This Camp Closed in Just Six Days and Is Being Compared to the Fyre Festival

Summer camp is a cherished tradition for many children, including my own. The mantra among campers is “10-for-2,” which emphasizes enduring ten months of school in anticipation of two magical months at camp. (I, however, never attended sleepaway camp.)

Last year, the pandemic forced most camps to remain closed for safety reasons, marking the first time in history that sleepaway camps didn’t open their doors. This summer, camps were eager to resume operations, holding numerous Zoom meetings to discuss vaccination protocols, masking, and testing. They consulted with experts and public health officials, prepared for challenges, and made safety a priority.

Nonetheless, no camp could foresee all the obstacles ahead. This summer, sleepaway camps faced COVID outbreaks, staffing shortages, and troubling behavior from both children and parents. Many camps successfully navigated these hurdles, but one camp did not fare as well.

Camp Evergreen’s Downfall

Camp Evergreen shut down just six days after opening. It had promised an exciting summer but instead delivered a disappointing experience. Reports indicated delays in food deliveries and significant difficulty in hiring and retaining staff. Campers encountered dirty dishes during meals, and incidents of vomiting led to quarantines and behavioral issues. In a note shared anonymously with the local news, one camper expressed, “We have been in tears, bored, and devastated all day. [The camp director] is lying to you all.” The camper continued, “You have to trust us. We’re not joking and we’re not having fun. So many things are wrong with this place.” The camp closed before the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services could conduct its mid-season inspection.

Initially, the camp director, Mark Stevenson, acknowledged in a letter to parents that “the last few days have been a bit challenging.” Just five days later, that “bit challenging” turned into an announcement that the camp would close due to staffing issues and food delivery problems, prompting a request for parents to “pick up their campers tomorrow.” As a parent with kids in sleepaway camp, I can’t imagine the anxiety those families felt upon receiving that message.

Comparisons to the Fyre Festival

Consequently, Camp Evergreen is being likened to the infamous Fyre Festival, which promised luxury accommodations but delivered plain cheese sandwiches and makeshift tents. While the comparison may seem fitting regarding grand promises and disastrous outcomes, it’s essential to acknowledge the differences in context. The Fyre Festival was characterized by negligence and fraud, whereas Camp Evergreen’s issues stemmed from a crisis caused by the pandemic and subsequent mismanagement. The camp’s leadership underestimated the challenges posed by COVID-19, not just in terms of safety protocols but also regarding staffing and supply chain issues.

They struggled to recruit staff and quickly train them. Emma Johnson, a young counselor, recounted her experience at Camp Evergreen, stating that the director seemed desperate and even offered to cover her flight costs to the camp. Arriving just two days before campers, she realized there was insufficient time for proper preparation. “We were treated poorly and paid poorly,” she noted, revealing that counselors were compensated just $2,500 for the summer.

Many camps faced hiring difficulties this year, exacerbated by a tight labor market and the absence of international seasonal workers who usually come to help. While most camps adapted, Camp Evergreen was not among them.

Other Camps Facing Similar Challenges

It’s worth noting that Camp Evergreen wasn’t the only camp to close mid-season; several others in the northeast also had to shut down unexpectedly due to similar challenges. For instance, Appel Farm Arts Camp in New Jersey canceled late-summer sessions because of staff shortages and food delivery issues, while Camp Maplewood in Connecticut closed abruptly on July 13 after losing nearly half its counselors. However, Camp Evergreen’s total failure—including serving food on dirty plates and failing to inform parents about quarantines—sets it apart.

Although the comparison to the Fyre Festival may not be entirely fair, it’s crucial to recognize that Camp Evergreen held the responsibility of caring for children. When it comes to kids, mere explanations and excuses are insufficient. The true victims are the children who navigated the pandemic and hoped for a joyful summer, only to face disappointment instead.

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In summary, Camp Evergreen’s closure just days after opening has drawn comparisons to the Fyre Festival due to its unmet promises and operational failures. Many camps struggled this summer, but the extent of Evergreen’s issues stands out, leaving children and parents disappointed.