Dear Parents,
We are so excited to officially welcome your family for another year of our awesome Camp! Our team has been working hard to get our academy ready for your child, from expanding our outdoor training space to installing touch-free sanitizers throughout to deep cleaning and marking squares on mats. But first, a few housekeeping matters. Please make sure you read this email thoroughly, as it includes everything you need to know about camp. Please note this information is subject to change week to week, depending on the week’s theme and changing COVID-19 guidance and restrictions.
Despite the uncertainties and COVID restrictions last year, our 2020 Summer Camp was a huge success. In order to welcome you all back as safely as possible in 2021, we will be maintaining the same COVID safety protocols, which are described in detail below. Please keep in mind that these protocols are subject to change as we move into the summer.
While it is impossible to guarantee a completely COVID-19 free facility, we have stringent high standards (guided by CDC and state/local authorities) in place that are intended to reduce the risk of transmission. We ask that you please do your part to keep us all safe and make sure your children stay home if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Hand sanitizing stations: There are 3 touch-free hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility accessible to each mat room. All students must use hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving the facility.
Disinfecting wipes and spray: These will be located throughout the facility for use by camp staff.
Illness: Please do not send your child to camp if your child or a member of your household:
- Has presented COVID-19 symptoms (dry cough, shortness of breath, chills, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle aches, etc.) in the last 14 days
- Has had a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher
- Has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- Has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days
Face Coverings: All staff and instructors are required to wear face coverings at all times, with the exception of eating, drinking, and exercising. All campers are also required to wear face coverings while in the facility, with the following exceptions: eating, drinking, and MMA class. Face coverings will also be required during outdoor time, with the exception of “Water Days.” We understand that it may be challenging for younger children to wear face coverings; we will work with your child to explain the importance of protecting others, and there are many breaks throughout the day where they can take off their face coverings.
Parents/Visitors/Guests: For the time being, parents, visitors and guests of campers may not enter the facility. Drop-Off and Pick-Up will be coordinated by Kiss and Ride as described further below.
Temperature Check: A staff member will be using a touch-free thermometer to check temperatures of campers as they come in to the facility. Anyone with a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees F will not be allowed to enter the facility.
Hand Washing: Campers and staff must wash their hands upon arrival at our outdoor hand washing station, in addition to before and after snacks and lunch. Hand washing times will be staggered so that there is not a line outside the restroom doors.
Designated Groups: All students will be assigned to smaller groups depending on number of registered campers. They will stay with the same group throughout that camp week for all activities, including snacks and lunch.
Equipment/Toys/Supplies: Each student will have their own designated supply bin for the duration of camp week. Pentagon MMA will provide supplies for this bin, including arts & crafts supplies. Supplies that cannot be easily disinfected will not be used. We will use disposable supplies to the extent possible.
Games and Activities: Campers will participate in socially distanced games and activities. We will incorporate the use of 6-foot noodles to help campers maintain distance while having fun.
MMA Class: Campers will be taking contact-free MMA class 5 days a week. Campers will NOT be changing into their uniforms for class. Please do not bring gear bags or uniforms to camp.
What to Bring to Camp: Campers must bring their lunch box (with lunch and two snacks), a change of clothes, a water bottle, spray-on sunscreen, and a book for quiet reading time. Please note that on designated Water Days (see below), they will also need a bathing suit, towel, and water shoes. Sunscreens, change of clothes, and books can be left in their designated cubby for the duration of camp week. Please make sure everything is properly labeled with your child’s name. Campers may NOT bring gear bags, toys, or electronics from home.
Water Days: Mondays and Wednesdays are designated Water Days, during which Campers will take part in outdoor water fun. Please make sure your child brings their bathing suit, towel, and closed-toe water shoes on Water Days.
Friday Themed “Spirit Day”: Each Friday for the duration of camp, campers can dress up in accordance with the week’s theme! For example, for Safari week, they can dress up as any animal they choose.
Drop-Off Procedures: If your child is registered for early drop-off between 7:30am and 8:30am, please call us at 703-521-1000 when you arrive in the parking lot and pull up to our back entrance. Staff will walk your child from the car to our facility. For regular drop-off between 8:30 and 9am, staff will be waiting in the parking lot to receive your child (Kiss and Ride system). Staff will check students in on Pentagon MMA iPads.
Pick-Up Procedures: For regular pick-up between 4:45-5:00pm, staff will bring your child to your car (Kiss and Ride system). We are currently not able to offer late pick-up due to capacity restrictions, but we will let you know if that changes before camp starts. Staff will check students out on Pentagon MMA iPads.
Water Fountain: Campers must bring their own water bottles. Water fountain will be off limits.
Snacks and Lunch: Campers must bring their own utensils and cups for both snacks and lunch. We will be providing disposable utensils and cups on an emergency basis only.
Field Trips: For the time being, all field trips will be conducted virtually. We will notify you if COVID-19 guidance changes and we are able to offer in-person field trips again. If weather permits, we will take the children on safe walks around the neighborhood.
Physical Distancing: Campers will be placed at least 6 feet away from each other as often as possible. Each mat room will have markers on the mat where each camper can position themselves. We will work on virtual hugs and high-fives. Staff and campers will have physical contact as necessary to provide appropriate care for campers. While we cannot guarantee that campers will not have any physical contact with other campers, we will do our best to make sure everyone understands the important of respecting distance and each other’s space.
Staff Procedures for Daily Disinfection: Pentagon MMA has always used and will continue to use hospital-grade disinfectant for mats, equipment, and commonly touched surfaces. Mats, cubbies, door handles/knobs, restroom sinks, faucets, toilets, and any other surfaces touched by students will be disinfected several times throughout the day. Tables and chairs will be disinfected before and after use. Bins and cubbies assigned to each student will be disinfected at the end of each day.
Registration Forms: Please make sure the camp registration form has been completed and signed for your child before the first day of camp. Our team has been reaching out to families with missing forms; please be sure to respond to them. The form can be electronically completed with a link that we can send you via text or email.
Sample Camp Day for Safari Week: Our Camp Team is working extra hard to plan a day that is fun, socially distanced, and mentally and physically challenging. Here’s a sample of what the first day of Safari Week camp may look like (subject to change):
7:30 – 8:30 am: Early Drop-Off/Free Art (Please call so we can pick up your child from your car)
8:30 – 9:00 am: Regular Drop-Off/Kiss and Ride
9:00 – 9:15 am: Introductions and Rules – We will include a talk about the importance of keeping each other safe during a pandemic.
9:15 -10:00 am: Focus Games
10:00 – 11:00 am: MMA Class
11:00 AM – 12:00 pm: Lunch
12:00 – 3:00 pm: Stations
Station 1: Virtual Zoo – We will be watching live cams from different zoos and learning about many animals, along with related art projects.
Station 2: Animal Masks – Campers will make several animal masks and participated in related discussions about animals.
Station 3: Mat Chat on Self-Discipline – We will talk about self-discipline throughout the week, and complete activities and projects related to understanding self-discipline.
3:00 – 3:30 pm: Snack Time
3:30 – 4:00 pm: Quiet Games
4:00 – 5:00 pm: Outdoor Time (if weather permits)
4:45 – 5:00 pm: Regular Pick-Up/Kiss and Ride
Thank you in advance for your cooperation with these protocols. We will keep you updated with any changes as the weeks go by. We are really excited to see your children and are grateful for the opportunity to serve your family. If you have any questions, please let us know!
Sincerely
The Pentagon MMA Camp Team
