A look at the letter that put Orange County district high school sports camps on hold

Cypress football coach Rick Feldman talks to his players during a game last season. Cypress High’s football camp has been postponed indefinitely along with a number of others in the county. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

A number of Orange County public school districts responded to a communication from the Orange County Department of Education by shutting down high school athletic camps indefinitely on Monday.

Camps in the Capistrano Valley Unified School District, Irvine Unified School District, Anaheim Union School District and Newport Mesa Unified School District were among those postponed. A number of football camps were scheduled to begin on Monday. Tustin Unified School District camps continued on Tuesday, according to Mark Eliot, director of communications for the district.

A letter, sent to all district superintendents, came from Jeffrey J. Riel, general counsel for the Orange County Superintendent of Schools, outlined the concerns on Monday, and taking his advice, a number of camps were postponed while officials wait for more direction.

Here are the key parts of the letter:

“We have been asked whether current state or local health care orders permit school districts to operate summer sports camps or programs, including conditioning activities, associated with high school athletics.

“Although CDPH (California Department of Health) has indicated guidance would be forthcoming, to date CDPH has not issued statewide industry guidance for reopening recreational team sports or recreational youth sports activities. To add to the confusion, there have been some reports that CDPH has orally advised that some youth sports programs could go forward. On July 6, 2020, the Orange County Department of Education communicated directly with CDPH through an Essential Services Inquiry. CDPH has confirmed that at this time youth sports, including conditioning activities, are not permitted. CDPH again indicated that guidance specific to youth sports would be released in the future. 

“Until there is specific guidance provided by CDPH regarding recreational team sports or school-based sports, school districts are well advised not to operate summer youth sports programs at this time. Once statewide guidance is released, we will collectively work with the local public health officer to consider local community conditions when implementing the statewide guidance.” 

CIF State and Southern Section officials are expected to announce on July 20 a plan for fall sports, including football. Most football teams are scheduled to open on Friday, Aug. 21, but it appears more likely that the date will be pushed back, perhaps until January. There is no indication when athletic camps will be allowed to continue.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com