HOW FUTURE 500 IS CHANGING IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
THERE ARE NEW UPDATES AS OF JULY 31ST
*This page will be updated regularly to reflect the latest Future 500 ID Camp and COVID-19 information.
Future 500, like many organizations, has had to adapt and change our College ID Camps this year in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Future 500 will now be having one Girls Camp on August 6-7 and one Boys Camp on August 8-9.
In addition to moving the camps toward the end of the summer, Future 500 has changed to a new venue with much more space. Both camps will be moving from Eastern University, 1300 Eagle Road, St. Davids, PA 19087 to Carsins Run Fields, 500 Carsins Run Rd, Aberdeen, MD 21001 Maryland.
Future 500 has focused on decreasing the size as well as changing the layout of the camps in order to ensure the safety of campers in response to COVID-19. With safety always a priority, Future 500 has made the following changes to camp:
SAFETY PROCEDURES AT FUTURE 500 IN 2020
GENERAL
Transportation: All players must bring an automobile to the facility or be accompanied by a parent with an automobile, which must be present throughout the player’s entire match and time at the facility. No participants are allowed to be dropped off.
Limited Time at Field: Participants will only be allowed at their designated field 30 minutes before the start of their match and then must return to their automobile immediately after the match.
Parent Restrictions: Parents will not be permitted at the fields or on the sidelines during matches or at any other time.
Staggered Scheduling: Arrival and departure times will be staggered accordingly based on match times.
Reduction of Fields/Increased Spacing: Only 50% of fields will be used, and in alternating fashion (example field 1 is used, field 2 will remain vacant, field 3 is used, field 4 will remain vacant, etc), to allow for additional social distancing.
Medical Staff: Certified Medical Training Staff will also be present and following COVID-19 protocols.
COVID-19 Protective Supplies: Ample supplies of hand sanitizer, disinfectant, masks and latex gloves will be available and utilized throughout the event.
Hand sanitizer: Hand Sanitizer will be available at the restrooms and staff headquarters.
The following COVID-19 Screening Criteria must be confirmed prior to, or on arrival as follows:
- Each participating player must confirm that they have met the below COVID-19 screening requirements of no known symptoms or exposures.
- Each coach must confirm that they have met the below COVID-19 screening requirements of no known symptoms or exposures.
- Each support staff member must confirm that they have met the below COVID-19 screening requirements of no known symptoms or exposures.
- Any individual who is unable to confirm these criteria will be restricted from participation or involvement at the facility.
COVID-19 Screening:
All athletes, coaches and staff will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 Infection, prior to the event, including:
- Fever ( ≥100.4 degrees F)
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Muscle / joint pain
- Sudden loss of taste or smell
- Chills
- Had close contact with or cared for someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
If an athlete has any of the above symptoms or has been in contact with some with confirmed COVID-19 in the past 14 days, they will not be allowed to participate.
Before Competition/Warm Up:
- Athletes may arrive on one side of the field, 30 minutes before the start of their match and begin warming up.
- A mask must be worn from the time the athlete leaves their car until the time they begin warming up for their match.
- Teams will be told when they are allowed to proceed to the team “bench area” (there will not be benches for safety reasons). This will only occur after the previous team has left the sideline and any remaining water/gatorade bottles, etc have been removed by Future 500 staff.
During Competition:
Soccer play can be conducted as normal with the following exceptions:
- Team pre-game and post-game handshakes must be avoided.
- Handshakes or contact in substitution must be avoided.
- Physical contact must be avoided during celebrations and post-game activities.
- Social distancing must be ensured between players and coaches on the sideline during play and during any individual or group conversations throughout the competition (pre-game, half-time, post-game).
- No player, coach, or spectator should violate social distancing guidelines with a referee at any time.
- Use of masks or cloth facial coverings by staff and players on the sideline will be required unless the individual has a health issue that prevents the wearing of a mask.
- Players on the sideline must remain socially distanced (6 feet apart) – including during pre-game, half-time, and post-game discussions.
- In the event of an injury, only approved staff may assess and facilitate management of the injured individual in accordance with proper first aid management. Family members and any on-site healthcare providers may participate in injury management as necessary, but others must maintain proper social distance.
- Coaching Staff and support staff will also follow social distancing guidelines at all times.
Post Competition:
- Athletes must exit the field immediately on the SIDE of the field only.
- Athletes must then:
- Put a face mask back on.
- Gather their belongings.
- Proceed directly to their automobiles.
Equipment:
- Team areas will be separated from each other so that teams will not touch the same surfaces (balls, etc).
- Shared surfaces (balls, etc) will be disinfected before and after each game.
- Players must bring their own water/sports drink bottles and cannot be shared between individuals. Any bottles remaining at the team sideline after each match will be immediately discarded.
- Equipment used by staff for team warm up (disc cones only – no soccer balls during warm up) is not allowed to be handled by players and must be disinfected after use.
In addition to the above, we will be implementing the following:
1. MOVING CAMP TO A FACILITY WITH INCREASED SPACE
Future 500 has moved the location of camp to a facility that is considerably more spacious and will allow for more effective social distancing in between matches. The new facility has 12 fields, although we will only use about 4 of those fields. This will allow us to only use every other field in order to create ample space for social distancing. Additionally, players will enter and exit fields at opposite sides. The fields are excellent and ample parking is conveniently located immediately adjacent to the fields.
Ample hotel options are located within 4 miles of the fields, as are a host of food options.
2. STRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF CDC RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES
All camp attendees including staff, players and coaches must have a cloth face covering with them to wear. Players will be required to wear masks while not playing on the field. Staff and coaches will be required to wear masks at all times.
All equipment will be thoroughly sanitized, and there will be hand sanitizing stations positioned around the new facility. Players and coaches will refrain from handshakes, high fives, fist/elbow bumps, chest bumps, or any group celebrations.
All athletes, coaches, and spectators will maintain a distance of four feet from the sideline at all times when not actively participating in a game.
3. EVERYONE WILL BE SCREENED
All coaches, staff and campers will be screened for symptoms prior to the start of camp. If any athletes show symptoms of COVID-19, they will be sent home and instructed to contact their primary care provider.
4. DIVIDING PLAYERS INTO SMALLER GROUPS
In addition to accepting a limited number of players this year, Future 500 will be further dividing players into smaller groups. These smaller groups will be consistent, managed and spaced out over the fields at all times in order to ensure all social distancing measures are met.
5. VIRTUAL SEMINARS
Future 500 has developed a reputation nationally for it’s in-depth educational seminars on key aspects of the college recruitment process. We are pleased to announce that those seminars will continue in 2020! The seminars will be available for viewing between games from any mobile device or computer during camp and will also be available for viewing on-demand for 2 months after camp!
6. VEHICLES AND PARKING
As part of Future 500’s safety procedures for 2020, players will not be allowed to linger on the fields when they are not playing and parents will not be permitted to spectate. Players will be required to have a vehicle present at the fields.
Importantly, the change of venue ensures that there is more than enough parking immediately adjacent to the fields, so players can easily return to their vehicle after each match or break-out session — and where Future 500’s in-depth educational seminars will be available for viewing on any mobile device.
7. AN ANTICIPATED RATIO OF 1 COACH TO EVERY 6 CAMPERS
Given the fact that we are limiting the number of campers this year we are anticipating a 1 to 6 or better ratio of campers to coaches. This is the best ratio you will find at any event in the country, and will be conducive to keeping players in smaller groups, as well as to significantly increase exposure and identification opportunities.
8. SPACING OUT COACHES
This year’s camps will still feature 75 top college coaches from a carefully selected mix of schools. The change of venue will allow for better spacing of coaches to comply with COVID-19 guidelines, while still ensuring that players will be seen by every coach at camp.
9. REMOVING THE OVERNIGHT OPTION
Future 500’s switch to a non-residential camp format, eliminates many of the shared spaces normally present at camp. This is an additional step we have taken toward ensuring the safety of campers this year, while maintaining a smaller camp feel.
10. MOVING FROM 4 DAYS TO 2 DAYS
Reducing the number of days of camp from 4 days to 2 days, has allowed us to better structure camp to safely meet COVID-19 guidelines, while still providing the best college recruiting exposure opportunity of any camp in the country this summer!
11. CAMP STAFF FOCUSED ON ENSURING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SAFETY
All staff at camp will be trained in order to ensure that Future 500’s strict safety procedures are followed by all campers in attendance at all times.