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Boston Day Camp To Reopen With New Safety Rules After Boy's Death

BOSTON (CBS) - One week to the day after a little boy drowned while attending a Boston-run day camp, city staff will reopen its doors to dozens of children.

"We had a meeting with the parents and all of the parents are going to be back at camp tomorrow with their kids," Mayor Marty Walsh said.

Seven-year-old Kyzr Willis's body was found Tuesday in the waters off Carson Beach.

The city has since added new safety rules. They include a headcount of children every hour, all kids in the water must wear life preservers at all times, and also security cameras have been added at the Curley Community Center.

Kyzr's family says they're upset and furious that the doors are reopening.

kyzr missing child
7-year-old Kyzr Willis (Curley Community Center)

"It's a drop-in center, parents don't have other alternatives for childcare," Walsh said. "There's probably no right time to reopen the camp for the parents, I can't imagine, I try to put myself in their shoes but I can't, and my heart goes out to them."

Mayor Walsh says the changes are enough to help keep children safe.

"We've explained the changes that we've made and they have faith in what we're doing," Walsh said.

As the death investigation continues, the Dorchester parents of Kyzr Willis prepare to bury their youngest son.

"It's a horrible situation, this is going to be a tough week again for the Willis family, it's going to be a tough week for all of Boston, it was tough last week and it's not going to get any easier," Walsh said.

The Willis family says a wake for Kyzr will be held on Wednesday in Mattapan and his funeral will be on Thursday.

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