YMCA Buffalo Niagara reduced the number of summer campsites from 20 to 11 this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BUFFALO, NY – National reports of spikes in COVID-19 outbreaks in summer camps in several states are a growing concern in many communities, particularly with the upcoming school year.
In the past few weeks there have been reports of positive cases in: Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Illinois.
The question arises: How is it going here?
2 On Your Side contacted YMCA Buffalo Niagara for an update on the cases. Danielle Roberts is executive director of the Delaware Family YMCA and the William-Emslie Family YMCA in Buffalo, and says no outbreaks have been reported at any of the 11 campsites to date.
“I’m really confident about the YMCA and the way we approached summer camp,” says Roberts. “I’m also confident that the Y has supported vaccination clinics. I know we have done them at several of our locations in western New York.”
While vaccinations are not mandatory for campers or staff, Roberts says they are encouraged. The YMCA continues to practice and implement safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including masking, increased hygiene, and social distancing.
A detailed breakdown of the safety measures of Summer Day Camp 2021 is also easily accessible on the website.
The Buffalo Niagara YMCA has also taken additional steps to ensure the safety of not only campers but also staff by reducing the number of campers and group size.
“We registered fewer campers this year. In the past we had over 20 locations. This year we have 11 locations in West New York and places are limited, ”says Roberts.
While this is great news for the general public, it is by no means a sign that people should take the pandemic any less seriously.
Dr. Nancy Nielsen is Deputy Dean with a focus on public health at the Jacobs School of Medicine. She says the national trend in summer camp outbreaks is a cause for concern.
#COVID
I realize…
This national trend in #COVID summer camp outbreaks hits states like: Illinois, Texas, Kansas, Missouri …
Speaking to a medical expert, she said she would “insist that all staff and children aged 12 and over be vaccinated … this is a public health issue.” @WGRZ
– Liz Lewin (@LizLewinTV) July 15, 2021
“We saw tremendous outbreaks. We saw 125 cases in a summer camp in Texas and 85 cases in a summer camp in Illinois, ”says Dr. Nielsen. “If I were running a camp, I would just insist that all staff and all children aged 12 and over be vaccinated.”
Dr. Nielsen has led the introduction of vaccines here in west New York, and says summer camps are a cause for concern because their structure is loose, making outbreaks difficult to contain.
“In camps the kids gather. They sing, they scream, that doesn’t exist in a school, you have a much more structured environment,” which, on the contrary, is quite a challenge when trying to cope with a possible outbreak, Dr said .
Nevertheless, Dr. Nielsen commends his approach to adopting and implementing public health guidelines for the YMCA as a whole, and says his numbers are evidence that following the right protocols works for the common good.
If you are interested in enrolling your child or loved one in one of the YMCA Buffalo Niagara Camps and / or looking for summer jobs, contact the YMCA.
Visit the CDC for the latest youth / summer camp guidelines.
#COVID
Thx for feedback …
ALL your comments are valid and valuable, I am NOT just looking for stories of incidents + … I want to hear all of your experiences – good, bad and in between!
Here’s the latest from @CDCgov on camps: @WGRZ https://t.co/CHEUkgi5NM
– Liz Lewin (@LizLewinTV) July 15, 2021
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