STAMFORD - Stamford’s longtime program “Camp Here” has been canceled for this summer.
The decision not to open the pool and cancel Camp Here was mutually determined between Stamford village officials and the school district, based on direction from the governor’s office and the New York State Department of Health, according to Stamford Central School Superintendent Dr. Glen Huot.
“The Camp Here program, in partnership with the village of Stamford, Stamford Central School District, and funded through the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation has been a fundamental summer program for the past 43 years,” said Huot. “It is highly unfortunate that the program cannot be provided this year, but the most important thing is that everyone remains safe during the current COVID-19 pandemic.”
In 2019, there were 150 campers registered with Camp Here - there were also 18 camp counselors and seven camp directors.
The camp utilizes the Stamford Village Pool, which will remain closed this summer as well.
“The village trustees and myself made our decision about this season in the beginning of the Covid-19 shutdown,” said Stamford Village Mayor Robert Schneider. “We decided that if the school were to close for the balance of the year we would cancel the season for the pool. Camp here is inextricably linked to the pool so we did not see any way that program could not be canceled as well. With the social distancing and mask requirements such activities would be impossible to accomplish.”
Schneider said of the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation and knowing that, “in all probability, the state would be making us cancel this season it seemed disingenuous to accept grant funds that the foundation might put to use elsewhere.”
“We all understand what a disappointment this is for many people, especially the children, and the lifeguards that depend on this summer income,” added Schneider. “I can assure you that this decision was in no way arbitrary.”
