Coronavirus forces Newmarket to scrap summer camps, swimming lessons

Town examining possibility of modified camp program later in summer if it can be done safely

Yorkregion.com
Lisa Queen
May 28, 2020

Newmarket parents hoping to get their kids into town camps and programs this summer will have to find another way to keep them busy.

With the provincial government limiting social gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic, the town announced May 27 that it is cancelling its summer camps, swimming lessons and fitness and culture programs.

"I want to assure our residents that this decision has not been made lightly and has been guided first and foremost in the interest of community health and safety," Mayor John Taylor said in a written release. "Our programs as they are currently designed cannot be delivered safely and according to provincial guidelines.

"As a parent of a 10 and 12 year old, I know just how important camps are to parents and to kids. I know this is a challenging time to keep our kids active, entertained and supervised. Unfortunately, right now, the risk of operating a traditional camp program is still too high. We are exploring alternative options for camps for later in the summer, but we will only pursue them if it can be done safely and provide meaningful help to our community.”

The town is working with the Ontario Camping Association and Parks and Recreation Ontario to see what best practices and procedures are being developed across Ontario.

Everyone registered for a town camp will receive a full refund. Registrants will receive an initial, automatic credit to their account. Residents are asked for their patience as staff works quickly to process refunds, which may take up to eight weeks to complete.

For those who paid by credit card, refunds will be processed to the card. A cheque will be issued to those who paid with cash or debit.

For more information, call customer service at 905-895-5193 Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information about coronavirus impacts in the town, visit newmarket.ca/covid19.

For what’s open and closed, visit newmarket.ca/reopen.