Updated January 12, 2022

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Woodcock requires masks to be worn in certain circumstances. According to The Office of Early Childhood Education, masks are not required of campers or staff when outdoors. However, we have campers and staff who are immunocompromised or otherwise high-risk. Therefore, to help preserve a safe environment for everyone, masks will be required of all staff and campers under certain circumstances. Campers and staff who choose to wear a mask throughout the day are welcome to do so. We encourage you to carefully consider if this is the right program for your family this summer.

Campers and staff are required to have a mask on their person at all times:

• Kept in a pocket or on a lanyard.

• Children and staff must come to camp with at least one mask (an extra backup is recommended).

• Children and staff found to not have a mask with them will be given a disposable one and required to wear it in the circumstances outlined below.

 

Masks are required to be worn by all campers and staff under the following circumstances:

• Going indoors to use the bathroom (all bathroom facilities are indoors).

• First aid scenarios where campers and staff will be indoors or in close proximity for an extended period of time outdoors.

• During animal lessons, where staff will be in close proximity to campers for touching turns.

• During games and activities where campers will be in close proximity to each other for an extended period of time.

• Sheltering indoors in the event of an emergency.

 

Wearing and Removing Masks:

• Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of the face without gaps.

• Masks should be comfortable. Mask Extenders or Ear Savers can be found online on sites like Amazon or Etsy. These put pressure on the back of the head (like straps for glasses) instead of on the backs of the ears.

• Pack extra masks to replace one that may become dirty or wet from moisture or rain. (A wet mask is harder to breathe through, is less efficient at filtering, and vents more around the edges of the mask.)

• Efforts will be taken to not touch the mask when wearing and only handle by ear loops or ties.

• Efforts will be taken not to touch eyes, nose, and mouth when removing masks.

• Staff will wash or sanitize hands before and after helping a child put on or adjust a mask.

• Reusable masks should be washed regularly.

 

Keeping Masks On:

• Masks are required of all participants during the circumstances noted above. Please speak with your child about these expectations prior to the start of their program.

• WNC staff will reiterate the expectations around mask-wearing at the start of each day.

• Reminders will be given to keep masks on or pulled back up over the nose.

• If a participant is having difficulty wearing a mask, WNC staff may speak with parents about strategies or rewards for keeping their mask on when required.

• Children will not be excluded from the program or isolated from peers for non-compliance to wear a mask. However, because any mask-less participant must be kept at a 6-foot distance from all others during the circumstances listed above, Woodcock discourages children from participating who are not comfortable being masked when necessary.