Our commitment to keeping kids safe at SpringHill
Health and safety of kids, staff, and families has always been our top priority at SpringHill. As we continue to look ahead to this summer with excitement, we also want to address any possible concerns you may have about what we’ll be doing to keep your kids and our staff safe due to COVID-19.
We’ve assembled a taskforce that includes doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who have helped us plan and develop enhanced and strict health protocols.
We believe that kids will need the opportunity to get outside, interact with friends, learn about God, and have fun this summer. We also believe that there needs to be changes and new guidelines in place to ensure the safest summer experience possible for all kids attending SpringHill. It is with this holistic approach in mind that we bring to you our health and safety commitments for summer 2020.
Partnering with the best - SpringHill is blessed with the opportunity to work alongside elite doctors and nurses, as well as our local health departments, and the CDC to ensure that we are up to date on all health policies and procedures. Our taskforce is reviewing our health plans with us and helps ensure that we are providing the best care to kids. Our team of outstanding volunteer doctors and nurses will continue to support our efforts this summer by caring for kids in our health hub.
Constant hand sanitation – Hand sanitation dispensers will be in each cabin/classroom, in common areas, and meal areas. Our staff will be trained to require every child to use hand sanitizer each time they enter and exit a building, wash their hands before every meal, and before/after participation in each activity. Our staff will also practice this.
Social distancing – We are putting limitations on the number of kids in all spaces of camp, mitigating large groups, and limiting the number of kids in each housing area at our overnight properties. We will also ensure that kids in each area of camp do not interact with one another, ensuring social distancing, and eliminating cross-camp interactions. We will also implement "do your part, stay 6 feet apart" signage in indoor spaces.
No hand touching – To take social distancing a step further, we will no longer hold hands during prayer, give one another high fives or fist bumps, or gather closely together for celebrations. These will be replaced with new ways of interaction that remove hand touching.
No shared items – New protocol will be in place that eliminates handling shared items whenever possible.
Keeping it clean – Our summer leaders will lead daily mandatory cleanings in all team/cabin spaces using EPA disinfectant products. Our staff will be trained in these procedures prior to the start of camp and will be held accountable through daily checklists and audits. A deep cleaning of all bathrooms, offices, and shared spaces will occur at the end of every week at our overnight properties. Activity areas will be sanitized between each activity block or camper group. Day Camps will work with church partners to facilitate a full deep clean of the building prior to the start of camp. Bathrooms, classrooms, and common spaces will be cleaned at lunch and after camp daily.
Training and orientation - At the beginning of each week, all kids will be trained on updated safety protocols which include practicing good hygiene and social distancing. Staff will receive training on updated protocols, additional care, daily temperature checks, and action steps to take if a child gets sick.
Daily Temperature Checks - Every morning each child and summer leader will have their temperature checked and logged. If a temperature comes back higher than our determined standard, they will be further evaluated at one of our Health Hubs.
SpringHill Health Hub - Our overnight camp Health Hubs are open 24/7 and are staffed with amazing medical volunteers and summer health officers who are ready to help, contain, and treat illnesses at any time. Our day camp Health Hubs are staffed with first aid and CPR trained leaders who are trained to identify illness and help address any medical need that may come up throughout the week.
Lowering risk – In the event that a child or staff member becomes sick with an illness that could spread, they will move to a designated quarantine area and our medical team will implement a quarantine protocol that works to identify, control, and contain the illness.
Limiting exposure – We will be limiting the number of non-program staff, visitors, and vendors on our properties during camp weeks to help limit exposure to illness.
Partnering with parents – We know that you put the health and safety of your child at the top of your list, and we also want to make sure that all kids have a safe and fun time at SpringHill. That’s why we are asking you to keep your kids home if they’ve experienced a fever or illness within 72 hours of their camp arrival date. If you are unsure about bringing your child, you can call our office ahead of time and we will work with you on the best plan possible.
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We will continue to evaluate and update the details of each category and make any additions according to CDC guidelines. See all updates here.
Please continue to join us in prayer for every child, staff member, family, and church partner who will be a part of a SpringHill experience this year!