Frequently Asked Questions
This page was last revised in May 2020 and some sections may be outdated and inapplicable for Summer 2021. A reworked Frequently Asked Questions page will be made available by the time registration opens for Summer 2021.
How did SAA come to the decision to suspend on-site operations of Summer Adventures in Learning until 2021?
At a high level, our decision-making strategy was to collect all of the data available to us, consider the impacts on our community, and determine whether operating camp under these conditions would be safe, in accordance with our mission, and financially responsible. Once the coronavirus situation forced the temporary building closure of SAA, our school leadership team initiated regular internal discussions, continued to digest the most up-to-date information from health authorities, engaged in discussions with other independent schools and summer camp operators, and surveyed the feelings and needs of our families and staff. Eventually, it became clear that if we operated, the summer would need to look very different than what we had been used to. Unfortunately, after seriously exploring several contingency plans, we were unable to see a path forward that would allow us to feel comfortable opening. We calculated that the risks to health and safety, to the integrity of the programming, and to the financial health of the program greatly outweighed attempting to operate. We hated being in the position where we needed to make such a tough decision, but at the end of the day we know that it was the right thing to do
At a high level, our decision-making strategy was to collect all of the data available to us, consider the impacts on our community, and determine whether operating camp under these conditions would be safe, in accordance with our mission, and financially responsible. Once the coronavirus situation forced the temporary building closure of SAA, our school leadership team initiated regular internal discussions, continued to digest the most up-to-date information from health authorities, engaged in discussions with other independent schools and summer camp operators, and surveyed the feelings and needs of our families and staff. Eventually, it became clear that if we operated, the summer would need to look very different than what we had been used to. Unfortunately, after seriously exploring several contingency plans, we were unable to see a path forward that would allow us to feel comfortable opening. We calculated that the risks to health and safety, to the integrity of the programming, and to the financial health of the program greatly outweighed attempting to operate. We hated being in the position where we needed to make such a tough decision, but at the end of the day we know that it was the right thing to do
Why couldn’t SAA wait to make a decision, at least for the sessions scheduled for later in the summer?
We made our decision when we did for several reasons. First, we have no reason to believe that we would be given further information about the pandemic or find ourselves in a scenario with enough leeway leading into the summer that would impact our decision. Second, we felt a sense of responsibility to our nearly 250 families, 50 plus staff, and program partners to allow them adequate time to prepare alternative plans and make the most out of their summer. Third, from a financial perspective, there were too many costs to continue planning for programs that we could not be sure would take place. A late start was a scenario that was seriously considered in our contingency planning, but the three primary reasons for making a decision when we did were still applicable and carried too much of a risk for us.
We made our decision when we did for several reasons. First, we have no reason to believe that we would be given further information about the pandemic or find ourselves in a scenario with enough leeway leading into the summer that would impact our decision. Second, we felt a sense of responsibility to our nearly 250 families, 50 plus staff, and program partners to allow them adequate time to prepare alternative plans and make the most out of their summer. Third, from a financial perspective, there were too many costs to continue planning for programs that we could not be sure would take place. A late start was a scenario that was seriously considered in our contingency planning, but the three primary reasons for making a decision when we did were still applicable and carried too much of a risk for us.
Why couldn’t SAA offer a session in August?
The Summer Adventures in Learning schedule is designed around our school’s academic year calendar which begins in late August. At least three weeks are needed after camp programming finishes to prepare the building for faculty and administrators to arrive on campus, and this was the amount of time allotted between the end of summer Session 3 and the 2020-21 school year. Our inability to offer a session in August is not impacted either way by the COVID-19 situation.
The Summer Adventures in Learning schedule is designed around our school’s academic year calendar which begins in late August. At least three weeks are needed after camp programming finishes to prepare the building for faculty and administrators to arrive on campus, and this was the amount of time allotted between the end of summer Session 3 and the 2020-21 school year. Our inability to offer a session in August is not impacted either way by the COVID-19 situation.
I understand that it would be difficult to run Summer Adventures in Learning programming as planned, but why couldn’t SAA offer a modified version of on-site programming?
Operating a modified version of our on-site program was under serious consideration in our contingency planning. In fact, it became clear that if we were to operate, there would be no other choice than to significantly modify programs given the anticipated health and safety guidance for opening camps and schools. In considering this scenario, our top challenges persisted: time to prepare our facility, sourcing safety supplies, training staff, and upholding our promise to deliver high quality programming. Furthermore, we were not comfortable conceding that any realistic program modifications we would make would still be putting the community at risk.
Operating a modified version of our on-site program was under serious consideration in our contingency planning. In fact, it became clear that if we were to operate, there would be no other choice than to significantly modify programs given the anticipated health and safety guidance for opening camps and schools. In considering this scenario, our top challenges persisted: time to prepare our facility, sourcing safety supplies, training staff, and upholding our promise to deliver high quality programming. Furthermore, we were not comfortable conceding that any realistic program modifications we would make would still be putting the community at risk.
Why did SAA wait to make a decision until early May?
The ever-changing and uncertain nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has made it quite challenging to make any decisions about the future. We spent the last six weeks monitoring the situation and hearing where other camps and schools were in their decision making process. We wanted our decision to take into account input from our families and staff, as well as afford us ample time to develop contingency plans and evaluate how we might carry out those plans. Throughout the process we were intentional about keeping families in the loop about our decision making strategy and timeline. At the end of April, we felt that we had enough information to arrive at an informed decision, and one that we were confident in making. After our leadership settled on the decision, we felt an obligation to allow this news to settle in with our summer staff prior to sharing with the wider community.
The ever-changing and uncertain nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has made it quite challenging to make any decisions about the future. We spent the last six weeks monitoring the situation and hearing where other camps and schools were in their decision making process. We wanted our decision to take into account input from our families and staff, as well as afford us ample time to develop contingency plans and evaluate how we might carry out those plans. Throughout the process we were intentional about keeping families in the loop about our decision making strategy and timeline. At the end of April, we felt that we had enough information to arrive at an informed decision, and one that we were confident in making. After our leadership settled on the decision, we felt an obligation to allow this news to settle in with our summer staff prior to sharing with the wider community.
Why did SAA make this decision, yet I haven’t seen cancellations from my Park District, YMCA, and other local camps?
While we value our collaboration with other camp programs, our top priority has been and will continue to be ensuring the health and safety of our community. With new information coming to our attention almost daily, we carefully considered the circumstances and its impact on our campers, families, staff, program partners, and other stakeholders. We made the decision with their best interests in mind.
While we value our collaboration with other camp programs, our top priority has been and will continue to be ensuring the health and safety of our community. With new information coming to our attention almost daily, we carefully considered the circumstances and its impact on our campers, families, staff, program partners, and other stakeholders. We made the decision with their best interests in mind.
What happens with the money I paid?
In light of the decision to cancel all on-site Summer Adventures in Learning programs in 2020, we are asking enrolled families who have paid a deposit and/or full camp fees to complete this form by Friday, May 15th. While summer operations are suspended this year, we fully intend to offer summer programming in 2021. Families who are able to leave their payment for Summer 2020 on file as a credit for next summer are showing confidence in our program, allowing us to "borrow" some monies to pay for summer planning expenses incurred over the fall and winter months, and will reduce our transaction fees for processing refunds this summer and for new payments next summer. Alternatively, families may request a full refund which will be issued within 30 days.
In light of the decision to cancel all on-site Summer Adventures in Learning programs in 2020, we are asking enrolled families who have paid a deposit and/or full camp fees to complete this form by Friday, May 15th. While summer operations are suspended this year, we fully intend to offer summer programming in 2021. Families who are able to leave their payment for Summer 2020 on file as a credit for next summer are showing confidence in our program, allowing us to "borrow" some monies to pay for summer planning expenses incurred over the fall and winter months, and will reduce our transaction fees for processing refunds this summer and for new payments next summer. Alternatively, families may request a full refund which will be issued within 30 days.
Our family enrolled for the first time this summer, so will we get invited to the priority registration period for next summer?
Yes, of course! We will be sure to include everyone who enrolled in Summer 2020 programs on the priority registration invitation for Summer 2021.
Yes, of course! We will be sure to include everyone who enrolled in Summer 2020 programs on the priority registration invitation for Summer 2021.
Does this decision impact your plans for Summer 2021?
We fully intend to be back in full force for Summer 2021, but we acknowledge that it might not look exactly the same as previous summers. As the school year gets underway we will keep a pulse on the latest guidance from health authorities and begin developing summer plans based on that guidance. In this new reality, it is critical to remain nimble and flexible as we look to reimagine what safe and meaningful summer programming looks like. Any changes to our traditional summer schedule or programming for Summer 2021 will be communicated as soon as we have that information.
We fully intend to be back in full force for Summer 2021, but we acknowledge that it might not look exactly the same as previous summers. As the school year gets underway we will keep a pulse on the latest guidance from health authorities and begin developing summer plans based on that guidance. In this new reality, it is critical to remain nimble and flexible as we look to reimagine what safe and meaningful summer programming looks like. Any changes to our traditional summer schedule or programming for Summer 2021 will be communicated as soon as we have that information.
What will I do with my child this summer?
We are sad and frustrated that we will not have the opportunity to serve our community this summer as we have for over two decades, and we understand that this may put families in a bind and on a search for alternative child care. Unfortunately many other summer camp providers have had to close their doors this summer. However, we encourage families to check with their local school district, Park District, YMCA, and other area child care providers, as some may be planning to open following guidance from the State of Illinois and the CDC.
We are sad and frustrated that we will not have the opportunity to serve our community this summer as we have for over two decades, and we understand that this may put families in a bind and on a search for alternative child care. Unfortunately many other summer camp providers have had to close their doors this summer. However, we encourage families to check with their local school district, Park District, YMCA, and other area child care providers, as some may be planning to open following guidance from the State of Illinois and the CDC.
