An Update from us on COVID-19 - June 4, 2020
On Tuesday, Governor Cuomo announced that summer day camps could open June 29. Today, Thursday, our Town Board decided Jefferson Summer Camp would be allowed to operate this summer, with new, stricter protocols in place.
Hello Jefferson Families!

We know you have been waiting patiently for news about summer camp (so have we!). We finally have some information to share. GOOD NEWS: We have received approval to operate Jefferson Summer Camp in 2020! This decision has finally been made, but with it come many changes, new protocols, and a lot of information to share. Please thoroughly read through the information below, which has been compiled from discussions and resources from the CDC, American Camp Association, the Town of Tonawanda Board, and the Health Department. Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at 831-1001 or nfields@tonawanda.ny.us.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Nicole Fields, Youth Bureau Director
What Remains the Same
  • Our location
  • Our dates of operation – We will still be running for 9 weeks; June 29-August 28
  • Camp hours – 7:30am-6pm
  • Our amazing staff are more dedicated than ever and busy planning creative ways to keep your child entertained while following important safety guidelines!
  • Campers will still participate in daily arts and crafts, sports, group games, teambuilding, and enrichment activities. 
What Changes
  • Pick-up/drop-off protocol – No parents/guardians/family members will be allowed inside. We will have a tent set up by door 3 in the parking lot on Oakvale. Drop-off hours will be 7:30-9:30am (please call us at 768-3077 if you will be dropping off later than that). For drop-off: Please park, and then escort your child to the tented area. Our staff will check your child in (to avoid pen/paper sharing, you will not need to actually sign them in), take their temperature, and escort them inside. Pick-up hours will be 4-6pm (please call us at 768-3077 if you will be picking up earlier than that). For pick-up: Please park and walk up to the tented area, let our staff know your child’s name, and show photo ID. Our staff will run in to get your child and their belongings and will sign them out.
  • Registration will be closed to non-residents. We will only accept Town of Tonawanda and Village of Kenmore residents.
  • PARENTS OF 4 & 5 YEAR OLDS: If your child has not attended Pre-K or Kindergarten, we will not be able to accommodate them at camp this summer due to the nature of the regulations that we must follow. Please contact us for a refund.
  • An additional $20/camper COVID-19 operation fee will be assessed.
  • Field trips have been canceled.
  • No swimming – We will utilize sprinklers, water balloons, and other water games outside on hot days; please send a bathing suit, towel, and plastic bag with your camper.
  • Special events, guest speakers, and entertainers canceled until further notice.
  • No playground use until further notice.
  • All of our staff will be wearing masks and, at certain times, gloves and other PPE as necessary.
  • Each child will be assigned to a group, along with 9 other campers. Each group of ten will be assigned an indoor location, an outdoor location, and a designated restroom. We will be trying to spend as much time outside as possible! Rather than groups rotating between rooms for activities, our activity coordinators will be rotating to the groups. Groups will not mingle. Each group will receive a kit of activity supplies and equipment, to avoid oversharing. These kits will be sanitized often.
  • We will not accommodate requests for groups and we will only make limited, necessary changes to groups, in order to limit the number of people coming in contact with one another.
  • Campers and staff will wash their hands between each activity, after using the restroom, and before and after eating. Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the building.
  • Additional cleaning and sanitation protocols will be implemented – Our staff will be sanitizing high-touch areas regularly (restrooms will be sanitized between each use) using hospital-grade disinfectant spray and wipes, rooms will be sanitized using a Protexus electrostatic sprayer, and thorough cleaning of all surfaces, supplies, and equipment will take place each day. Windows will be opened and additional fans will be set up to ensure adequate ventilation. Toys that cannot be cleaned (i.e. stuffed animals) will not be available. Cleaning supplies will not be used near children and will be kept secure and out of reach of children when not in use.
  • No refrigeration – To avoid unnecessary contact, we are asking that parents send their child with a lunch that does not need to be kept cold (brown bag lunch), or pack their lunch in a cooler bag with an ice pack. Refrigerators will not be accessible. We are also unable to heat, cut, or otherwise prepare food for your child. Please note we will not have extra utensils, napkins, cups, etc. on hand so please make sure your child has everything they need to be able to eat their lunch and snacks in their bag.
  • We will make available Parent Orientation and Camper Orientation videos. Campers will also be instructed on proper social distancing, hand washing, covering their mouths, etc. on the first day of camp and regularly thereafter.
  • Toys from home – Usually these are not allowed, but we will make an exception this summer. If your child would like to bring a book, tablet, or one toy from home (no stuffed animals, blankets, or other toys that are not easy to sanitize), they may do so. Personal belongings are to be kept in their bag except during free time. At your own risk; Camp is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or traded belongings. 
Wellness Policy
  • Campers, parents, and staff should monitor their health for two weeks before the start of camp, and daily during camp, for symptoms associated with COVID-19.
  • If your child is displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 or you think they may have been exposed, please notify us immediately at 768-3077.
  • Employees will be instructed to report any COVID-19 symptoms to their supervisors. If employees report respiratory illness symptoms, they will be instructed to stay home. If an employee reports symptoms during work, they will be sent home immediately and their workstation will be cleaned and disinfected. If an employee or camper is confirmed to have COVID-19, staff and families will be informed of their potential exposure, while maintaining confidentiality.
  • Due to the added concerns this year, our well child policy will be more strictly enforced. No exceptions! If we notice your child exhibiting symptoms, you will be notified to pick them up immediately and they will not be able to return until cleared. The health and safety of our campers and staff is of the upmost importance, especially this year.
What We Need From You
  • Online camper information form due ASAP, but no later than June 15.
  • Immunization and physical records due ASAP, but no later than June 15. You can fax these to 831-1006, email to nfields@tonawanda.ny.us, or mail to 299 Decatur Road, Buffalo, NY 14223.
  • If your child is at high risk, we recommend you consult their medical provider to assess their risk and determine if attendance at camp is acceptable. Please contact us immediately if your child is at high risk and additional accommodations need to be made.
  • If you would like to cancel your child’s enrollment, please let us know ASAP.
  • If you would like to register your child and have not yet done so, or would like to register for additional weeks, please do so by June 15. Spots are limited.
Stay Tuned
We will be following up with more information and resources soon, including:
  • Updated Parent Handbook
  • Parent & Camper Orientation videos
  • Activity/theme calendars
  • and more!

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Kids Club 2020-21
We will be opening registration for our Kids Club school year program once we have a better idea of what will be happening with schools in the fall. In the meantime, please submit your Alternate Stop Request to the Ken-Ton Transportation Department. Stay tuned!
Jefferson Summer Camp | Website