It’s been said that the show must go on no matter what obstacles are encountered, and this outlook could be applied to summer camps planned by Mount Airy Museum of Regional History.
The downtown museum offers camps each summer designed to help local youths learn about various topics through hands-on activities, with plans to continue the series this year despite the coronavirus.
Yet the threat of COVID-19 has prompted some format changes, including limited participation for the camps, according to Justyn Kissam, director of programs and education at Mount Airy Museum of Regional History
“Our normal limit is 20, so we just cut it basically in half,” she said Thursday of the 10-person maximum for each of the three camp sessions being offered during June and July. This includes one for younger children and two for older kids:
• STEAM Camp, geared toward those ages 8-12, is planned for June 22-26, from 1 to 5 p.m. each day. It will explore the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) components that are part of daily life, with topics to include air, space, electricity, music and the human body.
The kids will conduct experiments, complete hands-on activities and just let their creativity and ingenuity shine during the camp described as “a fun week with a lot of learning and mess making.”
• Animal Discovery Camp, scheduled for July 13-17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, is for the 4-7 age group. It is a popular camp segment being carried over from last year which focuses on “all creatures with fur, feathers and scales.” Participants will learn about the different types of animals and what they contribute to the world, through crafts, activities and games.
Each day of that camp will be timed to provide an afternoon nap.
• Detective Camp, planned from July 27-31, is designed for the 8-12 age group, with daily sessions set for 1 to 5 p.m.
Participants will solve problems, puzzles and riddles along with practicing skills of observation searching for invisible inks, ciphers, codes and disguises. Youths are invited by organizers to “put your thinking caps on and we’ll put your detective skills to the test.”
The cost for each of the weekly sessions is $60 per child for museum members and $75 for non-members.
Registration for the camps must be completed by 5 p.m. the Friday before each starts, which includes June 19 for the STEAM Camp registration, July 10 for Animal Discovery Camp and July 24 for Detective Camp.
If a particular session does not achieve a five-camper minimum, it will be cancelled.
Signups can be handled through Justyn Kissam at 336-786-4478 x 228 or by email at jnkissam@northcarolinamuseum.org, and she also can provide additional information on the camps.
Coronavirus precautions
Museum officials said guidelines will be observed to make the sessions as safe as possible, including “an abundance” of sanitation measures, Kissam said. “We’ll be cleaning throughout the day,” she emphasized — before, during and after the campers’ stay.
Social distancing will be required and masks recommended.
There will be a designated space just for campers’ activities. No field trips are to be involved, with outdoor gatherings limited to the museum courtyard and back garden.
“Usually, we go to one of our local parks, but we’re not going to be doing that this year,” Kissam said of efforts to prevent exposure by campers to the public.
The museum courtyard will be the drop-off and pickup point for campers.
No snacks or drinks are to be provided, but participants may bring their own.
“COVID-19 has made us approach them in a different way, but the show will go on,” Kissam mentioned in announcing plans for the camp sessions.
“We’re following responsible guidelines to keep everyone safe with fewer campers than usual, but we’re still going to have a great time exploring life and history,” she added.
“Camps will be just as educational and fun as every year, just in a slightly different format.”
Source: https://www.mtairynews.com