Orange County camp allegedly remains open despite orders to shut down

Jim Helbig, of Cornwall, recorded on video what appeared to be Special Camp Yedidem operating Saturday despite orders from the county Department of Health to shut down last year.

News 12 Staff

May 18, 2020, 9:14 PM

Updated 1,573 days ago

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An Orange County camp previously ordered by the health department to shut down last year was allegedly seen operating Saturday.

Jim Helbig, of Cornwall, recorded on video what appeared to be Special Camp Yedidem operating Saturday despite orders from the county Department of Health to shut down last year.

"The camp was ordered to shut down last year by both the town and county health department," Helbig says. "They had no safety or sanitation plan to use the pool and that's when the health department stepped in."

Cornwall has an open case in court with the camp after its operator, Camp Rayim allegedly ignored orders to close.

Helbig says the camp’s alleged operation this weekend not only disregards the orders it was given last year, but also Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order put into place amid the pandemic.

"They use this property in disregard of any of our local laws, zoning laws, health department regulations and now Governor Cuomo's executive order," says Helbig. “In light of everything going on with coronavirus, they absolutely should not be up there. Not one single person is practicing social distancing.”

Helbig lives near the camp on Boulder Drive, and took a similar video last month of the camp allegedly continuing to operate despite orders from the state. He says the property, owned by Special Camp Yedidem LLC, is operating illegally.
Town officials say they have notified the health department, and the county confirms it is investigating.

News 12 tried to reach out to the property owner on site, but no one was there. News 12 also called operator Camp Rayim, but has not heard back yet.