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Covid 19 Protocol

Important Information

Working with the CDC, State of CT, and Town of Southington on updated protocol.  

Suggestions for Youth and Summer Camps

Updated Jan. 4, 2021

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As some communities in the United States begin to convene youth camps, CDC offers the following suggestions for ways in which camp administrators can help protect campers, staff, and communities, and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Camp administrators can determine, in collaboration with state and local health officials, whether and how to implement these considerations, making adjustments to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the local community. Implementation should be guided by what is feasible, practical, acceptable, and tailored to the needs of each community. These suggestions are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which camps must comply.

After reviewing the suggestions listed on this page, camp administrators can use CDC’s Youth Programs and Camps Readiness and Planning Tool pdf icon[7 pages] to protect campers, staff and communities.

Guiding Principles to Keep in Mind

The more people a camper or staff member interacts with, and the longer that 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 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).

COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. It is thought that the virus may spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose or mouth, causing infection. Therefore, personal prevention practices (such as handwashing, staying home when sick) and environmental cleaning and disinfection are important principles that are covered in this document. 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.

Promoting Behaviors that Reduce Spread

Camp administrators may consider implementing several strategies to encourage behaviors that reduce the spread of COVID-19.

  • Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette

    • Teach and reinforce handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and increase monitoring to ensure adherence among campers and staff.

      • If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer).

    • Encourage staff and campers to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

      • If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used (for staff and older campers who can safely use hand sanitizer).

  • Masks

    • Teach and reinforce the use of masks. Masks may be challenging for campers (especially younger campers) to wear in all-day settings such as camp. Masks should be worn by staff and campers (particularly older campers) as feasible, and are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult. Information should be provided to staff and campers on proper use, removal, and washing of masks.

      • Note: masks should not be placed on:

        • Babies or children younger than 2 years old

        • Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious

        • Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without help

Masks offer some protection to the wearer and are also meant to protect those around the wearer, in case they are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Masks are not surgical masks, respirators, or other medical personal protective equipment.

  • Adequate Supplies

    • Ensure you have accessible sinks and enough supplies for people to clean their hands and cover their coughs and sneezes. Supplies include soap, a way to dry hands (e.g., paper towels, hand dryer), tissues, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol (for staff and older campers who can safely use hand sanitizer), disinfectant wipes, masks (as feasible), and no-touch/foot pedal trash cans (preferably covered).

    • Maintaining Healthy Environments

    • Camp administrators may consider implementing several strategies to maintain healthy environments.

    • Cleaning and Disinfection

    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g., playground equipment, door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains) within the camp facility and in any shared transportation vehicles at least daily or between use as much as possible. Use of shared objects (e.g., art supplies, nap mats, toys, games) should be limited when possible, or cleaned between use.

    • Develop a schedule for increased, routine cleaning and disinfection.

    • If transport vehicles (e.g., buses) are used by the camp, drivers should practice all safety actions and protocols as indicated for other staff (e.g., hand hygiene, masks). To clean and disinfect school buses or other transport vehicles, see guidance for bus transit.

    • Ensure safe and correct use and storage of cleaners and disinfectantsexternal icon, including storing products securely away from children. Use products that meet EPA disinfection criteriaexternal icon.

    • Cleaning products should not be used near children, and staff should ensure that there is adequate ventilation when using these products to prevent children or themselves from inhaling toxic fumes.

    • Use gloves when removing garbage bags or handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands after removing gloves.

    • Shared Objects

    • Discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean, sanitize, or disinfect.

    • Keep each camper’s belongings separated from others’ and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas.

    • Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high-touch materials to the extent possible (e.g., assign art supplies or other equipment to a single camper), or limit use of supplies and equipment to one group of campers at a time and clean and disinfect between use.

    • Avoid sharing electronic devices, toys, books, and other games or learning aids.

    • Ventilation

    • Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible, for example by opening windows and doors. Do not open windows and doors if doing so poses a safety or health risk (e.g., risk of falling or triggering asthma symptoms) to campers using the facility.

    • Water Systems

    • To minimize the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and other diseases associated with water, take steps to ensure that all water systems and features (e.g., sink faucets, drinking fountains, showers, decorative fountains) are safe to use after a prolonged facility shutdown. Drinking fountains should be cleaned and sanitized, but encourage staff and campers to bring their own water to minimize use and touching of water fountains.

    • Modified Layouts

    • Space seating at least 6 feet apart.

    • If nap times are scheduled, ensure that campers’ naptime mats are assigned to individual children, are sanitizedexternal icon before and after use, and spaced out as much as possible, ideally at least 6 feet apart. Place campers head-to-toe to ensure distance between their faces.

    • Prioritize outdoor activities where social distancing can be maintained as much as possible.

    • Create social distance between campers on school buses (e.g., seat children one child per row, skip rows) when possible.

    • Physical Barriers and Guides

    • Install physical barriers, such as sneeze guards and partitions, particularly in areas where it is difficult for individuals to remain at least 6 feet apart (e.g., reception desks).

    • Provide physical guides, such as tape on floors or sidewalks and signs on walls, to ensure that staff and campers remain at least 6 feet apart in lines and at other times (e.g., guides for creating “one way routes” in hallways).

    • Communal Spaces

    • Close shared spaces such as dining halls and playgrounds with shared playground equipment, if possible; otherwise stagger use and clean and disinfect between use.

    • Follow CDC’s considerations for Pools, Hot Tubs, and Water Playgrounds During COVID-19.

    • Food Service

    • Have campers bring their own meals as feasible, and eat in separate areas or with their smaller group, instead of in a communal dining hall or cafeteria. Ensure the safety of children with food allergiespdf icon.

    • Use disposable food service items (utensils, dishes). If disposable items are not feasible or desirable, ensure that all non-disposable food service items are handled with gloves and washed with dish soap and hot water or in a dishwasher. Individuals should wash their hands after removing their gloves or after directly handling used food service items.

    • If food is offered at any event, have pre-packaged boxes or bags for each attendee instead of a buffet or family-style meal. Avoid sharing of foods and utensils and ensure the safety of children with food allergies.pdf icon

    • Maintaining Healthy Operations

    • Camp administrators may consider implementing several  strategies to maintain healthy operations.

    • Protections for Staff and Campers who are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19

    • Offer options for staff at higher risk for severe illness that limit exposure risk (e.g., telework and modified job responsibilities).

    • Offer options for campers at higher risk for severe illness that limit exposure risk (e.g., virtual learning opportunities).

    • For staff and campers: Limit camp attendance to staff and campers who live in the local geographic area (e.g., community, city, town, or county) to reduce risk of spread from areas with higher levels of COVID-19.

    • Put in place policies that protect the privacy of people at higher risk for severe illness regarding underlying medical conditions.

    • Regulatory Awareness

    • Be aware of local or state regulatory agency policies related to group gatherings to determine if events can be held.

    • Identifying Small Groups and Keeping Them Together (Cohorting)

    • Keep campers together in small groups with dedicated staff and make sure they remain with the same group throughout the day, every day.

    • Limit mixing between groups if possible.

    • Staggered SchedulingStagger arrival and drop-off times or locations by cohort (group) or put in place other protocols to limit contact between cohorts and with other campers’ guardians as much as possible.

    • When possible, use flexible worksites (e.g., telework) and flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts) to help establish policies and practices for social distancing (maintaining distance of approximately 6 feet) between employees and others, especially if social distancing is recommended by state and local health authorities.

    • Gatherings, Visitors, and Field Trips

    • Avoid group events, gatherings, or meetings where social distancing of at least 6 feet between people cannot be maintained. Limit group size to the extent possible.

    • Limit any nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations as much as possible – especially with individuals not from the local geographic area (e.g., community, town, city, or county).

    • Avoid activities and events such as field trips and special performances.

    • Pursue options to convene sporting events and participation in sports activities in ways that minimize transmission of COVID-19 to players, families, coaches, and communities.

    • Designated COVID-19 Point of Contact

    • Designate a staff person (e.g., camp nurse or healthcare provider) to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. All camp staff and families should know who this person is and how to contact them.

    • Communication SystemsPut systems in place for:

    • Consistent with applicable law and privacy policies, having staff and families self-report to the camp administrators if they have symptoms of COVID-19, a positive test for COVID-19, or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days in accordance with health information sharing regulations for COVID-19 (e.g., see “Notify Health Officials and Close Contacts” in the Preparing for When Someone Gets Sick section below)external icon and other applicable privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations.

    • Notifying staff and families of camp closures and restrictions in place to limit COVID-19 exposure (e.g., limited hours of operation).

    • Leave (Time Off) PoliciesImplement flexible sick leave policies and practices that enable employees to stay home when they are sick, have been exposed, or caring for someone who is sick.

    • Examine and revise policies for leave, telework, and employee compensation.

    • Leave policies should be flexible and not punish people for taking time off, and should allow sick employees to stay home and away from co-workers. Leave policies should also account for employees who need to stay home with their children if there are school or childcare closures, or to care for sick family members.

    • Develop policies for return-to-camp after COVID-19 illness. CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation and quarantine can inform these policies.

    • Back-Up Staffing Plan

    • Monitor absenteeism of campers and staff, cross-train staff, and create a roster of trained back-up staff.

    • Staff Training

    • Train staff on all safety protocols.

    • Conduct training virtually or ensure that social distancing is maintained during training.

    • Recognize Signs and SymptomsIf feasible, conduct daily health checks (e.g., temperature screening and/or symptom checking) of staff and campers (if feasible) safely and respectfully, and in accordance with any applicable privacy laws and regulations.

    • Camp administrators may use examples of screening methods in CDC’s supplemental Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open as a guide for screening campers and CDC’s General Business FAQs for screening staff.

    • Sharing Facilities

    • Encourage any organizations that share or use the camp facilities to also follow these considerations. and limit shared use, if feasible.

    • Support Coping and Resilience

    • Encourage employees and campers to take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories about COVID-19, including social media if they are feeling overwhelmed or distressed.

    • Promote employees and campers eating healthy, exercising, getting sleep, and finding time to unwind.

    • Encourage employees and campers to talk with people they trust about their concerns and how they are feeling.

    • Consider posting signs for the national distress hotline: call or text 1-800-985-5990

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