ALBANY — The ongoing air quality warnings are making summer difficult for camps that revolve around the outdoors.
The YMCA has warned parents that if Guilderland’s air quality hits the “unhealthy for all” zone, all 300 children at Adventure Camp will have to be picked up immediately.
“It’s not ideal. We have 300 children on campus,” said Lynn Siebert, executive director of child care and day camps. “But it is what it is.”
One YMCA worker is monitoring conditions all day, every day. On Friday, the Lower Hudson Valley up through the Adirondacks was under an air quality health advisory, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The poor air quality is due to massive amounts of smoke from wildfires in Canada, which is being pushed down to the Midwest and eastern United States.
On Friday afternoon, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the health advisory would remain in place for all of Saturday for the eastern half of the state, as well as New York City and Long Island.
Saturday’s air quality forecast warned that sensitive groups, such as children or those with heart or lung disease, should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Some camps have indoor buildings, but many rely on open-sided pavilions as rain or thunderstorm shelter. Others, like Adventure Camp, have four-walled buildings but not ones designed to keep out bad air.
“They’re not really secure to the extent we need to be” in terms of air quality, Siebert said. “They would not be able to keep smoke and stuff out.”
Farther south and west, pools and water parks closed Friday despite the crowds expected for the holiday weekend. Belmont Park closed, canceling horse racing for the day.
Some municipalities canceled fireworks, including a show planned at Niagara Falls. At the Chautauqua Amphitheater — near Buffalo — Frankie Valli canceled Friday…
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