Mix of virtual, group activities set
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Camp Apple's Kick Off Night looked a little different Wednesday.
“This year, we're going virtual with Zoom,” said Sarah Sauers, Camp Apple director. “We didn't want to make it just picking up materials, we wanted to make it fun.”
Instead of being the first night of the year-round day camp for children with and without disabilities, families with campers instead lined up in their vehicles and went from station to station to interact with camp counselors and pick up their activity packets.
The camp is run through Community Care Connections and is funded by Butler County and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. The funding from these two sources allows the camp to provide services without charging campers.
During the summer, Camp Apple is held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Teen Camp Apple is held Tuesdays and Thursdays. During the school year both camps offer events and activities on Saturdays.
“We are still going to offer some outdoor activities with small groups during the summer to encourage socialization,” Sauers said. “However, we will be following all safety CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our campers, families, and staff.”
A sound system played popular music, and camp counselors greeted each of about 50 campers. Some stations also handed out treats and others had “mystery” prizes in addition to activity books.
Camp counselor Ali Cammisa, of Butler, said she really wanted the camp to take place considering so many other camps were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.“It's going to be new and different,” said Cammisa, who is a sophomore education and special education major at Waynesburg University. “Our kids are so excited.”Camper Nora Trepanier said she felt good about this year's camp.“I'm excited to see how it's going to start out,” Nora said. “They've been trying very hard.”Joining Nora were her parents and her two brothers. Nora's mother, Keara Trepanier, said she commended the camp for continuing while keeping everyone safe.“I think they are doing a great job at thinking outside the box,” Trepanier said.Brenda Cole, executive director of Community Care Connections, said the younger campers will experience about 90 percent of the camp virtually, with teenage campers having a different mixture of virtual and in-person activities.Cole said they will try to have at least one opportunity for campers to gather for an in-person activity, though in smaller groups than they may be used to.But Cole remains optimistic about this year's camp. She said sign up numbers have been solid, and they hope to maintain participation throughout the year.“This camp has been more successful than we could have ever imagined,” Cole said.Cole and Sauers pointed at the camp counselors and staff who keep returning to help make the camp great year after year.“They have poured so much energy into this,” Cole said. “They wanted this to be a success for the kids.”
