Community

Summer Camps Are Back: What to Expect

Published

4 years ago

June 25, 2021

Kelsey Asher

Photos courtesy of Greater Atlanta Christian School.

Camp is supposed to be a time of carefree fun with friends out in nature, but the gray storm cloud of current health concerns might make parents wary to sign their kids up. To help parents make informed decisions for their children’s summer recreation, let’s summarize some of the guidance laid out by The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

“During the summer, it is important that children begin to reestablish connections with their friends, peers and non-parental adults in an environment that supports their development while also consistently practicing the recommended principles to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, including physical distancing, density reduction, face masks, hand hygiene and enhanced hygiene measures and enhanced cleaning and disinfection of surfaces. The group camp environment can be a challenging place to maintain these principles. However, the commitment of camp operators and the community to support safe camp openings is important to support child health and well-being,” say the AAP camp guidance outlines.

Other good info and rules of thumb include:
■ Camp directors must adhere to CDC guidance for maintaining healthy environments and operations. Camp directors should be vigilant in implementing and enforcing state, local and CDC guidelines. Camp directors must maintain good communication with families and campers regarding the expectation for the use of masks, distancing, hand hygiene and other COVID-19 mitigation strategies, especially the requirement to remain home when ill, reporting to the camp of a COVID-19 exposure or a positive test result. It is important to note that the vast majority of children, even those with medical conditions, are able to safely and effectively wear face masks with adequate practice and support as well as modeling from adults.
■ Camps should encourage children to be physically active outdoors if possible, but must be aware that for children, it may be a challenge to maintain recommended physical distancing without very frequent reminders. Additionally, camps should incorporate recommended COVID-19 mitigation strategies into the normal camp daily routine.
■ For some children who are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, their healthcare provider may recommend they not attend camp. Families should discuss with their child’s healthcare provider whether camp is appropriate for the child on the basis of the medical history.
■ Regardless of whether a camp establishes a process for testing campers and staff as they come to camp or during the camp session, it is critical for camps to have a policy regarding symptom screening and what to do if a camper or staff member becomes sick with COVID-19 symptoms. This should include plans to remove a camper or staff member infected with COVID-19 from the camp, to separate and evaluate the health of close contacts, and if necessary, to close the camp if an outbreak is detected.
■ From the point of view of local summer camps, this upcoming summer is an opportunity to engage kids in invigorating camp activities, just in a flexible manner to create the safest possible environment.

Here is what Margie Asef, Director of Community Relations at Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC), had to say about the full calendar of summer camps at GAC and their intentional focus on safety. “We are all counting down to the days of summer, and our Summer Camp Counselors have designed camps to be FUN and SAFE. GAC’s 88-acre campus has over 34 facilities that allow campers to explore and master skills like tennis, marine biology, Lego-engineering, dance, swimming, basketball and more. In addition, popular field trips are now included, like Tree Top Quest, Nitro Zone, and roller skating.

“GAC’s 2020-2021 school year offered both on-campus and off-campus learning, which helped refine the art of sanitizing and training students on the best ways to stay healthy. According to Camp Director, Jennifer Lofton, the classes will continue to be smaller, and masks will be optional. Half-day and full-day options are available to allow families plenty of flexibility. Activities are broad, ranging from AP Pre-Calculus AB prep to Story-Book Dance Camp,” Asef said.

If you are interested in enrolling your children in camp this year, remember to ask questions about group size, sanitation and other factors that may affect your choices and comfort level. And of course, many camps offer comprehensive virtual camp programming that allows your little ones to have a great time without leaving the living room.

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Kelsey Asher

Kelsey Asher is a proud graduate of the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor’s in Communications. She has held a variety of marketing leadership roles for several small, startup companies in a variety of industries including publishing, construction and technology.

City Government

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners: Community Meeting

Published

7 days ago

April 14, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Flyer for a community meeting regarding law enforcement in Peachtree Corners.

The City of Peachtree Corners will hold an important public meeting on May 8 to discuss the future of law enforcement in our community — including the potential creation of a city police department.

This meeting will feature a presentation by City Manager Brian Johnson on the findings of a comprehensive Police Analysis & Staffing Study that evaluated the feasibility and projected costs of forming a city police department based on current workload, crime levels and community demographics.

The presentation will also include budgetary considerations, comparative models and the advantages and disadvantages of a county vs. city police department.

Following the presentation, there will be time for a Q&A and open dialogue.

In-person attendance is limited to 300. First come, first served. A livestream option will be available for those who can’t attend in person.

After the meeting, a follow-up survey will be available on the city’s project page.

Meeting details

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners

Date/Time: May 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church (5775 Peachtree Parkway)

For more information, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.

Community

Registration Now Open for Light Up the Corners 2025

Published

2 weeks ago

April 9, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

The starting line of a community race with green, inflatable start archway and dozens of racers and specators.

It’s time to sign up for the best (and only) Glow Run and Twilight Trot in Peachtree Corners!

Registration is now open to participate in this year’s Light Up the Corners race, scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at The Forum. The 1k Twilight Trot will start at 8 p.m., and the four-mile Glow Run begins at 8:30 p.m. Once the runners have done their thing, a fun post-race party will follow.

This annual event is not only an exciting community tradition, but also a fundraiser for the Why It Matters campaign at the Fowler Family YMCA.

All proceeds from registration goes directly to helping struggling families and children in the community benefit from the life-changing programs and services offered at the YMCA.

Individual registration is $40 through July 31; $45 if you register between August 1–14; and $50 if you wait to sign up on August 15 or 16. Those registering as a team of four or more will save $5–$10 per registration.

Sponsorships available

In addition to individual and team registrations, organizers also rely on the generosity and support of local businesses to make each year’s fundraising event successful. And this year is no different. If you’d like to support their efforts through a sponsorship, information can be found on the Light Up the Corners 2025 website.

T-shirt logo contest

Another way to take part is to enter the t-shirt logo design contest. Artwork and entry forms are due by May 16, and judges will be looking for one dynamic image to represent the Light Up the Corners Glow Run on the race banner, t-shirts and all multi-media.

The winning artist will receive a $1000 check, presented during the event. An entry form and additional details can be found here.

City of Peachtree Corners

Our Growing Deer Population: What to Do?

Published

3 weeks ago

April 2, 2025

Mayor Mike Mason

I want to take a moment to address an issue that has been increasingly affecting our community — the growing deer population.

Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in the number of deer within Peachtree Corners, leading to heightened concerns about public safety, property damage and ecological impacts. I want to share what we are doing to address these challenges and how you can be part of the solution.

The surge in the deer population poses several threats to our community:

1. Landscape damage: Deer feeding on ornamental plants, shrubs and trees results in significant property damage and costly repairs for homeowners.

2. Increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions: Frequent road crossings, often under low-visibility conditions, pose serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.

3. Adverse ecological impacts: Excessive browsing by deer diminishes plant diversity, impacting the availability of food for other wildlife.

4. Public health concerns: High deer densities contribute to an increase in ticks, elevating the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

To address these challenges, the City of Peachtree Corners is collaborating with wildlife officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Urban Wildlife Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services.

These partnerships are vital, as GADNR holds primary authority over wildlife management, and USDA brings extensive experience in urban wildlife management. By working together, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach tailored to our community’s unique needs.

Based on recommendations from our partners, the City is actively developing a comprehensive deer management plan. The plan aims to mitigate the public safety, property damage, ecological and public health impacts caused by the growing deer population.

Here’s what we are doing:

1. Population surveys: Utilizing advanced tools like trail cameras and thermal imaging to accurately assess deer numbers.

2. Habitat assessments: Evaluating the impact of the deer population on local vegetation and biodiversity.

3. Community involvement: Updating the “PTC Report It” app to allow residents to report deer-related concerns and submit photographs.

4. Data analysis: Collaborating with federal and state partners to analyze data and determine a sustainable deer population for our community.

Once the assessment phase is complete, the city will adopt a deer management plan. Since many deer reside on private property, the plan will offer property owners city-supported options for managing deer. This includes educational programs, habitat modification techniques and access to targeted population reduction initiatives.

Our goal is to facilitate relationships between wildlife officials and residents to ensure a balanced approach that protects public safety, preserves property and maintains ecological integrity.

Here are a few ways you can help:

• Complete the Deer Impact Survey: Available online. Your input will help us gather valuable data on deer population densities and their impact.

• Report concerns: Use the “PTC Report It” app or go online to report deer-related issues and share photos.

• Stay informed: Follow our updates and participate in any upcoming GADNR workshops to stay informed about deer management efforts.

I truly appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to address these challenges and protect the quality of life in Peachtree Corners. Thank you for being engaged and committed to our community.