The more people a camper or staff member interacts with, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. According to the CDC, the risk of COVID-19 spread increases in youth camp settings as follows:
- Lowest Risk: Small groups 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 (e.g., 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 (e.g., 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 (e.g., 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 area (e.g., community, town, city, or county).
Fortunately, there are a number of actions youth camp administrators can take to help lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure and spread during camp sessions and activities. In addition to the full list of maintenance and behavior considerations the CDC lists for youth camps, sleep away camps should also consider:
- Camps who are accepting campers from various geographic regions (e.g., community, city, town, county) should communicate that information to families.
- Align mats or beds so that campers and staff sleep head-to-toe at least 6 feet apart.
- Add physical barriers, such as plastic flexible screens, between bathroom sinks and between beds, especially when they cannot be at least 6 feet apart.
- Monitor and enforce social distancing and healthy hygiene behaviors throughout the day and night.
- Clean and disinfect bathrooms regularly (e.g., in the morning and evening, after times of heavy use) using EPA-registered disinfectants.
- Encourage staff and campers to avoid placing toothbrushes or toiletries directly on counter surfaces.
- Work with camp administrators, nurses, and other healthcare providers to identify an isolation room or area to separate anyone who exhibits COVID-like symptoms. If the camp has a nurse or other healthcare provider, they should use Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions when caring for sick people.
- Staff and campers with symptoms (fever, cough, or runny nose) at camp should immediately be separated. Individuals who are sick should be cared for following CDC Guidance for caring for oneself and others who are sick.
- Staff and campers who have had close contact with a person who has symptoms should be separated, and follow CDC guidance for community-related exposure. If symptoms develop, individuals who are sick should be cared for following CDC guidance for caring for yourself or others who are sick.
- Some camps might have the capacity to conduct COVID-19 testing. CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but these decisions should be made in conjunction with state and local health departments and healthcare providers.
- If a camper or staff member becomes sick and needs to be transported, establish procedures for safely transporting them. If you are calling an ambulance or bringing someone to a healthcare facility, try to call first to alert them that the person may have COVID-19.
- Take steps to ensure any external community organizations that share the camp facilities follow these considerations.
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