Summer Camp Health & Safety

COVID-19 Health & Safety Procedures

North Central College is committed to providing a high quality camp experience that prioritizes the safety of all campers and staff. 

Conference Services & Camps will continuously monitor guidance released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC); Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH); Dupage County Health Department; and North Central College’s COVID-19 Institutional Response Team (IRT). The camp safety procedures & regulations listed below may evolve as recommendations, from the aforementioned parties change. 

The following procedures must be adhered to during all North Central College Camps by all camp staff, campers, and camper family members. Any staff member or camper who does not comply will not be allowed at camp. 

Self Screening -  camp staff and campers must go through the following self-screening process prior to attending camp each day: 

  • Are you experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19?
  • Have you been knowingly exposed to COVID-19 within the past 2 days? (if not vaccinated)

*If you answer yes to any of the above questions, please refrain from attending camp. See below for further guidance about when you should keep your camper home. If parents/guardians have any doubt whether their camper should participate in camp, we ask that you err on the side of caution and keep them home. 

**While we strive to provide the best information possible, North Central College Camps staff are not authorized, or qualified, to provide medical or legal advice specific to a camper’s symptoms or circumstances. 

Practice Good Hygiene -  campers should: 

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water  
  • Not touch their face, mouth, or eyes 
  • Cover all coughs and sneezes with their elbow crease/forearm 
  • Spitting is not allowed
  • Use wall mounted hand sanitizer is available throughout campus facilities when indoors

Breaks, Water, & Snacks -  

  • Sharing of food or drink is not allowed 
  • Campers must bring their own water bottle; water coolers will be provided for outdoor camps; water bottle refill stations are available in campus facilities 
  • Campers may bring their own shelf-stable snacks (no refrigeration provided) 

Risk -  

  • An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during camp. 
  • Persons who are older, pregnant, or who have underlying health conditions, including those with compromised immune systems or respiratory conditions, are at higher risk to develop complications from COVID-19. It is recommended that individuals belonging to an at-risk group do not drop-off/pick-up campers, participate in camps, or staff camps. 

Expectations -  

  • If a camper consistently does not adhere to the camp’s safety procedures and regulations, they will be dismissed from camp without refund. 

Flexible & Communicative -  

  • Conference Services & Camps will continue planning and sharing updates for precautions, in order to provide your camper an enjoyable and safe experience  
  • Parents & Guardians are welcome to reach out with any questions. While we strive to provide the best information possible, North Central College Conference Services & Camps staff are not authorized, or qualified, to provide medical or legal advice specific to a camper’s symptoms or circumstances. 

More Details & Additional Resources -  

WHEN SHOULD MY CAMPER STAY HOME FROM CAMP? 

Please follow these guidelines as to when your camper should refrain from attending camp. If there is any doubt whether the camper should participate in camp, we ask that you err on the side of caution and keep them home. If any of these symptoms/conditions are observed during camp, the camper will be separated from other camp attendees, and we will request that you come immediately in order to pick up your camper and depart from campus.  

While we strive to provide the best information possible, North Central College Camps staff are not authorized, or qualified, to provide medical or legal advice specific to a camper’s symptoms or circumstances. 

Fever: Campers must be fever-free for at least 24 hours, without the aid of fever-reducing medication, before they come to camp. 

COVID-19 Symptoms: Campers should stay home for the length of time determined by local guidelines/Primary Care Physician if they have, or someone in their household has, any COVID-19 symptoms including: 

  • Fever or chills 
  • Cough 
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
  • Fatigue 
  • Muscle or body aches  
  • Headache  
  • New loss of taste or smell  
  • Sore throat  
  • Congestion or runny nose  
  • Nausea or vomiting  
  • Diarrhea 

Exposure: If a non-vaccinated camper has been exposed to anyone in the last 2 days who was experiencing any of the above symptoms, or who has experienced any of the above symptoms since being in contact with them, tested positive for COVID-19, or presume to be COVID-19 positive based on a health care provider's assessment or symptoms they should also stay home for the amount of time recommended by local guidelines/Primary Care Physician, and should seek medical treatment. 

 
POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE & SYMPTOMATIC PROCEDURES 

The safety precautions we have implemented are in place to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 at camp, but we cannot eliminate the inherent risk.  

In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19, probable case, or physical, close contact with COVID-19, (of a camper or staff member) during camp, the Camp Director, or Camp Staff member, will immediately submit a COVID-19 Reporting Form and notify Conference Services & Camps.  

If a camper reports symptom of COVID-19 while on-site during camp, they will be separated from other campers until their parent/guardian arrives and they depart campus.  

  • The affected camper will not be able to return to a North Central College Camps program until a negative COVID-19 test result is confirmed and at least 24 hours have passed since recovery.  
  • ​​​​​​​The camper may be allowed back to the program as soon as the next day if a doctor’s note is provided that states the condition was not related to COVID-19. 

Emergency Procedures

North Central College is committed to the safety of all students, faculty, staff and campus visitors. Our priorities are to protect human life, to ensure academic viability of the institution, to protect College property, to meet community needs and to recover as quickly as possible from an emergency.

Below are procedures North Central College has in place that were developed to prepare the College community and its campus visitors in the event of an emergency, including sever weather conditions. Please review the information below and familiarize yourself with the procedures.