BREWSTER, NY—Summertime often means outdoor activities at the beach or pool. For lucky youngsters, it may also mean summer camp. To help ensure safe, injury-free vacation times for all Putnam residents and guests, preparations by Putnam County Department of Health span nearly five months of the year, culminating in the last weeks of June when camps are readying to open. 

“There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes,” explains associate public health sanitarian Marianne Burdick, who directs the health department’s efforts to inspect all of the more than two dozen summer camps in the county. The process starts early—back in February when the health department contacts camps about the safety plans that they must put together and return in early spring. 

“We review all the camps’ paperwork and lifeguard certifications,” said Ms. Burdick. “We make sure all counselor-to-camper ratios are appropriate, and that “buddy systems” are understood and implemented effectively. When there are trips planned for campers, we require additional written documentation.” In these cases, plans must document the experience of trip leaders and their familiarity with the destinations. Permits are only issued to the camps after review of their plans and certifications, and any necessary pre-operational inspections are conducted.”  

These pre-operational camp inspections are one of the final steps, occurring late in the month of June before the camps are scheduled to open, soon after school ends. Inspections are comprehensive, and those at overnight camps especially so. “There are a wide range of activities that occur at camps,” continued Ms. Burdick. “Some have high ropes, climbing walls and archery activities. Each needs to be checked so as to minimize any potential for injury.” Indoor facilities also require safety precautions, such as smoke alarms, and sleeping facilities and kitchens must undergo a thorough review and inspection.   

Beaches and pools are subject to inspections throughout the summer season on a regular basis. They receive a pre-operational inspection, and two standard in-season checks. In addition to camps, there are nearly 35 beaches, and over 40 indoor and outdoor public pools, both, for a total of nearly 80 facilities that are monitored each summer. Water quality samples are collected by the health department’s full time public health sanitarians, along with additional seasonal environmental personnel who are necessary to manage the increased workload during the hot months. 

“Samples are sent to an outside lab to test for fecal coliform bacteria,” says Ms. Burdick. This contaminant can increase in outdoor swimming areas, with the potential for sewer run-off, or pollution from goose droppings.  

Interim health commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, said, “Sampling and testing the water is the only way we can limit what are referred to as ‘recreational water illnesses’ that people can contract from contaminated water. Symptoms may include skin rashes, diarrhea, cough and congestion, and even ear and eye pain. Exposure occurs not only in pools and hot tubs, but also aquatic spray grounds, and natural water bodies such as lakes, rivers and even oceans.” 

Another growing concern in natural water bodies in recent years are harmful blue green algae blooms, called “HABs.” Lately these have been causing beaches to close earlier in the season and more frequently later on. Associate public health sanitarian Brian Stevens, who oversees the beach program, explains how the weather plays a role in HAB blooms, saying that, “They tend to occur in hot, rainy weather—especially in lakes with nutrient-rich water.” Heavy rains can increase the run-off from lawn fertilizers and cause the algae to bloom. Swimmers and waders are at higher risk, but boating and fishing should also be avoided in areas with blooms. Pets are especially vulnerable and must be kept out of and away from blue green algae. “It’s unfortunate, but all contact with HABs should be avoided by both people and animals when blooms are present,” Mr. Stevens said. 

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.com, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.