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February feels very different this year at the camp Neringa office. Last February, as 50 year prior, Neringa administration was busy processing the applications and planning for summer. And then, suddenly everything was canceled... This year, we know that we don’t know what the summer will look like yet. So team Neringa is working hard on gathering as much information as possible and preparing for a number of different scenarios.
Camp Neringa delayed the registration this year. At this time, the plan is to announce the summer schedule on March 29 and open registration on April 12. We all want to be at “Neringa” this summer! Neringa team stays positive and encourages everyone to do the same: "We will do our best to make that happen safely, if it’s possible. Cross your fingers, sing your favorite camp song and keep your hope and spirits up!"
Event hough last summer in-person camp became mission impossible, Neringa team continued working hard to keep Neringa community connected. This unprecedented situation provided the opportunity to learn how to better use technology to continue Neringa mission through online experiences. It helped to bring together people who otherwise might not be able to travel to Neringa because of geographical distance. Positive response to online initiatives was a refreshing surprise and it will be included in camp's regular programming calendar in the future.
Throughout the summer Neringa team managed to offer virtual programs and online events for children, families, “graduating” campers, as well as adults. On the day of the annual Lithuanian Festival (Putnam Picnic) Neringa alumnus created and shared a 40-minute video which included heartwarming historical video clips from Neringa's history with a goal to keep everyone connected. Every virtual camper received a care package from Neringa which included a letter, custom designed 2020 Neringa t-shirt, “Neringa Bingo” game to play at home, camp button, and a special song/poem written by a camp alumnus. Virtual campers and entire Neringa community were encouraged to create and share songs, skits and cheers which were shared via Facebook, Instagram and posted on camp Neringa website. The project was called, “Visi kartu!” (All Together) inspired by a favorite camp song. To keep campers engaged, staff also invited children to write letters sharing their thoughts on why they wait to go to Neringa each summer. Some of the letters could be found in the “Skambutis” newsletter.
The year 2020 will be marked as a historic year for Neringa because, despite the pandemic, Camp Neringa, Inc. (CNI) was able to reach the goal of the Neringa100 capital campaign and purchase the camp property from the founders, the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The purchase of the property was the last step in the process of the lay Neringa community taking on the full responsibility of Neringa. Although the Sisters remain on the Board of Directors it is now the full responsibility of CNI to continue the mission of Neringa into the future. This is an exciting challenge which is taken with great care, gratitude and enthusiasm. Everyone at Neringa is very glad that the Kazickas family is a part of Neringa community. Together we can continue Neringa’s mission of fostering Lithuanian Heritage, Catholic Faith, and positive character development.