At Camp Leo + ConnecT1D the safety of our participants, volunteers, staff, and community is our priority.
The Washington State government has announced that the state will be opening up June 30. Many of you will have questions about what this means for our summer camp programs. We plan to proceed with our current camp protocols for the time being. Any updates to these procedures will be posted on our website and Facebook page as soon as possible.
We have been closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, engaging regularly with medical professionals, and regularly monitoring the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other government agencies for information and guidance. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we work through this unexpected and unprecedented situation. We remain committed to providing the highest level of support to our campers, families and staff during these difficult times.
2021 Update:
If 2020 was a year of the unexpected, to say the least, 2021 is the year for hope. The hope that we will be able to get back together soon in person, and share in some fun and laughter again. It's what we've all been missing, and we can't wait to see you again soon.
We know it won't happen overnight, and there is still a bit more patience required of us all. So we wanted to take a moment to tell you about what we are planning for this year's Camp Leo + ConnecT1D programs. As one of our volunteers describes it, our approach to programming will be a bit like a dimmer light switch that you might use in your house. This won't be like flipping a switch, all back on at once, we will be slowly sliding the switch, in accordance with local mandates, to bring us back together again, and hopefully able to safely increase our in-person events in size and time as the year goes on.
Unfortunately this does mean we won't be doing all of our traditional overnight residential camps. And those we can safely offer we will be facilitating with some modifications. Our plan is to come together safely as much as we are able. Please continue reading below to learn more about our plan. As we continue to slide the switch we are still offering online events happening now, for youth, adults, and caregivers, and with much more planned for the Summer and Fall.
Please join us for our 2021 programs, and thanks for your patience. We can't wait to see you soon!
Summer Camp and LIT Weekend
Our Summer Camp Leadership Team has made the extremely difficult decision to not host our traditional overnight residential sessions in 2021. After much consideration and review, given the uncertainty of local mandates, vaccine availability, operational recommendations by the American Camping Association, Diabetes Education and Camping Association and American Camp Nurses Association, and concerns over the ability to fully and safely staff the Summer resident program, we will not be able to run our traditional residential LIT Weekend or Summer Camp program.
Despite our disappointment in not being able to get together in person for LIT Weekend and Overnight Summer Camp in 2020, we found ways to get together and support each other. And that's what we plan to do in 2021 as well, and in some new, fun, safe, and creative ways.
Join us for a 2 day, Day Camp in August for youth in 3-12 grade!
What We Will Do Instead…
You don’t have to wait… we are already offering numerous regular online meet-ups for youth, adults and caregivers. More information is available on this website, or you can contact Program Manager Catherine Adams at programs@campleo.org for more information.
Summer Programs. We are planning to offer small group get togethers. Our Camp leaders are currently in the process of planning these activities, and more details are forthcoming. We expect to be able to offer a wide range of different activities where families can get together and have fun - think putt-putt outings, or picnics in the park. (If you have an idea for a family get together let us know!)
For our youth campers join us for smaller, single-day events (similar to day camps). So small groups of children and youth will be able to get together with others for fun camp-style activities, including games, songs, and skits. We are excited to "slide" into these programs and hangout in-person again!!
To be planning a second Summer without our traditional residential Camp Leo Summer Camp Sessions is not something any of us expected for this year. We miss being around the campfire, singing camp songs, and being at camp with you all. We WILL be back on site for 2022!! While we may not have resident Camp this Summer we will have opportunities to gather in-person and online. Please stay tuned for more information, coming soon.
Fall Programs.
We do hope and expect we will be able to offer overnight programs in Fall 2021. What we are planning …
Adult Retreat -- We plan to offer our Adult Retreat in September 11-12, 2021 at McMenamins Anderson School. This is planned as an in-person event, with many of the fun activities and interesting learning opportunities you've come to expect from this great annual retreat. Even more important than usual will be the opportunities to hang out with other adults with T1D (and their support people!), share stories of how we got through 2020 and early 2021, and to look forward toward all the exciting times we expect in the future. We may even raise a glass (of wine, beer, apple juice or water) in celebration!
Family Camp -- Fall is Family Camp time, and we are planning to offer the 2021 Family Camp in person at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood on October 1-3. If you have not attended Family Camp before, it's the perfect opportunity for your family to join others living with T1D for a fun, educational, and social weekend. Planning for Family Camp is flexible and we are working with Warm Beach to offer the best experience we can, with the safety of all participants and staff in mind. We expect some changes to how this weekend operates and will communicate those changes as they are finalized in advance of Camp. Families, mark your calendars now and be on the lookout in the coming weeks for registration information.
JOIN US FOR ALL OF THE FUN WE WILL HAVE TOGETHER IN 2021.
For more information on 2021 programs, contact Program Manager, Catherine Adams
