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Summer camps across the U.S. are trying to figure out how best to respond to the coronavirus pandemic as May and June inch closer, AP reports.
Why it matters: For many parents, summer camps act like a babysitting service that allows them to keep working — and, for kids, they could be a much-needed outdoor escape after being forced to spend the last bit of their academic year at home.
The state of play: Some camps already decided they will not open this summer but most are holding off to see how the next few weeks pan out.
- More than 22 camps are planning to hold "virtual camps."
- Day camps are considering banning crowded buses for transportation.
- Virginia is currently the only state with a stay-at-home order that definitively extends to June — prime camp season — though many are effectively open-ended.
Yes, but: Even if camps are operational, it's not clear if parents will feel comfortable sending their kids away in a time of uncertainty.
- As a result, many are holding off putting money down for camps despite extended enrollment deadlines.
Go deeper: Virus-driven shift to online classes brings home the digital divide