HEALTH & SAFETY PLAYBOOK
Arsenal Football Development USA Summer Camps has adapted health and safety protocols in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. For 125 years, Arsenal Football Club has been renowned for its attention to detail, safety, thoughtful planning of its curriculum, training, and player development programs. We have been working diligently and following all local, state and Center for Disease Control mandates and recommendations to develop new protocols to provide our campers and staff members with a safe environment.
The following Health & Safety Playbook outlines the implementation of new safety procedures and protocols. We will be limiting the number of players, reducing teams and group sizes. This will allow for the appropriate social distancing, while still being able to provide the best possible camp experience.
BACK ON THE PITCH
Arsenal Football Development USA Summer Camps has adapted a program and curriculum to ensure an enjoyable, yet SAFE experience this summer. Now, more than ever, children need an outlet and an opportunity to play and have some organized FUN. Although all of us have experienced a “COVID set-back”, our kids may have been hit hardest of all. Their social, physical and emotional health has suffered as they have been forced to stay at home and learn digitally. Their activities and teams have been put on hold, while their general fitness and overall health has potentially decreased with each passing week. More important their social interaction, by way of their sport being a conduit for friendships and physical growth, has languished with regards to their overall development.
MAKING THINGS BETTER FOR OUR PLAYERS
Each summer we pay special attention to the health of our players. Additional measures and protocols have been put in place for Summer 2020. This will ensure that our players, staff and families are as safe as possible. The benefits of skill development, team bonding and character building are critical to the overall health and wellness of our children.
CONDITIONS FOR OPENING CAMP
Our priority is to provide our curriculum and player development program in a safe and effective manner. Our Health & Safety Playbook prioritizes the health and well-being of players, staff and families. We are combining the recommendations, guidelines and protocols of the local and state authorities, Center for Disease Control, American Camp Association and the Aspen Institute to provide the safest possible camp experience.
Our plan is also designed to be flexible. We will adapt to changes and recommendations from local, state and national agencies.
EXTERNAL FACTORS
• Stay at home orders lifted in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
• Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware permit camps and childcare facilities to open.
• Local health department announces clearance to open camp.
• Camp families who have traveled out of their state of residence, or are coming to camp from out-of-state, must reference incoming travel advisories. Families traveling require a 14-day quarantine before a player can attend camp.
INTERNAL FACTORS
• Our staff will be trained and prepared to operate under these NEW guidelines.
• Camp locations and programming are ready to support physical/social distancing guidelines.
• Cleaning and sanitizing procedures are in place and adequate supplies are available to properly execute these directives.
• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) supplies available for staff use.
• Hand sanitizers will readily be available throughout the camp location. ANY camper may ask permission, at ANY TIME to use sanitizer if he/she feels the need to do so.
FAMILY COMMITMENTS
• Complete the Camper Health form as part of the registration process.
• Monitor your camper’s health prior to camp starting.
• Communicate with our staff openly about health concerns.
• Follow all policies and procedures to support a healthy community.
A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR PLAYERS
Camp is not a risk-free environment but increased safety procedures and policies have been created to minimize risk and provide our players with a memorable camp experience. You will find the following safety changes that have been made specifically for Summer 2020:
LIMITING THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS AT EACH SITE
We are limiting the number of registrants at each camp this summer. This will help ensure that players are in smaller and separate groups at all times.
PLAYERS IN THE SAME GROUP ALL WEEK
Players will be placed in a group and on a team prior to the start of camp. They will remain in the same group all week and will be trained by the same coach to limit exposure to other players.
SAFETY NOTES FOR 2020
SMALL GROUPS STAY TOGETHER EVERY DAY
TEACH AND REINFORCE HANDWASHING & SANITIZING
STAY HOME WHEN NOT FEELING WELL AND ALERT STAFF
STAFF TRAINING
SCREEN PLAYERS AND STAFF DAILY
LIMIT SHARING OF CAMP SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
FACE COVERINGS TO BE BE WORN BY STAFF MEMBERS AT ALL TIMES
NO PAPER CERTIFICATES OR EVALUATIONS TO BE HANDED OUT AT CAMP
GUNNERS SAFETY PROTOCOLS
CAMPER SCREENING
• Pre-Camp online health and history questionnaire.
• Daily at-home health screenings by family caregivers.
• Daily camp arrival symptom screenings and temperature check.
• Monitoring health throughout the day.
STAFF SCREENING
• Pre-Camp health history
• Daily screening and temperature checks by Medical Staff.
• Health monitoring throughout the day.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be worn by staff at all times.
CLEANING & DISINFECTION
• Increased cleaning and disinfection at each camp location.
• Scrimmage vests washed each night.
• Camp balls sanitized after each day.
HANDWASHING
• Mandatory hand washing for campers and staff daily.
• Multiple hand sanitizer stations available at each location.
REASONABLE CONTACT REDUCTION
• Group sizes will be limited to provide a player to staff ratio of 10:1
• Social distancing practices will be implemented for all fundamentals and skill development.
SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT PLAN
• Athletic Trainers will assess all players and staff daily.
• Quarantine area will be established at all camp locations.
PARENT PICK-UP & DROP-OFF
SAFETY PROTOCOLS
• Important Camp information will be emailed to all families prior to camp.
• Players temperature will be checked prior to exiting vehicle; temperature must be less than 100.4 F to participate in camp.
• Parents/Caregivers should remain in their vehicles at all times and wear a mask during drop-off and pick-up.
CAMP VISITORS
• Players will sanitize their hands upon exiting and entering the vehicle.
Sites will be closed this summer to all visitors unless approved by the Site Director and/or Camp General Manager. There will be no general visitation allowed by family members or caregivers.
APPROVED VISITORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO:
• Have temperature taken upon arrival; temperature must be less than 100.4 F to enter the camp.
• All approved visitors will wear a face covering and maintain proper social distancing guidelines.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROTOCOL
RAIN
Players are brought indoors at the first sight of lightning/sound of thunder and will be kept indoors until it is safe to go outside (if fields are playable). Players will be kept in their designated groups while indoors and remain distanced from other teams and coaches.
If indoor space is not available and inclement weather is forecasted, we will make the decision to cancel the camp day, no later than 7:00 am that morning. Families will be notified by email/text message.
HEAT
If a heat advisory is in effect, we will make the decision to cancel the camp day, no later than 7:00 am that morning. Families will be notified by email/text message.
LUNCH/SNACK/BATHROOM/SANITIZER BREAKS
• Players and staff will wash hands and sanitize for all lunch/snack/restroom breaks.
• Players and staff will bring their own lunch, snacks and water bottles/beverages.
• Recommend players bring enough water/beverages of their own per day, although individual bottled waters will be available on site.
• Players will eat snacks and lunch with their team, spaced appropriately for social distancing.
WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP
• Players must arrive to camp with a face covering and wear it during drop-off and pick-up.
• All players will be required to wear their Arsenal Football Development uniform each day.
• The uniform should be washed at home each day.
• All players should bring a backpack, clearly labeled with their name, with the following items, which should be changed/washed on a daily basis if applicable.
1. Lunch box/cooler/snacks (refrigeration will not be available)
2. Appropriate beverages/water bottle for entire day
3. Sunscreen (must be self-administered)
4. Clean t-shirt and shorts
5. Hand towel
6. Appropriate mask that fits properly (if necessary)
7. Soccer cleats, sneakers (for all playing surfaces), shin guards and hat (if applicable)
SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT PLAN
The guidelines and requirements for managing a member of our camp community with symptoms will be provided by local and state Boards of Health. The plan below is based on CDC and ACA guidelines for camps and child care programs. We will continue to update these guidelines as provided by local and state agencies.
PREPARATION
• Pre-camp health screenings are performed by Camp Doctor and Registered Nurse.
• Daily screening is performed by our on-site Certified Athletic Trainer.
• All camp protocols and procedures are reviewed by the Medical Team.
DAILY SCREENING
• All staff educated on recognizing signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
• Player and staff temperatures taken daily.
COMMUNICATION
• Limited group size and player collaboration will allow for timely contact review and tracing, if necessary.
SYMPTOMS AND TRACING
• Follow all reporting guidelines as set by local and state Departments of Health.
• Alert families and staff members immediately of any potential exposure.
IF A PLAYER OR STAFF MEMBER DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS AT CAMP
• Players or staff with possible symptoms will be directed to a quarantined area for further assessment by the Athletic Trainer. Parents/guardians of any player showing symptoms will be contacted immediately.
• If a staff member shows symptoms, he or she will be sent home and instructed to seek medical attention.
• Any player or staff member sent home shall not return to camp without providing a negative COVID-19 test result.
IF THERE IS A POSITIVE DIAGNOSIS AT CAMP
• If a player or staff member reports they are COVID-19 positive, we will maintain the confidentiality of the individual at all times while mitigating the situation.
• The case will be reported to the proper health authorities and all families and staff of the individual’s team will be notified immediately.
• We expect that all players and staff members who came in close contact with the infected individual will be required to quarantine for 14 days and that any persons classified as having a proximate exposure would be required to self-monitor for symptoms for the same 14-day period.
• CDC guidelines for handling exposure and mitigating risk of exposure will be strictly followed.
• Persons who test positive for COVID-19 are not permitted to return to camp.
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF “CLOSE CONTACT?”
• The CDC defines close contact as interactions within 6 ft. for more than 15 minutes. Contact tracing will be carried out by trained staff in conjunction with the local health department.
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF “PROXIMATE EXPOSURE?”
• A proximate exposure is defined as interactions greater than 6 ft. from an infected individual within a shared space.
MISSED CAMP DAYS
• If a player misses camp due to being quarantined or potential exposure to an infected individual, they will receive a credit towards the 2021 camp season for days missed.
