2020 Guidelines for Participation in Summer Camps and Sporting Activities for Oncology Patients

COVID-19 has changed life for all of us, especially our children. This summer, our goal is to help you keep your child as safe as possible.

Children being treated for cancer have varying degrees of immunosuppression, so there is not one guideline for participation in summer camp or organized sports that fits for all children. More severely immunosuppressed children should avoid participation until the COVID-19 situation improves. Each child’s situation should be discussed with their doctor.

Some general principles

• Participation should be more limited in times of high viral transmission in the community, and more relaxed when viral transmission levels are low.
• There should be confidence that the camp or sports staff will adhere to guidelines for masking, hand hygiene, self-monitoring, and exclusion from camp/sport when ill or exposed.
• There should be confidence that staff will enforce guidelines for campers and athletes.
• The ability of the child to comply with social distancing and masking rules should be taken into consideration.
• In general, it is better if the focus can be on activities that do not require physical contact or extended periods of face-to-face exposure without masks. For example, swimming has less physical contact than basketball; art projects can be worked on independently instead of with a small group.
• Outside activities are preferred as much as possible, when weather allows, due to decreased opportunity for viral transmission outdoors. 
• Participation in residential camps is not advised at present.
• Siblings living in the same home as the child with cancer should abide by the same guidelines.