Summer youth camps offer wonderful new experiences for children that support their emotional, physical, and social development. There are new procedures this year due to COVID-19. Ask questions of the camp administrators to ensure that measures are in place to lower the risk of the spread of COVID-19. Check that their COVID-19 health and safety plan is updated regularly with new CDC guidance and includes the following risk reduction strategies:
Stay home if sick
- Health screenings: When and how are the campers and staff screened for symptoms of COVID-19?
- Illness: What is the plan if a camper or staff member gets sick?
Wash your hands
- Hand hygiene: Does the camp promote frequent handwashing? Where are the facilities for handwashing?
- Supplies: Does the camp have adequate supplies including soap, towels or air dryers to dry hands, running water, hand sanitizer, and no-touch/foot pedal trash cans?
Clean safely and effectively
- Cleaning and disinfecting: When and how does the camp clean and disinfect facilities and equipment?
Wear a mask
- Vaccination Status: What requirements are in place for staff and campers who are not vaccinated or not able to wear masks?
- Location: Are masks required indoors and outdoors when physical distancing is not possible?
Keep your distance
- Physical distancing: Has the camp established policies to promote physical distancing indoors and outdoors?
- Cohorts: What is the group size? Does each group have consistent staff?
- Ratio: What is the staff to camper ratio?
Avoid crowds and spend time outside
- Sports/Activities: How are sports and other camp activities adapted to keep group size small and to avoid close contact?
- Food: What are the procedures for serving and eating snacks and meals? Are the campers spaced apart? Do the campers have individual plates and no common serving plates/bowls and utensils? Do campers and staff eat outside?
- Overnight camps: What are the transportation procedures? What are the sleeping arrangements, including: type of bedding, number of campers and staff in each cabin, and whether the campers sleep outside?
Get vaccinated
- Vaccinations: Does the camp require or recommend vaccinations for eligible campers and staff? What risk reduction procedures are different for campers and staff that are vaccinated?
Ventilate indoor air
- Ventilation: Do most camp activities occur outdoors? Are indoor spaces ventilated by opening windows and doors and using air filters, fans, or portable air cleaners?
Communicate safety messages and policies
- Signs: Are the camp's COVID-19 rules posted on signs? Resource: Reduce the Risk of COVID-19 poster
- Communication with families: Does the camp staff regularly communicate with families? How, and how often?
- Point of contact: Who is the designated camp administrator to contact with COVID-19 questions?
- Staff training: How is the camp staff trained on COVID-19 risk reduction strategies and policies?
May 2021, UCSF California Childcare Health Program
This article was made possible with funding from the UCSF Chancellor’s Fund.
