Summer Camp Health Practices
How We Keep Campers & Staff Healthy
Updated on June 11, 2021 based on latest recommendations from Texas Department of State Health
Since 1967, Pine Cove has existed to be used by God to transform the lives of people for His purposes and His glory. This purpose is no different today. Thus, in order to have effective ministry this summer, we have taken additional health and safety measures. However, an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.
First and foremost, we consider CDC guidelines, national and international studies and state requirements with the goal of providing a safe and fun environment for campers and staff.
Parents should use their best judgement regarding sending their child to camp and seek to protect any vulnerable persons who are members of the same household or come into frequent, close contact with infants, children and youth who attend camps. Campers returning from an overnight camp should minimize in-person contact with any person 65 years of age or older, especially those with pre-existing health conditions.
As parents, we want you to understand the rigorous efforts Pine Cove is taking toward protecting the health of your child. We are prepared for and have the ability to implement the following measures.
Pine Cove has made an investment in electrostatic sprayers that are highly effective in destroying viruses, including COVID-19, and are currently being used in hospitals, daycares, and on commercial airplanes. Alongside our already rigorous sanitation procedures, they will be used throughout the week to spray high-touch areas, including dining tables, kitchens, bathrooms and more with an organic liquid disinfectant approved by the EPA for use against COVID-19. Watch this video to learn more about why these sprayers are so effective.
Hand sanitizer is available at every meal table and passed around to each camper as part of a sanitize cheer. We also have hand sanitizer in each building, including cabins, and at our activity class locations. Sanitizing our hands (and staying hydrated!) have always been important parts of our camp culture. Check out this fun video that the Pine Cove Ranch made during Summer 2019 to remind our campers and staff how important it is to be hydrated and sanitized—and to have fun while doing it!
Training our staff and our campers is super important. We train our staff on how to properly sanitize, wash hands, and how to monitor campers to prevent behaviors that spread illness. For our campers we emphasize covering mouths when sneezing or coughing, avoiding unnecessary physical contact, and not sharing bathroom products.
We’re adjusting camp drop-off and pick-up procedures to prioritize your camper’s safety.
Every youth camp’s health center has always been staffed with a screened and experienced RN on site 24/7 and clinical services capable of providing labs and x-rays, suturing, splinting, administering oral and IV medications, and monitoring patients who are sick. Our East Texas and Central Texas regions also have an on-site clinic to quickly take care of medical needs beyond the camp health center.
