PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FALLING SPRING 221 NORTH MAIN ST. CHAMBERSBURG, PA 17201
FALLING SPRING YOUTH HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN
Dear Parents,
First and foremost, we, at the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring (PCFS), hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented youth activities with a myriad of challenges. The COVID-19 virus is a highly contagious illness that primarily attacks the upper respiratory system. The virus that causes COVID-19 can infect people of all ages. Research from the Centers for Disease Control, among others, has found that while children do get infected by COVID-19, relatively few children with COVID-19 are hospitalized. However, some severe outcomes have been reported in children, and a child with a mild or even asymptomatic case of COVID-19 can spread the infection to others who may be far more vulnerable.
While it is not possible to eliminate all risk of furthering the spread of COVID-19, the current science suggests there are many steps youth and camping programs can take to reduce the risks to students, volunteers, and their families. PCFS will take necessary precautions and implement recommendations/guidance from the federal, state, and local governments, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). PCFS recognizes that the knowledge regarding COVID-19 is consistently changing as new information and treatments become available.
All participants will be expected to abide by the recommendations set forth in this communication.
Below, you will find a summary of actions we are taking to help ensure we are lowering COVID-19 risk as much as possible.
- Mask* policy: Session unanimously passed the following motion on September 7, 2021: With regard to Children and Youth Ministry activities, we highly recommend following the state mandated masking guidelines currently being followed by the Chambersburg Area School District.
- Current CASD guidelines: wear masks indoors; outdoors masks are optional.
- *As a reminder, cloth face coverings should not be placed on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance. Masks may be required for certain activities and participants should be in possession of a face covering for use when instructed. A student may choose to wear a mask at any time they determine is best for them. (Note: Face coverings are recommended to help decrease potential exposure to COVID-19 respiratory droplets by an infected individual).
- Intensifying cleaning and disinfection practices within our facilities and ensuring safe and correct use and storage of disinfectants.
- Encouraging social distancing indoors and prioritizing outdoor activities.
- Limiting the number of items that are shared or touched between participants and using disposable utensils and dishes and pre-packaged boxes or bags when food is provided.
- Promoting healthy hygiene practices by teaching participants the importance of washing their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, monitoring participants to make sure they are washing their hands, providing participants with hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when they don’t have easy access to soap and water, and encouraging participants to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or to use the inside of their elbow.
- Maintaining good ventilation and using large rooms/gym for any indoor activities.
We ask that you help us protect the health of participants. Anyone who is sick or was sick with COVID-19 or recently in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days— including staff, volunteers, participants, and families— should not attend. Be on the lookout for symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick.
If you have a specific question about this plan, please contact Brad Hill, Director of Youth Ministries at brad@pcfallingspring.org.
You can also find more information about COVID-19 at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
We look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you and stay healthy,
Brad Hill, Director of Youth Ministries, Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring