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Health &
Safety Concerns at Forefront of URJ Camps’ Response to Flu
For More Information Contact:
Rabbi Elliott Kleinman
ekleinman@urj.org
Like other summer camps across North America, some of the Union
for Reform Judaism’s 12 summer camps are dealing with cases of flu
identified as Influenza A and/or H1N1. Cases of flu have been
reported at several other Union for Reform Judaism camps including
URJ Kutz Camp (Warwick, NY), URJ Camp George (Parry Sound, Ontario),
URJ Camp Harlam (Kunkletown, PA), URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute
(Oconomowoc, WI) and URJ Greene Family Camp (Bruceville, TX).
Procedures are in place at each of the Union’s 12 camps to screen
for and respond to the first sign of flu-like symptoms. Medical
officials have assured us that the Influenza A strain confirmed in
some staff and campers and suspected in others is mild. In most
cases, individuals with flu like illness are being treated and will
remain isolated either at camp or at home for seven days (according
to CDC protocols) to mitigate the spread of the flu.
“Thousands of campers are having a wonderful summer at our summer
camps and are largely unaffected by the flu,” said Paul Reichenbach,
Director of Camping and Israel Programs for the Union for Reform
Judaism. “They are enjoying camp, making new friends and having the
transformative summer that Reform Jewish summer camp provides,”
added Reichenbach.
“Our highest priority is the health and safety of the children
entrusted to our care, our staff and the many volunteers at our
camps,” said Peter Weidhorn, Chairman of the Union for Reform
Judaism. “There is nothing that compares with a summer at camp
filled with fun, friendships and growing together,” he added,
“that’s why we invest so much time and effort into assuring that
camp is a safe and vibrant environment for all to enjoy.”
Two of the Union’s camps delayed the start of their camping
season to protect the health and safety of members of the camp
communities as well as the integrity of their programs. “This was a
painful and heartbreaking decision,” said Rabbi Daniel Freelander,
Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism, “but at the
end of the day, it was not a difficult one. While we deeply regret
the disappointment that we know campers are feeling and the
significant inconvenience to their parents, we made the only
decision we could under the circumstances.”
The Union for Reform Judaism has decided to open only for second
session at URJ Camp Coleman in Cleveland, Georgia. Flu and flu-like
symptoms affected approximately 45 out of 160 staff members and
working with the State of Georgia health department, the unfortunate
but necessary decision to cancel the first session was taken.
At URJ Camp Newman-Swig, in Santa Rosa, California, the Union
made the decision to cancel one short session and delay the formal
opening of camp, demonstrating an abundance of caution for the
health and safety of the entire camp community.
“Fortunately, the illness has been relatively mild,” said Dr.
Mary Maddux-Gonzalez, Sonoma County’s (CA) public health officer.
“[Most] individuals have recovered already and there were no
hospitalizations.”
Parents have been quite understanding, despite the
disappointment. Linda Weiss, mother of Camp Coleman camper Lexi, 14,
told the Fort Lauderdale (FL) Sun-Sentinel "[Lexi] is crushed. It's
summer and she's bored. But in light of the information they shared
with us, it's a reasonable decision." Similarly, Eric Hodes, whose
11-year-old son Sam was set to go to Camp Newman-Swig this week,
told The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, “I totally support them closing
for a while, although my kid is pretty bummed out.”
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