You may have seen a similar message from us earlier this month... Please take a moment to read this one as well, as it contains updated and more detailed information pertaining to CAMP's behavioral guidelines for the coming summer. If you missed the first email, please know this one will fill you in completely.
As the pandemic persists, we’ve had to make difficult decisions with regard to reopening our facility for the 2021 Summer Camp season. The most challenging piece of this preparation is evaluating and setting criteria which will allow us to safely welcome Campers, Staff, and Volunteers back to our facility. We are sharing this information now with the hope that everyone will be well informed when the Camper application becomes available later this month.
Our current plan for Summer 2021 includes modified summer sessions available for a reduced number of Participants and individuals without high-risk diagnoses. These exclusions have been determined with compassion and caution as we consider which individuals we can confidently care for – while still adhering to best practice recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Camp Association, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
After much deliberation and with guidance from the above entities, CAMP's Board of Directors voted unanimously to use the following criteria for individuals who are participating in 2021 Summer Camp.
- CAMP will be unable to accept Campers who require awake overnight medical care or have severe behavioral challenges/needs.
- The application will contain an assessment tool with clarifying questions to help determine if this is applicable for your Camper.
- Click here to read CAMP's Behavioral Guidelines
- CAMP will observe the conditions outlined by the CDC that are at increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, when determining eligibility for all Participants (Campers, Staff, and Volunteers).
- CAMP acknowledges COVID-19 is a new disease and the risk conditions defined by the CDC are modified as more information becomes available.
- Increased and Potential Risk Conditions
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Down syndrome
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
- Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
- Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Smoking
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
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COVID-19 is a new disease. As such, there are limited data and information about the impact of many underlying medical conditions and potential increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Based on what we know at this time, adults and children who have any of the following conditions outlined by the CDC here might be at increased risk and will receive additional medical review prior to consideration of acceptance.
- It is the responsibility of each Participant, parent and/or guardian to familiarize themselves with the above CDC criteria.
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If a Participant has any of the determined increased risk conditions and will not receive the COVID-19 vaccine prior to attendance, they will be ineligible to attend a summer session.
- This includes all Participants who, due to age or other restrictions, cannot receive the vaccination.
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If a Participant with any of the determined increased risk conditions will receive the complete COVID-19 vaccine prior to attendance, their application will be eligible for medical review and consideration.
- If a Participant does not have any of the determined increased risk conditions, then the vaccine is not a requirement for them to apply and attend.
- All approved Participants will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours before arriving to CAMP. This means staff and returning Volunteers will be required to test weekly.
- Participants who have received a complete COVID-19 vaccine will still be required to provide a negative test result obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival.
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All Participants must wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside buildings or space open to the other Participants, or when in an outdoor public space, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same cohort/Tribe; provided, however, in accordance with Governor Abbott's Executive Order GA 29 that this face-covering requirement does not apply to the following:
- any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering.
CAMP understands these decisions have a significant impact on our Campers, Volunteers, and their families. Please know we are with you, in a spirit of hope and determination, that conditions will sufficiently improve and allow a return to traditional sessions for future summers.
Sincerely,
The CAMP Staff