Covid Protocols & Safety Procedures For International Squash Academy

(last updated on March 30, 2021)

eCamps Sports Network (comprised of GameBreaker Lacrosse Camps, Revolution Field Hockey Camps, adidas Tennis Camps, Revolution Softball Camps, Revolution Soccer Camps, International Squash Academy, and Accelerate Rowing Academy) is devoted to ensuring each of our programs offer a healthy and safe environment for all of our participants and staff.  We have compiled the following information to explain in more detail how eCamps is preparing for this summer squash camp season after completing a number of safe and successful programs in 2020.

eCamps Sports Network operates more than 500 camps in over 30 states nationwide. In light of this we will be operating under different requirements and mandates for many locations as it pertains to COVID-19 preparedness and safety. eCamps will continually endeavor to make policy decisions based on the unique conditions and guidelines in each community where our squash camps operate while striving to ensure we provide the best experience for our participants.

We are closely monitoring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines related to youth sports as well as reviewing state and local protocols and regulations to ensure compliance before moving forward with operation of in-person programs. As state and local guidelines on social distancing, gathering size limits and youth activities change, the eCamps policies and procedures listed below may change accordingly. As squash camp approaches, we will provide updated details regarding specific requirements pertaining to your squash camp.

The following procedures must be adhered to during all eCamps Sports Network camps and clinics by all staff, campers, and camper families.

  • All squash camp locations will adhere to state and local guidelines on participant numbers, group sizes, mask protocols, and social distancing.
  • International Squash Academy staff, campers, and any camper family members must sign the eCamps COVID-19 screening waiver before camp confirming they have not been sick or have reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 within the 14-days prior to camp. Any staff member or camper who does not comply will not be allowed at camp.
  • Symptom screening: Squash campers will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the camp facility each day, including a temperature check. Squash campers who pass the symptom check and are fever-free (in accordance with all applicable guidelines) will be cleared to attend camp.
  • Face Coverings: All staff will be required to wear a mask at all times during squash camp, except for when eating or drinking. Parents must provide a face covering for their child. Masks must be worn by squash campers and parents/guardians during check-in, and check-out as well as orientation and closing ceremonies, if applicable.
  • No-contact check-in/check-out: Parents/guardians must maintain 6-feet social distancing requirements during check-in and check-out times and avoid congregating in groups before, during and after squash camp. Parents will verbally acknowledge the child’s name for attendance purposes.
  • For squash camps taking place indoors, check-in and check-out procedures, as well as orientation and closing ceremonies, if applicable, will take place outdoors when possible, taking into consideration the facility, weather conditions, and other circumstances. eCamps will adhere to state and local guidelines on participant numbers, mask protocols, and group sizes based on facility size and require that parents wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines while on premise.
  • Parents and other family members will be unable to stay during the camp to observe the training sessions, unless otherwise specified by Squash Camp Director and social distancing guidelines are adhered to, including the use of face masks.
  • Equipment: Squash Camper’s personal equipment will not be shared and should be properly sanitized after every training session. Camper backpack and other belongings shall be spaced at least 2-feet apart during squash camp. All shared equipment will be sanitized after each camp session and during sessions as needed by camp staff.
  • Camper and staff physical interaction including high fives, fist bumps, hugs, and other camper-to-camper/ coach-to-camper contact will not be allowed.
  • Strict handwashing practices: Before and after snack breaks and meals, squash staff and squash campers must wash hands for at least 15 seconds with soap and water. When soap and water are unavailable, staff and campers will be required to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. eCamps will provide hand sanitizer as an extra precaution, but parents should provide their child with their own bottle which should not be shared with other participants.
  • Snack and mealtimes: Sharing of food or drink is not allowed. Snack and lunchtime will be taken in groups adhering to state and local guidelines for social distancing.
  • Group sizes will be based on state and local guidelines.
  • Face touching: International Squash staff will remind participants throughout each session not to touch their face, mouth, or eyes. Participants will also be reminded to cover all coughs and sneezes with their elbow crease/forearm.
  • All eCamps overnight programs will adhere to the Covid policies and protocols set forth by the host facility and local community.
  • At-Risk Groups: Persons who are older, pregnant, or who have underlying health conditions, including those with compromised immune systems or respiratory conditions like severe asthma, are at higher risk to develop complications from COVID-19. eCamps recommends that these individuals do not drop-off/pick-up campers, participate in camps, or instruct squash camps.
  • We are committed to remaining flexible & communicative. We will continue planning and sharing updates for precautions while preparing to provide campers with a great experience. Updated information and details will be provided in your Squash Camp Packets as camp approaches.

International Squash Academy Parent Responsibilities

  • Please notify the squash camp director immediately if your child becomes ill for any reason during camp or in the 10 days following the end of squash camp.
  • Ensure your child is healthy and check your child’s temperature before squash camp each day.
  • Be sure your child has the necessary sanitizing products and personal protective gear with them at every training including hand sanitizer and 2 face masks.
  • Consider avoiding carpooling or doing very limited carpooling.
  • Follow the state and local mandates and guidelines for wearing a mask.
  • Ensure your child’s squash clothing and all squash equipment are washed or sanitized before and after every day of camp.

Squash Camper Responsibilities

  • Take your temperature daily before arriving at squash camp.
  • Wash hands thoroughly before and after squash training and during breaks. Squash players should use hand sanitizer when exiting and entering their cars.
  • Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it frequently throughout the day.
  • Follow the state and local mandates and guidelines for wearing a mask. Wear a mask to camp and bring an extra backup mask daily.
  • Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment, water, food, or bags.
  • Practice 6-feet social distancing at all times with other campers and staff, unless training or competitive activity requires closer contact and are approved by camp staff following the state and local mandates and guidelines.
  • Place bags and other personal equipment at least 2-feet apart.
  • Wash and sanitize all clothing and equipment before and after every day of camp.
  • No group celebrations, high-5s, hugs, handshakes, fist-bumps, etc. with other campers or staff.
  • Follow all CDC guidelines as well as those of your local health authorities.

Staying home from Squash Camp

In order to help ensure the well-being of our squash campers and staff, please follow the guidelines below as to when your child should stay home from squash camp. These also represent instances when we will require a child to be picked up from camp if they become ill while attending. These same guidelines will apply to all camp staff.

  • Fever: Children must be fever-free (as defined by local authorities) for at least 24 hours, without the aid of fever-reducing medication, before they come to squash camp. If our staff determines that a child has a fever, we will contact the child’s parent/guardian and ask that they pick the child up from camp. The child will be separated from the other children until the child is picked up by the parent/guardian.
  • COVID-19 Symptoms & Pending Test Results: Children should stay home for the length of time determined by state/local guidelines if they have, or someone in their household has, any COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, chills, body aches, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell or eye drainage or infection. Additionally, if your child or someone in their household is awaiting COVID-19 test results, your child will need to wait to attend squash camp until negative test results are confirmed.
  • Exposure: If a child has been in close proximity (closer than 6-feet for more than 15 cumulative minutes in a 24-hour period) to anyone who was experiencing any of the above symptoms, or who has experienced any of the above symptoms since being in contact with them, or tested positive for COVID-19, or are waiting to receive COVID test results, or are presumptively positive based on a health care provider’s assessment or symptoms they should also stay home for the amount of time recommended by the state’s Health Department and seek medical treatment.
  • Contagious illness/parasitic infection: If your child has a contagious illness, even without fever, beyond a mild cold (for example: pink eye, a contagious skin rash), or if your child has head lice/nits, please do not send your child to squash camp until the illness/parasitic infection has been resolved. If we believe that a child likely has a contagious illness or head lice/nits, we will contact the child’s parent/guardian and ask that they pick the child up from squash camp. You may send your child to squash camp with a doctor’s note if their condition has been treated such that it is no longer contagious.
  • Diarrhea/vomiting: If your child has experienced diarrhea or vomiting within 24 hours before camp, please do not send them to squash camp. The camp is not equipped to handle cases of diarrhea or repeated vomiting. If your child gets ill at camp, we will contact the parent/guardian to pick up the child.

If a squash camper consistently does not respect and adhere to these safety protocols and social distancing guidelines, they may be required to be picked up from camp.

International Squash Academy procedures if staff or camper reports positive COVID-19 test or symptoms

*Procedures may vary depending on local, state, and CDC guidelines.

While our approach to preventing COVID-19 is expected to reduce the likelihood of transmission at camp, if there are any reported cases during or within 10 days after camp, we will be required to relay that information to camper families, staff, partner organizations, and the local health department so the appropriate steps can be taken by all impacted parties.

  • In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case (of a camper or staff member) during camp, the director will immediately notify local health officials, staff members, camper families, partnering organizations, and eCamps Sports Network Headquarters. Health officials will help determine a course of action for the program. We may need to close the site where the exposure was reported for a time, allowing time for local health officials to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation. All registered campers will receive a prorated voucher to their account for time missed.
  • If it is made known to eCamps that a staff member or participant tests positive for COVID-19 within two weeks of completion of a camp, staff members, campers, partnering organizations, and the local health department will be notified.
  • If a eCamps Sports staff member or camper tests positive for COVID-19, they will be placed in an inactive status until they are symptom-free and at least 10 days have passed since their last symptom or they provide a doctor’s note stating a negative test result.
  • If a eCamps staff member reports symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath), they will be placed in an inactive status until a negative COVID-19 test result is confirmed and at least 24 hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms. If no test is taken, eCamps Sports Network staff must wait until at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
  • If a squash camper reports symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath) during camp, they will be quarantined until their parent/guardian arrives and removed from the camp. All camper families will be notified the same day. The child will not be able to return to a eCamps Sports Network program until a negative COVID-19 test result is confirmed and at least 24 hours have passed since recovery, which shall be defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms. The child may be allowed back to the program as soon as the next day if a doctor’s note is provided that states the condition was not related to COVID-19.

We appreciate that parents may have questions about a specific situation regarding their camper. While we strive to provide the best answers possible, eCamps directors and staff are not authorized or qualified to provide medical or legal advice specific to your child’s symptoms or circumstances. If you have any doubt whether your child should participate in camp, for the safety of all coaches, campers, and the community, please err on the side of caution and keep your child home while you contact your healthcare provider in order to determine when it is safe for your child to return to play.

eCamps will follow COVID-19 social distancing and safety guidelines as set by the CDC and local government authorities. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present and unfortunately we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during camp.

To help your family understand COVID-19 and the steps you can take to protect yourselves and the community please reference the CDC website and/or the following CDC fact sheets:

Our Commitment to Squash Camper and Staff Safety

After a year of uncertainty, many kids are looking forward to getting outside and having fun this summer. As a parent, it’s only understandable that you want your children to be as safe as possible while doing so. That’s why International Squash Academy is dedicated to maintaining an environment that promotes our campers’ health and safety while allowing them to sharpen their skills and make lasting memories.

With COVID-19 still a major concern in the United States, you may be looking for COVID-safe activities for your kids to participate in this summer. At the International Squash Academy, we’ve worked hard to develop squash camp COVID rules that keep your child safe and ensure a fun experience. This summer will likely look different than those in the past, but we remain committed to offering kids opportunities to learn a new sport or grow their skills.

How We’re Keeping Our Squash Camps Safe

As part of our commitment to your child’s health and safety, International Squash Academy is closely adhering to all CDC guidelines. This includes requiring temperature checks and social distancing during sports camps and events. Our staff has also undergone training to ensure they can safely manage all activities. Additionally, because facilitating social distancing activities for large groups can be more challenging, our camp sizes will be adjusted to meet state and local guidelines.

We want you and your child to feel confident knowing that they will be taking part in some of the safest activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. While our camps will run a bit differently this summer, they will continue to give campers access to the best squash coaches from around the country so that they can improve their game. We look forward to seeing you on the court this year!