2020 Summer Camp Safety Guidelines

Is Schlitz Audubon holding summer camp this year?

Yes! The health and safety of our camp children and everyone in the Schlitz Audubon community is our top priority, so you will see some changes, but no shortage of summertime camp fun!

What health and safety guidelines will you have in place this year for summer camp?

We’ve been working hard over the last few months to make the necessary modifications to our camps. Our additional summer camp guidelines and practices were developed under new COVID-19 preschool licensing protocol from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, as well as recommendations from the American Camping Association and the North Shore Health Department.

Face masks will be required

All staff and school-aged campers will be required to have a face mask. Campers should be prepared to wear their face mask on arrival and whenever physical distancing is not possible. When onsite, parents and caregivers should also wear a mask. Children in our K4/K5 and Hand-in-Hand camps will not be required to wear a mask outdoors but should have one that can be worn indoors in the event of inclement weather.

Schlitz Audubon logo masks are currently in production. These brightly colored, high-quality masks will be available for $10. You will be able to purchase them online with pick up at check-in on your first day of camp. A link to purchase will be included in your individual camp letter.

Each camp will have its own outdoor/indoor area

Each camp will operate independently of each other with no co-mingling between groups. They will each have their own outdoor classroom area just for their group during the duration of the camp session. For school-age groups, this area will include a tent that will have sides that can be rolled down if needed. K4-K5 groups will use the Nature Preschool outdoor classrooms. When specific activities or inclement weather require a camp to be indoors, it will use a space designated only for that camp. Physical distancing protocol will be used indoors.

We will do a lot of hand-washing and extra care will be taken with the restrooms

Campers will wash their hands upon arrival, after using the restrooms, after blowing their noses/sneezing, and after specific camp activities. If soap and water are unavailable, hand sanitizer will be used. Each camp will have designated bathrooms or port-o-lets while camp is in session. Campers will have the necessary access to restrooms, however, it will be managed. All restrooms and port-o-lets will be cleaned and sanitized prior to the start of camp each day and once every two hours while camp is in session.

Will summer camp still be fun and educational and offer lots of outside time?

You bet! Campers will spend more time than ever outdoors. We’ve added tents to create additional outdoor classrooms and plan to enjoy plenty of hiking, ponding, visits with live animals, and art and science activities.

How will camp check-in work this summer?

Parents will drop-off and pick-up campers at their camp’s designated outdoor area. The specific location of your child’s outdoor classroom will be sent to parents one to two weeks before that camp starts.

When should I keep my child home?

Parents are expected to assess the health of their child, including taking their temperature, on a daily basis before coming to summer camp.

You should keep your child at home if:

• Your child has a fever. Fever reducing medication may not be used when determining a child’s health. Campers must be fever-free for 72 hours (3 days) before returning to camp, per the recommendations of the CDC.
• Your child is experiencing recognizable symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
• Your child has been exposed to someone who has had COVID-19 (by testing or medical diagnosis) within the past 14 days
• Your child has had sustained contact (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) with a person showing symptoms of COVID-19 within the previous 14 days
• Your child is under a 14-day self-quarantine/self-monitoring guidance for any reason

What happens if a camper develops symptoms of COVID-19 while at camp?

The camp teacher will:

• Remove the camper from their group and relocate them to an isolated area with a member of staff. Both will be wearing face masks, unless the camper is having difficulty breathing.
• Call the parent/guardian to pick the camper up.
• Report the event to the Summer Camp Director, as well as the Executive Director, who will contact the North Shore Health Department. We will follow the recommendations of the health department, which may necessitate that the camp be canceled.
• Notify all families in that camp of the event, without identifying the camper by name​

What will camp staff do differently this summer?

All Center staff, including summer camp teachers, are following the same health guidelines for coming to work that we have for summer camp participants. Summer camp staff will be trained on the prevention and recognition of signs of COVID-19 in others, as well as new procedures taking place this year due to the virus.

There are times when various materials are needed for deeper engagement in an activity (such as ponding nets, strainers, and shovels). Staff will instruct campers not to share these materials. All Center teaching materials will be cleaned and sanitized before being used again.

How can parents help keep summer camp safe this year?

Serve a healthy breakfast or lunch prior to camp, as we will not be providing snacks.

Send 1-2 filled water bottles labeled with their campers every day – staying hydrated is especially important during the hot summer months. Wash the water bottle each evening. Water bottles will be refilled at camp when necessary with staff assistance.

Some school-aged camps may ask that you provide craft materials like crayons, scissors, and glue for your child’s use at camp. If this applies to your camper, you will be notified in your camp letter.

Have your child use the bathroom at home, just prior to the start of camp, to help us better coordinate restroom visits!

What if camp is canceled or we choose not to participate?

If we receive instruction from the CDC, North Shore Health Department, or other camp-related officials that camp programming should be discontinued, we will offer you a pro-rated refund. We also understand that some camp families who are currently enrolled may decide at a later date not to participate. In this case, we will work with you individually.

Still have questions? Contact our Summer Camp Director Shelly Rollins at srollins@schlitzaudubon.org.