CDC Issues Guidelines For New York Kids Summer Camps

Great news for parents all across New York State. The CDC has issued guidelines for kids summer camps.

The guidance that was released for 2021 applies to both day and overnight camps. It focuses on the importance of wearing masks, social distancing and getting vaccinated as soon as possible.

Consistent and layered use of multiple prevention strategies can help camps open safely for in-person activities; protect children, families, and staff; and slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

According to the CDC, fewer children have gotten sick with COVID-19 compared with adults during the pandemic, but, children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, get sick with COVID-19, and spread the virus to others.

One major take away, camps must continue prevention measures such as mask-wearing and physical distancing even after employees have been fully vaccinated. Everyone in camp facilities must wear well-fitting masks at all times, with exceptions for certain activities such as eating, drinking and swimming.

The guidance recommends disposable masks or cloth masks with two or more layers of fabric, and says they should be stored properly and washed regularly. Staff and campers are urged to have multiple masks on hand to replace ones easily that get wet or dirty."

You can read the full guidance here.

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What Does This Mean For The Utica and Rome Area?

WKTV highlighted Utica City FC's summer camp, and the local Boy Scouts Leatherstocking Council camps.
1) Utica FC is hosting their third annual summer camp at the Adirondack Bank Center.

The General Manager of the Utica City FC, Tommy Tanner, said "We just want to get the kids back out into the community and being active." The camp begins in July, but they are getting a head start on their coronavirus safety plan.

2) The local Boy Scouts Leatherstocking Council weren't able to have summer camps last year, but they are ready for this summer. The Assistant Scout Executive/COO, Thomas Labayewski reports that they have been ready:

"I am a leader of a scout troop and I can tell you, when we can go camping the kids are excited. It's different, it's masks, it's six feet apart, it's lots of other rules on how we're doing food prep and things like that. But you know we're doing everything in our power to make sure that the kids and adults that come to our camp stay safe."

Let's hope kids can be kids once again this summer.