They facilitate the emancipation and the discovery of others, allow learning outside the family "cocoon", and more prosaically they are often a joyful collective adventure. Last year, 850,000 children went to these famous “colos”. But with the health crisis, these group stays are still an uncertain option for families, despite their reopening on June 22.
The experience is however awaited by the youngest. According to a study by the Observatory of leisure and holidays for children and young people (Ovlej), carried out during confinement, it is the activities practiced outside the family or school setting that were most lacking in 41% of them . What convince many undecided parents to enroll their child?
Can my child leave safely?
The health protocol "relating to the resumption of collective reception of minors with accommodation" was published by the Ministry of Education and Youth on June 8. In accordance with the instructions, Holidays for all (140 structures), a branch of the Education League, has adapted to accommodate young people: social distancing and barrier gestures are respected in accommodation, rooms and during activities and transportation; cleaning is thorough; accessible alcohol-based gel…
But do "health monitoring" and "fun" go well together? “In all of this, it is the word vacation that we must remember, insists Johann Olivier, director of the vacation service of the Education League. Admittedly, the reception conditions are different from those we have known but the pleasure of the child is a priority. "
Will all the camps be open?
No. Protocol transmitted too late, financial risk of opening a center that cannot fill up, impossibility of enforcing health regulations ... There are many reasons. For his part, Johann Olivier estimates that 25% of the structures will be closed. “It has started again strongly in terms of registrations since June 2, but we will not be able to catch up with a delay of three months when all the activities were stopped. Most of the registrations are usually made in March April and May, ”explains the manager.
In a press release dated June 6, the association Plein Temps vacances et loisirs had announced the decision to cancel all summer stays 2020. "We take this decision with regret, especially since we know that the first impacted will be the children. They bear the full brunt of the incompetence and disinterest of our political leaders - who have only those responsible for the name - in this management of the health crisis, ”slices the association.
What do they bring to young people?
The main body of troops for these summer stays is expected this July. “65% of departures to be precise. August is more time for family vacations. We are mainly on short stays. Those abroad were of course canceled. The parents would not have been reassured and it is too complicated to set up, ”specifies Johann Olivier.
Over 60% of reservations were taken for 7-14 year olds. “Going to summer camps helps children grow. They gain autonomy by having no parent behind them, they dress alone, make friends ... La colo is living together. Children are equal there, regardless of social background. It is a souvenir factory, ”pleads the manager. In the Vacations for All network, however, it already estimates the drop in staff received this summer to 30%.
