Princeton Recreation Department cancels summer camps

Out of an abundance of caution, the Princeton Recreation Department will not operate its day camp, teen travel camp, or youth basketball camps for the summer of 2020.

Recreation Department Director Ben Stentz said that in working closely with the recreation commission and local officials, the difficult decision was made in the best interest of the safety, health, and well-being of the hundreds of campers and their families, as well as camp counselors and staff members.

“The operational and safety restrictions that are currently in place, as well as additional restrictions expected from Governor Murphy’s office soon, present a remarkably challenging set of logistical, operational and safety concerns,” Stentz said. “New challenges such as social distancing of campers and staff, restrictions on group size, campers and staff wearing face coverings, and possibly performing daily temperature and health screens on campers and staff are changes that will require a great deal of time to implement, likely call for additional staff, and may in fact significantly change what our summer camp programs look like in the future.”

Full refunds will be issued shortly for those that have already registered for camp. If registrants prefer a credit to their account instead of a refund, please contact the recreation department no later than Thursday, May 28 via email at: recreation@princetonnj.gov

Princeton Recreation Department staff members are developing a variety of new or modified programs for this summer, with some virtual programs and possibly some in-person programs later in the summer. 

“Once we are able to offer in-person programming safely, it may look different than in the past with smaller groups, shorter duration of time, and may also include social distancing and/or face coverings,” Stentz said.

The recreation department is still waiting for direction from the state about if, when, and how public swimming pools will operate this summer. Originally the department expected to delay the Community Park Pool opening until June 13.

“That date is no longer feasible. We now plan to reevaluate the feasibility of a 2020 pool season no later than June 15,” Stentz said. “At that point, we will either announce a modified pool schedule to begin on or around July 15 or that the Community Park Pool will not open in 2020.”