Long Island Summer Camp Q&A: No Field Trips, Masks, New Rules

ISLIP, NY — Summer day camps will open this summer across Long Island, but the host of new rules to limit the spread of coronavirus raises questions and concerns for many families. Patch talked to Syed Zohairuddin, owner of Kiddie Academy of Islip, Greenlawn and Farmingville, to find out how day camp will look this summer. Kiddie Academy runs a summer day camp called CampVentures at six locations on Long Island. The camp, for children two years old and up, offers educational as well as outdoor activities.

What are the major ways summer camp will look different for children this summer?

Here are some of the ways Kiddie Academy locations will look different for children attending CampVentures this year:

• Face masks for all staff
• Constant focus on hygiene and cleanliness
• No field trips, but the activities will be brought to the center in a safe manner
• Static groups— avoiding moving campers between groups
• Maximum group size of 10 campers, as of today. This number may change based on guidance from the state department
• Designated areas for drop-off and pickup of campers
• Family members and non-essential visitors not allowed inside the center
• For sports activities, we are focusing on activities with less contact
• Breakfast, lunch and snacks are individual portions served to campers.

Are you confident that the changing and ever-evolving requirements are clear and communicated well from the state in order for you to set up the right procedures?

We have increased our vigilance regarding these matters at each Academy and we are in constant contact with the New York State Office of Children & Family Services. We’re confident with the processes we have in place and the clear communication on recommendations, guidelines and regulations, and follow-up procedure.

Since camps are opening before public schools on Long Island have had to figure out how to practically enforce these new rules do you feel you know how to make it work? How will your employees make sure children of all ages are adhering to the guidelines?

We are confident that we have the information needed to make CampVentures a success, and we are constantly providing updated training to our staff and employees to make sure we follow all the guidelines and regulations provided by state officials.

What has been the response and feelings from parents— is there more, less or similar demand for camp this year? What are parents communicating to you in terms of their concerns?

Parents are letting us know that they are definitely concerned about the situation. We have been very open with parents and shared our enhanced nightly cleaning procedures and all the different guidelines we are following with respect to hygiene and disinfecting and general cleanliness. Kiddie Academy also recently introduced Health Essentials, a set of standard operating procedures that can help mitigate the spread of potential infection throughout our Academies.

Our Academies have been open throughout the crisis for essential workers, each practicing all the new guidelines and recommendations for the past few months. We’ve had a very safe spring season with all of these measures in play, which has given a level of comfort to the parents.