Dear Parents,
First and foremost, we hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. We have received questions from parents about if and how COVID-19 will affect Camp Lawrence. We know this pandemic has been stressful to many and recognize that socializing and interacting with peers can be a healthy way for children to cope with stress and connect with others, particularly after spending quite a bit of time at home. After careful thought and planning, we are excited to let you know that we plan to resume camp while following CDC considerations to protect campers, families, and our community.
The health and safety of our campers and staff remain our highest priority. Below, you will find a summary of actions we are taking to help ensure we are lowering COVID-19 risk as much as possible. We are:
Intensifying cleaning and disinfection practices within our facilities and premises by cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces hourly, cleaning and disinfecting shared objects between every use (such as art supplies, sports equipment, beach toys), and ensuring safe and correct use and storage of disinfectants.
Keeping campers in small groups of 10 and spacing them out by prioritizing our many outdoor activities, spacing out and ventilating indoor areas, such as cabins and the cafeteria, as much as possible (bunk beds and indoor tables will be 6 feet apart; we will keep windows open and air purifiers will be added to indoor spaces) and placing markers on the floor and sidewalks to indicate 6 feet.
Limiting the number of items that are shared or touched between campers and staff by providing individual supplies to each camper at each activity, keeping a camper’s belongings separated from others and in individually labeled lockers and sleeping areas, and serving individually plated meals and utensils straight to the individual child.
Promoting healthy hygiene practices by teaching campers the importance of washing their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, monitoring campers to make sure they are washing their hands, providing campers with hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when they don’t have easy access to soap and water, encouraging children to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or to use the inside of their elbow, and posting signs about these healthy habits around camp.
Requesting that staff and campers wear a cloth face covering as feasible, and in times when physical distancing is difficult.
If a child does get sick at camp, we have identified an area where they can rest, be watched after, and safely isolate from others. We will communicate with parents or caretakers directly and, if necessary, arrange for the child to be taken to a healthcare facility for care.
We ask that you help us protect the health of campers this summer. Anyone who is sick or was sick with COVID-19 or recently in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days — including staff, campers, and families— should not come to camp. Be on the lookout for symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick. You can always reschedule for another week of camp, we cannot reschedule your health.
If you have a specific question about this plan or COVID-19, please contact the CYO Office at 219-736-8931 for more information. You can also find more information about COVID-19 at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. We look forward to seeing you this summer!
Thank you and stay healthy,
John Curtin - CYO Director
Snooze - Camp Director
Chimp - Camp Director