Camps 2020

CAMP 2020 Questions and Answers:

What are the new safety guidelines you will have in order to keep the children safe?

Eco Adventures will be operating under strict CDC guidelines, MD Department of Health, Youth Day Camp Act,  as well as American Camp Association directives, to provide a safe and illness preventative environment for all participants. We feel that we have enacted a plan that not only ensures the safety and well-being of our employees and participants, but also allows for plenty of enrichment and fun for all campers. 

• Eco Adventures will be operating at only 55% capacity this year.  This means we will have up to 5 groups of 11-14 kids with one instructor and possible Jr. Assistant volunteer, having the same staff each day.
• Parents will be required to sign a pre-screening health questionnaire.
• Every child will be screened/have their temperature taken at our new outside reception area, before admittance each day. Any child running a fever of 100.4 or above  or showing ANY signs of illness will not be admitted. 
• There will be staggered outside car drop offs and pick ups according to what group your child is in.
• Social distancing will be enforced in a competitive, but fun manner.
• The first station will be stating the rules and guidelines and fun competition and games.
• Masks will need to be worn, as stated below
• The outdoor areas and indoor facility will be thoroughly disinfected several times throughout the day, after each rotation and at the end of the day after all campers have left.
• All persons entering Eco Adventures will be required to use alcohol based hand sanitizer/wash hands immediately  and also to wash hands before they leave.
• Hand washing will take place numerous times a day, in addition to other sanitizing procedures, all under the direction and auspices of our newly appointed "Queen of Clean" staff!

How will you deal with the extreme heat/inclement weather, etc  being an outdoor camp?

• Each station outside will have coverings and places to sit/rest in the shade or to get away from rain.  We are prepared for rain or shine. 
• We will have  a “Cooling station “  set up where kids can go to get water bottles refilled and misting at times.
• Children will be required to carry water bottles and a cap/hat is recommended.  Staff will be asking campers to hydrate after each station and has been first aid trained in identifying symptoms of dehydration and heat stroke.
• Should there be an extreme heat/code red days/air quality/or thunderstorms, we will  take campers inside.  Each group will be separated in the same room for the remainder.  At least one-two of the stations will be inside for “air-conditioning down time  such as  movie break”.   Only one group at a time will be allowed.
•  We spray our outdoor areas for ticks. However, it may be an unusual bad tick season due to the mild winter.    Please note that it may be helpful  to spray your children with bug spray around their legs/shoes and apply sunscreen before camp.
• As the restrictions lessen this may also change.

Is there a plan for the campers who do not comply with social distancing/practice good hygiene?

We are implementing several practices to ensure kids can remember social distancing.  

• Part of this implementation, is a “Field Day” friendly competition approach this year on top of the regular camp themes.  One of the reasons for this,  is to encourage kids to follow the strict guidelines we have this year.  They will get points for following rules and exhibiting teamwork and spirit and taken away points for not abiding by the rules etc.  
• There will be markings on the ground so that it will remind kids where to stand.  
• When moving from station to station, each group will have a very long rope with  flags attached at every 6 feet assigned to a specific child (so he/she only touches that flag).  
• Instructors will be constantly reminding kids and having fun challenges and ways to encourage SD.  
• Finally, if should your child(ren) not consistently follow social distancing rules he/she will be required to wear the mask at all times.

How many staff will you have?  

** All of our staff is made up of trained professionals with backgrounds in herpetology,  zoology, marine biology, environmental/natural sciences, and more and/or have had several years of experience working in this field with Eco Adventures.  This year, we have been preparing since Mid May attending webinars and educating ourselves about each stage of the pandemic and extra COVID safety requirements.  We will  conduct extra training, and preparations for camps to ensure a safe and fun learning environment. 

**There will be 1 instructor to up to 11-14 kids with up to 5 groups. ( Up to 5 instructors).  Camps usually have 3-5 groups.  Some groups will have CIT’s (Counselors in training) to assist with the group but are treated just like a camper.  **Mini campers will have one Lead instructor and One assistant with 8 kids.  

**Administrative  and cleaning staff  that will be indoors/outdoors to help supervise activities from the Triage area (where we mend boo boos) and facilitate the logistics of the camp such as drop off and pick up as well as sanitizing.  

**We have assigned one of our staff members solely to be the “Queen of Clean” who is responsible for daily sanitizing throughout the day. The same staff will be there for the whole week.  

**Jr. Assistants/Volunteers to assist as runners/floaters/setting up stations/ keeping track of the “Leader Board” and points for each group/keeping up spirit.  They will not be with groups this year.  They will be picking up children from a group to escort them  inside to use the bathroom while social distancing.

Does my child need to wear a mask?

Children under 9 years old are not required to wear masks outside.  Children  9 and over  will wear masks outside when not social distancing.   We do ask that ALL children wear a mask when inside/during animal touching and have it readily available.     They cannot participate without one. If your child forgets a mask, we will have some for sale outside during drop off $10 per masks (fun animal prints, tie dye etc) and $20 tie dye tee shirts for a fundraiser.

When is the last day to decide if camper is to attend or not, in light of COVID?

As soon as you know-would be appreciated.  We ask you notify us at least one week before camp so we can give your spot away.  You get CREDIT only to apply for any future in-house programs

What is your refund policy?

Early in March, we notified everyone on with our credit only policies with the option of getting COVID insurance for that limited time only should we have to cancel, should you not feel comfortable due to COVID, or with credit only policy.   You don’t lose the money-you can use the credit on any future program including birthday parties, day or summer camps, private tours, virtual adventures, and feeding frenzies, special events and even gift cards to give away as gifts. Normally, if you cancel, we have a $25 cancellation fee which we are waiving this year. There are exceptions, in which we review on a case by case basis. Credit does not expire.

How will groupings work?

Children will be pre grouped based on age/gender/ allergies/special needs/friend/sibling requests.  Please make sure you give us these requests at least 1 week ahead.   We are able to make changes on the first morning. You will receive a “ what to Expect” email 1 week before with group color assignments.

How will “drop off and pick up” work?

Drop off for regular camp hours will be staggered starting at 8:45 am-9:15am.  Car drop off only. No parking allowed.  If there is a special request- please contact us.  Please say your goodbyes ahead of time and have children ready so you don’t hold up the line.  Upon arrival, please lower the windows so we can talk to you and sign in your child for you.  Temp checks will be done before the child gets out of the car.  Adults  and children must wear masks during this time when we can’t social distance. 

Pick up will be starting at 3:45 -4pm.  In the past we had pick up passes so we knew you were already authorized for pick up.   This year, you will receive a colored piece of paper with your child’s name that corresponds with your child’s group color during morning drop off.  We will call campers on wakies for dismissals where JA’s will be escorting them out.    If there is someone else picking up your child, we must have a picture of the sign and ID so we know you are authorized for pick up.    After 4:15 pm we will take kids inside for after care where additional fee of $10 will be collected for after care if not prepaid.

What about Before Care and After Care?

Before care starts at 8am and after care begins at 4:15 (with an additional fee of $10 if you did not prepay it)with our administrative staff.   Campers will be taken inside to watch a movie. We do not have a large number, thereby we can easily spread them out.  Please park and ring the doorbell upon arrival so we can check your child in/out  outside the registration table. Sorry no adult is allowed in the building without permission.

If my child is out of state, can he/she participate?  

Unfortunately based on MD Health Dept State guidelines, only children that are residents to MD can participate.  

Will there be the same themes and  activities?  

The themes and activities will be the same except we will not have a Water Wed- where the kids get soaking wet.  There will be some degree of “wetness” cooling off but enough that they can air dry.  We will instead have Field Day Fridays- Play  “team” Field Games and Mr. Rob will come in that afternoon with snow cones as usual.  We will also have a fossil/gem dig outside with our ECO Sleuice running.  New year, is  Watermen Oyster Tonging  activity where kids can tong for oysters and try to pick up fossils along the way.  If they get lucky(and they will)  they may find a colored pearl a real oyster to take home.   

What  about the field trips?   Will we get the difference in the money?

This year, we cannot go on field trips.  Instead, we will bring in FUN entertainment for the kids regardless of the themes. Whether it is a magician, fire truck, Weird and Wacky Science Guy,  Trainers, Dog Shows, performers  and more, the monies will be used to finance them as well as help cover SOME of the added extra staff  needed including cleaning staff and sanitizing  supplies.  

What about guests entering the building?

No outsider adult  guest is allowed to enter the building without permission.  Guests for performances will be performing outside unless inside is a must. In that case, temp checks, pre- screening, social distancing of at least 10-20 feet from their audience  and masks are required during the performance.  

What if my child requires medications?

You must have filled out the medication form before camp with a doctor’s signature if they do need to administer during camp. The child must be made aware of their medications and how they are administered- Administrative staff will assist and supervise self-administration.

What about reapplying sunscreen?  Can you assist my child?

Yes- we sure can and we ask that the child bring SPRAY sunscreen only this year.

Will campers be sharing materials and equipment? 

Each camper will be using his/her own materials  (glue, scissors, paintbrushes etc) so supplies won’t have to be shared.  Sports equipment will be disinfected before and after each  rotation. Campers will be carrying their backpacks from  station to station.

What if my child has special needs? 

If your child has special needs that need extra “special attention” whether it is physical or behavioral,  we trust that you have made a decision based on your child’s needs to attend camp this year.  It is important to let the staff know of any allergies, special needs, or behavioral problems that my child may have BEFORE the camp.  Please note this year due to the restrictions, we do not have the flexibility of adding extra staff to be able to address behavioral or special needs situations.  Any serious or consistent behavioral issues will result in parent pick up without a refund.  

What forms/waivers will be needed?

You can fill out the forms on campdocs.com under your account.  

**New, COVID Camp Participation Waiver that includes pre-screening- please do this 2 weeks prior to camp.   

**A medication administration form (if needed)

** A doctor’s note to participate  if the child is under 5 years old or has medical conditions

What about snacks?

This year, unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, we ask that parents pack one snack and a lunch.   We feel the kids deserve a little cooling off and break from the norm.  As a result, we will be providing a daily afternoon "pop" for kids to cool off. Should you not want this, please make sure you pack two snacks.  As always, let us know if your child has allergies.  Fridays- Mr. Rob will be coming with SNOW CONES!

Are you a peanut free facility?

We can no longer say we are peanut-free as some of our newest animals eat nuts. However,  there will not be any peanuts or tree nuts in areas where children will be.   Please let us know of any allergies before camp begins. Snow cones and pops are nut free.

Where will lunches be?

Lunches will be staggered  starting at 11:30-noon and noon-12:30  starting with youngest children first.  Two to -three  groups at a time will be eating in spaced out areas outside.

What if someone gets sick during camp or camp ended and someone got diagnosed with COVID?  Will the former camper families be notified of illness?

 If a child is exhibiting any sign of illness, we will have an outside “Triage Tent”  away from the campers to tend to.  This year, we have to be very strict about illnesses and any sign of any illness we will have to call parents right away for pick up.  We trust parents will let their child stay home after that should they still exhibit signs of illness no matter how slight. 

If someone is diagnosed with COVID-  There will be contact tracing done by the health department. All persons possibly exposed will need to quarantine for 14 days. The health officials will decide the next course of action. Since each group of campers will most likely not be with any other groups in close proximity- we hope it would just extend to their group/pod only.   

Can children purchase something from the gift shop?

Children will have time at the end of the day on Friday to go into the gift shop to make purchases one group at a time.