As the states slowly open up from the COVID-19 lockdown, there are many questions about how businesses, particularly summer camps, can open safely.
There is no doubt about the potential risk of an outbreak anytime people gather together. On the other hand, the country cannot remain in limbo. The CDC helpfully released guidance to help owners and operators of daycares, preschools, and camps reopen for the season.
The state and local governments establish the parameters that must be met before various businesses can be open, even if it is a percentage of the typical group size. In many locations, a phase one opening has taken place. Retailers and other businesses that do not cater to large crowds that remain together for more than 10 minutes were allowed to open at 25% capacity.
Later phases allow theaters, classrooms, and churches to open at 50% with appropriate social distancing and other safety guidelines.
For summer camps in 2020, the state determines whether or when you can open, at what capacity, and with what risk mitigation requirements. The local Board of Health should provide rules and guidance on how you are permitted to operate.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is the federal public health agency that develops and applies disease prevention and control as well as health education activities.
During the pandemic, the CDC has been front and center, not only in attempting to stem the tide but also to develop recommendations and guidelines for reopening the economy. For camps, the CDC provides a decision-making tool to help you decide whether you are ready to open.
The CDC also released a list of general recommendations for businesses that cater to groups of children:
All of these steps should sound familiar by now, but you must consciously put these steps into practice to make everything work.
In areas where the recommendations or order to open has not crystallized, you can do some planning while you wait.
It is difficult to make changes to a program you have administered successfully in the past. But it’s a new world right now, and everyone is trying their best to adapt and remain solvent. Make the best decision now for operating your summer camp.
If you are reopening your summer camp this year, there are several things you can do ahead of time to prepare your staff and your camp area.
Add changes required to respond to COVID-19 in your policies and practices. Parents and staff need to know about what may happen if there is a sudden closure, such as whether a refund will be issued. Also, you need to determine how to handle staff and children who become ill while at camp. Your current policy may not go far enough to keep the rest of the camp safe.
Most staffers at camp are used to hugs, high-fives, and handshakes. Should that be allowed? Or should you tell staffers and campers that it’s better to wave or maybe touch an elbow?
Provide staff with best practices in keeping individuals separated, wearing masks, and practicing the appropriate hygiene.
Health screenings at drop-off are essential for reducing illness in any camp. Taking temperatures and evaluating symptoms takes on new urgency this summer.
Further reduce crowding by limiting the number of people, such as parents and visitors, entering and exiting your facilities. Decide whether you will require masks for everyone. And emphasize cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
You will need to budget more money for cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment, and thermometers. You may even find yourself hiring an extra person or two to help keep up with everything.
Review staff files to ensure they are complete, including staff health assessments, clearances, and training. Make sure you have everything in each child's record as well.
Perform deep cleaning before you open and between camp sessions. Consider hiring a service to disinfect the area.
Also, don't use soft toys, dress-up clothes, sensory bins, or other shared items. When doing crafts, have enough supplies and equipment that each child has his or her own kit. Do not allow the sharing of scissors, markers, glue, or other supplies.
When handing out paper or other supplies, hand directly to each child. Do not ask them to “take one and pass it back.” Store the excess elsewhere until needed.
Once the activity is complete, thoroughly disinfect equipment and surfaces. Have the children wash their hands.
If your camp program is set on the premise of taking a group of children to a different place every day, you may want to rethink it. The first hurdle is transportation. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to social distance on a bus. The next hurdle is ensuring the destination is performing the required level of disinfecting and providing enough space for social distancing.
You cannot communicate enough with parents and staff. Email parents with any changes and keep them up to date on what you are doing to ensure a safe camp. Provide:
Make sure all your policies are updated and provide everyone with a copy of the new handbook.
It’s a tough time to operate a summer camp. However, times have been tough for a few months now. With enough care and imagination, children can still have an enjoyable camp experience, while parents and staff feel safe.