PHASE 5 GUIDELINES - EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, JUNE 11
We are so glad to welcome children to YMCA Summer Day Camp in 2021! Our camp team has spent countless hours planning and preparing for camp season to begin.
Although our summer day camp programs will look a little different this year, we remain dedicated to providing all YMCA campers and their families with a healthy and safe camp experience, full of fun and wonderful memories. Please take a few minutes to review our health and safety guidelines by watching the video below.
HOW WE ARE KEEPING OUR YMCA COMMUNITY SAFE
For your convenience, you can find a list of frequently asked questions below to provide you with additional information on how the YMCA will be working to keep our summer campers and staff healthy and safe this summer. To maintain a healthy environment, all members and staff will be required to adhere to these health and safety guidelines during camp.
Q: Will camp drop-off procedures look any different this summer?
A: Yes. At this time, health screenings will still be required for children in summer day camp. The Y will continue to monitor for updates to childcare guidelines released by the state of Illinois.
Upon arriving at the Y, please proceed to the camp drop-off area, which will be clearly marked by signs and banners. Once you pull into the designated drop off lane, please remain in your vehicle, while wearing a mask or face covering. A member of our camp team will approach your vehicle from the passenger side and ask you to answer these 5 health screening questions:
- Have you or anyone in your household traveled to another country in the last 14 days?
- Have you been in contact with someone under investigation for, or with a confirmed case of, COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
- Have you or a family member in your household been instructed to self-quarantine?
- In the last 3 days, have you experienced a fever of 100.4 or higher?
- Are you currently experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19?
For the safety and well-being of our YMCA community, anyone who answers yes to any of the above questions will not be permitted to attend YMCA summer camp on that day.
Q: Will my camper have to wear a mask or face covering while at camp?
A: Per guidelines from the Illinois DCFS, both our staff team and campers will be required to wear a mask or face covering at all times indoors with the exception of using pool facilities or eating lunch/snack. Campers will also be provided socially distanced mask breaks during the day.
Masks or face coverings will not be required for outdoor activities. The Y will continue to monitor for updates to childcare guidelines released by the state of Illinois.
The YMCA will be providing each of our campers with one reusable mask for the summer, but all campers are welcome to bring their own masks from home. This will help to keep everyone safe and healthy.
PLEASE NOTE: YMCA programs held at offsite community locations and schools, including summer day camp and sports camp programs, will be required to follow mask guidelines set forth by the host locations. Additional information will be shared with offsite program participants in the coming days.
Q: Will camp be smaller than in past years?
A: To ensure social distancing and per state guidelines, our camp will be smaller in numbers this summer. Like in past years, YMCA campers will be placed into groups based on their ages.
To respect safety guidelines, we will be limiting large group activities. On a regular basis, your camper will be placed in a group with one counselor and 15 campers. Each group will have a buddy group – what we are referring to as a pod - bringing the group size to two counselors and 30 campers.
At times throughout the day, two pods may join together for certain camp activities, such as swimming. Your campers core group of 15 will remain together throughout the week. Each group will have their own designated indoor and outdoor spaces as well as their own designated equipment that they will use throughout the summer.
Q: Will my camper get to go on field trips this summer?
A: Per guidelines from the CDC and the American Camp Association, we will not be transporting campers to any offsite field trips this summer. We are also limiting the number of visitors we have at camp, so we will not be hosting any in-house assemblies. We know this will be disappointing for our campers, because we all love our summer camp field trips. But, the health and safety of our YMCA community is our highest priority. We look forward to bringing these activities back to camp in 2022.
Q. Will my camper get to swim this summer?
A: Summer campers at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA and Galowich Family YMCA will swim throughout the week, like they have done in past years. Unfortunately, campers in our Morris Community YMCA camp site will not be able to swim this summer because, due to guidelines from the CDC and the American Camp Association, we will not be permitted to transport campers offsite to community pool locations.
Q: Will my camper be able to participate in both summer day camp and sports camps this summer?
A: Unfortunately, per guidelines from local, state, and federal health officials, campers will not be permitted to move between summer day camp and half-day sports camps during the same week at the Y this summer. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Q: What will happen if my child gets sick while at camp this summer?
A: Campers will have their temperatures taken twice a day: upon arrival and at lunch time. If a camper has a temperature of 100.4 or higher when they arrive at camp, they will not be permitted to attend camp on that day. If a camper has a temperature of 100.4 or higher during the day, they will be separated from their camp group and their parent or guardian will be contacted to pick them up immediately.
A camper that has been sent home can return to camp when:
- He or she has had no fever for at least 24 hours without taking medication to reduce his/her fever during that time; AND
- Any other symptoms of COVD-19 are improving; AND
- At least ten (10) days have passed since the symptoms first began.
A camper may return to camp earlier if a doctor confirms the cause of their fever or other symptoms is not COVID-19 and releases the camper to return to camp in writing. A camper who experiences fever and/or respiratory symptoms while home should not return to camp.
Q: If my child is sick or was sent home from camp, can I get a refund of my camp fees?
A: Because planning for each week of camp begins well in advance of that week, partial camp week refunds are not available. If you inform the Y by the Wednesday prior to the week of camp that your child is unable to attend the following week, we will cancel your registration for that week and you will not be charged. If you've paid in advance, a credit towards a future week of camp will be added to your membership account.
Q: Will camp pick-up procedures look any different this summer?
A: Yes. At the end of the camp day, please plan to park in a designated camp pick-up parking spot and remain in your vehicle, while wearing a mask or face covering. You should then send a text message to one of our camp site phones that includes your name, your campers’ names, and the number of the parking spot where you are parked. A member of our camp team will escort campers to their vehicles and ask parents and guardians to sign-out their campersfor the day.
Q: What additional cleaning precautions will the YMCA be taking to keep summer campers healthy and safe?
A: Throughout the summer, we will be following cleaning recommendations provided by the CDC and American Camp Association. All products used for disinfecting have been validated by the EPA for use against COVID-19.We will be cleaning high touch areas every hour, as well as disinfecting equipment before and after use. Campers will be asked to wash their hands upon arrival at camp and will have designated times throughout the day to practice handwashing. Each camp pod will have a designated bathroom for their use that will also be disinfected after each use. Campers will also be assigned a pencil box to hold their art and craft supplies. These boxes will be sanitized daily and will be for their use only throughout the week.
Q: If I have questions regarding camp, who can I contact?
A: If you have any questions or concerns this summer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to member of our camp leadership team. We are here to support our camp families and want to make sure that everyone has a wonderful summer at the Y.
C.W. Avery Family YMCA and Camp CARES
Shannon Stawikowski
Camp Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 212
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Valley View School District Locations
Sarah Porzel
Camp Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 211
Galowich Family YMCA, Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center and Messiah Lutheran Church
Stephen Franklin
Camp Director
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 315
Morris Community YMCA
Jordan Overton
Camp Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 513
LET'S WORK TOGETHER
Because the safety of our YMCA community is our number one priority, we will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local, state and federal health officials, and the American Camp Association throughout the summer. We will communicate with our camp families immediately should state or federal guidelines change. We thank you in advance for your continued cooperation as we work together to keep our campers and staff safe and healthy.