Summer Camp Canceled; Day Camps Invited to Schedule

     The Camp Kubena overnight summer camp program for 2020 has been canceled. The decision was made on Wednesday, May 20 by the Camp Kubena Advisory Committee comprised of District One Director Donnie Victorick, District Three Director John Engelke, State Fraternal Director Frank Horak, President Brian Vanicek, and Camp Kubena Executive Director Rob Clift.  This was a difficult decision especially in light of Governor Abbott’s announcement on May 18 that would permit summer camps to open on June 1 with restrictions.

     “The decision was based on input from health experts, program leaders, and our years of experience managing successful camps,” says Rob. “After a careful review of the American Camp Associations’ Field Guide for Camps, the CDC guidelines, and the guidelines from the State of Texas; to implement the restrictions placed on our groups and staff for safe camp operations during the COVID-19 outbreak would be impractical at this time.”

     Under these restrictions, social distancing would continue. Also, guidelines mandate that there would be daily health screenings, the use of masks as well as additional personal protective equipment. Additionally, cabin populations would be reduced and all activities would be segregated by cabin groups which would not be permitted to interact with each other during their stay at Camp Kubena. Activities including cultural group dancing, hay rides, opening campfires, and closing programs would be canceled or dramatically limited.

     From the operational perspective, opening for the summer would have placed significant and additional burdens on camp staff. This would have included quarantining camp staff on site for 7 to 10 days before the camp season begins. It would have also necessitated that camp staff would be required to remain onsite except for supervised visits to town while wearing masks. “The added stress placed on our camp staff and group leaders would have been enormous,” says Rob.

“The hardest part of our decision has been to think about the impact on our children. It is devastating that our overnight summer camp program will not happen this summer, but we believe it is the safest choice for the health and wellbeing of our groups, our staff, and our camp. That gives us great comfort we are making the correct decision,” says Rob.

     Economic considerations also factored into the decision to close Camp Kubena for the summer. As of this writing, all but one of the many groups that were signed up to use Camp Kubena this summer had canceled their reservations. “With 75 percent of the groups canceling, we are going to refocus our resources and efforts that will allow us to support the SPJST Youth Program and membership,” says Rob, indicating that he would be working with State Fraternal Director Frank Horak in hosting activities within the districts this summer.

     While the summer camp program is off for 2020, it’s important to know that Camp Kubena isn’t closed. “We will remain a resource to the community and SPJST members that exemplifies our values of benevolence, humanity, and brotherhood,” says Rob.  “The plans are to utilize camp throughout the summer months as a day-camp facility with limited activities.”  This will include working with individual groups – including families, lodges and youth clubs, and other organizations that would like to come out and enjoy the property. For information, please contact Rob directly at 979-249-5674 or by email at robc@spjst.com.

Fraternally,

Brian Vanicek

SPJST President

—SPJST—