Phase Two of Delaware’s reopening is giving parents and caregivers some additional summer activity options for their children.
And the YMCA of Delaware is opening day camps across the state:
While the Y’s camps are opening, they will look different this year.
YMCA of Delaware vice president of marketing and communication Linda Risk says they needed to take COVID-19 into account before welcoming kids to camp.
“We have been waiting on pins and needles throughout the last few weeks and months, waiting on guidance from the State of Delaware and the CDC, to know about all of the safety protocols that we needed to put in place,” Risk said.
And Risk explains what some of those safety procedures that staff and campers need to follow are
“First of all, all of our staff undergo a health screening every day with temperature check. And so do all of our campers," said Risk. "So when the parents drop-off in the morning, they have to stay in their cars; they’re not able to get out and walk their child up. But a staff member will come up and take their temperature and ask a few questions to make sure the child is safe (and healthy) to come into camp.”
Risk adds all staff will wear masks and it’s strongly suggested campers wear them too. Kids will be in smaller groups and will stay in their assigned group throughout the entire summer so that counselors can track everyone’s health and wellness better.
Risk says even with those precautions she suspects fewer people will attend their camps this summer.
“But what is encouraging is that once we made the announcement a couple of weeks ago that we would be opening our camps, we are seeing a steady stream of registrations coming in every single week," said Risk. "And what I can tell you is that in the few camps that have opened already, you can really see that the kids really need this - they are so happy.”
Risk says three camps in New Castle County are already open. Additional camps upstate and camps in Kent and Sussex County start up Monday, June 29, 2020.
More information on available camps from the YMCA is available at its website.
