Covid 19 – Message from the Director

Good Morning Tall Pines Campers & Families:

I was 28 years old in 1995 when Tall Pines was under construction. While giving tours back then the most common question coming from parents was, “just how old are you?” Without a track record behind us, other than 40 years of Willow Grove Summer Day Camp, or the internet to do research, parents wanted to know if we could be trusted to take care of their children. Today, with much less hair on my head, I have almost doubled in age, but fortunately nobody asks me how old I am anymore. Families enroll sight unseen based upon the wonderful recommendations provided by our families and friends. Half of our staff is comprised of campers that grew up here. You have come to trust that your children will be well cared for.

We know that our whole camp community needs the benefit of camp for our mental, physical, social, and emotional well-being. But we also know that large social gatherings – the very epitome of camp – may not be the safest place. Camp is about social interaction, not social distancing. While all of us at Tall Pines – our camp families, staff and year-round team were hopeful that camp would open, safety was always at the top of mind. As one of our Directors said, “the heart says yes, but the head says no.” Therefore, it is with a very heavy heart that we have made the heartbreaking decision not to open this summer. This was a brutal decision knowing the impact that Tall Pines has on the lives of everyone involved. You have trusted us to protect your children’s health, safety, and welfare over the years and nothing else truly matters.

During a press conference on May 18th, the Governor’s office released The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health through Public Health. In his recovery plan it indicated that in Stage 3, “day and summer camps are likely open with safeguard and modifications.” However, there is no specific timetable as to when the state would reach Stage 3. When questioned about Stage 3 he said, “the State appears a long way from that.” Even if the Governor says in June that camps may open, we do not feel camp is the safest place for our campers, staff, and our extended families.

We know how disappointing this news is for everyone. And although we are making this difficult decision more than a month before our scheduled opening day, we know you need time to find adequate child-care options and that our staff needs time to find alternate jobs for the summer.

In closing, we wanted to share a resource that you may find helpful in speaking with your children about the disappointment of not being at camp this summer.  

Video: Helping Our Kids Manage Summer Disappointments

Like many other rites of passage and celebrations, we will put our 25^th Anniversary on hold. We look forward to seeing all of you in the summer of 2021.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

With much love and warm wishes for continued good health.

Andrew