How Hudson Valley summer camps strive to beat the heat

The heat is likely changing how your child's summer camp is being run this week.

News 12 Staff

Jul 20, 2022, 9:45 PM

Updated 809 days ago

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The heat is likely changing how your child's summer camp is being run this week.
Kids at the Rockland Center For the Arts summer camp typically spend half their day outside as they draw their inspiration from nature and the sculptures.
With sweltering temperatures in the 90s, artists like Ellie Machowsky are finding inspiration inside. She says, "We still have fun inside and we can still look out the window for inspiration from nature."
The camp's director, Antonia Edelstein, says, "aside from some pool time, they're not messing much with the outdoors right now. We have a lot of water breaks going on. We have the air conditioning on high alert, just trying to keep them as cool as possible."
At the YMCA'S summer camp in Pomona, campers stay outside. There are water jugs all over the camp, the kids get extra pool time and every game they play involves some splashing.
John Dillon, the Y's youth-program-director, and his staff got a briefing from the camp's nurse Wednesday morning as they were advised to consider cooler activities due to the extreme heat and low air quality.
"Yes. For sure. Definitely on hot days like this, it's important to keep the kids hydrated. Keep them not just hydrated, but keep them having fun at the same time. Definitely a little stressed out, but it's all for fun and games for the kids," says Dillon.
At the Y's camp, they've only had a few nosebleeds, possibly from the heat, but everyone is staying cool and wet.