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Unhappy campers (and parents) as swine flu closes Bellaire’s Camp Paseo
By CHARLOTTE AGUILAR
The city of Bellaire closed its popular summer camp program for youngsters Friday through July 27 when a member of the camp staff was confirmed to have a case of the H1N1 virus — more commonly known as the “swine flu.”
The city also reports a confirmed case of Type A influenza in a camper.
Recreation Director Cheryl Bright-West said there were about 200 children in Camp Paseo at the Bellaire Recreation Center. She said that they weren’t sent home immediately but were departing at their regular pickup times. A letter (also available at the city’s website, www.ci.bellaire.tx.us) is being sent home.
However, city workers reported that camp youngsters immediately began phoning and texting parents about the closing when it was announced at about 2:30 p.m., and that staff began receiving concerned calls from parents to learn more about the situation and any contingency plans for their youngsters’ care.
Bright-West emphasized that the city’s other recreation programs and facilities — a three-pool family aquatics center, another pool in Evergreen Park and a host of classes and sports activities through the recreation center — are continuing. The city’s library also remains open.
The city asks, though, that anyone exhibiting any flu symptoms stay away. Employees are being ordered to stay home until their symptoms have subsided and bring a doctor’s release upon their return.
Federal regulations dictate that any public school or program with a confirmed case of swine flu close for two weeks.
Seasonal opening of the Bellaire Family Aquatics Center was delayed this spring because of the swine flu scare.
For updates, continue to visit this website or sign up for Twitter alerts to your computer or cell phone at twitter.com, bellairexaminer.
The city also reports a confirmed case of Type A influenza in a camper.
Recreation Director Cheryl Bright-West said there were about 200 children in Camp Paseo at the Bellaire Recreation Center. She said that they weren’t sent home immediately but were departing at their regular pickup times. A letter (also available at the city’s website, www.ci.bellaire.tx.us) is being sent home.
However, city workers reported that camp youngsters immediately began phoning and texting parents about the closing when it was announced at about 2:30 p.m., and that staff began receiving concerned calls from parents to learn more about the situation and any contingency plans for their youngsters’ care.
Bright-West emphasized that the city’s other recreation programs and facilities — a three-pool family aquatics center, another pool in Evergreen Park and a host of classes and sports activities through the recreation center — are continuing. The city’s library also remains open.
The city asks, though, that anyone exhibiting any flu symptoms stay away. Employees are being ordered to stay home until their symptoms have subsided and bring a doctor’s release upon their return.
Federal regulations dictate that any public school or program with a confirmed case of swine flu close for two weeks.
Seasonal opening of the Bellaire Family Aquatics Center was delayed this spring because of the swine flu scare.
For updates, continue to visit this website or sign up for Twitter alerts to your computer or cell phone at twitter.com, bellairexaminer.
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