November 11, 2020 – General Update
Dear Camp Family,
Thank you for considering our camps for summer 2021. This page has specific COVID related updates, including details on precautions we have in place. We are practicing vigilance with the ongoing global pandemic and will make changes as needed to be up to date in following all of the CDC and American Camp Association guidelines. We are working hard to provide a safe and fun camp for 2021.
Last summer was tough, to say the least, with having to cancel almost all of the summer sessions. We really need to have camp this summer, and the children especially need camp. A BIG thank you to our 2020 customers for sticking by us with patience, support, and kindness. As a small, independent business this means more to us than you can imagine and we appreciate you all so much.
Did you know we had two weeks of Nashville Sail Camp last June? There were over 90 people involved with no positive cases connected to camp. We did this by planning, preparing, and training our team, who were determined and worked hard to follow procedures that kept the campers safe. We anticipate the virus and its repercussions will not be gone by summer 2021, but we know (and have proved) that we can operate through the pandemic safely and effectively.
If you have any questions about the upcoming season, please reach out to us, call the office 615-856-4772 or contact us online. We value your opinions and we want to be transparent with you about our plans for the future.
Sincerely,
Laura “Twigs” Johnson
CEO/Owner
Leadership Academy LLC
On this page:
- Extra Safety Measures safety measures we are planning to implement when we do open
- The Camp Business Model – details about the camp business model and related financial issues brought on by the pandemic
- Decision-making this season – how we came to the decision to cancel sessions and how camps came to close this summer
- Archive of Updates from the CEO – Laura Johnson’s personal message and video updates.
Extra Safety Measures
Operating camp amid a global pandemic is very concerning for me and my team. We want to ensure that every camper and staff member is safe at camp, and we are working hard to carefully develop policies, procedures, and modifications to align with the requirements of the Mayor’s phased plan, the guidelines from the CDC, ACA, and Metro Parks, and with parent concerns.
Expect the following changes at camp this summer:
- All camps will have reduced capacity to meet current Nashville reopening phase requirements.
- Campers will be assigned to small groups of about 10 and will interact exclusively with one counselor, reducing interactions with other camp groups and staff. Activities will be done one group at time whenever possible to limit group interactions.
- All camp activities will take place outdoors.
- Additional handwashing/sanitizing stations will be available at each camp and hand washing will be mandatory many times throughout the day.
- Additional cleaning of common areas and surfaces will be enforced throughout the day.
- All check-in and out procedures will be done by drive-thru, with parents and other family members being asked to remain in the vehicle. Check-in staff will be wearing masks.
- All staff, campers and volunteers will have a daily health screening including temperature check.
- All staff and campers are encouraged to wear masks at all time other than eating, swimming or boating.
- All personal belongings MUST be taken home after each camp day. There will be no locker or cubby storage available during sessions.
- There will be no Family Events at camp on Friday afternoons.
Additional changes may be needed depending on the ACA and CDC guidelines specifically for camp which are expected to be released this week. These may include daily health screenings of staff and campers, campers must wear a face mask during camp provided transportation and several more.
The Camp Business Model
The camp business model is widely unknown to people outside the industry, which often leads people to ask me, “So, what do you do the rest of the year?” The reality is that camp is a year-round business that employs two people full time and one person part-time, as well as 4-5 people in the weeks leading up to summer. We have ongoing monthly expenses like website hosting, registration software, liability insurance, workers comp, payroll, utilities, and many more. Because of these ongoing expenses, we heavily incentivize fall and early registration to help the business float through the off-season until the bulk of registrations come in during spring. In a typical season, less than a dozen campers cancel and request refunds, so this is not a problem. The current global pandemic, however, is an unprecedented situation which no one in the camp industry expected, including me. This is devastating for camp on many levels, as it is for every camp family, including yours.
I really want to do the right thing to keep children and staff safe; I really want to do the right thing to deal with cancelations and changes. It is so important to me that I can respond to the situation in a way that reinforces parents’ trust in Leadership Academy and in a way that demonstrates our core values. This is why the credit/refund options are broad and allow you to choose what works best for your family. I am so sorry that I am not able to provide instant refunds upon request, but I promise that I am working very hard to repay each and every request.
Decision-making this season
Leadership Academy CEO, Laura “Twigs” Johnson has been following the coronavirus pandemic very closely, checking the numbers each day in Nashville, Tennessee, the USA, and the world, as well as looking at the various models available from university researchers. She has also been carefully reviewing recommendations from the CDC, American Camp Association, and the local health department. In addition, she has been in regular communication with Metro Parks, other local camp directors, summer camp industry experts, camp parents, and the company advisory board. When Mayor Cooper released a phased reopening plan (PDF link) in which our camps align with Phase 2 of reopening, we felt it was possible to have camp this summer. There are no calendar dates in the plan as its implementation was to be based on data of actual coronavirus cases. Predicting how this reopening will impact the number of infected people we knew we needed to be extra vigilant of safety and plan carefully.
Leadership Academy camps depend on a unique relationship with Nashville Metro Parks, they issue a permit for us to hold camp at various public parks in Nashville. Nashville is on schedule to reopen fully and within Phase 3 now, each metro department has the latitude to manage their areas of government at their discretion. While the Governor and Mayor say camps can open and we feel prepared to open camp, Metro Parks will not allow any camps to operate on park property this summer, including Camp Warner Park, Camp Bells Bend Beaman, Teen Leadership Adventure, Mountain Bike Camp and Nashville Sail Camp. We are heartbroken but respect their decision. See the letter here.
Archive of Updates from the CEO:
June 29, 2020 – Notification of 2020 Camp Cancellation
It is with great sadness that we announce that we must cancel all camps this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been the hardest year for my business. I really appreciate your continued support, especially since everybody has been impacted by the pandemic in some way. We have been working tirelessly to provide camp this summer and have been hanging on through the hardships whilst planning to have camp for July. In the end, Metro Parks has decided that no camps will take place on Park property this summer and they hold our permits.
I really can’t imagine a summer without camp, and I truly believe that the benefits of being outdoors are tremendous, especially right now. However, the decision is out of my hands and it breaks my heart to think of all the children that were looking forward to coming to camp.
Every one of you is part of my camp family, and the thought of not seeing you this summer brings sadness to my heart. I feel that children need camp more than ever and getting outside in nature will do a lot of good. With the decision to have camp being taken out of my hands, I need you even more than you may think. Leadership Academy LLC is a small business that I have poured everything into. I made it a mission to provide children an opportunity to connect with the outdoors. Please stick with us, we have tried so hard to have camp and we need your continued support and encouragement.
We have sent an email to all our registered camp families with details on how we will move forward from this devastating news. But please feel welcome to call or email us with any questions or queries, 615-856-4772, or email the CEO, Laura@leadershipacademyllc.com.
Laura “Twigs” Johnson
CEO/Founder
Leadership Academy LLC
June 2, 2020
This has been the hardest year of my camp life and my business, I know we’re all trying to get through this together and almost everybody has been impacted by the pandemic. I want to keep you in the loop as much as possible about the situation for summer. We are sorry to say that we must cancel more sessions of camp, June 15-19 and June 22-26.
Leadership Academy camps depend on a unique partnership with Nashville Metro Parks, they issue a permit for us to hold camp at various public parks in Nashville. While Nashville is on schedule to reopen fully in June, each metro department has the latitude to manage their areas of government at their discretion. While the Governor and Mayor say camps can open and we feel prepared to open camp, Metro Parks will not allow any camps to operate on park property in June, including Camp Warner Park, Camp Bells Bend Beaman, Teen Leadership Adventure, and Mountain Bike Camp. We are heartbroken but respect their decision. After a request for appeal to this decision, which was denied, and a search for alternate locations without success, we have made the decision to cancel the remaining June sessions for Camp Warner Park, Camp Bells Bend Beaman, and Mountain Bike Camp. However, Nashville Sail Camp sessions will proceed at Harbor Island Yacht Club (located in Wilson County on private property.) We feel confident that July camps will happen and we continue to plan and prepare, our staff is hired and getting ready.
Every one of you is part of my camp family, and the thought of not seeing you this summer brings sadness to my heart. I feel that our children need camp more than ever and getting outside in nature will do a lot of good. At the same time, I need you even more than you may think. Please stick with us, we are trying so hard to have camp and we need your continued support and encouragement. While the season may be shorter this year, hopefully, we will all see each other soon with smiles on our faces with śmores marshmallow and chocolate in the corners.
Sincerely,
Laura “Twigs” Johnson
CEO/Founder
Leadership Academy LLC
May 7, 2020
We are still planning for camp sessions later this summer, although we have canceled the first two sessions, June 1-5 and June 8-12. However, we may further delay opening Leadership Academy camps depending on if Nashville has been open for at least four full weeks AND is within at least phase 2 of the Mayor’s plan to reopen. Please see the decision-making plan below for more information.
We have been working hard every day since the end of last summer to plan for this year’s camp and to provide the summer that your kids deserve. We believe that children need summer camp more than ever this year but we want you to know that your child’s safety is our number one priority in all of this. We will continue this work and wait for the go-ahead for camp. In the meantime, please email or reach out by phone to ask any questions you may have, and to share any feedback.
Sincerely,
Laura “Twigs” Johnson
CEO/Founder
Leadership Academy LLC
May 4, 2020
Dear Camp Families,
You and your family are on my mind and in my heart, and I hope you are all staying safe and well in this uncertain time.
I am very sorry to let you know that due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have decided to cancel the June 1 session for all Leadership Academy Camps. I have not made this decision lightly, as camp has been my whole career, and Leadership Academy is my whole business. I can’t imagine a summer without camp, and I truly believe that the benefits of being outdoors are tremendous, especially right now. However, as the safety of my staff and your campers is my primary concern, I must cancel. We are still planning for camp this summer.
We know that you may still have questions. Below I will outline the following:
- safety measures we are planning to implement when we do open
- decision-making plan including how we came to the decision to cancel our June 1 session and how we will make decisions regarding future sessions
- details about the camp business model and related financial issues brought on by the pandemic
- credit/refund options in the case that we must cancel your session of camp
We have been working hard every day since the end of last summer to plan for this year’s camp and to provide the summer that your kids deserve. We believe that children need summer camp more than ever this year but we want you to know that your child’s safety is our number one priority in all of this. We will continue this work and wait for the go-ahead for camp. In the meantime, check back to this page for more updates as we have them. Please reach out by phone or email to ask any questions you may have and to share your feedback.
Sincerely,
Laura “Twigs” Johnson
CEO/Founder
Leadership Academy LLC
April 21, 2020
This summer, more than ever, kids need camp. At this time, our summer programs will run as scheduled and we will alert you immediately if there are updates.
To ensure the health and safety of our campers, we will adhere to the CDC, WHO, and ACA Guidelines and…
- Limit camp capacity and children in small groups of less than 10, each with a counselor
- Institute daily health checks
- Reduce exposure risk by maximizing outdoor time
- Remove shared equipment that cannot be cleaned regularly throughout the day
- Increase the number of handwashing stations and camper usage
At this time, Metro Parks has canceled all events through May 3, giving us a few weeks of cushion before camp begins on June 1. Although events and facilities are closed, the Parks are open. I encourage you to escape the stress and anxiety by venturing outside in local, healthy space for a walk, meditation, run, paddle or ride. The outdoors remains a vital part of all our lives, especially in moments like this.
This global situation is changing daily, so please know that we will continue to update our community as information becomes available. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to check in or chat, please do not hesitate to reach out. Contact us at (615) 856-4772.
Thank you for your understanding, your patience and especially for being a part of this incredible community.
~ Laura Johnson, Founder of Leadership Academy
More information on the Coronavirus is available on the CDC website.
April 3, 2020
We recognize that current events are causing a lot of uncertainty and we want to assure you that, YES, we are still planning to have camp this summer! We want to be fully transparent with you, our camp family, and we will keep you updated if our current timeline comes into doubt. At this time, Metro Parks has canceled all events through May 3, giving us a few weeks of cushion before camp begins on June 1.
Please be assured that at Leadership Academy, we are following the latest information closely. We are seeking guidance from the American Camp Association, the CDC and the local Health Department to review and update our health-related plans and procedures. We will communicate specifics with camp families and staff members prior to the start of each session.
As with all things at Leadership Academy, we will continue to lead with our heart, work to care for our community, and ask for and give help where we can. We are a small company and this is an unprecedented situation we are going through. We need each other more than ever.
With that being said, I imagine many of you are scared and overwhelmed. I will be honest, I certainly move through those and many other emotions every hour. I know that the stress of work, childcare, and maintaining your own mental and physical health can be exhausting. We are thinking of you and wishing we could do more to be useful.
As I mentioned, we are on track to run camp this summer and are still working tirelessly to make this our best one yet! I am excited to welcome our world-class staff back to Leadership Academy. We feel extremely lucky to be an all outdoors program as it significantly lowers the risk for our campers. We cannot imagine a summer that camp has been more important; after weeks of social distance and quarantine, being outside and among friends will be healing for our campers’ bodies, minds and hearts.
I look forward to this summer and the return of laughter, smiles, and storytelling from the creek and trail. In the meantime, the outdoors is a big open place. If possible, I encourage you to find a way to escape the stress of the next few weeks by venturing outside in a local, healthy space for a walk, meditation, run, paddle or ride. The outdoors remains a vital part of all our lives, especially in moments like this.
This global situation is changing daily, so please know that we will continue to update our community as information becomes available. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to check in or chat, please do not hesitate to reach out. Contact us at (615) 856-4772.
In the meantime, thank you for your understanding, your patience and especially for being a part of this incredible community.
~Laura Johnson, Founder of Leadership Academy
More information on the Coronavirus is available on the CDC website.
