LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas is allowing overnight summer camps to open at the end of this month, but with new coronavirus-related safety measures.
The state Health Department on Wednesday said counselors at overnight camps can arrive no sooner than May 24 and campers no sooner than May 31.
Officials planned to announce more details Thursday on the social distancing and safety measures the camps will have to follow because of the pandemic.
The following guidelines have been set for summer day camps:
- Summer day camps must prohibit persons from the facility except:
- Camp or facility staff
- Children enrolled at the camp
- Parents or legal guardians who have children enrolled and present at the facility
- Professionals providing services to children
- The camp must require children to be picked up and dropped off outside the facility, unless it is determined there is a legitimate need for the parent to enter a facility. Stagger drop-off and pickup times if possible.
- All efforts should be made to limit the congregation of children. Class sizes should be limited to 10 or less.
- As much as possible, maintain physical distancing of 6 feet (space seating, etc.).
- Ensure student and staff groupings change as little as possible by having the same group of children stay with the same staff (all day for young children and as much as possible for older children). Limit mixing between groups.
- Limit camp enrollment to numbers that will allow for proper physical distancing.
- The size of gatherings, events, and activities during the day should be sufficiently limited to allow for proper physical distancing and support proper hand hygiene.
- Prohibit all field trips and events with outside groups or other camps in this phase.
Click here to read more about directives for day camps in Arkansas.
Click here to read directives, orders, and health guidance for overnight camps in Arkansas.
The state has been rolling back coronavirus restrictions in recent days. Casinos, theaters and other indoor entertainment venues were allowed to reopen on Monday.