Results Demonstrate Successful Operation of Overnight Summer Camps with Use of Layered, Evidence-Based Strategies

Martinsville, IN — August 26, 2020 Today the American Camp Association (ACA) celebrates the release of a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that identifies how four overnight summer camps in Maine were able to operate safely and successfully without the spread of COVID-19 this summer.

Integral to these camps' success was employing a multilayered nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPI) strategy, reflecting adherence to measures outlined in ACA's educational resource, a Field Guide for Camps on Implementation of CDC Guidance. Each of the NPIs provides a limited layer of protection, but when implemented collectively in a consistent and diligent manner by a camp's entire community — campers, staff members, and camp parents/guardians — they create a culture of compliance that can prevent and mitigate transmission of disease.

"This study of more than 1000 camp attendees shows promising data that overnight camps can operate safely in the era of COVID-19," said lead study author Laura Blaisdell, MD/MPH, FAAP. "With this foundational information we look forward to ACA convening wider studies investigating the experience of more diverse camp experiences this year."

President and CEO of the American Camp Association Tom Rosenberg said, "While safety was the foundation for a successful summer, the camp experience teaches children social-emotional skills for 21^st-century learning and leadership. These skills are paramount to persevering in a time of pandemic and beyond."

Dr. Blaisdell highlights the four participant camps did not restrict attendance from any part of the country or globally. The study's findings demonstrate that a multilayered public health prevention and mitigation strategy in an overnight camp setting can identify and control COVID-19 transmission, regardless of the prevalence of the virus in campers and staff arriving from various communities.

Rosenberg emphasized the importance of this new report, stating: "This summer, more than 3,000 day and overnight camps ran, serving kids and families in need of fun and engaging time outdoors with friends. Camp provided much-needed time away from technology, with opportunities to thrive socially, emotionally, and physically in a year marked with isolation and unprecedented challenges for every family. Camp was truly the unsung hero of summer 2020 for every kid able to attend."

Rosenberg followed this statement with exciting news about ACA's upcoming four research studies focused on camp practices and programs that continued to provide safe and engaging camp experiences this summer by following ACA's educational resource, a Field Guide for Camps on Implementation of CDC Guidance. "Looking ahead to school this fall, the upcoming research will support educators and after-school programs adhering to ACA's Field Guide's suggested practices. Applying multiple layers of NPI's and leaning into a culture of compliance, even without testing and bubbling, can help any school or organization that brings children together while mitigating spread of the virus."

In closing, Rosenberg said, "The primary goal of this research is to identify effective practices so that more camps will offer in-person day and overnight programming for summer 2021, ensuring children receive the life-changing camp experiences they need and deserve. Today's report is positive news for the coming year, and the ACA would like to thank Laura Blaisdell, MD/MPH, FAAP, et. al for this landmark study."

About American Camp Association
The American Camp Association® (ACA) is a national organization with more than 12,000 individual members and 3,100 member camps. ACA is committed to collaborating with those who believe in quality camp and outdoor experiences for children, youth, and adults. ACA provides advocacy, evidence-based education, and professional development, and is the only independent national accrediting body for the organized camp experience. ACA accredits approximately 2,400 diverse US camps. ACA Accreditation provides public evidence of a camp's voluntary commitment to the health, safety, risk management, and overall well-being of campers and staff. For more information, visit ACAcamps.org or call 800-428-2267.

ACA recognizes the tragic impact the coronavirus has had on the field of camp. Our current estimates indicate that more than 19 million people who are traditionally served by camps did not have the chance for a camp experience this summer. So many camps are struggling to survive until next summer.

ACA has been working hard to make the critical financial relief needed by so many camps a reality, especially as the next federal relief bill begins to take shape. The following initiatives are a part of the current proposals connected to the next federal relief effort, however details could certainly change based on the timing and nature of the ongoing negotiations between both houses of Congress and the White House.

Maximizing PPP Loans

According to our research, the vast majority of camps were not able to use the summer date field added by the Treasury on April 27 to calculate their maximum loan amounts because of a technicality. Once lending institutions filed their initial Form 1502, loans could not be amended to take advantage of the new date field, effectively blocking camps from realizing the benefit of the additional date field.

According to the most recent reports, the next relief bill includes language that would allow any institution to modify their original PPP loan to take advantage of changes in guidance, regardless of whether or not lending institutions have filed a Form 1502. In many cases, this would allow camps to double their original PPP loan amounts.

Second Draw on PPP Loans

A provision is included in the current draft of the next relief bill to allow businesses with fewer than 300 employees that can demonstrate a 50-percent loss of revenue over a similar period last year to be allowed a second PPP loan. While some of the details may change in negotiations related to the bill, there appears to be bipartisan support for some version of this provision.

Access to Working Capital

ACA continues to push to have camps included in other potential financial vehicles that could supply the critical working capital needed to bridge to the summer of 2021. While it is unclear from negotiations what form this will take, following are instruments under current consideration:

• Main Street Lending Program: On July 17, the Federal Reserve opened its Main Street Lending Program to nonprofits. ACA advocacy efforts decreased the minimum requirements to 10 employees, making the program accessible to a wider number of camps. Details on this program can be found in our recent ACA Now article entitled Camps May Qualify for Main Street Lending Program.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans: The SBA is authorized to issue EIDL loans up to $2 million. These loans were reauthorized for nonagricultural uses in June. However, they have been effectively capped at $150,000 since being made available again. ACA is working to have the maximum loan size increased to the original $2 million.
• Childcare Relief Funding: While many camps are not regulated at the state level as childcare facilities, ACA is working to have camps included in additional funding to support the ongoing need to help working parents as many schools are moving to hybrid classes to start the school year.

J-1 Visa Exemption

ACA continues to press to have the Camp Counselor J-1 Visitor Exchange program and the camp portion of Summer Work Travel exempted from the current Executive Order suspending many nonimmigrant visas so the recruitment process for 2021 participants can begin without interruption.

State-Level Relief Funding

ACA is developing a toolkit to help camps advocate for state-level COVID-19 support funding. Many states still have COVID-response funds available from the CARES Act. Also, additional funding may be allocated in the next relief bill. The new toolkit will support camps in advocating for states to use this funding to provide relief for camps that were significantly impacted this summer or to fund camps that are supporting schools this fall.

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