Day camps are running in Okotoks, but they’re a little different in 2020.
The first week of summer day camps began June 29, and Okotoks community services director Susan Laurin said the Town is pleased to see two-thirds of the space filled in the wake of COVID-19, particularly during a holiday week.
“We were happy with that,” said Laurin.
The camps typically run out of the Okotoks Recreation Centre, but to adhere to Alberta Health Services physical distancing and health and safety restrictions the camps are being held at Foothills Centennial Centre this year.
“We’ve put all the room dividers in and we’re using the Rotary Room as well, so each day camp is in their own space and they don’t interact with other day camps,” said Laurin.
The smaller rooms have a limit of nine campers plus two designated leaders, and the larger spaces can accommodate groups up to 16 with two leaders, she said.
Day camp leaders and children are assigned to groups and remain with the same group for an entire week. In addition, parents are not able to register for drop-in days, but must register for one entire week at a time to ensure there aren’t different children in the groups each day.
To further limit the number of interactions with children, parents are not permitted beyond the building’s rotunda, she said.
“Parents drop their kids off at the very front, where the staff is wearing masks and gloves, and they sign out the same way,” said Laurin. “This way the parents can’t interact with other kids.”
If any sign of COVID-like symptoms should occur during a camp, all those within a camp group will be contacted. Each camper’s temperature will be taken at the door every morning as well, she said.
While there will not be access to the swimming pool this year, being located across town, Laurin said the camps have access to the entirety of Howard Park, located directly behind the Foothills Centennial Centre and Pason Centennial Arenas.
“We try to go outside as much as possible, and then we use the inside for inclement weather, or if it’s too hot we come in for shade breaks,” she said.
Camp registration costs $150 per week per child and can be done at ActiveOkotoks.ca.
Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca
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