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2021 Summer Camps/Programs Policy

I. Introduction and Purpose
This document outlines the policies and procedures that will be followed for Union College’s 2021 Summer camps/programs beginning on June 14 through at least Labor Day.
 
Each Union College sponsored summer camp/program requires staff and participants to comply with the guidelines and protocols outlined in this document. These protocols represent minimum standards for Union College summer programming participation. Individual summer programming may implement policies that are more stringent than the guidelines outlined in this document.

II. General Health Guidance
All participants, counselors, coaches and staff are required to follow fundamental public health guidance to mitigate transmission of COVID-19 that are described below. All participants share exceptional responsibility for following these guidelines to ensure the viability of Union College 2021 summer programming.

III. Vaccination Protocols
Coaches, counselors and staff should be fully vaccinated and must provide a copy of their CDC vaccination card. If a Staff member is not fully vaccinated, or exempt from vaccination, they will follow guidelines for masking and social distancing provided in Section VI.

Camp participants who are eligible are encouraged to get vaccinated prior to the start of the program.

If a camp participant is vaccinated, a copy of the CDC vaccination card must be provided. This can be done by providing an electronic copy (information will be sent out on how to do this) or by providing a paper copy on the first day of the program. Union must have documentation to provide to the health department for review as needed.

IV. Daily Temperature and Visual Checks
Temperature checks at the start of each program day will be conducted for staff and participants; temperature readings will not be recorded. Staff who perform temperature checks will wear a face mask.

Anyone who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 (see Section VII), or has a temperature of greater than or equal to 100.4°F, will not be allowed to participate in the program, and must be sent home with instructions to contact their healthcare provider for assessment and testing. If an initial temperature reading is 100.4 or higher, and there are no other COVID-19 symptoms, the camp participant can cool down inside the Memorial Fieldhouse for 15 minutes and be rechecked. Parents/Guardians are asked to remain on site until their child’s temperature is checked, in case they need to be brought back home.

Staff will be required to make visual inspections of participants throughout the day for signs of potential COVID-19 illness which could include flushed cheeks, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity), fatigue, or extreme fussiness.

V. Response to Individual with suspect COVID-19 symptoms; Contact Tracing
Effective contact tracing is critical in breaking the chain of transmission and limiting the spread of infection for infectious diseases such as COVID-19. All programs must maintain daily attendance logs in case contact tracing is required by the County Health Dept. for a positive COVID-19 individual.

If a participant displays symptoms of COVID-19 during a camp session, the participant will immediately be isolated from all other participants in the program. Each program must designate a staff member who will escort the participant to a designated isolated area and ensure the participant is with a qualified staff member or other responsible adult until their parent or guardian arrives. Parents and guardians should be informed ahead of time that if they are contacted, they should come as soon as possible to bring their child home and to contact their healthcare provider for assessment and testing.

If a staff member displays symptoms of COVID-19, they will immediately isolate themselves from the group and make arrangements to leave campus and seek healthcare and testing.

Union College is responsible for notifying the State and county health department in which the individual lives of a positive COVID-19 case. Union College will consult with their local health department regarding protocols and policies for staff, parents/guardians, or children/campers seeking to return to work or the site after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after such person has had close or proximate contact with a person suspected or confirmed with COVID-19.

VI. Risk Mitigation Practices
Recommended Baseline Health Standards
If a participant or staff member is feeling unwell, they must remain home until symptoms have cleared before attending their program. If an individual demonstrates any of the following COVID-19 symptoms, procedures outlined in Section VI must be followed:
 
According to the CDC, the following are common Symptoms of COVID-19:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or Body Aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC will continue to update this list as more is learned about COVID-19.

Cohort/Pods
It is recommended program groupings should be as static as possible by having the same group of participants stay with the same staff whenever and wherever possible. Group size should be as small as possible but must be limited to no more than thirty-six (36) participants. While the maximum sized group can be up to 36 children, programs must still follow applicable regulations regarding group sizes and staff/child ratios. The restriction on group size does not include staff providing supervision for children/campers.

Cohort pods that consist of fully vaccinated participants and staff are not required to maintain social distancing.

Cohort pods should have no or minimal contact with one another and avoid utilizing common spaces at the same time, to the greatest extent possible.

The staffing plan should not require staff to “float” between different cohort pods, unless such rotation is necessary to safely supervise the participants.

Coaches and staff should assign attendees into assigned groups at a size that is practical for camp activities. Members for each group should remain the same throughout the length of the camp. For scrimmages or games, the same teams should play each other.

Masks/Face Coverings
Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 include but are not limited to cloth-based 2-ply face coverings and disposable masks that securely cover both the mouth and nose (bandanas, buffs and face shields are not acceptable face coverings). Face coverings must be cleaned or replaced after use and may not be shared.

Face covering requirements do not apply to those who are fully vaccinated except as otherwise specified in this section. Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is defined as 14 days after completion of the vaccine series. All other individuals are considered unvaccinated.

Fully vaccinated staff are encouraged to model wearing a face covering at times when participants must wear face coverings. Unvaccinated staff must wear a face covering at all times.

Participants who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear face coverings except when eating, drinking or swimming. However, participants and staff are not required to wear a face covering when utilizing Union College’s outdoor spaces. If participants choose to wear a mask outdoors, they should remove it when they are unable to tolerate a face covering for the physical activity.

Summer programs that have access to a pool must adhere to State and DOH guidelines regarding swimming pools. Face coverings must be worn during transportation by individuals who are not fully vaccinated.

Masks will be worn in indoor settings for unvaccinated individuals. Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks indoors.

Hand Hygiene
Staff and participants must perform hand hygiene immediately upon entering and at the end of the program each day. Touch free hand sanitizer stations will be at the check in table and in disinfection kits that will be available at each program location.

Participants and staff should frequently clean their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer (with at least 60 percent alcohol per CDC recommendations). This includes before eating, after using the restroom or touching shared objects.

Physical (Social) Distancing
Distancing is recommended, but not required, for indoor activities, especially for younger participants who aren’t eligible for vaccination.

Signage
Union will post signs at each program site and restrooms. Signs will remind individuals to:
    o Cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering (for indoor activities, if required).
    o Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE.
    o Adhere to physical distancing instructions.
    o Report symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19, and how they should do so.
    o Follow hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.
    o Follow appropriate respiratory hygiene and cough practices

Common Areas
Locker rooms will not be used. Use of indoor common spaces should be minimized.

Food Service
Food shall be consumed outdoors whenever possible. Individual portions will be served to participants and delivered by staff to a set location. Sharing food and beverages among participants and/or staff will be prohibited. Cohort pods will be separated.

Indoor Requirements
If activity must occur indoors the following requirements shall be in place.
  • Summer program activities should occur in locations where enhanced ventilation and air treatment systems are in place.
  • Occupancy should never exceed recommended capacity for space.
  • Indoor activities/sports will be discouraged that involved less than six feet distance between individuals who are not fully vaccinated and face coverings cannot be worn/tolerated based on the nature of the activity.
  • Hand sanitizer must be available within the classroom.
  • Limit the sharing of objects (e.g. electronic equipment, arts and crafts materials, touch screens) and discourage touching of shared surfaces.
  • The use of small spaces (e.g. supply closets, storage areas, vehicles, kitchens, or restrooms) is prohibited by more than one staff member who is not vaccinated at a time, unless all unvaccinated staff in such space at the same time are wearing acceptable face covering.
  • Excursions are prohibited to public settings where children/campers and staff are likely to come in contact with people who are not fully vaccinated. Examples of acceptable trips may include hiking and rental/use of a facility in its entirety.
Water Bottles
  • Participants are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.
  • Sharing of water bottles is not allowed.
Cleaning & Disinfection
Shared objects must be disinfected between uses with a disinfectant approved by the USEPA to be effective against the COVID-19 virus. Restrooms and indoor spaces used by summer program participants will be cleaned and disinfected daily by Union’s Housekeeping staff and will follow NYSDOH guidelines (Public and Private Facilities Cleaning and Disinfection Guidance).

Any shared equipment used by the participant with suspected COVID-19 symptoms must be cleaned and disinfected. If the participant occupied indoor spaces, these areas must be temporarily closed and cleaned and disinfected by Union College’s COVID-19 Housekeeping team following CDC guidelines.

VII. Miscellaneous

Spectators
Spectators, including family members of camp participants, are allowed for outdoor or indoor programs sponsored by Union College. Indoor occupancy must not exceed the designated building occupancy limit and should be less than 250 people. It is recommended that unvaccinated spectators wear masks indoors and practice social distancing.

Rain Site/Inclement Weather
Each program manager will be assigned a rain site in case of inclement weather during program activities. Program managers are responsible for ensuring participants maintain social distancing and wear masks in these locations:
  • Memorial Fieldhouse
  • Viniar Athletic Center
  • Memorial Chapel
Facility Rental Policies
Contract language will address COVID-19 safety protocols.
 
COVID-19 policies and protocols for each group will be reviewed and approved by Union’s Assistant Athletic Director. If there are any questions regarding the policies and protocols, Union College’s EHS will be consulted. Rental Groups are responsible for administering and adhering to their submitted policies. If it is found Rental Groups are not adhering to their COVID-19 policies, Union College reserves the right to cancel the program.

Last Updated: 6/24/21