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Governor Raimondo said camp providers will be asked to keep campers in small, stable groups of possibly 10 kids who interact with the same group of adults each day.
She said camp providers will be expected to increase cleaning of surfaces and shared equipment, and enforce frequent hand-washing and social distancing.
“It’s going to be fun but different,” Raimondo said at her daily briefing Thursday. “Let me also say, the June 29th goal is just that—it’s a goal.”
Raimondo said she might have to adjust the date if the state sees “a lot more cases, things aren’t going well, our systems aren’t working, our hospitals are starting to get overfull.”
But she said she thinks it’s important to provide camp opportunities to children who’ve already had a significantly disrupted year.
“The truth of it is our kids are missing out,” Raimondo said. “For their mental and emotional and intellectual development and health I think we need to try our best to operate summer camps this summer.”
The governor said organized youth sports will remain prohibited in accordance with CDC recommendations, although she hopes to have alternative sports activities available this summer.
Libraries remain closed to the public during phase one of the reopening, but Raimondo said she expects many will reopen for limited browsing in phase two, though still under tight restrictions. She said the state will also be launching a survey to see what assistance businesses need most.
And Rhode Island is doing what it can to make 2020 a special year for high school seniors. On June 15, the state will hold a televised graduation, titled “Your Year 2020.” Students statewide are being asked to submit videos for the ceremony by next Friday. Raimondo said she is aiming high to bring in some special guests.
“This isn’t what you wanted, but let’s make the best of it,” Raimondo said, addressing high school seniors. “If everybody leans in and makes it fun, it will be fun.”
Alex Nunes can be reached at anunes@thepublicsradio.org.
