Pine Tree Camp takes extra precautions to protect campers and staff from spread of H1N1

Pine Tree Society has announced that Pine Tree Camp will go on as scheduled despite the continued spread of H1N1, also known as Swine Flu. 

“Pine Tree Camp’s medical consultants have assured us that based on current information there is no reason to not go on as scheduled,” said Anne Marsh, Pine Tree Society’s Executive Director.  “Pine Tree Camp has established clear guidelines based on recommendations from the Maine Center for Disease Control and our consulting physicians.  We are committed to ensuring that our campers are safe and healthy.”

Pine Tree Camp will be instituting a number of policies in order to prevent the introduction of the illness including:

• Campers and staff who have experienced flu-like symptoms in the last month prior to their camp session, must be cleared by their physician in order to attend.
• At check-in all campers will undergo a health screening to ensure that they are not ill.
• Upon arrival all staff will undergo a health check to ensure that they are not ill.
• If campers become ill during their stay, they will be discharged immediately.
• An area of the Wellness Center has been identified to house staff should they become sick.
• Regular use of hand sanitizer will be encouraged for both staff and campers.
• In addition to twice daily thorough cleanings conducted throughout camp, frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned regularly with anti-bacterial wipes.

In addition, campers and staff will be instructed to implement everyday wellness precautions including:

• Coughing and sneezing into one’s sleeve or covering the nose and mouth    with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and properly disposal of used tissues.
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water.
• Avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth.

“We feel that the plan that our team has developed and is in the process of implementing is strong and will protect our campers,” said Marsh.  “We will continue to evaluate the situation throughout the summer.”

Pine Tree Camp offers Maine children and adults with disabilities a fully accessible summer camp experience.  Pine Tree Camp is one of the many programs of Pine Tree Society. 

Pine Tree Society helps people in Maine with disabilities lead richer, more socially connected lives.  We share a spirit of innovation and desire to discover new ways to break down barriers that many find insurmountable. It started as a bold new idea in 1936 and it continues every day.  Whether it’s a child discovering her first best friend at Pine Tree Camp or an adult finding his voice with customized assistive technology, Pine Tree Society changes lives.

For more information, please call (207) 443-3341 or visit www.pinetreesociety.org.

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