May 15th, 2020
Dear 4-H Camp Owahta Families,
After careful consideration, including consulting with Cortland County Government, NYS 4-H Camp Leadership, CDC guidelines, and community parents; Cooperative Extension of Cortland County has made the decision to close 4-H Camp Owahta for the 2020 season. It has been a difficult decision to make. At this time, we believe children could benefit greatly by spending time together outside in nature; however, we could not create a program that guaranteed the safety of children and counselors during the COVID19 Pandemic.
Though camp will not operate as in past years, we are working together with other 4-H Camps to identify ways that we can bring children and families together. It would require small groups, limited time, social distancing and a consistently clean and sanitized space that follows guidelines recommended by the CDC and directed by the Governor. This is a major challenge, and though we are working to meet this challenge, the health and safety of our children and families will take priority. We will keep you informed if this becomes a possibility, no later than June 15, 2020.
4-H Camp Owahta is a second home for many children, counselors, and families in Cortland County and surrounding communities, so I am well aware of the disappointment and sadness that many of you feel. I feel it, as well. The loss of even one summer of fun at 4-H Camp Owahta is devastating to many, especially those of you who were looking forward to beginning your leadership training in our Counselor-in-Training program. That said, the safety and health of our children is our most important responsibility. We will miss all of our wonderful campers, and I hope that we will have the opportunity to see many of you in some capacity over the summer. And worry not – we will see you next summer for the best Summer Camp ever!
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
With sadness --
David C. Rutherford, Executive Director
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland
60 Central Avenue, Room 140
Cortland, NY 13045
dcr25@cornell.edu
Last updated December 15, 2020