Camp Safety in the COVID Era

Despite continued concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, summer camp is back in session for kids across the nation. It looks little like it did in the past, however, with digital and hybrid offerings taking over.

Some camps are exclusively virtual, while others allow kids to meet in person during the day — but only if they take extra safety precautions. Despite these measures, camp is far from risk-free. A youth camp outbreak in Georgia, for example, led to infections among 85 children and counselors. Another camp in Missouri has led to an outbreak of more than 80 campers, counselors, and staff.

Avoiding camp isn’t realistic for all families. With proper precautions, however, you can dramatically reduce the risk of infection.

Check Camps For Adherence to CDC Guidelines

Summer camp’s greatest advantage lies in its emphasis on the outdoors, where the spread of the coronavirus can be minimized. The greatest potential for spread involves rainy day activities and restroom visits. Determine your preferred camp’s protocol for these and other problematic situations in advance.

Other concerns worth looking into:

• Hygiene standards, including equipment and restroom sanitization.
• The camp’s approach to mealtime. Lunches packed at home are preferable.
• Social distancing protocol.
• Requirements for wearing masks — especially indoors.
• Ratio of campers to counselors.

Once you’ve selected a camp, chat with your kids about safety. This discussion should cover not only efforts to avoid infection, but also standard concerns such as insect bites, sunburn, and dehydration.

Try Virtual Options

Many camps now offer fully digital experiences that allow kids to connect via videoconferencing apps. These may be a poor substitute for the traditional camp experience, but they’re also a lot less risky in terms of infection.

With virtual camp, hazards take on a decidedly different form. Top concerns include data breaches and cyberbullying. Prior to starting digital camp, level up your network security with a quality firewall and parent controls.

Did your child suffer due to negligence at camp? Work with the team at Regan Zambri Long PLLC to seek a positive outcome for your personal injury case.