An Update from NJC-GAP on NJ Camp Openings
An Update from Jonathan Gold, NJC-GAP President:
We are very pleased to inform you that Governor Murphy announced today that summer camps can open on Monday, July 6th.
*UPDATE: WE TOTALLY EXPECTED BOTH DAY AND RESIDENT CAMPS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY - AND THE GOVERNOR ONLY AUTHORIZED DAY CAMPS - SO WE ENCOURAGE OUR RESIDENT CAMPS TO HOLD ON FOR CLARIFICATION WE ARE WORKING ON FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE!
As you are aware NJC-GAP and the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, has been working nonstop with the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH), the Governor’s office and leadership in the Legislature to provide them with the necessary information to move them to this decision. Not only was it important to convince them it was possible to open, but also advocate for a start date now. We used every argument we could imagine educating decision makers on the benefit of camp more than ever, camps as small business owners, the need for essential school-age childcare and the industry as a significant youth employer. And...it worked!
With the July 6th announcement made and the guidance awaiting approvals, our next push is to get that guidance immediately in the hands of New Jersey’s licensed camps. We know you cannot wait much longer, and we have made that extremely clear to all the decision makers in this process. We expect the guidance to be published early next week if not sooner and we will distribute it to you as soon as we have it.
NJC-GAP's lobbying efforts were supported by the incredible media attention given to the benefits of camp and the need for an opening date in New Jersey – so big thanks to all of the spokespeople who spent the last two months on every possible news outlet, especially Jonathan Gold (NJC-GAP), Susie Lupert (ACA, NY & NJ), Andy Pritikin (Liberty Lake Day Camp) and so many others! Please click here for the media coverage to date.
We were also successful with the support of Senate President Steve Sweeney to have the Senate hold a public hearing exclusively on the issue of summer camps and childcare on May 28, 2020. Susie Lupert and Andy Pritikin testified during a special legislative hearing of the Senate Recovery strategist committee and outlined how this delay in announcement has impacted camp’s ability to plan in the preseason and highlighted efforts by camp operators in recent months to adapt their programming to prepare for what camp will look like this season even without any guarantee that the governor would allow camps to open. Our ultimate goal for requesting this hearing was another avenue to impress upon decision makers the need for a start date from the state immediately and issuance of immediate guidance otherwise we will continue to see camps making decisions not to open and families will not have options for summer childcare this season. And, of course we did not forget about the kids who desperately need and want summer camp this year. You can watch a recording of the hearing at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/mp.asp?M=V/2020/SRC/0528-0300PM-M0-1.mp4&S=2020.
So, what’s next now that you have a date. Given you do not yet have guidance from the state, we are directing camps to continue to refer to the ACA field guide to offer some general idea of what New Jersey has used as a model in order to prepare for the season. Because of our advocacy the NJDOH has had the field guide in hand since its release and has been using it to develop the state guidance that you will operate under this year. The NJDOH has been collaborating with NJC-GAP and the ACA, NY & NJ over the last couple of months and intensely over the last week on the draft guidance. We believe that it is very workable and not overly prescriptive. It also will not be hundreds of pages...it will be simple. With that said, this is government and we cannot guarantee we will agree 100% with the final document that is issued – but know we have been absolutely working it!
In the meantime, we can share with you some answers to the big questions we believe the state will address in the guidance:
Any limit on the total number of campers at camp? NO
Any busing? - -YES – expect drivers and staff to be masked on buses – Preference for campers to be masked on buses with windows open and appropriate spacing – when possible. There is no expectation to fully social distance on a bus – therefore plan on using masks.
Health screening campers and staff? YES – screening policy must be developed at camp. It is unknown if it is upon entry to camp, entry on the bus or at home, but a visual check which is already the requirement will be more important than ever this year.
Will I have to buy hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, PPE for health staff and other similar products? YES (see Field guide for help with this). Prepare to have signage about hand washing and social distancing around camp (pictures for younger campers).
Any limits on camp group sizes? YES, at this time they are maintaining its 1:10 staff/camper ratio, which you may of course exceed on staff, and allowing groups up to 20 campers: 2 staff (outdoor) and 10 camper: 1 staff per group (indoor). These numbers may evolve as Governor Murphy changes the orders for public gatherings (right now it is 25 for outdoor activities).
Will campers have to social distance? IT DEPENDS - Groups will not be required to social distance when they are in their fixed family group. Social distancing will be necessary when multiple groups interact and are unable to reasonably social distance.
Can I open my pool and what about pools? YES – pools fall under the public recreational bathing rules not the camp rules. There may be reasonable limits on the number of people in pools depending on your pool size and there will be restrictions on pool toys (not personal flotation devices) being used in pools. Same concept of camp groups sticking together.
What about masks? It is safe to assume that campers will not be running around camp wearing masks – but camps and staff should have a mask like they have a pool towel and change of clothes. Masks will be worn only when social distancing (outside your group) is warranted.
Any restrictions on activities/sports? YES – full contact activities like tackle football, wrestling, MMA, karate, for example are prohibited at camp this summer. Any else from arts and crafts to basketball are OK.
That is just a sampling of the questions we get asked all the time and answers based on some feedback we have received by the NJDOH. Please know this is very fluid and we hope this at least helps you as we wait for the final guidance.
Thank you for your patience and support.
