Staying Safe at Summer Camp in the Age of COVID-19
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Summer camp is an important experience for many children. This summer, it may be particularly important because children have experienced a profound disruption in their social, developmental and educational experiences. Yet many parents are left asking, “Is summer camp too risky?” The decision about whether to have your child attend summer camp must be based on your child, family and community’s circumstances.
These decisions are not one-size-fits-all and should be made considering the health status of your child and other members of your household; the infection prevention practices in place at your child’s camp; and the current amount of COVID-19 disease in your community.
Below, Susan E. Coffin, MD, MPH, Clinical Director of CHOP’s Division of Infectious Diseases, and Lisa Biggs, MD, Associate Medical Officer of the CHOP Care Network, provide a framework for you to consider as you decide if attending summer camp is right for your child this summer.
The more people a camper interacts with, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. Therefore, camps are likely to pose a lower risk of infection if they have:
Because COVID-19 is primarily spread by respiratory droplets, contaminated hands or shared equipment, camps are likely to pose a lower risk if they:
Coronavirus infections may cause fever and/or cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath. Therefore, camps are likely to pose a lower risk of infection if they have:
Other general practices to consider when planning for summer camp include:
Children with chronic conditions that are well controlled can usually participate in summer camp provided they are monitored closely for symptoms. Specific groups that should seek guidance from a specialty physician prior to enrolling in camp include children who are immunocompromised, those awaiting transplants, and those with chronic medical conditions who require daily medications and/or frequent doctor contacts.
Contributed by: Susan E. Coffin, MD, MPH, Clinical Director of CHOP’s Division of Infectious Diseases, and Lisa Biggs, MD, Associate Medical Officer of the CHOP Care Network
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