ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOX) - Agencies that serve young people are having to scale back summer programs dramatically, to keep kids safe during the pandemic.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis opens summer camp this week, but with far fewer children.
"Normally we serve about 1,200 children between the ages of 6 and 18 during the summer. That number will be a little under 400," says Flint Fowler, President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. Fowler tells KMOX the reductions were necessary to ensure they could maintain safe distancing and other health safety protocols.
Fowler says they've created a "playbook" for staff as they open their annual summer camp. He says staff had to plan for every possible scenario in a time of social distancing and rigorous sanitation requirements. For example, game rooms will require continual sanitation, and in art class, supplies for each child have to be kept separate. Plus they've had to eliminate field trips.
Boys and Girls Clubs has been offering virtual programs during the pandemic. Still Fowler says he's concerned that many children haven't had access to activities to help them academically when the school year starts.