North Suburban YMCA Camp Has Successful Summer With No COVID-19 Cases
The North Suburban YMCA reports that despite having over 250 registered campers and 70 counselors, kids attending its summer camps over a 7-week time period had no cases of coronavirus. Since the Y welcomed kids back to summer camp at the Northbrook-based community center beginning June 29, it has been hyper vigilant with safety precautions, following guidelines by YMCA of the USA, American Camp Association, the CDC, and state and local authorities.
The NSYMCA points to its camps' strict health protocols, including its diligent and hourly sanitization of its facilities to provide kids with a safe, beneficial, and memorable experience. The Y Summer camp was operating from June 29 - August 15, with school- age children from kindergarten to eighth grade.
The Y camp was run primarily outdoors with tented pavilions for dining and arts and crafts. Emphasis was placed on forming smaller group sizes, keeping kids socially distanced, wearing masks when indoors, and frequent handwashing.
"As a community partner and an organization dedicated to youth development, we know how important it is that our children have a supervised and enriching environment for learning and socializing," said Kathy Fielding, CEO of the North Suburban YMCA. "We want to continue assisting families and believe it's important for all children to have access to the resources they need to thrive. I'm so proud of the staff and the campers who, even with these restrictions, were able to offer the community a high quality, positive experience for our kids."
The NSYMCA took a myriad of on-going safety precautions for campers and staff members including:
• Having all camp families submit a pre-camp health status questionnaire
• Daily checks of campers and staff temperatures. Any camper or counselor with a 100-degree temperature or higher could not stay or attend camp. Anyone with a fever needed to be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to camp. Anyone with two or more symptoms needed to be symptom free for 48 hours plus have a doctor's note before returning to camp.
• Installing six portable outdoor sinks on the Y's campus.
• Dividing camps into individual small groups with a maximum of 20 campers.
• Equipping counselors with PPE crates to ensure frequent disinfecting.
• Staggering mealtimes to reduce crowds.
• Rotating pool usage.
• Disinfecting the locker rooms after each group change.
Emily O'Conner, mother of Bella and Abby O'Conner added, "The girls really enjoyed camp and I appreciate that they had a more 'normal' summer, getting to socialize and be outside, and the Y did a phenomenal job of sanitizing, washing hands, wearing masks and keeping everything safe and fun!"
The Y's fall offerings include a virtual and in-person series of new classes and workshops that help promote wellness and healthy living while living in the age of COVID-19. The new offerings also include "Remote Learning Days", a full-day on-site program to help families of 2nd to 5th grade children navigate the various local school curriculums. "Remote Learning Days" offers virtual learning supervision weekdays from 8:15 am - 3:15 pm. Students will be grouped into small supervised learning cohorts throughout the NSYMCA to complete their virtual learning sessions and assignments. Costs for NSYMCA members is $40 per day/$60 per day for nonmembers.
The Y is keeping the summer's best practices in place as it continues to adapt to the latest guidance and recommendation from the CDC and the state. Due to reduced class sizes to allow for increased social distancing, the Y recommends signing up early for classes. For more information, and to register for Fall programming, visit www.nsymca.org
About the North Suburban YMCA
The North Suburban YMCA services Northbrook and 14 surrounding communities with programs and tools that help its residents become healthier, more connected, and confident, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. The NSYMCA focuses on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility and is a charitable organization, inclusive and welcoming to all in our community. Learn more at NSYMCA.org.