Nazareth, PA

The health and safety of our camp children and everyone in the Camp Soar community remain our top priority. We will rely on the following guidelines to ensure that our 2023 camp season is safe for all, but with no shortage of summertime camp fun!

 

What health and safety guidelines will you have in place this year?

 

Each staff member has been trained by the Camp Directors and has knowledge of the health program procedures including:
 

• Proper handwashing techniques

• Using protective equipment such as gloves when dealing with any body fluids

• Following good personal hygiene habits

• Using the appropriate procedures to clean including bodily fluids

 

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ACCIDENTS

A Camp Director or the Camp Nurse will notify the parent, guardian, or emergency contact when a camper is observed to be injured or ill including:
 

• An injury or illness that requires care by a physician, dentist, or nurse and results in the camper receiving any type of treatment at any type of medical facility.
   

• An outbreak of an illness or a condition that is required to be reported under the Department of Health – PA Code, Title 28, Chapter 27
   

• An accident with no apparent injury, such as a fall from equipment or impact from sports equipment

 

In the event of a health emergency or injury of any type, all senior staff in each grade group are certified in First Aid and CPR training and may act as first responders.  In the event of a serious or life-threatening situation, the camp staff will call 911, the Camp Directors and will then notify parents, guardians, and/or emergency contacts.

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DIETARY NEEDS

We are not a peanut-free camp, although we do ask that you try to be respectful of all campers' dietary needs. Please send in snacks that are nut free if possible, and if your child has food allergies, we will make all those in that particular group aware so that we can stay safe!

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FACE MASK POLICY

Camp Soar participants and staff will follow the CDC’s Guidelines for Northampton County. Masks are not mandatory for campers or staff but staff will wear them if someone has a summer cold or is in extremely close proximity. Do not send your child if they are not feeling well. One exposure can set the entire program back. If your child is sick, we will credit the time away from the program. We will base any changes to this policy on the CDC’s Guidelines if needed.

 

 

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

The Camp Directors will review all camper documentation.  Campers with general medical concerns will be noted on the camp roster. This information will be kept confidential and will be shared only with staff involved in the care of the camper.

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Camp staff will be instructed by the Camp Nurse and/or Camp Directors on how to handle the specific medical needs of the camper per parent or doctor’s instructions. Parents must complete a medical form for all medications to be given at camp.  Please try to give all medications prior to drop-off. All medications must be in original containers and marked specifically for the camper. All medications are kept with the nurse at all times and locked after hours

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A special care plan will be devised for any camper with serious medical concerns/conditions.  The special care plan will be developed by the parent and the child’s physician and will be reviewed by the Camp Nurse prior to starting the program.  Campers with serious medical concerns may not attend camp without an approved health plan.

 

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RESTROOMS

Campers will wash their hands after eating, after using the restrooms, after blowing their noses/sneezing, and after specific camp activities. If soap and water are unavailable, hand sanitizer will be used. All restrooms and portable bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis.

 

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THUNDERSTORM AND LIGHTNING PLAN

Camp will be canceled if a rainstorm is predicted. However, as we all know, weather reports can change unexpectedly.

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At the first sign of an approaching thunderstorm and lightning, campers will be instructed to seek shelter in a nearby building.  If at the pool, campers will be instructed to get out of the water and seek safe shelter guided by their counselors. 

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How can parents help keep summer camp safe this year?

 

Serve a healthy breakfast prior to camp, as we will not be providing snacks.

 

Send 1-2 filled water bottles labeled with their campers every day – staying hydrated is especially important during the hot summer months. Wash the water bottle each evening. Water bottles will be refilled at camp when necessary with staff assistance.

 

Have your child use the bathroom at home, just prior to the start of camp, to help us better coordinate restroom visits.

 

 

How will camp AM drop-off work?

 

Drop-off is between 8:50 – 9:00 AM each morning. Please pull up at the assigned bridge or pavilion. If there are siblings, go to the youngest siblings' drop-off. No parents have to get out of their cars.

 

Kindergarten + First Graders: Drop-off for K/1 is by the concession stand of the pool by the first bridge.

 

Second + Third Graders: Drop-off for 2/3 is by the third bridge by the back pavilion

 

Fourth + Fifth + Sixth Graders: Drop off 4/5/6 will be on Morris Street (the street behind the park. Turn on Hill Street across from Schoeneck Moravian, right on Morris Street, pulling up by the bridge to drop off). 

 

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How will camp PM pick-up work?

 

Camp ends at 12:00 p.m. Pick-up is the same way as drop-off. Parents and caregivers drive up, we put them in the car and the family pulls away. If you have more than one child attending camp, the older siblings will be at the youngest siblings' pick-up.

 

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What are the safety procedures during field trips?

 

The following safety procedures are followed:

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• A first aid kit will be taken on the field trip.

• All participants will follow safe pedestrian and vehicle safety rules.

• All staff will have cell phones if needed for emergency assistance.

• Children are counted before leaving, at the destination, and upon return to the park.

• Children will be reminded of safety rules throughout the trip.

• Children will not go into public restrooms by themselves.

• If needed, emergency medications will be taken on the field trip.

• No children are left unattended by staff. 

• Permission forms will be collected from parents or guardians.

• Staff has an accurate roster at all times during the trip including emergency contact information.

 

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What are the safety procedures for campers at the Nazareth Pool?

 

During the first week of camp, a swimming proficiency test will be given to determine each child’s swimming ability. A trained representative will administer this test using the standards of the American Red Cross. Based on the results, the children will be divided into groups based on swimming ability – non-swimmers and swimmers. All non-swimmers will be confined to waters less than chest deep specific to each camper’s height. We do not allow campers in Kindergarten or First Grade in the deep end. 

 

The following safety procedures are followed:

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• The pool is staffed with trained lifeguards.

• Counselors and campers will follow all rules of the pool including instructions from the lifeguards.

• A specific number of campers are allowed in the pool at one time.

• Parents should send a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and a swimsuit as needed.

• Counselors will reapply sunscreen as needed and take shade breaks to lessen any risk of sunburn.

• If your child cannot have specific types of sunscreen, this must be notated on the health documentation provided to the Camp Nurse.

• Campers rotate through thirty minutes of pool time, then playtime, snack, and arts and crafts.

 

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When should I keep my child home?

 

Parents are expected to assess the health of their child on a daily basis before coming to summer camp.

You should keep your child at home if:

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• Your child has a fever. Fever-reducing medication should not be used when determining a child’s health. Campers must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to camp.
   

• Your child is experiencing any symptoms of illness. This includes a thick, runny nose, persistent cough, shortness of breath, headache, lethargy, sore throat, or upset stomach.
   

• Your child has been identified as a close contact or tests positive for COVID-19.

 

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What happens if a camper develops symptoms of COVID-19 while at camp?

 

The camp teacher will:

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• Remove the camper from their group and relocate them to an isolated area with a member of staff. Both will be wearing face masks unless the camper is having difficulty breathing.
   

• Call the parent/guardian to pick the camper up.
   

• Report the event to the Camp Directors. Camp Directors will notify all families in that group, without identifying the camper by name.

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What if camp is canceled?

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The website + the Facebook page will have notifications if camp is canceled due to bad weather or an emergency. A sign is also placed at the park stating that camp is closed. 

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Still have questions? Contact our Camp Directors at nazzycampsoar@gmail.com.

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