What parents should know about summer camps this year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Now that schools across the Carolinas have closed for the year, the big question for many families is what about summer camps?

Channel 9′s Brittney Johnson spoke to a woman who is helping develop health and cleaning guidelines that camps should follow if they’re able to open this summer.

Tracey Gaslin is the Executive Director of the Association of Camp Nursing. She said for roughly 20 million kids, summertime is synonymous with camp. But this year, it will likely look different.

“Nobody will be doing camp in the way they did it last summer. Right in the most stringent of situations, there will be lots of mask use. There will be lots of really strong efforts of physical distancing in the areas that have been hot spots,” Gaslin said.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Her association serves 2400 accredited camps in the country. She said just like they developed guidance for H1N1 in 2009 and the measles in 2019, the group is now working with the CDC, states and the American Camp Association and other agencies to help develop guidelines to protect campers during the coronavirus crisis.

“There will definitely be heightened health screening. There will definitely be different ways that we serve food,” she said.

She said they’re discussing how camps could conduct daily health checks whether kids will be tested for COVID-19 and how that process would work. Gaslin said they’re considering spreading kids out during meal times and swapping close-knit craft activities for outdoor games.

It won’t be a one size approach, but rather guidelines to help camps make changes based on the camp’s size, duration, housing, program style, activities and overall health of the population of campers they serve.

Gaslin acknowledged that younger people haven’t been hit as hard by the virus but said protecting them will also help stop the potential spread among their family members and staff.

"So it's challenging in that population. You don't always know what those kiddos could be, carriers that could potentially carry the virus back home to grandma who lives with them. Right. So the bigger concern is how do we protect the staff and the older population," said Gaslin.

She said many camps are waiting to make the final call. Some are going virtual and so far, she has heard from some camps for kids with special needs that have decided to close due to underlying health risks. She also expects camps that do open may push back their start dates.

For kids who have already missed a chunk of their school year and more, Gaslin hopes they can save camp in some form.

"Camp is not going to be more important than it is this year for kids," said Gasoline.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

If your kids camp is open Gaslin recommends parents ask if the camp is accredited, since camps must already meet certain health and safety standards to maintain accreditation.

Also, inquire about the medical staff at camp, the level of care staff can and cannot provide in the camp setting, access to clinics and hospital emergency rooms and how they plan to implement screening procedures.

Gaslin said they hope to release guidance for summer camps in a few weeks.

The American Camp Association posts updates about the camps and COVID-19 here. People can also search for accredited camps.

Also, see previous recommendations regarding communicable disease and social distancing strategies from the Association of Camp Nursing here.

New York mom unknowingly infects 17 of her children with coronavirus New York mom unknowingly infects 17 of her children with coronavirus

© 2020 Cox Media Group