COVID-19 Sleepaway Camp Procedures

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

 

SLEEPAWAY

Updated May 20, 2021

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. 

 

We all want this summer to be as incredible as always. For that reason, now more than ever we all need to do our part.  Our camp in Fruitland Park, FL is ready for us and completely clean; we must keep it that way. If everyone getting in is virus free, we’ll go out the same way. It is very important to take good care of yourself and stay healthy before leaving to camp.

We count on all our families, to stay home and keep taking all the necessary precautions when going out. Just like our staff is also doing.

 

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:
    • Every staff and camper going to sleepaway will be require to take the PCR test 48 to 72 hours before the 1st day of camp.
      • Step 1: Get a Doctor’s appointment for a health check up, 1 week before 1st day of camp.
      • Step 2: To request the appointment to take the PCR tests, 48 to 72 hours before 1st day of camp, this test will detect if you have the virus.
      • Step 3: The campers and their families should stay home avoiding contact with others until the 1st day of camp.
    • Everyone going to camp must bring at least 2 washable mask, to be use when necessary.

 

Day of Departure

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.

Temperature and wellness checks will be mandatory for campers and staff before getting on the bus. We have invested in infrared thermometers for “no touch” temperature screening. Additionally, the PCR test result will be require. 

Car line drop off will be set up to observe social distancing requirements. Parents will remain inside their cars to limit direct contact as much as possible.

The bus will be completely disinfected. Everyone on the bus need to wear a mask for the complete ride, including driver, campers and staff.

 

During Camp

  1. Only campers and staff with negative results on the PCR test will be authorized to be at camp.
  2. Temperature and wellness checks will be mandatory for campers and staff on a daily basis.  We have invested in infrared thermometers for “no touch” temperature screening.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Cabins will have a maximum of 9 campers and 1 counselor. 
  6. We will adapt our cabins’ set-up to maintain the greatest possible distance between bunks, orienting campers to sleep in such a way that the space between their faces is also the maximum possible. If camper in the bottom bed of the bunk is facing one way, the camper on the top bed will be facing the opposite side.
  7. Personal supplies (e.g., hats, brushes, contact lenses solutions) and drinking containers are never shared with others.
  8. When eating meals, camp groups will be kept separated rather than having all campers eat meals together. If necessary, we’ll have 2 different groups schedule for every meal.
  9. Activities and games will be held mostly outdoor by group of cabins to guarantee appropriate physical distance.
  10. All equipment will be rotated and disinfected during the day for each camper.  (e.g., bows, paddle and kayaks)
  11. Coughs and sneezes are buried in the shoulder, not covered by hands.
  12. We will use hospital grade sanitizing solutions to disinfect the premises each day
  13. 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.
  14. We’ll build in gaps between activities to allow time for cleaning.   
  15. The use of shared supplies will be minimize and individual supplies and items will be labeled.
  16. If a child or staff member develops any symptoms of COVID-19, We will take them to the nearest health care facility to be check and to take the PCR test. Parents will be contacted immediately. If they get a positive result, they will be send home as soon as possible and their cabin buddies will be also tested.    
  17. Visits to camp won’t be permitted.
  18. There will not be field trips outside camp.
  19. This year we won’t be able to have our traditional closing day activities with parents. Everyone will come back on the bus. We’ll keep parents inform in case of any changes.
  20. In case of the need to go out to buy materials or groceries:
    • Everything will be disinfected before entering to camp
    • The designated staff will take a shower upon arrival and change his/her clothes. We will have a bathroom assign for this matter and it will be disinfected right after.
  21. Our registrations are online, our administrative staff will be teleworking from their homes.

 

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