By Dani Tietz
dani@mahometnews.com
The Mahomet Area Youth Club will open its doors for summer camp on Monday after being closed since March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The summer of 2020 will look different than summers past.
The 32 children, split into groups of 8, will be cared for at the Clubhouse, located at 700 W Main St., and the Mahomet United Methodist Church, located at 1302 E South Mahomet Rd., alternating days of the week.
Executive Director Sara Balgoyen said that MAYC focused on providing a space for children of essential workers, children who benefit from MAYC scholarships and elementary children first.
“We are here to help develop, support and encourage kids,” Balgoyen said. “It’s really hard to do that virtually or from afar.”
Over the last 10 weeks, MAYC has tried to stay connected with its constituents, providing them with tools and resources to get them through. One need, as suggested by a survey that was sent out, was childcare. Nearly 65-percent of respondents were part of the essential workforce, looking for day-to-day help with their children.
Phase 3 of Illinois’ reopening plan allows camps to operate with a maximum occupancy of 50-percent, 10 campers per group, social distancing and enough available indoor space where groups can be separated.
MAYC children and staff will be required to go through health checks, including getting their temperature taken and answering questions about exposure upon arrival. They will also be required to wear masks as they enter summer camp, and when they are inside.
Balgoyen said staff hopes to provide as many outdoor activities as possible.
“We’re working on water play, shelters and tents. We’re going to definitely have to spend some time inside. And it’s going to be challenging.”
The Mahomet Area Youth Club will have a magician come to entertain the children one day, plans on taking trips to the Champaign County Forest Preserves now that bathrooms have been open and will focus on arts, crafts and play.
In coordination with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, the Mahomet Area Youth Club is providing sack lunches to all children under the age of 18 during the summer months. Balgoyen said this program will also help provide meals for the MAYC students.
Another hurdle the youth club had to overcome was making sure kids stay hydrated. In accordance with public health regulations, water fountains cannot be used. MAYC is looking for ways to provide at least four water bottles for children throughout the day or, if possible, to keep reusable water bottles at the club that staff will wash nightly.
MAYC staff also plans to wash face masks for the children.
Sanitizing the club and church spaces will also be part of the nightly routine.
Balgoyen said that should Illinois move into a different phase, and more people are allowed to be together, the staff will have additional planning to do. One option may be working with other community venues, like they did with the Mahomet United Methodist Church, to host children who need care during the day.
As for the months past July, Balgoyen also said in the same way as schools are working through what the fall may bring, MAYC is also having conversations about how to help care for children.
Like always, though, the Mahomet Area Youth Club is committed to providing space and opportunities for Mahomet’s youth.
“We want to help the community as best we can,” Balgoyen said.
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