Crean Lutheran starting up summer athletic camps, including football, on Monday

The Crean Lutheran training facility and one of the fields overlooking the on-campus football field. (File photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

Crean Lutheran High School will begin summer athletic camps, including a football camp under new coach Rick Curtis on Monday, June 22, Athletic Director Eric Olson said Wednesday.

High school athletics have been on hold throughout the state since March because of the coronavirus pandemic but district and school officials have been announcing plans for camps to begin. No dates for the start of fall sports have been finalized yet and CIF Commissioner Rob Wigod has said that all options are on the table, including delaying the start.

“Crean Lutheran High School is excited to begin our High School Summer Training Programs on Monday, June 22,” Olson said in a statement to OC Sports Zone.

“Our Saints coaches and student-athletes are looking forward to seeing one another in person and preparing for the coming year. Attendance at summer training sessions will remain voluntary throughout the summer and all coaches will follow strict safety guidelines. As we plan for a return, it is important that our families and the entire community know that Crean Lutheran High School has established “Return to Play Protocols” that all coaches will follow closely to ensure everyone’s safety.”

The guidelines are based on recommendations from the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Center for Disease Control, the National Federation of State High School Associations, the CIF Southern Section and the Crean Lutheran High School Health, Safety and Supervision committee.

Athletes will be required to have a face mask, bandana, neck gaiter, cloth buff, or cloth face shield (stored in clean paper bag when not in use) during the camps, according to the release.

In addition, the release notes that all coaches, athletes, and personnel will have their temperatures taken by touchless thermometers and be screened each day at the designated entrance for symptoms of the coronavirus before workouts.

Social distancing will be followed and groups will be limited to 10 or less indoors and 50 or less outdoors, according to the release.

Officials added that if an athlete participating in summer workouts tests positive for the coronavirus, daily attendance data will be reviewed, families of impacted student-athletes will be notified, and the Orange County Health Care Agency will be notified. 

Plenty of hand sanitizer will be available and athletes are encouraged to bring their own large 64 ounce bottles of water. No visitors will be allowed during the camps.

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