Policies & Procedures
Providing a safe environment for your child is our priority. The Summit Area YMCA summer camps follow guidelines from the American Camp Association and New Jersey Department of Health, therefore program offerings may be subject to change based on their guidance. For the most up to date information regarding our participation and safety policies, contact us directly to speak with the Camp Director.
Please note, safety policies and procedures for Summer Camps at The Learning Circle YMCA are under guidance of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families Office of Licensing and Department of Health. The Learning Circle YMCA's hours of operation, fees and program offerings may be subject to change. Contact us directly to speak with the Program Director for the most up to date information.
Should there be any further changes to policies, programs and/or operations, the YMCA will share updates with registered participants as additional information is made available. If you have specific questions, please contact us.
camp POLICIES & PROCEDURES:
For summer camps at the Berkeley Heights YMCA, Summit YMCA and Watchung Reservation - Updated August 2021
• All camp drop-offs and pick-ups will be done via “rolling drop-off/pick-up” car lines. Parents will receive specific instructions for their child related to when/where this will take place for their specific camp. Parents must remain in their cars. Staff will come to the car and then escort the camper to their appropriate group. Parents and visitors will not be allowed into camp and must remain in their cars for all drop-off and pick-ups.
• We will screen all staff for COVID-19 related symptoms upon check-in. Parents will be responsible for symptom checking their children prior to drop off at camp by completing a daily questionnaire. The list of questions parents will be responsible for answering before camp each day will also be sent in the camp welcome email for each camp session. Children or staff who do not pass the symptom screening will not be allowed into camp. Respectfully we ask that if your child is not feeling well, you please keep them home.
• DOH has stated that camp group size may not exceed 20 campers.
• DOH has stated that ratios for camps serving children ages 5-17 be 1 adult counselor, 1 counselor and 20 children. Camps serving children ages 2.5 to 4 years will be 1 adult counselor, 1 counselor and 10 children. Please note that we will continue to follow the American Camp Association’s (ACA) ratio mandates as they are our accrediting body. ACA ratios are as follows: campers ages 5 and under require 1 adult counselor to every 6 campers, campers ages 6-9 require 1 adult counselor to every 8 campers, campers ages 10 and older require 1 adult counselor to every 10 campers.
• Campers will be limited to their camp family group and will have limited (if any interaction) with other camp/family groups.
• Staff will be assigned to and remain with one group.
• Staff floaters will similarly be assigned with one group as needed on a daily basis.
• We will limit sharing of camp supplies. Any supplies that are shared will be thoroughly sanitized in between uses.
• Staff and children will be required to wear masks for indoor camps. For outdoor camps, staff and children are not required to wear masks if social distancing is practiced, the remain with their camp/family group, if it is excessively hot, or if they have a medical condition that prevents them from doing so without health complications.
• We are employing enhanced cleaning procedures, including multiple sanitizing stations, frequent cleanings of often used surfaces (door knobs, tables, equipment). Frequent hand washing is already standard operating practice.
• Parents will be required to sign an updated Summit Area YMCA Membership Waiver for each child prior to return/admittance in our facility. This only has to be completed once.
SIGN THE WAIVER
Staff and Camper Training
• The Summit Area YMCA (SAY) camp team will train staff on the basic principles of emergency first aid, blood borne pathogens, infection control, hand washing practices, personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 signs and symptoms. Please refer to training agenda sign offs for attendance logs.
• The SAY camp team will also train staff for general sanitation regarding public health sanitation and safety.
• The health directors will receive training on COVID-19 symptoms and the current guidance documents from the New Jersey Department of Health Communicable Disease Service.
• The SAY’s policy and training regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) was created using the information from the CDC.
• The SAY’s camp staff will inform campers on safe practices while attending camp.
Screening and Admittance
• Staff have received training on the screening and admittance of persons. Staff will use the screening form that will be used at screening points prior to entry.
• Persons that have a fever of 100.4° or above or other signs of COVID-19 illness will not be admitted to camp.
• The SAY has encouraged parents and staff to be on the alert for signs of illness in their children and to keep them home when they are sick.
• Daily health surveillance screening for campers/staff will be conducted and results documented when signs and symptoms of illness are observed using screening form. We will isolate and remove any campers or staff if symptoms are related to COVID-19. We will follow current Communicable Disease Service guidance for illness reporting based on the CDC guidelines.
In the event that we have a confirmed or suspected exposure to COVID-19, we will activate the following protocols:
1. Report the incident immediately to the local DOH. Health officials will provide guidance on whether the center will cease operations (if needed) and for how long.
2. The child or person will be immediately separated from the group until they are able to leave the facility.
3. If a child displays symptoms a caregiver will remain with the child and socially distance to 6’.
4. All rooms and equipment used by an infected person will be cleaned and disinfected according to CDC guidelines.
5. A child or staff returning to camp (after a COVID-19 diagnosis) will be admitted only after the criterion for lifting transmission based precautions and home isolation have been met.
Face Masks, Infection Control and Social Distancing Strategies
• Vaccinated campers and staff are not required to wear masks in indoor or outdoor settings.
• Indoors, unvaccinated campers are encouraged to wear face coverings at all times, but particularly when physical distancing is difficult, unless (1) doing so is impracticable, such as when a camper is eating or drinking or (2) while the individual is in the water.
• Outdoors, campers are not required to mask, regardless of their vaccination status.
• Unvaccinated campers are encouraged to wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact with other people who are not fully vaccinated.
• Indoors, unvaccinated staff must wear face masks at all times except when not practicable, such as when eating or drinking, sleeping, or swimming.
• Outdoors, unvaccinated staff are strongly encouraged to wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact with other people who are not fully vaccinated.
• Staff will use proper hand washing techniques and use gloves. Staff should wear gloves when handling or serving food to campers. The SAY will supply their staff with such cloth face coverings and gloves.
Infection Control Strategies
- The SAY has implemented the following prevention and mitigation techniques communicated to staff, parents, and campers COVID-19 safety measures including:
• Staying home when ill.
• Proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
• Wearing face coverings when indoors or when social distancing cannot be practiced.
• Avoiding touching your face as much as possible
• Reporting illnesses and symptoms to the camp Health Director or other healthcare personnel at the camp immediately.
• Face coverings are encouraged to be worn by campers and are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult to maintain. It is understood that face coverings may be challenging to campers (especially younger campers) to wear in all-day settings such as camp.
• Handwash and hand sanitizers stations will be provided in numerous areas around the camp.
• Implementing enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures using EPA approved disinfectants and following CDC guidance.
• Discouraging sharing of items that are difficult to clean, sanitize, or disinfect.
• Instituting infection control procedures for areas around the camp, including entrances, dining areas, restrooms, and other areas prone to congregation
• Banning any non-essential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations
• Limiting 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).
• Visitors shall be required to wear cloth face coverings while visiting the youth camp unless doing so would inhibit the individual’s health. If a visitor refuses to a wear a cloth face covering for non-medical reasons and if such covering cannot be provided to the individual by the business at the point of entry, the youth camp must decline to allow them to enter.
• Avoiding 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.
• Only allow car line drop-offs so that we avoid large groups
• Avoiding activities and events such as field trips and special performances.
• If we become aware that an individual tests positive for COVID-19, we will immediately notify the Department of Health-Youth Camp Project, local health officials, staff and families of a confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality.
Protocols for Facility and Buildings Management
Ventilation:
• We will ensure that our indoor facilities have adequate ventilation, including operational heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems where appropriate.
• Filters for A/C units will be maintained and changed according to manufacturer recommendations
• Signs will be placed delineating 6 feet for social distancing, frequent handwashing.
Policy and procedures for cleaning and disinfection will include:
• Close shared spaces will be cleaned and disinfected between uses
• Routine daily cleaning or as much as possible of common surfaces such as playgrounds with shared playground equipment (staggered use) and rooms (ex: countertops, restrooms, etc.)
• Cleaning of shared objects
• Ensuring that an adequate supply of cleaning supplies is maintained
• Staff will follow standard operating procedure for deep cleaning that follows CDC guidelines for reopening a camp closed due to the identification of positive case(s) as recommended by CDC
• Post signage that includes pictures to show social distancing, handwashing, face coverings, and other prevention methods are recommended
• When campers need to be evacuated, social distancing will be maintained as much as possible.
Attendance
The attestation forms have been completed for all SAY camps which has designated the camp setting as either an “indoor”, “outdoor” or mixed facilities camp to address limitations imposed by Executive Orders.
• SAY camps will restrict mixing of groups within the camp setting to reduce potential transmission and facilitate a simplified method of contact tracing.
• For indoor and outdoor programs, SAY camp groups will include the same group of children each day and that the same staff remain with the same group of children each day.
• SAY camps will restrict mixing between groups. Groups shall stay together and if interactions with other groups occur, social distancing will be maintained between groups.
• Staff and campers will social distance and wear face covering especially when social distancing cannot be maintained
• Indoor camps will follow the ratio of 1 adult: 1 counselor:10 campers (ages 5-17) and will not allow intermingling between groups.
• Designated groups of campers must remain unchanged day to day and not be allowed to intermingle between assigned groups. These groups will not allow intermixing of groups while children are outside.
• DOH has stated that ratios for camps serving children ages 5-17 be 1 adult counselor, 1 counselor and 20 children. Camps serving children ages 2.5 to 4 years will be 1 adult counselor, 1 counselor and 10 children. Please note that we will continue to follow the American Camp Association’s (ACA) ratio mandates as they are our accrediting body. ACA ratios are as follows: campers ages 5 and under require 1 adult counselor to every 6 campers, campers ages 6-9 require 1 adult counselor to every 8 campers, campers ages 10 and older require 1 adult counselor to every 10 campers.
• SAY camps will have an outside canopy/tenting/cover.
• SAY camps will follow SOP for inclement weather and emergencies and ensure proper indoor space to contain campers while following social distancing protocols.
• SAY camps will restrict attendance to states that have opened youth camps.
Protocols for Transportation Services
• During bussing/transportation in the event of emergency or inclement weather, to and from camp, SAY camps will social distance by maximizing space between riders and maintaining space between the driver and the passengers.
• A SAY camp staff person will accompany the driver on all transportation routes to ensure safety and social distancing.
• Face coverings will be worn by all staff and children onboard buses.
• Face coverings are required in times when social distancing is difficult to maintain. It is understood that use of face coverings may be challenging for younger campers.
• Open windows, except during inclement weather, to encourage ventilation.
• Vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected between each use.
Activities
• SAY camps will follow the SOP for activities which outlines permitted and prohibited activities.
• SAY camps will prohibit contact sports or inter-group competitions.
• Playing competition matches/games where players from separate camps/regions/locations gather to compete is prohibited.
• All sporting activities must be conducted in an outdoor setting. “Skills and drills” activities that do not involve contact and can be social distanced are not prohibited.
SAY camps will:
• Focus on team skills and drills
• Focus on individual skill building
• Limit the time players spend in proximity to each other
• Increase breaks and hydration activities
• Follow CDS guidance regarding pool operations
• Educate campers and staff on sports etiquette regarding social distancing and hygiene (i.e., no spitting, high-fives, handshakes, etc.)
• Avoid use of items that are not easily cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected (i.e., soft or plush toys)
• Clean, disinfect and air-dry equipment after use
• Recommend face coverings for appropriately aged campers during activity, if appropriate and not in extreme hot weather.
We understand some of this information is generalized. The Summit Area YMCA follows the guidelines provided by NJ Department of Health, NJ Department of Children and Families Office of Licensing and American Camp Association for our licensed child care, after-school, and summer camp programs. We will continue to share any changes/updates with participants registered for camp if/when/as additional information becomes available. Registered participants will receive camp specifics from the Camp Coordinator prior the start of the camp session.
Review the latest New Jersey Department of Health Summer Camp COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols.
Should you have specific questions, please contact us directly.
Questions?
Kelly McHugh
Childcare and Summer Camp Director
For summer camps at the Berkeley Heights YMCA, Summit YMCA and Watchung Reservation
SUMMIT AREA YMCA
kelly.mchugh@thesay.org
908-464-8301
About the Summit Area YMCA
The Summit Area YMCA is one of the area’s leading 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Founded in 1886, the Summit Area YMCA has a history steeped in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income and background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Each year, we serve over 15,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those with demonstrated need.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
As a nonprofit, the Summit Area YMCA is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals and families in our community. We do so by offering financial assistance to those with demonstrated need so that they may enjoy all the Y has to offer, regardless of their ability to pay. This helps us ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Families with low or moderate household income or those who are experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to apply. Applicants must live or work in the Summit Area YMCA service area which includes Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit.
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