Summer camp: What parents need to know this year

It’s time to make summer plans, and for many families, those plans include summer camp. After the year we’ve had, the idea of getting out of the house, being active, and seeing other children sounds very appealing. While there is reason to hope that this summer will be better than 2020, the reality is that COVID-19 will still be with us. The vaccines will make a difference, but they aren’t available yet for campers under the age of 16 — and the youth and young adults who make up most of the staff will likely not all have been vaccinated either. So as families make plans, they need to think about COVID-19. Start here: Consider risk factors Before even thinking about camp, families should take into account their particular risk factors. Hopefully, any high-risk adults in the family will have received a COVID-19 vaccine by the time kids head to camp. If they haven’t been vaccinated yet, now is the time to work on getting the vaccine. If children have health problems like asthma or congenital heart disease that put them at higher risk of complications of COVID-19, parents should talk with their child’s doctor before sending them to camp. For some children at high risk, it might be better to stay home one more summer. It’s also important to make sure that children are up to date on childhood vaccinations. Many children have gotten behind because of the pandemic. Find out about risks at camp — and plans to lower risk There is no way to make any camp risk-free. But t...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Adolescent health Children's Health Exercise and Fitness Parenting Source Type: blogs