Embracing the Unexpected: Post-Season Positives

Although 2020 wasn’t what we expected, we were thrilled to be able to successfully run 9 camps across the country. We knew that meant summer would look very different, but as long as we could be safe, we wanted to make being together in-person possible. 

Our team worked endlessly to develop and implement safety regulations and procedures to be able to open camp in this new era – and we believe the results were wildly worthwhile. With zero COVID19 outbreaks at any of our camp locations, our campers and staff were able to connect face-to-(masked)-face, share laughs, and play freely. 

Now that we’ve learned the ropes of wrangling camps both in and out of a pandemic, we’re excited to open even more camp locations this summer 2021. 

Kind Words

Testimonials From Summer 2020

“Thank you @steveandkatescamp for putting in all of the extra effort to make this happen
this summer – even if it was different for our seasoned 9-yr-old, our first-timer 5-yr-old made a week’s worth of memories and had a true summer camp {safe} experience.

S&K Parent

(Chicago Lakeview)

“Thanks so much for working extra, super hard to make the camp happen. The kids desperately need some activities after getting stuck at home for more than three months. Thanks for all the changes made this year to ensure everyone is in a safe and fun environment.” And…”[Our child] had a blast and wants to get up extra early so she’s the first to arrive tomorrow morning. She enjoyed the many activities she did and it was delightful for me to see her with such a bright spring in her step and to hear her excitedly tell me about her day.”

S&K Parent

(NY – Upper East Side)

“Thank you for your efforts to keep camp open this summer. [Our kiddo] is an only child, and with playgrounds closed since March, she was getting stir crazy. Since starting camp, I have noticed a major improvement in [her] mental health. She sleeps better at night and wakes up with enthusiasm again. Kudos to your staff and their efforts in this endeavor. [She] really enjoys camp and all the little projects that keep her mind occupied.”

S&K Parent

(Chicago – West Loop)

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Important Info

Summer Camp 2021 Safety Procedures and Regulations

In order to keep our campers and staff safe, we’ll be taking the following measures at camp this summer. These regulations are based on what we know right now, and will likely change as local health department regulations shift.

Designated groups

Campers will be in “stable” groups of 10-15, depending on local regulations, that do not mix with other S&K groups on campus (or anyone else for that matter). Groups will be assigned consistent staff members, too. These groups will remain as stable as possible for the duration of camp.

During the camp day, each group will have their own indoor space that functions as a mini-camp in terms of activities, which will allow campers the opportunity to immerse themselves into activities that are of interest to them and/or try new activities with their group. Campers and staff will have time to be outdoors as a group, but with a distance of at least 6 feet from any other group. Outdoor activities will include free play, workshops, and shows-social distancing included. We’ll also have Specials to add some spice, like mini golf or laser tag, as long as they can be sanitized between groups.

Stay Home If…

• Fever:  At a minimum children must be fever-free (meaning an oral thermometer reads 100.4° or less, or an ear thermometer reads 101.4° or less (Cleveland Clinic – fever)) for 24 hours, without the aid of fever-reducing medication, before they come to Camp. If our staff determine that a child has a fever, we will contact the child’s parent/guardian and ask that they pick the child up from Camp. If county guidelines mandate that a fever, or a fever in conjunction with other symptoms, warrants more than 24 hours quarantine we will follow whichever guideline is most restrictive.
• COVID-19: Children should stay home if they have, or someone in their household has, any COVID-19 symptoms including: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, chills, body aches, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell or eye drainage or infection. If a child has been in close proximity (closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes, without wearing a face covering) to anyone who was experiencing any of the above symptoms, or who has experienced any of the above symptoms since being in contact with them, or tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting to receive test results, or are presumptively positive based on a health care provider’s assessment or symptoms they should also stay home for the amount of time recommended by your state’s Health Department.
• Contagious illness/parasitic infection:  If your child has a contagious illness, even without fever, beyond a mild cold (for example: pink eye, a contagious skin rash), or if your child has head lice/nits, please do not send your child to Camp. If we believe that a child likely has a contagious illness or head lice/nits, we will contact the child’s parent/guardian and ask that they pick the child up from Camp. You may send your child to Camp with a doctor’s note if their condition has been treated such that it is no longer contagious.
• Diarrhea/vomiting:  If your child has experienced diarrhea or vomiting within 24 hours before camp, please do not send them to Camp. The Camp is not equipped to handle cases of diarrhea or repeated vomiting except on an emergency basis, until the child can be picked up from Camp by a parent/guardian.

Safety Precautions

Staff and directors are trained to recognize COVID-19 signs and symptoms. In addition to the health screening questions and temperature checks at check in, for both staff and campers, Mid-Day temperatures will be taken and campers with a temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be removed from the Squad and isolated following CDC guidelines until an adult can pick them up. Siblings of the camper will also need to go home.  Other families in the Squad will be notified of a fever and encouraged to watch for symptoms, but will not be required to go home since we’re cleaning and distancing like pros. Campers, and siblings, can return the next day if they are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications.

In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case (of a camper or staff member on site) the director will immediately notify local health officials and S&K Headquarters. Health officials will help determine a course of action for the program. We may need to close the site, or room, where the exposure was reported for a time if required. This would most likely be a 24 hour room or facility wide closure, allowing time for local health officials to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation. HQ will coordinate with local health officials to communicate closure decisions and any possible COVID-19 exposure. In the event of a positive camper, all members of the camper’s Squad will likely be recommended to self-quarantine for 14 days. We will, as always, refund for days missed if this happens.

Camp will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly, and HQ will assess all health and safety procedures, site operations, and any need for increased monitoring and/or training. If, for any reason, camp does close for an extended period of time, families will be refunded for any in-person days missed.

Required Express Check In

Every family will need to use Express Check In before they arrive at camp each day. You’ll also need to bring your campers QR code, similar to a boarding pass for a plane. You can print this from your account and bring a paper copy each day or snap a photo and bring it to camp on your phone each morning. Then just answer the required screening questions (find this in your S&K online account) each day before arriving. Upon arrival, staff will scan your camper code, and take camper temps. As long as they are under 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, they can cruise into camp. You might want to bookmark the Express Check In page for quick access.

In order to make sure any poorly campers have someone to take them home, campers will need an adult over the age of 18 to drop them off each morning. They can check themselves out at the end of the day though, with adult permission.

Masks Are A Must

All of our staff will be required to wear a mask at all times during the day. Campers will be strongly encouraged to do so at all times, and required when they are indoors and/or unable to physically distance from other squads or campers, except for when eating or drinking or contraindicated per CDC recommendations. Campers will not need to wear them during water activities or if they are playing or sitting outside at least 6ft away from others. We ask that you provide a mask for your child each day in anticipation of this.

Still have questions? 

Be sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions page or head to our contact page and reach out to a local team member to chat!