In a few places across the country, summer camps are planning to open up. Whether you’re one of the lucky ones who secured a space for an open summer camp or you’re deciding to try out running your own summer camp, there are some ways to help prevent the spread of germs.
The American Camp Association and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have guidelines for preventing the spread of germs in group settings, like a summer camp.
Communication
Keeping handy reminders to kids around the camp is important. A combination of both signs and posters with pictures and words in areas with a lot of traffic, and at levels that catch their eyes, can be helpful in educating and reminding kids about hygiene.
Post signs near, and in, all bathrooms that discuss handwashing and the best practices. Some resources that can help include:
- Printable handwashing reminders from the CDC
- PDF handwashing posters for kids
- Handwashing video to show best practices
- Cloth face coverings do’s and don’ts
- CDC printable resources for community settings
Hand Washing and Best Practices
Let’s face it, many of us don’t exactly understand how or why handwashing is important. A simple explanation is that the soap combines with molecules that make up bacteria and viruses and, along with the rubbing, helps to rip them apart which makes them ineffective.
When Should I Wash My Hands?
Times to wash your hands include, but aren’t limited to:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
How to Properly Wash Your Hands
Follow these five steps recommended by the CDC:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Using Hand Sanitizer
There are different concentrations and makes of hand sanitizer. If you’re looking for something that’s most effective for a disease such as COVID-19, then you’ll want to stick with something containing at least 60% ethyl alcohol (ethanol) or higher.
- Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
Truths About Handwashing
- Water temperature is not important. Clean cold and warm water work equally well
- Antibacterial soap is not more effective than regular soap
- Bar soap and liquid soap are both effective. Liquid soap doesn’t dry out the hands as much due to additives and germs can grow on bar soap (it’s the friction from rubbing that kills the germs, not the soap itself).
- Soap and water are more effective than alcohol-based hand sanitizer if hands are visibly dirty or greasy
Social Distancing
We’ve all been practicing social distancing as much as possible, so the ideas shouldn’t be new. However, the art of staying a respectful 6 feet of distance (about 2 arms’ lengths) away from other people can be a challenge to remember at all times. Gathering in large groups and crowded spaces makes it an even tougher challenge.
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Especially in areas of significant community-based transmission—like a summer camp.
Pay attention to the best practices provided by health officials. Their guidelines can help to keep us safer, our children safer, slow the spread of viruses and bacteria, and keep our communities on track to recovering. Plus, it’ll ensure a great summer experience for all while cutting down on our worries knowing that we, as a community, are doing what we can to keep each other safe.
