A beloved summer fixture in the area, Camp Whitehall is the latest event to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The day camp, for Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough students in kindergarten through eighth grade, provides a safe environment for children to spend their afternoons building character, appreciation and respect for one another and their surroundings.

“While this was a very hard decision to make, I believe that it is in the best interest of your children and our counselors,” said Whitehall Township Mayor Michael Harakal Jr., regarding the decision to cancel the camp program for this year. “Every indication is that even if we have been released from the stay-at-home mandate, it is likely there will still be spikes in the number of infected individuals for the foreseeable future. Further, we cannot presume to be able to control the distances required to keep your children safe.”

Harakal urged the safety of the children is most important and does not want to create a situation that may endanger their health or safety.

He also made the decision to cancel early to ensure parents have time to find alternate summer care for their children if they need to go to work.

The camp generally runs Monday-Friday for eight weeks during the summer months of June, July and August. The weeks are filled with games, crafts, activities, field trips and more.

Camp Whitehall is split into two groups, based off the children’s ages. Camp Cementon, for kindergarten through third-grade students, takes place at Victor C. Talotta Park (Cementon Park), 5185 Dewey St. Camp Jefferson, for students in fourth-eighth grades, takes place at Fullerton Memorial Playground (Jefferson Street Playground), 901 Jefferson St.