HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. -- Summer camps in the Tampa Bay Area are grappling with whether they can open as the pandemic continues.

Several including Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation have already announced cancellations.

Others are proceeding with safety measures in place.

On Monday, the YMCA of the USA and the American Camp Association released a "field guide" of safety guidelines to help camps operate during the pandemic.

The guide includes recommendations like having staggered check-ins, splitting children into smaller groups and regularly sanitizing facilities and sports equipment.

They also recommend temperature screenings, good hand washing techniques and they said campers and staff should wear face coverings or masks during indoor activities.

The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA has announced it will be holding summer camps starting on June 1.

President/CEO Matt Mitchell said they're ready and well-prepared.

"Camps like this are vital to moving our community forward," he said.

Mitchell said they will be making changes to the usual summer camp "routine."

"When you think of summer day camp at the YMCA, you think of 50 kids in a field running around playing capture the flag. Our groups will be a lot smaller for this day camp," he said. 

Mitchell said they'll be continuing with many of the safety measures they've already put in place for the Youth Relief Care for Essential Workers Program they've been running for the last two months.

"Making sure that we keep kids separated, practice good social distancing and clean a lot," he said.

Mitchell said camps may have to limit their enrollment to keep groups small so parents are encouraged to register early.

The YMCA is also offering some scholarships to families who may not be able to afford the camp.