Kanakuk Kamps has decided to close after the number of staff members and campers with COVID-19 has climbed to 82. Missouri health officials said that number may go higher as more campers and family members whom they returned home to receive testing.
Kanakuk, a network of Christian sports camps in the state, reopened their camps to more than 20,000 kids beginning in May, despite the fact that Missouri officials said there was a risk in letting camps reopen. According to NBC News, Kanakuk Kamps felt confident it had solid plans in place to stop any potential COVID-19 outbreaks. While many summer camps have gone virtual this year, Kanakuk has been open for business as usual.
Parents of Kanakuk campers recently were notified by email that one of the camps known as K-2, in Lampe, was temporarily shutting down after staff and campers contracted the coronavirus. The email came from Rebecca Duncan, Kanakuk’s health services director, advising them that their children may have been exposed.
“As your Kamper returns home, we recommend that you consider a 14-day self-quarantine for your child and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19,” the email read, according to NBC News.
The Stone County Health Department posted an update on the numbers on their Facebook page on July 2, when 41 campers, counselors and staff members had tested positive for COVID-19. Those infected had come from 10 different states and multiple counties in Missouri.
“Kanakuk is working with SCHD and made the decision to shut down the K-2 camp for this term after being alerted to the suspected COVID-19 cases,” the statement said. “The decision to close has resulted in all campers, counselors and staff to return to their homes. SCHD will be working closely with Kanakuk Kamps to identify exposed individuals and quarantine those individuals, as necessary. More information will be released as it becomes available.”
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice