Social Distancing for Summer Camps - Sign In and Sign Out With Mobile Capabilities

By Alyssa Thornley | May 31, 2021 7:24:06 AM | After School Programs, OST

    

Summer camp season was largely wiped-out last summer, but this year camps are expected to be wide open for in-person activities in many states. That is, provided steps are taken to minimize the possibility of spreading COVID-19. 

According to the American Camp Association (ACA), more than 5,000-day camps and 7,000 overnight camps are running across the country every year. Many church and school-based summer camps operate annually as well.  

Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates day and overnight camps should mirror current recommendations for K-12 schools, including staggered arrival and drop-off times to limit contact between groups. 

How AfterSchool21 helps camp staff and campers 

AfterSchool21 helps mitigate in-person transmission of COVID-19 without slowing down pick-up and drop-off operations by offering new user-friendly, mobile drop-off/sign-in and sign-out functionality.    

A core component of the pick-up and drop-off routine is the “sign-in” and “sign-out” process, which is where the most risk to a camp’s staff occurs because it involves face-to-face interactions throughout the day. Parents can initiate the“sign-in” and “sign-out” process on their smartphones without coming into close contact with camp staff.  

With mobile and contactless sign-in/sign-out, centers can:   

  • Create a QR code that any parent can scan and initiate the sign in/out process and any mobile device 
  • Track the arrival time and signature time for all pick-ups and drop-offs    
  • Provide the camp staff with the name and signature of the authorized person picking up or dropping off a camper   
  • Securely store an image of the signature provided    
  • Instantly create attendance logs for participants when they are dropped off or picked up (if attendance is not already added by program staff)    
  • Charge accurate late pick-up fees by automatically creating fees if a student is signed out after the scheduled end time of the program (for fee-based sites)   
  • Ensure the person picking up the child is an approved contact   
  • Automatically store the name of the person who completes the pick-up 
  • Provide pick-up identify information easily in participant's attendance report   

Many variables contribute to the success of your summer program. A safe and supervised environment will provide parents with peace of mind. 

Contact a team member to learn more about mobile sign-in/sign-out and how AS21 can help programs reach their goals while making reporting requirements less onerous. 


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About The Author

Alyssa Thornley has spent her career working to support schools and communities in providing opportunity to all students. In positions as a teacher, professional development coordinator, and as a volunteer, she has focused on the community’s role in education, and in designing efficient programs that work for diverse needs. Alyssa leads TransACT’s customer engagement and market strategy efforts, and works to ensure innovative programs, guidance, and thought leadership from across the country’s districts are being shared and spread.