Summer camp programs are busy getting ready to open their doors in June after the Governor's Executive Order now allows them to open as early as May 31st.
A Central Texas day camp serving the children of essential workers helped create the state's plan for Phase 2reopening for summer camps.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas serve kids that need them the most.
So the Governor's announcement gave them..."Relief!" said Daniel Hall, Vice President of Development.
"We've been begging and praying and hoping for clear direction," said Hall.
Since March 30th, ten sites offered the Mission Essential Day Camp for about 150 children of essential workers each day.
They implemented social distancing with an 8 children to 1 worker ratio, limited guest access and temperature screenings at the door by Killeen ISD school nurses.
"We were given the opportunity to share the nitty gritty scope of that operating model with the Speaker of the House's Office and it seems a lot of our current operations are included in the guidance that the Governor sent out," said Hall.
"It basically is a testament that what you guys are doing, works," said KXXV Anchor Lindsay Liepman.
"It has worked. But we want to serve more kids and that's what we're excited to do," said Hall.
So does The YMCA of Central Texas who also implemented heightened safety measure for emergency child care.
Now, both organizations are getting ready for summer camp which can start in less than two weeks.
"We prepared to have camp as early as June 1st. It's just going to crunch time but it's exciting," said YMCA of Central Texas Program Director Vanessa Ayala.
They will have four camp locations, but don't wait to register.
"Right now we're already at full capacity at the Waco Family location. We will spread them out and go from there. We have to do at least half of our capacity at each location," said Ayala.
There may not be field trips or tug-of-war, but local summer camps will still provide good, clean fun.
The capacity limits also put a burden on staff and cost.
If you'd like to donate to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas visit their website here.
If you'd like to donate to the YMCA of Central Texas visit their website here.
You can also check out their Facebook pages for updates.
