Statement Regarding Rochester Rotary Sunshine Campus Not Operating This Summer May 26, 2020 

“Sadly, due to the COVID-19 crisis, Rochester Rotary has made the difficult decision not to open Sunshine Campus this summer. This was a heartbreaking decision because we know how much joy our camp brings to children with disabilities every summer. It provides a magical place where kids can just be kids, without worrying about their wheelchairs or people thinking they are different. 

“The health and safety of our campers is our number-one concern. After much deliberation and after reviewing federal guidelines for safely opening youth programs during the pandemic, we realized that we simply cannot ensure our campers’ safety. Social distancing, for example, would be impossible to enforce at our facility and with our campers. 

“We know this decision will be extremely disappointing to the children and families we serve, camp staff and camp supporters, as it is to Rochester Rotary club members. But we are also confident that it is the right decision to keep everyone safe. We look forward to continuing camp events in the fall and to re-opening Sunshine Camp in the summer of 2021.” 

– Tracey Dreisbach, Executive Director, Rochester Rotary 

About Rochester Rotary Sunshine Campus Rochester Rotary Sunshine Campus (sunshinecampus.org), a fully accessible residential summer camp at 809 Five Points Road in Rush, N.Y., has met the needs of children with paralysis and other physical challenges and their families since 1922. Each summer, more than 2,500 children and young-adult campers (ages 7 to 21 years old) with disabilities take advantage of this 157-acre campground. It is the only camping facility of its kind in Greater Rochester that gives children with special needs unique overnight camping experiences. Rochester Rotary Sunshine Campus is owned by Rochester Rotary Charitable Trusts Inc. and operated by the Rochester Rotary Club.