04/06/2020
To Our Entire Camp Family,
We now find ourselves in a place where the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has really made an impact on every one of our lives here in New Jersey and across the world. For people with disabilities, including the youth and adults who are our campers and often thrive on routine, it has become really tough. We want you to know that we here at Easterseals Camp Merry Heart are here to help in any way we can, although we too have been forced to make some changes because of this global health pandemic.
We know that many of our campers look forward each summer to recreating memories with their peers, meeting our multi-cultural staff, learning fun new skills (or songs), and getting a much-needed vacation from their daily lives. The impact of these seemingly small moments and experiences to their lives is much greater than one would think. It is in knowing this that we try to ensure that we can continue to provide our recreational and camping services by any means possible.
As we continue to evaluate necessary changes, it comes with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of all rentals, respites, and events until at least June 28th, 2020. We acknowledge that this decision impacts many people we work with and support, and most importantly the people we serve: our campers. It’s difficult to imagine Camp Merry Heart without its lake full of boats, its Arts and Craft pavilion without its paint, and its cabins without its campers. Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, this is the picture we are currently confronted with.
For the campers and families that have been financially impacted by this virus due to furlough, layoff, or other hardship, registrations will be refunded to you upon verification of this status. ALL registrants can transfer their registration fee to a later session or consider donating your registration to camp’s future. We are still accepting registrations for sessions taking place as early as June 28th as we have NOT canceled the rest of the summer programming as of now. If you or your camper has an interest in attending another session this summer, an additional questionnaire has been added to your Campdoc account. Please complete this questionnaire and we will make the necessary changes. Keep in mind that there is limited space availability.
Many of you have asked if we are canceling the remainder of our summer. The cancellation of the summer is dependent on many factors that are influenced by the progress of this virus and how that affects our day to day lives. We have not decided yet regarding the rest of the summer. We encourage you to stay tuned to your inbox and to our social media page where we will be sharing some of our ideas we have to interact as a community! As an organization, we will also share updates as they occur on our public website: Easterseals NJ Coronavirus (Covid-19) Updates Page.
Our hope is that we will all be together again soon! In the meantime, please also reach out to let us know how else we can support you during this time. Contact us at any time with your ideas or even just to share a happy camp song. We know most of us could use a little joy in our lives at this time and Camp Merry Heart is here for it. Stay safe, stay well, stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Bob Zirkle
Director of Business Operations
Easterseals New Jersey - Camp Merry Heart
908.852.3896
