Due to COVID-19 and social distancing, summer is already looking different this year. Many vacations have been cancelled and plenty of public playgrounds, pools, and camps are shut down or have been completely restructured.
With all these differences there can be a lot of questions regarding this summer. We are here to help you sort out what the best options are for you and your family.
Here are a few of the most common questions parents are facing this summer-
Should I send my kids to camp this year?
Between day and overnight programs, millions of children enjoy going to different camps around the country, but this will look very different this year. For the camps that are going to continue, many safety and social distancing measures will have to be taken. Even with these measures many parents are asking the same question- are we putting ourselves at risk by letting them go?
While there is no ‘one size fits all’ answer to this question, when contemplating the best choice for your family we encourage you to consider these 5 questions written by Cooks Children Medical Center:
- How healthy is your child? Do they have any chronic health conditions that would put them at an increased risk of significant illness from coronavirus, such as diabetes, asthma or immune deficiency?
- How healthy are your other household members? Is there anyone who your child has frequent contact with who is elderly or at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus?
- How important is this camp to your child? If it is something they feel ambivalent about, it is probably not worth the exposure. If they have been looking forward to it since last year, it may deserve a serious family discussion.
- What safety measures is the camp taking? Is there a screening process? Are there attempts at some degree of distancing? What happens if someone gets sick during camp? It is very possible, if someone gets sick at the camp, everyone will be sent home. It’s for this reason that if you do send your child, it’s best your family plan to be available for an unexpected pick-up.
- If your child gets sick at camp, it could potentially mean the child or family would need to be on home quarantine for two weeks. What impact would this have on your household?
What about vacation?
Summers are times for vacations and family fun! With the spread of COVID-19 and each area’s safety measures, many parents are struggling to figure out what family vacation can look like.
Thankfully, there are options! This summer is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. Coronavirus does not seem to survive as well in the open air and heat. It’s also easy to social distance and stay safe while going on a hike, camping, or swimming. Try to avoid crowded campgrounds and shared bathrooms to have the safest family getaway.
What if we are planning to travel out of state?
Although you are still able to travel this summer, it is important to know the travel restrictions and closures where you are going. Many states have different safety regulations and restrictions are constantly changing. So be sure to continuously check the restrictions and closures in the areas you wish to travel to.
We encourage you to still avoid taking flights if possible. Road trips are the best way to ensure the safe family vacations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yes, this summer will be different but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy family fun! You can even explore your hometown and enjoy a staycation. There are still plenty of things to do to make this summer a great one!
For more resources check out these sites-
https://www.today.com/parents/summer-camp-guidelines-released-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-t181786
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