Southwest Florida organizations have steered their summer camps to virtual programs as uncertainty and social distancing hinder their ability to offer physical programming.
Jon Austria/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network
Board Sports Camp instructor Christina Llamas rides a wave July 18, 2019, along the shore near the Naples Pier.
While Florida’s stay-at-home order expired May 4, many limitations still stand in the way of summer plans: Florida’s Phase One of reopening the state did not specify guidelines for resuming summer programs.
Many summer programs have either postponed or canceled registration for summer. The city of Naples and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida both suspended registrations indefinitely.
Artis—Naples made the decision May 1 to suspend all summer 2020 youth programming, which included seven programs designed for youth musicians.
“While we deeply regret the necessity to do so, it was in the best interest of our community as we all continue to combat this public health crisis,” Artis—Naples said in a statement.
Similarly, Naples Zoo is not offering its “Camp Wild” this summer, said Courtney Goff of the Naples Zoo.
While Lee County has no set date for resuming summer camp plans at Parks & Recreation sites, Collier County and Cape Coral's Parks and Recreation have announced plans to host in-person summer programming.
Lee County is phasing in services as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies, said Lee County spokesman Tim Engstrom.
Cape Coral's Parks and Recreation department is offering programs as facilities reopen. Information on open facilities can be found on its website, and camp counselor applications can be found online as well.
Collier County recently announced its Summer Day Camps will be operating with strict limitations, as well as week-long Specialty Camps like sailing, skiing and sports camps.
"Summer camps include a variety of organized activities with social distancing which are designed to meet the social, physical, and developmental needs of our campers in a fun and supportive environment," Collier County said in a press release.
Parents can go online to register kids for day camps that run from Monday, June 8 through Friday, Aug. 7.
Still, local organizations remain on track to give youngsters the summer they deserve — even if that summer takes a different turn. Much like public schools combating the novel coronavirus through virtual instruction, many summer programs are being implemented through various virtual platforms.
Hodges University is offering a virtual summer camp for ages 10-14 that teaches campers how to create games and apps.
Naples Botanical Garden, a frequent summer destination for families, is relying on social media to keep the fun growing.
The StayPlanted initiative offers resources accessible to anyone with Wi-Fi access, including an extensive list of interactive, “do it yourself” activities to be enjoyed at home. The Garden is also encouraging families to share their at-home fun through social media with the hashtag #ProjectStayPlanted.
MORE: Things to do online for kids and families
For dramatically inclined family members, the Naples Players is using social media to showcase youth actors.
In lieu of summer youth productions, the community theater company encourages kids “serious about producing art during this unique time” to participate in its “Tiktok” classes to learn about performing on new platforms.
TikTok, a social media app that allows users to post and share short video clips, surpassed Facebook, YouTube and Instagram in app downloads in September 2019. The app is used by more than 800 million people worldwide, and the average user spends up to three hours on average each day.
The two TikTok classes offered by The Naples Players include instruction in all facets of performance and will set up students with a virtual portfolio of work they can use for future submissions.
Aside from the social-media geared program, The Players is offering several virtual summer programs focused on improv, acting and illustration.
Southwest Florida locals aren’t the only ones scrambling for summer plans, and national companies are trying to ease parents’ minds as well.
Disney has provided a steady flow of content on its streaming platform, Disney plus, including releasing "Frozen 2" for at-home streaming three months early and streaming Pixar’s "Onward" just weeks after its premiere in theaters.
Hasbro launched its “Bring Home the Fun” initiative in late March to offer resources to families at home. The website-based initiative features activities to keep kids occupied, ideas for games and tips for family playtime to help keep the little ones stimulated.
The “Bring Home the Fun” site also has parent solutions designed to help families cope with heightened stress throughout the pandemic. The site’s “Be Fearless Be Kind” initiative offers mindfulness practices for kids and parents.
MORE: IMAG offers digital programming kids can do at home
Bookworms in the family might enjoy Harry Potter at Home, an online hub for reading-based resources and activities. Families can access magical craft videos, themed puzzles and quizzes and special contributions from Bloomsbury and Scholastic.
The site itself is a rebranded version of Pottermore, which some parents may remember playing as early as 2012.
Jordyn Matez is the features clerk for the Naples Daily News and the News-Press. Follow her on Twitter: @jordynmatez, email her at jmatez@gannett.com