Dear Huntley Park District Summer Camp Families,
 
Thank you for your patience over the past several weeks as HPD staff sift through the rapidly changing information available to us in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Since the stay-at-home order was initially issued, and with the subsequent release of the Restore Illinois Plan, Huntley Park District has been trying to understand how to safely offer summer camp activities within these new restrictions.
 
As a result of these significant restrictions, and with the health and safety of customers and staff as the primary focus, the start of in-person summer camp will be delayed until Monday, July 6, assuming the Northeast region achieves the benchmarks required to enter into Phase 4.  Phase 4 will allow groups of up to 50, which is a key factor in allowing us to accommodate a summer program for children.

As the District prepares for Phase 4, specific information is being gathered from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the CDC to develop a modified operations plan for activities.  Once the plan is developed, it will be shared with you. 

“Camp” as you have come to know it will look significantly different this year.  So much so, “camp” has been formally cancelled for the entire summer; however, we do plan to offer in-person, recreation-based day program for your children this summer.  It is already known that field trips cannot safely happen, so those are cancelled.  It is already known that Stingray Bay and most (if not all) pools we visit will be closed this summer, so swimming will not be part of the experience.  Additional onsite entertainment and activities are being planned that can be done safely within these guidelines and provide a new, yet still exciting experience for your children.

Huntley Park District has the benefit of having an abundance of outdoor space to exceed physical distancing guidelines; however, there is a limit to how many children can fit safely into the indoor spaces when weather is bad, and this is the limiting factor in total program capacity.  As such, families who have already registered for summer camp this summer will be given a short priority registration period.  These families will receive direct email communication from the Park District once the new programs are available and will have a short period of time to register before it is opened up to the general public for any remaining spaces.

Along with the new guidelines and expected restrictions, fees and length of program associated with the new summer activities are being reviewed.  Please understand there is a possibility that early drop off and late pick-up times may not be available.  While it is true that field trips and swimming are not available, there is a strong likelihood fees will look similar to what they are now.  Costs to deliver camp may not change because of additional safety requirements, adjusted staff ratios, and two recent minimum wage increases.  Fees will be closely reviewed, yet these are real challenges that exist.
 
For those that have registered for camp already, you will receive a credit on your Huntley Park District account for the deposits you have already paid for summer camp. You can use that credit toward registration for the new modified summer programs or any other future park district activity.  If you prefer to cancel now and receive a full refund, simply contact the District office and provide the names of anyone registered at (847) 669-3180 x.1 or email to info@huntleyparks.org and a refund will be issued.
 

Until July 6, Huntley Park District is exploring other options for guided activities that children can do at home.  This is not camp, or childcare, but children and parents may have a need for guided activities for a few hours each day.  Details of such activities are being worked out and a tentative start date of Monday, June 15 is planned for these activities.  The goal is to provide this information for these at home activities by June 8 for registration to begin immediately.  Activities in groups of less than 10 where social distancing can be achieved, such as a modified soccer league, are also being planned for June.

Finally, if you have not already reviewed our Virtual Programs, this is an excellent resource for activities you can do at home.  There are a variety of options and new activities and providers are being added weekly.  You can find these activities on the Virtual Programs page.

Thank you again for your patience during this unprecedented time.  Keep safe and healthy. 
 
Huntley Park District