Measles Update
I have had a number of calls and emails (I love your calls & emails, keep them coming!) to my office asking for advice on how to handle measles, vaccinations, unvaccinated campers/staff, and what to do if you find out someone had been exposed. I have been working the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to seek camp specific measles information to help you be prepared for and respond to a potential outbreak at your camp or within your local community.
The IDPH has issued this memo to all youth camps in Illinois with phenomenal advice and information on where to find support. Click here to visit the memo on our webpage.
A few takeaways for directors to think about before a problem arises:
Quick Resources for Illinois Camps:
Memo from Illinois Department of Public Health to Youth Camps
Illinois Department of Public Health Measles Resource Page
Letter to Parents
Information for Health Care Providers
The goal for many of us in camp is to provide quality, life-changing experiences in a safe setting and that is hard work. Sometimes, no matter what steps we take, kids get sick and people get hurt. It’s all about how we prepare for crisis and then respond in the moment. I hope these resources will help you achieve that. If you have further questions about this topic or other camp-related concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. However, please note that if you suspect a camper or staff member has measles, your first call should be to a medical provider, 9-1-1 in case of emergency, or the Illinois Department of Public Health. I’ll be here after you settle the immediate crisis to help you with the next steps.
And in case you can’t reach me at my desk, give my cell a ring or text at 312-343-1070.
Colette M Marquardt
Executive Director
American Camp Association, Illinois
The IDPH has issued this memo to all youth camps in Illinois with phenomenal advice and information on where to find support. Click here to visit the memo on our webpage.
A few takeaways for directors to think about before a problem arises:
- What are your policies for staff who may not be vaccinated and if exposed, may not be able to work for 21 days. Are you prepared to provide needed coverage for their position? What are your policies for compensation during this time?
- Make sure your records of who has been vaccinated and who has not - including campers, staff, and volunteers - are well organized and can be pulled quickly for both you and the IDPH.
- The IDPH prepared an awesome template letter to the parents/guardians for camps to use to clearly define the expectations for vaccines and what will happen should a case be reported at your camp. Click here to download it or click here to visit the IDPH resource site to access the letter. Don’t forget to check with your refund policy should a camper not be able to return to camp because of exposure concerns.
Quick Resources for Illinois Camps:
Memo from Illinois Department of Public Health to Youth Camps
Illinois Department of Public Health Measles Resource Page
Letter to Parents
Information for Health Care Providers
The goal for many of us in camp is to provide quality, life-changing experiences in a safe setting and that is hard work. Sometimes, no matter what steps we take, kids get sick and people get hurt. It’s all about how we prepare for crisis and then respond in the moment. I hope these resources will help you achieve that. If you have further questions about this topic or other camp-related concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. However, please note that if you suspect a camper or staff member has measles, your first call should be to a medical provider, 9-1-1 in case of emergency, or the Illinois Department of Public Health. I’ll be here after you settle the immediate crisis to help you with the next steps.
And in case you can’t reach me at my desk, give my cell a ring or text at 312-343-1070.
Colette M Marquardt
Executive Director
American Camp Association, Illinois