What to Know Before Sending Your Kids to Summer Camps This Pandemic

Blue waters and white sands meant heading up to the SF bay area during the summers for us as fellow San Franciscans. Of course, SF Bay area summer camps have long been a staple of both our and our children's sweltering summer vacations, at least until the pandemic struck.

Now that the lockdown has been lifted and school has halted, summer has arrived—and so have those SF bay area summer camps.

However, if you're still worried about sending your child on their summer adventure, we're here to help.

Here are five things to look for before sending your kid onto his summer adventure.

1. Examine the Infection Rates in Your Area

Some states may not allow camps to be held at all, so the choice may be out of your hands. If your chosen camp is open this summer, it means they've applied for all of the necessary permits and are adhering to all of the regulations. When these conditions are met, such camps can be a low-risk and enjoyable experience for your child.

2. Day Camps or Residential Camps?

While sleepovers are fun, summer camps in 2021 will primarily be day camps with a single group of ten or fewer children. These groups of campers spend the entire day together, staying at least 6 feet apart and not sharing objects. The importance of outdoor activities is emphasized. All of the campers are from the same geographical area.

3. Speak With Your Child

Smaller groups, keeping a 6-foot distance from other children, frequent handwashing, and daily temperature checks are all possible changes at summer schools and camps.

For some children, the health and safety procedures that schools and camps must implement can be scary or difficult. Talk to your child ahead of schedule about the safety precautions that have been put in place.

4. Ask Questions To Minimize Your Kid’s Risks

Before you drop your kids off at summer camp, inquire about the camp's sanitization policy, hand hygiene, group limits, and, most importantly, game and arts and crafts protocols. Make sure that each child has their art and craft kit, and that games are low-contact.

Summer camps, according to the CDC, can be very low risk, especially if certain restrictions are in place.

The SF bay area summer camps are open for business, with all of the necessary safeguards in place to keep children as safe as possible.

Ergo, it's time to let kids be kids again, which means bringing back the summer vacation they missed in 2020.