Camp Cathedral has served as an introduction to prospective students for years, and fortunately, this summer will be no exception. Young children, pre-teens and adolescents will still be able to participate in many of their favorite camps, experience a high school campus, and meet future teachers.

Traditionally, camp activities begin in June, but due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the tentative date for the start of in-person activities is July 6. Adjustments will be made to follow any new changes made by the Gov. Eric Holcomb or Mayor Joe Hogsett.

Many of the June camps have been moved to July. Parents who have already registered their children will receive a notice to either go ahead with the new July date, or they may request a refund. A schedule for the July camps will be posted at CampCathedral.com

While not all camps were able to be moved, all athletic camps will still take place in July. Additionally, many camps run by Cathedral staff will also occur. Speech and debate, robotics, filmmakers and drama camp, among many other offerings, will all be available for any campers interested in gaining a new skill or are curious in a particular subject.

To supplement the July camps, Camp Cathedral Director Mr. Anthony Ernst said that some camps will be offered virtually. “We want to provide families with the quality experiences that they’ve come to expect,” said Ernst.

For example, the “box camps” entail a box prepared for a registered camper containing various materials, and a link or QR code for virtual instructions. Campers also will be able to meet with Camp Cathedral staff virtually via Zoom video calls. Ernst named online escape rooms, Minecraft and Spy and Princess camps as candidates for this virtual enrichment.

Ernst said that he hopes the continuation of Camp Cathedral will be a positive reflection of the school’s message and demonstrate its dedication to the community. The in-person camps can offer some long desired interaction for children, and overall the experience, even if adjusted, can still allow for people to “grow, laugh and learn,” as the Camp Cathedral motto states.

Ernst stressed the importance of the safety of both campers and staff. Administrators are using available data to determine safety protocols that will be disclosed in the future. Any changes to stay-at-home policies or social distancing measures will be respected, Ernst, who is in the seventh year of directing the summer program, said.