Club SciKidz Houston COVID-19 Guidance to Reduce our Disease Transmission Risk

The steps and procedures introduced in this document are for the health and safety of all staff, campers, and families at Club SciKidz. These procedures will help us to minimize the risk of disease transmission at camp. These will in no way guarantee a disease-free environment but will provide proactive steps in reducing our risk. All of our parents and staff will be educated on our adjusted procedures.

Education:

Our campers, staff, and parents will receive education on “Cover your Cough”, our COVID-19 procedures, symptoms, and How to wash your hands. Staff will receive this during their training and notices will be sent out to our families.

Camp Entry:

For parents, if any child has symptoms of infection, even mild, such as sniffles (not allergy-related), a new or worsening sore throat or cough, he/she will need to be evaluated by his/her health care provider and not come to camp that day. A written notice from the campers Primary Care Physician (PCP) or health care provider will be needed before the camper can attend camp. Campers under the age of 5 and with underlying health conditions will need a written notice from their PCP before they may attend camp in accordance with State Department of Health Directives.

Parents will be required to answer prescreening questions for each camper they are dropping off each day before campers can be dropped off. The questionnaire will consist of the COVID symptoms. Temperatures and checklist questions will be logged daily. Thermometers used to will be contactless. Staff will also be required to answer prescreening questions before they may clock in for work. All campers and staff will be encouraged to wear face coverings during arrival and departure.

When a camper has to be picked up/go home:

Due to the risk of transmission of COVID-19 this summer, Club SciKidz’s threshold for camper illnesses that will require immediate camper pick up has been adjusted for the health and safety of all campers, staff, and families.

If parents are called to pick up a camper, then will need to wait either in their cars or outside of the main doors. They will need to call the director and let him/her know that they have arrived, and the director will escort the camper out.

Campers will be required to get picked up if they display any of the following symptoms but not limited to:

  1. GI Symptoms (ex. upset, stomach, diarrhea, vomiting)
  2. Fever (100.4 or higher)
  3. Dry Cough
  4. Productive cough
  5. Extreme fatigue
  6. Shortness of breath
  7. Loss of taste and smell
  8. New or worsening runny nose

All staff and campers will have a temperature check daily when they report to camp. This will be done regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. Anyone with a documented temperature of 100.4 will be sent home from camp. Individuals with a low- grade temperature will report to the First Aid Station and be assessed for infection (low- grade temperature is defined as > 98.6 and <100.4 < 24 hours)

Campers that have been sent home due to suspected illness will need to get cleared by their PCP or a Doctor and provide written approval prior to their return to camp.

In the event that a camper/staff has Seasonal Allergies:

If a camper or staff has seasonal allergies their normal symptoms MUST be documented on their camper application or in their account. Allergy symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and sniffles will be monitored but will not require the camper to be sent home as long as those symptoms are documented on their application or camper account. Campers with allergies are encouraged to take their allergy medications prior to attending camp that day.

If these allergy symptoms appear in conjunction with any other symptoms such as extreme fatigue, productive cough, light sensitivity, headaches, or muscle aches your camper will be sent home and may only return once he/she has been cleared by your Primary Care Physician (PCP) or a Doctor.

First Aid Station Staff

All First Aid Station Staff will be required to thoroughly wash their hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and water. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol- based hand sanitizer with greater than 60% ethanol or greater than 70% isopropanol may be used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water before and after treating each staff member or camper. They will also be required to use masks and gloves when treating any campers or staff.

Gloves must be used during cleaning and changed in between campers.

Gloves and masks are only to be used once and then thrown away. Staff may not use the same pair of gloves multiple times. Masks must be changed in between groups. Gloves are to be removed by grasping from the inside and peeling inside out. The First Aid Station will be supplied with PPE gear and cleaning supplies such as Clorox and disinfection supplies. The cleaning of supplies and surfaces will be conducted in between each use. All treatments will be documented according to the State standards.

Camper Groups:

Campers will be placed in cohort groups of 15 or less to limit group mixing. By using the small groups and cohort strategy, isolation and surveillance of close contacts can be implemented in short order. Campers will be required to stay with their own group at all times during the camp day. Campers will wash their hands before and after each activity and meal. Counselors will be given a supply of alcohol-based sanitizer with greater than 60% ethanol or greater than 70% isopropanol to keep on their person for personal and camper use. This bottle of sanitizer will be refilled daily as needed.

Cleaning Procedures:

Any staff member cleaning must wear gloves. Gloves will be used once and then thrown away. Cleaning will occur in two stages: Cleaning to remove dirt and grease and then disinfecting. We will be using normal cleaning products such as Clorox to clean and a diluted bleach solution for disinfecting. The disinfecting solution will be 4 teaspoons of bleach to a quarter of water in a spray bottle. These bottles of disinfectant will be labeled clearly so that they are used appropriately and not mistaken for other cleaning solutions.

Preparing Disinfectant Spray Solutions:

  1. Staff members that are preparing the disinfectant solution will be required to wear goggles and gloves and follow the manufacturers’ directions.
  2. Using the manufacturer’s instructions, fill the spray bottle with the appropriate amount of disinfectant solution and water. A funnel (not to be used for consumables) will be used to reduce spills and splashing.
  3. A dilute bleach (sodium hypochlorite) solution will be used by adding 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.
  4. Replace the spray cap and label the disinfectant bottle with the contents using a permanent marker.

Regular During-the-Day Cleaning & Disinfecting Procedures

  1. Each classroom will be equipped with paper towels and disinfecting spray/cleaner.
  2. Staff should disinfect tables and counters at least three times daily (mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and at the end of the day). Disinfecting should take place when campers go outside.
  3. Bathrooms and frequently touched surfaces (railings, doorknobs, handles, etc.) will be disinfected at least three times daily (mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and at the end of the day).
  4. There will be a written record of all disinfecting that takes place.

Regular End-of-Day Cleaning & Disinfecting Procedures Cleaning will be done in Two Stages:

  1. Cleaning to remove dirt
  2. Then a disinfecting solution will be used.

Normal cleaners such as Clorox will be used to clean surfaces and disposable wipes such as paper towels and Clorox wipes will be used. If a sponge or rag needs to be used for cleaning it will be disposed of in a sealed bag or container. The disinfectant spray used will be a diluted bleach solution consisting of 4 teaspoons of bleach to a quart of water. These bottles of disinfectant will be labeled clearly so that they are used appropriately and not mistaken for other cleaning solutions. An alcohol-based sanitizer with greater than 60% ethanol or greater than 70% isopropanol will be available at the first aid station.

Cleaning:

  1. All hard surfaces will be wiped down.
    1. Tables
    2. Chairs
    3. Shelves
    4. Cabinets
  2. Take out the trash
  3. Vacuum

Camp Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures for confirmed COVID-19

Extra cleaning and disinfecting procedures will begin 24hrs after the confirmed case. If waiting 24 hours is not possible, as long as possible will be waited.

  1. First clean visibly dirty surfaces then perform disinfection.
  2. Use disposable wipes/paper towels to clean surfaces if possible, rather than reusable cloth wipes, as the latter can re-contaminate surfaces. All cleaning and disinfecting materials (e.g., paper towels, cloth wipers, sponges, mop heads, etc.) should be disposed of in sealed bags or containers after use.
  3. Particular attention will be given to high touch areas, including, but not limited to, handrails, door handles, cabinet and drawer handles, shared sports equipment or craft tools.
  4. Clean a potential source area by progressing from the most distant point to the entrance to avoid re-contaminating surfaces that have been disinfected (i.e., clean your way out).

How to Wash Hands

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running, water. Turn off the tap and apply soap.
  2. Lather your hands by running them together with the soap. Make sure to lather the back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing the, “Happy Birthday” song twice.)
  4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
  5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer.

You may use paper towels to turn off the faucet and/or open the door to the bathroom.

How to Use Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizers should contain greater than 60% ethanol or greater than 70% isopropanol. Hand sanitizers are not a substitute for handwashing for there is easy access to a sink.

  1. Apply the product to the palm of one hand.
  2. Rub your hands together. Make sure the product contacts the back of your hands, palms, between your fingers, and fingertips.
  3. Continue to rub your hands together until your hands are dry (about 20 seconds).