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.
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.
The library system was honored with the Urban Libraries Council’s 2024 Innovation Award in Workforce and Economic Development
The Urban Libraries Council (ULC), North America’s leading nonprofit for urban libraries, has named Gwinnett County Public Library a Top Innovator for 2024. This recognition is in honor of the library’s New Start Entrepreneurial Incubator (NSEI), which offers business training and mentorship to formerly incarcerated community members.
Originally funded by Google through a grant from the American Library Association (ALA), the six-month program helps participants build the knowledge and skills necessary to start their own businesses.
“I’ve seen the life of each person who goes through this program change profoundly and significantly,” said Charles Pace, executive director of Gwinnett County Public Library. “We believe that people deserve a second chance. The New Start program gives them the tools, knowledge and support they need to become entrepreneurs and start their own businesses.”
ULC’sInnovations Initiative is a yearly showcase of exemplary projects from its more than 180 member libraries across the U.S. and Canada. It seeks to highlight how the library’s role as an essential public institution is evolving to meet the changing needs of our urban communities. From initiatives that promote civic engagement and intellectual freedom to projects that enhance digital connectivity and economic mobility, libraries are at the forefront of addressing today’s challenges.
Top innovators and honorable mentions
A distinguished panel of judges selected Gwinnett County Public Library as a Top Innovator. The project won in the Workforce and Economic Development category for its originality, measurable outcome and the potential for other libraries to replicate and implement this successful initiative. More than 230 library projects in six categories were submitted by ULC members from across the U.S. and Canada to be considered for the top awards.
Six public libraries received the Top Innovator designation, and six libraries received an honorable mention in recognition of their work. There is one top innovator and one honorable mention for each award category.
AWARD CATEGORY
TOP INNOVATORS
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Advocacy and Awareness
San Francisco Public Library (CA)
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (PA)
Education: Children and Adults
Virginia Beach Public Library (VA)
New York Public Library (NY)
Equity and Inclusion
Miami-Dade Public Library System (FL)
Broward County Library (FL)
Health and Wellness
Denver Public Library (CO)
San Mateo County Libraries (CA)
Library Operations and Management
Toronto Public Library (ON)
Pioneer Library System (OK)
Workforce and Economic Development
Gwinnett County Public Library (GA)
Memphis Public Libraries (TN)
“This year’s Innovations Initiative honorees exemplify the evolving role of libraries as dynamic public institutions that are integral to the fabric of our urban communities,” said ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater. “The innovative projects highlighted this year demonstrate the power of libraries to not only adapt but to actively shape the future of our cities, ensuring that all community members have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Information about the winning project from Gwinnett County Public Library and that of other honorees is available on the ULC website atwww.urbanlibraries.org/innovations.
About Gwinnett County Public Library
Gwinnett County Public Library is a free provider of education and information. Located in
metro Atlanta, the Library has 15 branches that offer free access to computers and Wi-Fi, classes, materials and programming for people of all ages.
For more information about Gwinnett County Public Library programs and services, visitwww.gwinnettlibrary.org.
Olympian Jasmine Jones, a standout alumna of Greater Atlanta Christian School (Class of 2020), returned to her alma mater on September 12 to speak to and inspire the next generation of students there.
GAC staff interviewed Jones and also took questions from the students during a Q&A session that included every grade level.
As a member of the U.S. Olympic team and a 12-time Georgia state individual champion during her time at GAC, Jasmine’s visit was a homecoming filled with motivation and reflection. She spoke passionately to the students about the importance of perseverance, goal-setting, and embracing challenges, drawing from her journey from GAC to the University of Southern California and the global stage of the Olympics.
Jones qualified for the Paris Olympics on June 30 and made the U.S. team in women’s 400m hurdles after placing third. She went on to place fourth in the women’s 400m hurdles final at the Paris games.
Students and staff at GAC cheered Jones on during the Olympics. And they cheered her again as she took to the school’s stage to address the audience. Before and after the event, Jones posed for photos, gave high-fives and took time connect with some of GAC’s enthusiastic students and faculty.
Her words — and her accomplishments — left a powerful impression on the crowd, reminding everyone of the heights that can be achieved with dedication and faith.
The renowned performers wowed the audience with a thrilling presentation of dance, drama and fun.
Staff, students and board members of the International Charter Academy of Georgia were given a short-but-thrilling taste of Kabuki when dancers from Miyabiya Japan stopped by the school on September 16 for a special performance.
Offering a preview of the full show they’d prepared for center stage at JapanFest 2024, the troop presented a special short section of a dance titled “Renjishi: The Two Lions.”
Considered one of the most famous pieces in Kabuki, Renjishi is known for its powerful choreography and dramatic expression. It tells the story of the relationship between a father lion and his young son. The powerful movements, dramatic expressions and percussive sound effects symbolize the passing of strength and legacy from one generation to the next.
How the show came about
Miyabiya Japan last appeared at JapanFest in 2016 to great acclaim. This year, with the excitement of their return, the performers made plans to offer a few shorter performances at other places around town in the week leading up to the festival.
Robert Johnson, an advisory board member of ICAGeorgia and a long-time friend of JapanFest and the Miyabiya troop, knew the dual-language, Japanese immersion school would be a great place for one of the shows. He helped organize the day’s demonstration and was on-hand to talk to the crowd and introduce the performers.
The performance
It was the first time having a Kabuki performance at ICAGeorgia. And, as students filed into the school’s gym, the excitement was palpable. The room was humming with happy voices before the show even began.
Johnson greeted the kids with a smile before introducing the award-winning Kabuki troop in both English and Japanese.
“This special group from Japan will be performing at JapanFest, but today they’re performing here for you,” he told the excited crowd.
He went on to explain, “Kabuki is a special form of very dramatic and traditional Japanese dance. Two dancers today will do the Lion Dance.” The youngest children in the crowd shrieked with delight when they heard the name.
“The Lion Dance is like the story of the Lion King,” he continued, “with an otousan (father) lion with a long white mane and his son with a bright red mane.”
After the short explanation of what to expect, Johnson instructed the students (and the adults in the audience) to call for the performers to come out. To the sounds of “Miyabi-ya, miyabi-ya,” from the crowd, the dancers bounded out into the room, onto the space set up for their performance. They greeted Mr. Johnson and the students before getting into the story.
An interactive experience
The show started with a brief instruction of Kabuki movements that got the audience on its feet, following the red lion’s lead. It ended with a bang of confetti that thrilled (and surprised) everyone there.
In between, the story of the two lions was beautifully expressed through the performers’ detailed costumes, traditional kumadori makeup, exaggerated expressions and dramatic movements. At times, the dancers even made their way into the audience. Students and adults alike were riveted from start to finish.
“I’m happy to have the performers come to our school,” said Junko Jones, a founding board member and CFO of ICAGeorgia. “Not all of the students will be able to go to JapanFest. So, it’s nice that they can experience Japan here.”
About ICAGeorgia
The International Charter School of Georgia is a K-6 Japanese immersion school located in Peachtree Corners. They currently have 250 students, with plans to expand the school to offer Grades 7–8 in the future.
Eighty-one of the students will sing onstage at JapanFest September 21 at 1pm. This will be school’s sixth time performing at the festival, having been there every year since the school opened. The students also performed at the state capital in January for Japan Day.