Whilst we cannot wait to get our summer camp programme running this year, we will be taking our covid-19 safety measures very seriously to ensure we can run as safely as possible, whilst trying to offer as 'normal' programme as possible. We have developed our covid-19 protocols following the latest government guidance, with specific focus on the Government's 'Protective measures for out-of-school settings during the coronavirus' guidance. Having developed our covid-19 policy and protective measures, we hope that we can reassure parents and campers that we will do what we can to offer our summer camps safely.
We will dedicate time to training our team members on our covid-19 protocols and will implement a series of measures throughout camp, as detailed below.
We will minimise contact at Drop-off and Pick-up - All check-ins and check-outs will take place outside the entranceway to each camp venue (normally the school gate or reception if at SportsDock (Beckton), with our Group Leaders/Camp Manager using our digital registers to sign in/out campers. Our Staff conducting check-ins/check-outs will wear face masks, and we ask parents to do so as well. Parents and campers will also be asked to stand 2m apart whilst awaiting to check-in/out. Drop-off/Pick up times will be extended to cater for slight delays caused by social distancing measures.
Temperature checks - At registration, our staff will use our temperature gun to measure the temperature of the camper coming into camp. If a camper has a temperature above 38 degrees they must wait another 10 minutes (at the gate/entrance) and test again. Any child with a temperature above 38 will not be permitted on to camp that day.
We will implement a bubble system - This summer we have decided to implement a bubble system of up to 15 children per bubble (most bubbles will be 10-12 campers). To try to ensure children do interact, we will continue with Whole-camp activities (for our last period of the day), which will be delivered outside and activities must be those that limit physical mixing between children (activities where the physical contact element is minimal).
All campers and staff must self-isolate if they are at risk of having Covid-19 - When an individual develops coronavirus symptoms, has a positive test or a member of their household has covid-19 symptoms/a positive test, they must immediately cease to attend camp and not attend for at least 10 full days from:
- the start of their symptoms
- the test date if they did not have any symptoms but have had a positive LFD test (if a PCR test is then taken within 2 days of the positive lateral flow test, and is negative, it overrides the self-test LFD test and the child or staff member can return to camp)
If a camper starts to show covid-19 symptoms they will be taken to a well-ventilated area and be isolated from the rest of camp, being accompanied by a member of staff until a parent/guardian can pick the child up. For the accompanying member of staff, we have provided face-visors at camp to be used in this scenario.
The rest of the Bubble will be able to continue as normal unless there are multiple children or team members displaying symptoms at which point a decision will be made to isolate the entire group to safeguard the rest of camp. Any member of staff looking after the child that been sent home/confirms as a positive case, will be asked to test daily for the next 5 days (using Lateral-flow tests).
If the child that was sent home tests positive, the staff member responsible for that group will identify children with whom that child has come into close contact with. We will continue to monitor the group for other symptoms/cases and will support NHS Track and Trace if required. Unless parents are contacted by NHS Track and Trace then their child can attend camp as normal and we will inform parents of those children deemed as 'close contacts', asking them to test their children daily for the next 5 days.
We will seek to run more activities outside and will ventilate indoor facilities as much as possible - Whilst the great British summer weather isn't always so accommodating, we will try to run group activities outside as much as possible. This could include any activity as long as weather permits. We will also seek to ventilate our indoor facilities by keeping windows and doors open, and using ventilation systems where possible.
Staff will wear facemasks when moving around inside - Staff will wear face coverings when conducting check-in/check-out and when moving around the building (but not whilst delivering activities or during lunch).
Staff will test twice-weekly - Our staff will test on a twice-weekly basis using a lateral flow test, as part of the Government's testing regime. Staff will report their test results, confirming negative results before returning to camp. Tests will be taken Sunday and Wednesday evening.
Maintain enhanced cleaning - we normally run a tight ship when it comes to keeping camp clean and tidy, but this summer we will enhance our cleaning practices, including cleaning frequently touched surfaces often (including all tables used during activities) and ensuring children and staff wash their hands/use hand sanitiser in between each activity period.
Wash, wash and wash again! - Our team will actively encourage and ensure campers wash their hands after activities, breaks (including lunch) and toilet trips.
Covid Refund policy - If a child has to self-isolate this summer, our refund policy will be to offer a rebate for next year.
