DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
Sam and Susan Torn, owners of Camp Ozark, are pleased to announce that Camp Ozark will open on time, May 31 for a full schedule of summer events. The camp has also announced a camp preparedness plan to help provide a healthy camp experience during the current COVID-19 crisis.
Sam Torn stated in a video located on the camp’s website (campozark.com) that they are excited to announce that the camp will be opening on schedule. The decision to open camp May 31 was made after discussing proper measures to protect campers, staff members and councilors with state officials, as well as Camp Ozark’s own Medical Director and infectious disease consultants.
Co-owner Susan Torn, a registered nurse with a Masters Degree in health education with an emphasis on public health, reminded prospective campers and their families that Camp Ozark has a doctor and 10 registered nurses on call during each session. She pointed out in the video that enhanced screening will be implemented at points of entry for campers as well.
Susan also shared that while sanitation has always been a priority at Camp Ozark, an added level of sanitation will be implemented this year at Cap Ozark. Staff members are receiving added training in recognizing symptoms of communicable diseases and taking temperatures as needed.
Camp Medical Director Dr. Secily Torn, a board certified pediatrician, expressed concern for all those impacted by COVID-19, but she added that she knows the value camp provides for kids regarding physical, mental and spiritual health.
Dr. Torn shared in a video statement on the website that the camp preparedness plan ensures the health and safety of campers, the local community and Camp Ozark staff.
According to Camp Ozark’s preparedness plan posted on their website, their preparedness plan is designed to preserve the summer camp experience while protecting the camp population. They state that they are closely monitoring government policy changes, CDC guidelines, state department of health guidelines and public health advancements. Their plan is built to be nimble and agile and they are prepared to make adjustments based on rapidly changing health and public policy information. They state that their plan is built on years of experience dealing with and understanding how to eliminate and control communicable disease spread in an insular, single-campus, summer camp environment.
Their plan is built on constant communication with infectious disease specialists, select experts in healthcare and our Medical Director, a Board Certified Pediatrician.
Their plan includes stringent screening, sanitation, hand washing, monitoring and reasonable contact reduction.
The screening process begins at home with a prescreening that includes a health history questionnaire and a COVID-19 questionnaire. Once a camper’s prescreening has been approved they will then be allowed to attend camp.
Upon arrival campers will once again be questioned about their recent health which includes specific questions with regard to COVID contact tracing and travel. They will have their temperature checked also. Once approved they will be allowed to participate in camp activities.
While at camp campers’ temperature and hygiene will be monitored daily by the camp’s health professional team. Assessments will be made of symptoms when needed and on-site testing will be available. Quarantine protocols developed with the state department of health are in place if needed.
Sanitation protocols include multiple cleanings per day of shared surfaces to be carried out by an exclusive sanitation team. Social hygiene measures are in place for cabins, dining areas and program areas. Deep cleaning protocols are also in place.
Mandatory hand washing will be scheduled at least six times per day with hundreds of hand sanitizer stations available on site. Hands free sinks, toilets, hand sanitizers and hand dryers are also installed. Only CDC approved soaps and sanitizers will be used.
Reasonable contact reduction will be implemented in all aspects of camp life. Head to toe bunk arrangements will help reduce close contact in the cabins. Scheduled shower rotations and frequent hygiene checks will also be implemented.
Increased meal shifts will help promote contact reduction at meal time and one way traffic and interval entrance and exit protocols will help reduce contact on the grounds. There are also program specific contact reduction measures in place for activities.
For more information on Camp Ozark please visit their website at campozark.com, or call at (870) 867-4131.
