Missouri sleepaway camp closes after 82 kids, staff get COVID-19

A Missouri sleepaway camp has shut down after more than 80 kids and staffers became infected with the coronavirus, health officials said.

Kamp Kanakuk decided to end its K-2 program in Lampe last week after the first few dozen cases were detected, according to the Stone County Health Department.

As of Monday, at least 82 campers and staff have tested positive for the virus, officials said.

The infected campers and employees have since returned to at least 10 states, as well as several Missouri counties, officials said.

“Stone County Health Department will be working closely with Kanakuk Kamps to identify exposed individuals and quarantine those individuals, as necessary,” the agency said.

The Christian summer camp program, which hosted kids ages 13 to 18, had promised a summer of “over-the-top fun and activities, deep friendships, biblical discipleship, and focused sports training” on its website.

“Now more than ever, kids need summer camp!” the site said.

Kamp Kanakuk operates six camps in Taney and Stone County, though it’s unclear whether any of the other programs were suspended in the wake of the outbreak.