Health & Safety

At this point masking is optional, however, we follow CDC and Howard County Health Department guidelines so it is subject to change.

No registration will be accepted without two emergency contacts located within 15 minutes of the camp location.

Failure to update these contacts may result in removal from the program. Please inform the Camp’s office in writing of any changes to your home or work phone numbers. This includes changing to an unlisted number, as we must be able to reach you. Changes in your emergency contacts must be made in writing as well. If we are unable to reach you or your emergency contacts and your child is unable to be picked up within 30 minutes, your child may be removed from the program. Change forms are available upon request or at CA’s main office.

Camp staff must monitor children for signs and symptoms of acute illness and notify a child’s parent or guardian upon observing signs or symptoms of acute illness. Staff must provide temporary isolation for the affected child in a suitably equipped separate area within the sight and hearing of an adult. Staff may not admit a child to care or allow a child to remain in care when the child is exhibiting symptoms of acute illness. A child may not be readmitted to care for an absence of three days or more, due to an illness, without a written statement from their physician stating that the child is not contagious and may return to a regular schedule.

A child may be excluded from care if:

• The child’s illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities that the facility routinely offers for healthy children or mildly ill children.
• The child is displaying any of the signs and symptoms that require an evaluation from a health care provider as indicated by the child’s age and condition. In this situation, the parent is notified of the need for immediate emergent or urgent issues.
• The illness requires more care than the childcare staff is able to provide without compromising the needs of the other children in the group.
• The child exhibits an acute change in behavior. Examples may include lethargy, a lack of responsiveness, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, or a quickly spreading rash.
• The child has a fever at or above 100.4 degrees F, taken orally, or by a temporal scan.
• The child has diarrhea. The child will not be readmitted to care until diarrhea-free for 24 hours.
• The child is vomiting. The child will not be readmitted to care until vomiting has ceased for 24 hours.
• The child has impetigo/scabies. The child will not be readmitted until treatment has started, as verified by a healthcare professional.
• The child has Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease.
• Symptoms indicating a probable case of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever of 100.4 or higher
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• New onset of severe headache (especially with fever)
• New loss of taste or smell
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

Sick children and staff will be required to stay home. Sick staff will be sent home immediately and sick children are required to be picked up by a parent or emergency contact within 30 minutes.

Our plan if someone is or becomes sick:

• Activate an isolation room or area (if a room is not feasible) that can be used to isolate a sick child.
• We follow CDC guidance on how to disinfect your building or facility if someone is sick.
• If a sick child has been isolated in our facility, we clean and disinfect surfaces in our isolation room or area after the sick child has gone home.
• If COVID-19 is confirmed in a child or staff member:
  • CA will contact the Howard County Health Department for guidance on the next steps.
  • Close off any area used by the person who is sick.
  • Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the areas.
  • Wait up to 24 hours or as long as possible before you clean or disinfect to allow respiratory droplets to settle before cleaning and disinfecting.
  • Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who is sick, such as offices, bathrooms, and common areas.
  • If more than 7 days have passed since the person who is sick visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection are not necessary.
  • Continue routine cleaning and disinfection.

Should it be necessary to contact a parent regarding illness or injury, it is the parent’s responsibility to arrange to pick up the child within 30 minutes of notification.

For a camper or parent/guardian to administer medication, a medication form must be filled out completely by the parent/guardian. All medication must be kept locked and out of reach of children. All medication must be presented in its original container. Pharmacy labels must include the child’s name, dosage, times of administration, route of administration, expiration date, and physician’s name and phone number. Staff members may NOT alter the instructions printed for campers’ administering their medication.

Over-the-counter medications may be taken by the camper according to instructions on a signed medication order form from a health care provider.

The Camp Director or designee will monitor the administration of the medication as directed and record the time given in the log. If the child does not receive the medication due to absence or other reasons, this will also be noted in the log. Before administering their medication, verify the name and details of the medication and its purpose with the camper.

USE OF EPI-PEN

A medication form must be filled out by the parent/guardian and medical practitioner for any camper who may require an Epi-pen. Staff members will receive training in proper procedures for administering Epi-pens.

After an Epi-pen is administered, the camper will be transported via ambulance to Howard County General Hospital and the parents will be notified immediately.

The camp staff will call you if your child sustains a serious injury requiring medical attention while participating in the program. You will also be contacted if your child sustains any kind of injury or bump to the head or injuries with excessive bleeding. Minor injuries (i.e., scrapes, bumps) will be communicated to parents upon arrival.

If medical treatment is required and a parent cannot be reached, a CA staff member will accompany your child to Howard County General Hospital. It is important to know that the hospital will not treat the child without the permission of a parent. Please be sure the program director has current work and home phone numbers. Also, please update these numbers as necessary.

All snacks served are nut-free. If a child has a gluten or dairy allergy, alternate snacks are available if verified by a Physician. Parents may also provide a snack for their child/children if they wish as long as the snack does not contain any nut products. Snacks provided by parents should be in a box or plastic container that can be stored on a shelf and marked with the child’s name. Food may not be removed from our camp unless authorized by a Manager. If you arrive during snack time, your child may remain until they have finished with their snack. If a child has allergies or sensitivities to any food or drug, the parent should discuss these with the site director. Please be sure to update the health information sheet as needed.

NOTE: Please do not send ANY lunch or snack items containing nut products – no peanut butter, granola bars, Nutella, or any item that lists tree nuts on the ingredients label.

CA works hard to create and maintain a safe and secure environment for the children in our care. We keep doors locked and screen adults who might enter the building. Should you see a situation that does not appear to ensure safety, please let the director know or contact the camp office.

Our staff has received training in conflict prevention and resolution, active shooter protocols, and emergency preparedness. As part of the emergency preparedness training, each program will conduct an emergency evacuation once a summer. Please make yourself familiar with the evacuation route posted in the building lobby.