Camp Ho Mita Koda & COVID-19
Last Updated 7/15/23
The health and safety of the campers and staff of Camp Ho Mita Koda is our highest priority. With the presence of COVID-19 within the United States, we are actively reviewing and updating our health-related plans and procedures for the summer of 2023. We fully intend to hold in-person sessions for the summer of 2023, and we have a communicable disease plan in place that will be revised in cooperation with public health authorities as additional COVID-19 guidance is provided as we approach summer 2023. Should this change, an announcement will be made at the earliest possible opportunity. In the meantime, we have compiled a list of resources and information that may be helpful to you at this time.
OVERVIEW
In March 2020, the State of Ohio declared a state of emergency and took unprecedented measures to limit exposure through the closure of schools. Our team is in on-going communications with local health departments, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the American Camp Association (ACA), and other summer camp programs to determine various proactive and preventive health and safety measures. In the unlikely event that we would need to cancel a CHMK program, we will proactively communicate that decision to parents as soon as possible.
With the disruption of our normal routine, we are more excited than ever for both kids and staff to have a life-changing experience at Camp Ho Mita Koda and return to a comfortable sense of normalcy. As we know, the coronavirus (and the associated coronavirus media blitz) has created various levels of difficulty, disconnection, disempowerment, and perhaps despair in so many people. Camp Ho Mita Koda creates a sense of safety, education, connection, empowerment, and hope. It is what we need.
We have always had a specific communicable disease and hygiene policies and procedures at camp that aim to protect against the transmission of any disease. Of course, this is a novel virus, and so we will be revising and updating these procedures as needed based on the latest CDC and ACA recommendations. In addition, as we track the spread of the virus and learn more from health experts, we will determine any programmatic changes that are needed, and will keep camp families updated.
COVID-19 RESOURCES & LATEST SCIENCE
CDC Antigen Test Guidelines: The CDC discusses the properties and uses of the “rapid” antigen test
Covid Tracking Project: The best source for the latest compiled data from around the country
COVIDView: A weekly surveillance summary of COVID-19 cases in the United States organized by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
COVID-NET: A weekly summary of US COVID-19 hospitalization data organized by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Children and COVID-19: State-Level Data Report: A weekly summary of all publicly available data from states on child COVID-19 cases, compiled by The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association
A Swiss Cheese Approach To Pandemic: An article from The Verge about how one protocol will have many holes to it, but stacking multiple safety protocols on top of each other is the best approach to preventing a COVID-19 spread. (Here’s a great illustration of this approach)
Summer Is Approaching. Bring Camp Back: An article from last year in The Atlantic that highlights the social-emotional impact camp has on children and some ways that camps can operatel safely during COVID-19
The Pandemic Safety Rule That Really Matters: An article from The Atlantic that discusses how COVID-19 is an airborne virus that is much more likely to spread in “closed” environments with poor ventilation like bars, restaurants, and gyms. The most important rule to follow is not spending time indoors with people that are outside your household
The Kids Corona study reveals a low infection rate in summer camps: SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital conducted a study last summer to better understand COVID-19 in children and pregnant woman. They studied camps in Spain and saw evidence that there was a low infection rate among kids, outlined in this article
How Long Does Coronavirus Last In The Body, Air, and In Food?: An article by Medical News Today that outlines how long COVID-19 symptoms can last for positive patients, as well as how long droplets can last in the air or in the food
Don’t Rely On A Negative Test Result: A CNN article about COVID-19 testing and how even if someone tests negative, they could still have the virus and transfer it to others
If there is anything our team can do for you during this time, please do not hesitate to reach out.
- Ian Roberts, Executive Director: ian@camphomitakoda.org or 440-739-4095
- Alex Richardson, Camp Director: alex@camphomitakoda.org or 440-739-4095
- Sara Serafine, Healthcare Manager: sara@camphomitakoda.org or 440-739-4095