Video Addressing Parent Concerns Posted Online
As parents look to make a smooth transition from the school year to summer camp season, many have been asking questions this summer regarding H1N1 and camp. American Camp Association® (ACA) chief executive officer Peg Smith addresses concerns and encourages families to work with their individual camp directors on specific questions in a short parent video released yesterday.
ACA has been working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of Camp Nurses (ACN) since early April to monitor H1N1 and provide up-to-date information and guidelines to camps. ACA has also been in regular contact with camp directors around the country; these conversations point to a very clear consensus – camps have stepped up their already-tight screening procedures and health programs. The vast majority of camps are open and operating on their regular schedules.
“Camps are taking aggressive steps to ensure that they are fully prepared for any H1N1 issues, while at the same time, continuing to provide the opportunity to get outside, play, gain self-confidence, make lasting friends, and develop skills,” said Peg Smith. “It’s important for parents to know that it is safe and beneficial to send their children to camp.”
ACA’s parent video responds to some of the most commonly-asked parent questions about camp and H1N1. The video is available on ACA’s parent resource site at http://www.campparents.org/questions_regarding_H1N1.php, and on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. For additional H1N1 information, parents can visit www.CampParents.org or send questions via e-mail to parents@ACACamps.org. Parents are encouraged to contact individual camp directors with specific questions regarding camp policy and procedures.
For more information on the benefits of camp, preparing for camp, preventative H1N1 measures, and to schedule an interview with Peg Smith, please contact Public Relations at 765-349-3317 or pr@ACAcamps.org.
