’s camp association, there are no clear guidelines for deciding to close a camp due to an outbreak.
On Monday, ACQ executive director Eric Beauchemin requested a meeting with the Quebec Ministry of Health to clarify the rules.
“We’ve already had outbreaks of gastroenteritis before there was COVID. It is possible to support operations in a context like this. We have to see with public health how far we can go and how much leeway we have,” he said.
Beauchemin said the camps are following COVID-19 guidelines, such as social distancing, limiting the number of people per accommodation unit to 10, and favoring outdoor activities.
Case studies among counselors
According to the ACQ, the cases of COVID-19 were found among the consultants. But one absent counselor can deprive a dozen youths of supervision, Beauchemin says.
“It’s a headache for organizations. If we are unable to maintain the prescribed [counsellor to child] ratios, we are in a situation where we have to suspend camp operations.”
Labor shortages affecting the camps further complicate the situation as replacements become scarce.
As for day camps in Quebec, there are currently no closures.
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