Camp Tanako gears up for a safe summer camp
Camp Tanako is gearing up for camp this summer with plans to keep campers safe during the pandemic, after making the difficult decision to cancel camp last year, Executive Director Kayla Hardage said.
This year, they will have a day camp for confirmation on May 1 before they “hit the ground running” on June 1, opening overnight and day camp, Hardage said, with 10 weeks of programming, with sessions lasting around a week long.
They will have camps for elementary through senior high, as well as specialty camps, such as biking or fishing, she said.
Being accredited by the American Camp Association, she said they already have a structure in place to prevent something like strep or flu, but they’re “stepping up” their game to prevent COVID-19. She said they have set up additional hand sanitation stations around the campground and are working in small groups.
“So what we’ll do is, the cabin, the group that you sleep with, will be the
group that you do activities with and the group that you eat with. So that way, if we were to have a case, we would be able to isolate that group,” Hardage said.
They maintain a 1 to 8 ratio with staff, which they’re likely to keep with the small groups, she said. Depending on state guidelines at the time, they may be able to put two groups together, but wouldn’t have more than 20 in a group.
She said they are not requiring someone to get tested before camp, but that may change depending on how things look at the time. Hardage said most of the staff has been vaccinated, and they will be doing daily health screenings, such as temperature checks, for both staff and campers.
Hardage said they’re focusing on activities that are contactless. Matthew Gwinner, program director, said they are still in the process of planning programs, and a lot can change before camp starts, but they will be masking where needed, social distancing, and cleaning to keep things safe.
“We’re just looking forward to getting kids back in camp. You know, most of them missed a year of doing that sort of thing, and they’re ready to get out and enjoy the outdoors and we’re ready to welcome them,” Gwinner said.
Hardage said they are also adapting games to play in a COVID-safe way, and there’s a series of games put out through the American Camp Association that they will utilize.
Hardage said they will be following all state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in terms of masking. While they’re hoping to have activities throughout the day where they won’t need to wear masks, they’re currently planning on masking when in close proximity, she said, noting bunks are arranged so kids are spread out and won’t need to mask up when they sleep.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Monday he will let the state’s mask mandate expire on Wednesday. Asked last week if they would continue masking if the governor lifts the mandate, Hardage said they would adapt as necessary and do whatever is recommended by the CDC and state.
This summer’s curriculum is called “Creation Speaks,” which Hardage said is about both the wonders of creation as well as how to be good stewards of creation.
“Camp may look a little different this year, but we still think it’s important to come out and be a kid,” she said.