Five overnight Jewish camps have announced that they will not open this summer due to the COVID-19 health crisis. They include Camp Bauercrest, Camp Yavneh, Camp Tel Noar, Camp Tevya and Camp Pembroke.

“Despite all the planning, the restrictions that would be placed on camp this summer would prevent us from truly being together. It simply would not be feasible to safely social distance on the hoop court or euro field, in the bunks or mess hall, or anywhere else at camp,” Camp Bauercrest said on its website.

Camp Tevya also informed campers and parents this week that it would not hold its summer program in 2020. “Today is a sad day for our Yavneh community. After months of deliberation and planning, we have made the crushing decision to cancel all summer programs,” the camp said in a post on its Facebook page.

Camps Tel Noar, Tevya and Pembroke also announced plans to not open this summer on their websites. The camps were founded by Eli and Bessie Cohen and are run by The Cohen Camps.

“We made this decision after careful deliberation, informed by all the guidance available so far from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the MA/NH state departments of public health, the American Camp Association (ACA), and Jewish and state camping organizations, and with the unanimous support of our Board of Directors. The known risks loom large, and the unknown risks even larger,” Camp Tel Noah said on its website.

“Out of an abundance of love for everyone in our camp community, we cannot compromise the safety of our campers, teens, and staff – nor take chances on others’ health in the homes and communities where they would return.”