It is with great sadness that we share the news that we are canceling our four sessions of kids camp, two sessions of family camp, and our alumni weekend for summer 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For our family and our year-round staff, this is the hardest decision about camp we have ever had to make. It is heartbreaking to know that campers and staff won’t be coming together here at the ranch this summer. We are already missing the welcome sight of campers unloading duffle bags to move onto platforms and the sound of singing under the apple trees.
And, despite the difficulty of the decision, we know it is the right one. While camp is never risk-free, our first priority will always be the safety and health of our campers and staff. After listening carefully to guidance from public health officials in Trinity County and California, the camp community, and professional organizations like the American Camp Association, the CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, we came to the conclusion that it would not be in the best interest of our campers, staff, and families to run our camp program at the Ranch this summer.
Camp is the opposite of social distancing. Our intention during the summer is to create a big ranch family. We share family style meals, we hug, we dance, we circle up arm in arm to sing Brothers. Even if it were possible to have camp while maintaining social distancing, and we’re not sure that it is, it wouldn’t be a Camp Trinity summer.
This has impacted not only Camp, but each and every one of you in your own homes, personally and professionally. It is the hardship of this generation. Be assured that we here at the Bar 717 Ranch will see our way through this, just as we have previous difficulties, and that we will open (joyously!) for the summer of 2021.
FAQ
What factors led to your decision to cancel the 2020 kids’ camp sessions?
Our decision to cancel was based first and foremost on protecting the health and safety of our camp community. We compiled information from the American Camp Association, the CDC, the State of California, and the Trinity County Public Health and Environmental Health departments. We spent a long time considering whether we could run modified programs under the recommendations given, but recently it has become clear that we would not be able to safely welcome campers from around the state and country to the ranch. Our mission during the summer is to create a big ranch family which includes family style meals, sitting together during announcements, campfires, and freedom of choice. These aspects and many others currently are not possible with the guidelines for operation, and we think camp wouldn’t truly live up to our mission and expectations.
What about Family Camp and Alumni Weekend?
As of June 15th, we have canceled both our Family Camp and Alumni Weekend programs for the summer of 2020. Although we hoped to find a way to run these programs within the state and county requirements, it has become clear that large group programs are not feasible this summer. We are looking forwards to Family Camp and Alumni Weekend 2021 and hope you join us then.
Will there be any on site camp programs this summer?
One of the most important parts of our camp programs is the ability to create a community that feels like one big ranch family. With the current restrictions we wouldn’t be able to live, eat, or play as close family members, and it is unlikely that we will be able to create this atmosphere during the summer of 2020. If restrictions change and we feel like we can offer some alternative camp programs we will certainly be in touch.
Will Camp be offering remote programming this summer?
We know that no remote programming can replace the in-person experience of Camp. However, Camp is an important part of the year for so many kids and we want to find a way to keep everyone connected. We are planning some small ways for campers and staff to engage with camp and each other this summer from home. We will share this information on our website, and through Facebook and Instagram throughout the summer. If you have ideas for us, please drop us a line.
What is Camp’s refund policy?
We are offering a full refund to all enrolled families. The full details of how to obtain a refund can be found in the email announcing the cancellation of the 2020 summer sessions.
How can I help Camp this year?
There is no question that this cancellation will put a heavy financial burden on Camp for this and the coming years. The year-round expenses of the ranch remain the same whether or not camp operates, and delivering a great summer experience requires extensive year-round planning and corresponding spending. Families who were enrolled for this summer can choose to donate all or part of their 2020 camp tuition. Or, if you’re planning to enroll for 2021, you can choose to roll over your tuition to next summer.
If you are not currently enrolled in camp but want to help, we would be grateful for donations of any size to help cover our year round expenses. These expenses include supporting our hardworking year-round staff, feed for our horses and other animals, and all other costs associated with keeping the ranch running until summer 2021.
Regardless of whether you can make a donation, we value everyone’s connection to Camp Trinity on the Bar 717 Ranch. Remember, you can always support camp by spreading the word and helping us fill our sessions for next year. We will get through this. The summer of 2021 at the Bar 717 will be the best one yet!
Learn how you can help camp here: http://www.bar717.com/support-camp-2020/
What if my camper has completed 10th grade and this was their last year at camp?
Enrolled campers who are 16 and would have aged out of camp this year are welcome to re-enroll for our 2021 season. We hope they will all join us next summer!
What will happen to the camp animals this summer?
The animals will miss the busy summer and all the campers and staff that normally spend time with them, and more than anything, the pigs will miss your table scraps. Our resident staff will continue to look after and care for the animals to make sure they are happy and healthy. However without the help of our campers to ride and groom the horses they will get a bit bored and lazy this summer. If you have the means and experience to take in a horse for the summer to give them the love and exercise that they would normally get from our campers, please let us know.
What is the best way to contact you for more information
You are welcome to email us with any questions, we are also available by phone. We do expect a large number of calls and emails over the next few weeks, so please be patient and assume a slightly longer wait time for us to get back to you.