5 questions about summer camps during COVID-19
Though children are generally less likely to be made sick by COVID-19, children can spread the virus to others, including other children with underlying medical conditions.
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Camps can be invaluable opportunities for children to develop their emotional, social and physical development. Whether sport-based, art-based, education-based or any other kind of camp, encouraging children to try new things, make friends, and push themselves socially and physically gives children lifelong memories and vital skills. Though children are generally less likely to be made sick by COVID-19, children can spread the virus to others, including other children with underlying medical conditions.
Asking your camp and yourself a few questions will help keep everyone safe.
FAQ
If your child or teen is showing any signs of illness, including a fever, stuffy nose, sore throat or a cough, it is best not to send them to camp.
If they are not showing symptoms, then find out more about the camp you’re considering and what measures are being taken to prevent Covid-19 transmission.
Whether primarily outdoor or indoor, day or overnight camp, there are a few basic measures and safety protocols that are important to understand. Don’t hesitate to ask for written policies or plans. Here’s a few things to consider:
- Are all camp staff tested for Covid? Camps should have rigorous testing protocols in place to ensure camp staff, administration and volunteers are free of Covid-19.
- Will all camp staff be wearing a mask? Advice from national authorities will guide this policy. Wearing masks both outdoors, and especially indoors among staff will reduce the risk of transmission.
- What are the policies on social distancing? Camps may have subdivided larger groups into pods to limit risk of transmission, for example. They may have redesigned public spaces to limit opportunities for crowding and close contacts.
- Are children required to wear masks? Refer to national advice and camp policy. If advised to wear a mask, make sure they know how to wear it safely, and discard or wash as necessary.
- If the camp is indoors, or otherwise features shared equipment, ask about the protocols for disinfection of gear and public spaces.
- How will the camp screen and manage staff and campers with Covid-like symptoms? Look for plans around screening of staff and campers, testing, and if relevant isolation areas.
Generally the same questions apply, though you may wish to find out more about how the camp is organized (smaller pods or cohorts), how the physical facilities have been changed or adapted (physical barriers, fewer seats, sleeping quarters etc) quarantine facilities, and the approach to managing children with Covid-like symptoms.
Medical personnel on staff, or local access to medical services may also be worth exploring.
The most important thing is that your child is not showing any signs of illness. If they are, they should be kept home and a local health professional should be consulted. In the days leading up to camp, talk to your child about how they’re feeling and monitor any symptoms. Reviewing basic protection measures (hand washing, coughing etiquette, social distancing) would help your child to protect themselves. Review proper mask-wearing, storage and washing techniques, particularly if the camp is mainly indoors.
In this case, sending your child with enough masks to get through the camp period is important. Otherwise, the most important thing is to encourage your child to enjoy themselves! Camp should be something they look forward to, and overemphasizing protection measures and risk could increase their anxiety. “Camp will be a new adventure and it’s good to know what to expect before you go.”
Ask the camp about their policies for cancellation and changing dates. It’s good to understand the risks if there are increased cases in the region of the camp, or if your child is showing Covid-like symptoms and you have decided to keep them home. Ask about the process for pick-ups and drop-offs.
