“Coronavirus and other viruses aren’t going away. We have the skills and knowledge to manage those communicable diseases and still have healthy camp environments”
Abstract published November, 2023
To assess the effectiveness of an infection control protocol developed to mitigate the spread
of COVID-19 at two multi-week residential summer camps in 2021.
Handout from the COVID Updates Webinar
Presented April 2023
Dr. Laura Blaisdell | Dr. Tracey Gaslin
Study Results:
Application of non-pharmaceutical interventions in camps following the onset of COVID-19
Published by Child: Care, Health and Development this article by ACH Research Chair Barry Garst, ACH Research Assistant Alexsandra Dubin and ACH Executive Director Tracey Gaslin outlines the importance of implementing multiple non-pharmaceutical interventions in camps to maintain and protect participant health.
From the ACH Hotline
August 1, 2022
NPI’s work! Masking- distancing – hand hygeine – sanitizing – testing- cohorts. From over 100 calls to the ACH hotline this summer indications are that camps who implement more NPI’s are having fewer covid cases. Indications from camps who are seeing Covid, the BA-5 variant is presenting with sore throat, and mild upper respiratory congestion. As we approach the end of summer keep up the NPI’s. As many as you can!
CDC Releases New Guidance
May 27, 2022
Guidance for camps: Testing, quarantine, outbreaks and other FAQ’s
COVID-19 Public Education Campaign
Coronavirus COVID-19 Considerations for Camps
ACH is at the leading edge of camp health services in these COVID times. Collaborative research, engaging with experts in the field of camp health, testing, MESH concerns and communicable disease we are proud to help camps navigate these challenging times.
COVID-19 Forms
Forms that may assist with your COVID-19 Plan
Field Guide
Field Guide for Camps on Implementation of CDC Guidance (EH&E and ACA)
Research Results
What we are learning from summers 2020/2021
MESH Support
MESH at camp 2022
Sanitizing / Disinfecting
Sanitizing/Disinfecting
NPI'S
Non-Pharmacologic interventions.
CDC Considerations
Solid guidance from the CDC about planning and operating summer camps
Diagnostics | Testing
From Harvard, An extensive document comparing available COVID-19 tests
Communicable Disese
Communicable Disease management at camp
Vaccines
Covid-19 Vaccine information
Recent COVID-19 posts from the ACH Blog
Hosting Retreat Groups in a Covid World
Hosting Retreat Groups in a Covid World Fall/Winter 2022 Wrapping up summer camp and moving into retreat season, Covid-19 continues to have an impact on our staff and guests. Navigating user groups may present challenges different than typical summer camps healthcare...
CDC Updates: CLIA Waivers and more
From the CDC 4/4/22 – Updates to Point of Care Testing and Different Types of CLIA waivers: Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Testing Performed in Point-of-Care Settings | CDC 4/4/22 – Testing Strategies for Sars CoV2: Testing Strategies for SARS-CoV-2 | CDC
COVID-19 Updates
COVID Vaccination Updates Check out a summary of COVID-19 vaccination updates. As you plan for camp and gather immunization information from campers and staff, it will be important to know what the current vaccine guidance is. Here is a summary! NPI's Summer...
ACH COVID-19 Health History Addendums
ACH encourages you to add COVID-19 specific questions to your camper and staff health histories. The links below provide some guidance.
Potential COVID Testing Patterns for Summer Camp Consideration
(April 2021)
This chart of potential testing pattern considerations will help you navigate the world of running a healthy camp in these COVID times
CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People
April 2, 2022
CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated people … learn more
State Operating Guidance
The American Camp Association has compiled a set of resources for States Operating Guidance for Summer 2021.
March 2, 2021
CDC Prioritization of Camp Staff for COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously expanded the definition of “essential workers” to incorporate out-of-school time workers, including camp staff. To support that move, CDC recently made changes to their website that explicitly list camp staff in Phase 1b of their vaccination prioritization. Read more
The Swiss Cheese Respiratory Virus Defense Infographic: Click the image for a larger PDF image
COVID-19 Resources for Camps
A variety of resources for camp health services to provide healthy camp communities in this COVID-19 time
Communicable Disease Guidelines
- Communicable Disease Control in the Camp Setting PDF (ACH Practice Guideline, 2020)
- Communicable Disease Management in the Camp Setting PDF 9/2020 Update (Erceg)
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 Diagnostics in Context: This is a robust document from Harvard with extensive details about testing and diagnostics for COVID-19
From the FDA: COVID-19 Testing Basics
CLIA Waived Testing (explained for camps)
Vaccines
CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People
Emergency Use Authorization Letter from FDA
https://www.fda.gov/media/144412/download
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Press Release
FDA Takes Key Action in Fight Against COVID-19 By Issuing Emergency Use Authorization for First COVID-19 Vaccine
Understanding mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
Facts about COVID-19 vaccines
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits/facts.html
Benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html
Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines work
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/how-they-work.html
Talking to patients (campers and staff) about COVID-19 vaccines
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/talking-to-patients.html
Making a Strong Recommendation for COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/engaging-patients.html
Screening Tools
ACN COVID-19 Pre-Screening Tool
(A second example of a pre-screening form.) This pre-screening tool is intended for use by campers and staff in the two weeks prior to camp arrival
Modify and use this guide to fit your camp for the screening campers and staff on arrival
MESH Concerns with COVID-19
Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations with COVID-19
ACN MESH Infographic: How to support the MESH needs of staff
Ways to Promote Children’s Resilience to the COVID-19 Pandemic (Child Trends)
Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During the COVID-19 Outbreak (WHO, March 2020)
NPI's Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions
Use of Non-Pharmacological Interventions and Personal Protective Equipment by Camps in the Summer of 2020: Selected Findings from ACN’s Study of Camp Health Care Practice Following the Onset of COVID-19
This fall, the Association of Camp Nursing surveyed members about camp health care practices in the summer of 2020 following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full article
CompassPoint, December 2020
Swiss-Cheese-Model-Camp: Infographic
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Sanitizing / Disinfecting
FAQ's
COVID-19 FAQ’s (ACN November 2020)
Workplace Considerations
Communicable Disease
- Communicable Disease Management in the Camp Setting Practice Guideline (ACH)
- Template for a Communicable Disease Plan (ACH)
- A Healthy Camp Begins and Ends at Home (Healthy Camp Toolbox, revised 3/2022)
- Social Distancing (Erceg, March 2020)
- Example screening form for opening day (Gaslin, 2020)
- Guidelines for establishing a Communicable Disease Plan (ACH March 2020)
- Thermometer comparison chart
COVID-19 Specfic
- Slowing The Spread Of COVID-19 (NPRA, May 2020)
- Managing Asthma During COVID-19 (CDC)
- 10 Ways to Manage Respiratory Symptoms at Home (CDC 2020
ACH is collaborating with ACA and the CDC to gather data about the impact of COVID-19 on camp and youth programs this past summer. Preliminary findings were presented at the ACH October conference. A complete report will be coming in early 2021.
The American Academy of Pediatrics
Guidance for Families and Pediatricians on Camp Attendance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The ACN Board of Directors and Leadership team is here for you!
ACH Membership
ACH welcomes nurses and non-nurses as members. Join now for access to free webinars and many more resources