SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Camp Mather, the City-owned family summer camp in the High Sierra wilderness, will remain closed in 2021 due to Covid-19 risks, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today.
“We know summers at Camp Mather are very special for San Francisco families. We feel the same way,” said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “ However, the health of our campers and staff are the most important consideration. The Covid-19 transmission risk simply remains too high.”
It is the second summer coronavirus concerns have shuttered the 337-acre site, which hosts about 500 campers and 70 employees each week. The shutdowns were made after extensive consultation with health officials in both San Francisco and Tuolumne counties.
The beloved camp, which has served San Franciscans for more than 90 years, faces significant challenges in ensuring social distancing. Campers share bathrooms, meals, and social activities.
Camp Mather’s remote location near Yosemite could present an obstacle to medical care during an outbreak. Additionally, the spread of the virus and its uncertain forecast has made it difficult to recruit camp employees.
“We support prioritizing the safety of campers and staff by closing Camp Mather for the season,” said Friends of Camp Mather Board President Eamon Barisone. “We look forward to our continued work with Rec and Park and returning to camp in 2022 for another fun summer.”
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