Reopening Guidance for Recreational Camps and Child Care Programs

On Monday, June 1, the Baker-Polito Administration issued detailed guidance for the reopening of programs that serve children and youth, including recreational summer camps and family child care facilities. Child and youth-serving programs are permitted to reopen under Phase II of the Reopening Massachusetts plan and may resume operations at that time upon complying with the state’s Minimum Requirements for Health and Safety. Phase II may be initiated as soon as Monday, June 8.

The implementation of the Commonwealth’s guidance will drastically transform the ways in which children, youth, parents/caregivers and program employees interact with one another and program spaces. It is critical that all operators and enrolled households adhere to this guidance as closely and as strictly as possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community during this ongoing public health crisis.

Below, please find a select list of program requirements that are designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission (NOTE: the Commonwealth’s complete guidance can be found here):

• Program operators are required to adhere to local protocols and guidelines regarding the frequent and daily cleaning and disinfection of their facilities, including commonly touched surfaces, objects, toys and activity items.
• Play and recreational group sizes must be restricted to a maximum of 10 children, with a maximum of 12 individuals including children and staff in each room at any time. Children must always remain with the same group each day when receiving care. It is recommended that siblings, if of a similar age and developmental level, are kept together. Groups are not allowed to be combined at any time.
• Staff and children must be screened every day before entering the camp for symptoms. Parents and caregivers will be questioned verbally about the health of their household and any potential contact with a person who has been infected by COVID-19.
• Children and program staff must wear masks or cloth face coverings during the program day when 6 feet of physical distancing is not possible to maintain. There are exceptions for wearing face coverings in situations that may inhibit an individual from doing so safely.
• Physical distancing must be practiced by children and staff at all times, including during mealtimes, traveling to and from the outdoors, during all activities and rest periods, and during transportation.
• In order to reduce physical contact, children, youth, employees and parents/caregivers must avoid immediate contact with others (shaking or holding hands, hugging, kissing, etc.)
• In order to reduce transmission between households, drop-off and pick-up times must be staggered.
• Games and activities that encourage physical touch, such as tag or circle time, must be avoided.
• Group recess and outside play must be staggered between other groups.
• Spaces must be reoriented or closed off to enable program staff to enforce and maintain physical distancing.
• Off-premises travel must be reduced, including the cancellation of field trips.
• Activities that require direct staff support, close contact or rescue must not be conducted.
• Use of pool facilities must be limited to ensure appropriate physical distancing.

Having safe, reliable child care options for households in Cambridge and throughout the Commonwealth is needed to ensure the equitable reopening of the economy. We understand that complying with the Commonwealth’s guidance will not be easy and will take teaching ourselves and children in our community the need to practice safe play, diligently self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and communicate incidents of potential COVID-19 infection. Your compliance will be critical to helping children in our community have a fun child care experience.