BALTIMORE — Summer is here and if you’ve got kids, you know they are looking forward to camp. The problem is camps aren’t allowed to open because of the coronavirus quarantine.
For many families the memories made at a summer camp can be transformative.
“We have kids that are at risk that come to our camps,” said Alex Jacobs. “We have kids that live in apartment complexes or condos that don’t have the space that some people have and we’re their outlet.”
Jacobs is the owner of Coppermine Fieldhouse.
Coppermine Fieldhouse and their nine locations in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Carroll County have been shutdown because of coronavirus.
Their summer camp is supposed to start June 1.
They’ve got parents calling and over 350 people employed during the summer who want to know if there will be camp.
Jacobs said he understands and respects what the Governor and local leaders are doing, but wants them to look at summer camps as essential.
“Look at us as professional to understand we are going to do the best thing we can for our children and customers,” said Jacobs. “Let us make those decisions and react.”
Del. Kathy Szeliga stood by his side saying summer camps should be included as the state prepares for phase 2 of reopening
“We do see hospitalizations declining and it’s been a steady decline,” Szeliga said. “I think common sense would tell us that we’re going to be moving into phase 2 soon.”
Congressman Andy Harris saying it’s time to get more facilities open.
“Get facilities like this open so people can get out and do the exercise,” said Harris. “As Dr. Fauci says it’s now more healthy to end the lockdown than to stay in the lockdown thank you.”
Jacobs said he has more space and less foot traffic than big stores that have stayed open and they will follow any guidelines put in place.
“Every ten phone calls we get, are you going to have summer camp those sort of things, 9 of them really want to send their kids to us,” Jacobs said. “There are 1 or 2 that don’t want to send their kids they are worried and they are fearful and I respect those people that is their decision.”
We’ve reached out to the governors office for a response but haven’t heard back as of yet.
