The summer weather has arrived. Your kids might want to go to summer camp – especially if they do that every summer. Parents need to keep in mind that COVID-19 is still spreading, and that there is no cure or vaccine. There are things to consider about summer camps and COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have some guiding principles to keep in mind about summer camps and COVID-19. These guiding principles are not meant to replace any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws.
According to the CDC, the more people a camper or staff member interacts with, and the longer the interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. The risk of COVID-19 spread increases in youth camp settings as follows:
Lowest Risk: Small group of campers stay together all day, each day. Campers remain at least 6 feet apart and do not share objects. Outdoor activities are prioritized. All campers are from the local geographic area (city, town, county, community).
More Risk: Campers mix between groups but remain at least 6 feet apart and do not share objects. Outdoor activities are prioritized. All campers are from the local geographic area (community, town, city, or county).
Even More Risk: Campers mix between groups and do not remain spaced apart. All campers are from the local geographic area (community, town, city, or county).
Highest Risk: Campers mix between groups and do not remain spaced apart. All campers are not from the local geographic are (community, town, city or county).
Parents need to ask questions about how things are run at the summer camp. What are their plans for social distancing? How will overnight campers be kept safe? When and how will cloth masks be washed? Will the camp provide hand sanitizer? When in doubt, keep your child at home this summer.
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