Español English

COVID-19 Procedures

Procedures for Communicable Disease Prevention Plan – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

→ CLICK HERE for COVID-19 SLEEPAWAY Procedures

 

DAY CAMP

Updated May 10, 2020

NOTE: Information about Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is a “moving target.” Information about the illness continues to evolve. Consequently; we are continually monitoring updates from the CDC and the American Camping Association to make the necessary changes accordingly.

 

This guidance is intended to help us make informed decisions about COVID-19 and minimize the risk of exposure to both the staff and the children in our care. 

 

Prior to Attend Camp 

  1. Communication to parents, campers, and staff prior to camp start: 
    • Communicate to parents/families COVID-19 related instructions in preparation for camp opening (for example staying home if symptomatic). 
    • Provide education and training on COVID-19 strategies for camp staff using videos, webinars, and FAQs.
  2. Ask Campers/Staff to arrive Healthy. Pre-arrival agreement states that the camp reserves the right not to admit a person who poses a communicable disease risk to others.
  3. Collect and Review Health History with Record of Immunizations 
  4. Describe Health Screening Process for staff and families before arrival 
  5. Evaluate/order supply of protective equipment: gloves, masks, face/eye shields. 
  6. Conduct Health Screenings for both staff and campers that includes screening for communicable disease 
  7. Inform staff criteria for sending home.  

 

During Camp

Anyone showing signs of illness of any kind or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not be in the day camp facility.

Symptoms of COVID-19:

  • fever* 
  • cough 
  • shortness of breath

While symptoms in children are similar to adults, children may have milder symptoms. Reported symptoms in children include loss of taste or smell and cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Sore throat, headache, vomiting and diarrhea are less commonly reported.

*Fever is determined by a thermometer reading 100.4 or higher or by subjective signs such as flushed cheeks, fatigue, extreme fussiness, chills, shivering, sweating, achines, headache, not eating or drinking.

  1. Before arrival: We’ll ask parents to be on the alert for any symptoms of COVID-19 and to keep the child(ren) home if showing any signs of illness.
  2. Car line drop off / pick up will be set up to observe social distancing requirements. Parents will remain inside their cars to limit direct contact as much as possible. A staff member will greet children outside as they arrive. We’ll designate a staff person to walk children to their group, and at the end of the day, walk them back to their cars. The staff person greeting children should not be a person at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Staff will monitor and discourage congregations at arrival and drop-off. If possible, the same parent or designated person should drop off and pick up the child every day.
  3. Temperature and wellness checks will be mandatory for campers and staff on a daily basis at check in and during the day.  We have invested in infrared thermometers for “no touch” temperature screening.
  4. Only children and staff that has been checked, will be permitted in the area.
  5. We will encourage to follow cloth face covering guidelines: 
    • When feasible, staff members should wear cloth face coverings when in the facility and when unable to maintain at least six feet distance outdoors. 
    • Campers should wear face covering if it is determined they can reliably wear, remove and handle masks following CDC guidance throughout the day. 
    • Camp should provide information on proper use, removal and washing of cloth face covering to staff and campers. 
    • Follow CDC guidance for wearing cloth face coverings.
  6. Hand hygiene stations with hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol would be set up at the entrance of the facility, so that staff and children can clean their hands at arrival. We will make sure children wash their hands as many times as needed throughout the day. Adequate hand-washing stations will be available.
  7. Personal supplies (e.g., hats, brushes, contact lenses solutions) and drinking containers are never shared with others.
  8. All equipment will be rotated and disinfected during the day for each camper.  (e.g., bows, paddle and kayaks)
  9. Coughs and sneezes are buried in the shoulder, not covered by hands.
  10. We will use hospital grade sanitizing solutions to disinfect the premises each day
  11. We’ll restrict counselors to one group of children. Groups will be maximum 6 kids per group and will include the same children in the group each day and the same day camp providers.
  12. To Follow social distancing strategies.  
    • As much as possible, we’ll have campers stay 6 feet apart. 
    • Post signage and other messaging to remind campers and staff of physical distancing. 
    • Waiting areas should have 6 feet spacing markings. Floors should be marked to remind campers and staff to stay 6 feet apart. 
    • We’ll keep each group of children separated. 
    • When eating meals, camp groups will be kept separated rather than having all campers eat meals together. Each camper must bring their lunch and snacks  
    • We will not allow sports or activities in which participants cannot maintain social distancing of more than 6 feet apart. Examples of activities that would not be permitted include (but are not limited to) basketball, football. 
    • Our registrations are online, our administrative staff will telework from their homes. 

 

Sanitation and hygiene practices: 

  • We’ll use an EPA-registered disinfectant that is active against coronavirus and follow manufacturer’s instructions for use and contact time. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces throughout the day.
  • Clean and disinfect shared tools, supplies, and equipment. 
  • Build in gaps between activities to allow time for cleaning. 
  • Minimize use of shared supplies and label individual supplies and items.

  

Children or staff who develop symptoms during the day: 

  • If a child or staff member develops any symptoms of COVID-19, We will send them and any family members home as soon as possible. 
  • While waiting for a sick child to be picked up, staff should stay with the child isolated from others. If the child has symptoms of COVID-19, staff should remain as far away as safely possible from the child (preferably, 6 feet) while maintaining visual supervision. Staff should wear a cloth face covering. If tolerated, the child should wear a cloth face covering also. 

Camp Guaikinima will instruct and enforce that campers and staff who are sick (any fever, respiratory, or gastrointestinal symptoms) or believe they might have COVID-19 should stay home and separate themselves from other people in the home as much as possible. They should be excluded from the camp until they can answer YES to all the following questions: 

✓ Has it been at least 10 days since you first had symptoms? ✓ Have you been without fever for three days (72 hours) without any medicine for fever? ✓ Have it been three days (72 hours) since your symptoms have improved? 

 

SOURCES

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/covid19

https://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/coronavirus/camp-business/camp-operations-guide-summer-2020