Summer camp activities suspended after 5 kids test positive for COVID-19

After five campers tested positive for COVID-19, the fun at a summer camp on Marco Island came to a halt.

Campers will get to finish their last week of camp on August 2 but, for now, safety has to proceed fun. The Marco Island City Manager says he plans to do some contact tracing and testing with staff.

The building and parts of this park will undergo deep cleaning so campers can close out the summer safely.

At Mackle Park Friday, there weren’t any campers running around the fields, at the water park or inside the community center.

Mike Mcnees is the Marco Island City Manager. “We’re really disappointed to have to close camp. We didn’t get to have camp last summer and hopefully, this short closure will deal with the issue,” Mcnees said.

Five kids tested positive for COVID-19 in both the elementary and middle school groups of Camp Mackle caused the camp to halt operations.

Craig Fisher is a parent and teacher on Marco Island. “I think they are making a good decision to close it for a while,” Fischer said.

Doug Hill says he felt bad for the kids having to miss camp. “I was sad for the kids because it’s their summertime. Not being able to participate in camp is a real letdown for them and for parents,” said Hill.

While the camp is closed, crews will perform deep cleaning. Mcnees says sanitizing is a top priority at camp but that masks are not required for campers.

“I think that’s a decision for parents. That’s not a decision for the city,” said Mcnees.

Either way, the city manager and campers alike are hoping they can get back to running around the fields, the water park and the community center at Mackle Park very soon.

“Hopefully this will be the end of it and the kids can come back for the last week of camp,” said Mcnees.

There are about 60 kids who come to Camp Mackle on any given day. And, while campers are not required to wear masks, the camp staff at Camp Mackle does wear masks.