Bryn Mawr-based ESF Camps teetered on the edge of collapse during the pandemic, but the company managed to find a way to stay afloat and is now restarting activities at its day camps, writes Ezequiel Minaya for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

After the shutdown orders, CEO and co-founder of ESF Michael Rouse was forced to issue refunds for last summer’s events.

While this was a major hit for the company, Rouse managed to secure a $4 million injection of capital from a group of 15 investors, most of whom were his friends with ties to the camps.

“It was really incredible people who had their own established family offices, who have been philanthropic in other great causes,” said Rouse.

Now, the company is ready to reopen the majority of its locations in five states on June 21.

The ten core camps will host campers ages 3 to 16 who will enjoy a variety of activities ranging from sports to arts to STEM classes.

As things are shaping up, ESF is set to serve over 4,000 families this year at an average cost of between $500 and $650 per week.

Read more about ESF Camps in The Philadelphia Inquirer.