The Canadian wildfires have transformed the quintessential summer camp experience for American children. Smoke from these fires has cloaked the nation, hindering children from relishing the fresh, country ambiance, a hallmark of summer camp.
As a result, many camps in the Midwest and the East have been moving activities indoors, the Associated Press reported. Moreover, camps are seeking advice from medical professionals, and hoping the air quality improves soon so campers can get back to hiking, playing tetherball, and waging games of capture the flag.
Mark Zides, chairman of the Pennsylvania Camp Association, expressed concern, especially considering that many of these children come from the cities. “Coming up to the mountains for the summer is what summer camp is all about,” he said.
The YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer in western Pennsylvania had to close its outdoor pool and send home a few campers with health problems due to the poor air quality. The camp, located about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh, is hosting 244 children in its traditional program and 19 adults in a program for people with special needs.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania also moved all activities indoors at their eight camps, affecting roughly 350 campers.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection recommended that young children, older people, and those with respiratory problems avoid outdoor activities and prolonged exertion outside. The agency declared a “code red” for air quality and noted that the smoke was concentrated in the western part of the state.
Some camps in the Poconos and northeastern Pennsylvania have air-conditioned buildings where campers can gather, and a few even offer air-conditioned cabins. COVID-era air filtration systems were coming in handy to ameliorate the effect of the smoke.
“We are doing all we can to provide the safest environment to all of our kids and monitoring whatever it is that’s going on,” Zides said. “If it means that we’ve got to keep them indoors for certain parts of the day, the majority of the camps have wonderful indoor spaces with fantastic program areas.”
Videos on YouTube also highlight the severity of the situation, with channels like FOX 5 reporting on the impact of the smoke from Canadian wildfires on U.S. air quality.
In a video by FOX 5 Atlanta titled “Smoke from Canadian wildfires returns to U.S.”, it’s reported that the air quality is still a problem, with two dozen states dealing with smoke from Canadian wildfires.
The smoke is expected to linger throughout the Northeast and East Coast, affecting cities like Washington, New York, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. Health officials advise people to stay inside with the air conditioning on, which is creating major problems for summer camps and outdoor childcare facilities.
People with respiratory problems continue to struggle, with the headache being the most common symptom, Fox 5 reports.
The air quality is not expected to improve anytime soon, as Canadian officials report that almost 500 wildfires are still burning across the country, most of which have not been contained.
The implications of the Canadian wildfires and the resulting smoke for private campground owners in the affected areas may or may not be in the air. The poor air quality has forced many outdoor activities to be moved indoors or canceled altogether, which could lead to a decrease in the number of campers and, consequently, a loss of revenue for these businesses.
Private campground owners may also face increased costs due to the need to adapt their facilities and programs to the situation. This could include investing in air filtration systems, creating more indoor spaces for activities, and seeking medical advice to ensure the safety and health of their campers.
In addition, the poor air quality may affect the appeal of these areas for camping. People choose to camp to enjoy the outdoors, fresh air, and nature. Persistent issues with air quality could make these areas less attractive to potential campers, leading to a decrease in business for private campground owners.
Communication efforts through email and social media are some of the ways to keep campers informed about the situation and the measures being taken to address it.
