Athletics camps uncertain

RITZVILLE — Athletic summer camps are still uncertain for the Lind-Ritzville School District.

“Like many of you, we have more questions than answers in regards to summer camps,” athletic director Greg Whitmore said. “We are anxiously waiting for more guidance from the state.”

Whitmore said lots of questions still surround plans for athletics when schools re-open in the fall.

“There are a lot of inconsistencies as to how schools from around the state are reopening,” Whitmore said. “Many schools in our league are in counties that are in Phase 3, so their reopening will likely look much different.”

For now, Whitmore had this to share:

• Indoor Athletic Facilities have been off limits through June 19th, and the school district is waiting for more guidance from the Washington State Dept. of Health and the Adams County Department of Health.

• Adams County is in Phase 2, and the weight-room will remain closed to the public until the county is at least into Phase 3 or the DOH changes current restrictions. Right now, the gyms and weight-room can only be used by coaches and the student-athletes they are directly supervising.

• There are strict guidelines we will be following in order to start some activity for athletes.

“At this time, we are focusing on high school athletes, and then we will develop a plan for middle school athletes,” Whitmore said.

He said following the original restrictions which ended June 19, the school district would like to have coaches meet and monitor student-athletes, with groups limited to four athletes and one coach; and create pods of four athletes, with the same pods always staying together and not mixing with other pods.

Whitmore said screening of coaches and athletes would be done, with temperature checks and recorded questions. Anyone with any positive symptoms will not be allowed to participate. Six-foot social distancing will be practiced as much as possible, and no implements including balls can be shared between two athletes. Athletes will be required to bring their own water bottle, and locker rooms will not be used. Clean workout clothes will be required each day. Whitmore said he hopes to be able to use the weight room, gymnasium and football field.

“Our coaches have been discussing ways to implement summer camps and hopefully will have more information by next week,” Whitmore said.