Below are some frequently asked questions about our plans for this summer. We’ll continue to update this list.
Ideally, Yes. In an ideal world everyone would completely self-quarantine for 10 days, get a contactless-test right before taking a non-stop trip to camp. But that’s not practical for basically anyone, so 5 days is an accepted earliest cutoff. This is why good self-quarantine is essential for camp’s success this summer.
Good question! Here’s are three part answer:
Camp is optional, and this is the format in which it is being offered. If the precautions we will be taking don’t meet your needs or expectations, we encourage you to find a camp that is a better fit for your family.
Holly has an impressive 40-year streak of not guaranteeing anyone anything, so while we’ll ask, don’t get your hopes up. (But seriously)
No you can’t. Sending your child to overnight camp during a pandemic includes the risk your child will contract coronavirus and develop COVID-19 here. These measures are meant to reduce the risk of getting exposed at camp, and they rely on the compliance and cooperation of parents, campers, and staff.
The data is from the CDC and it’s specifically tracking adults, however current thinking is it’d be best to not increase the likelihood of infection for children with:
We also ask that families consider if their child were to get COVID-19 while at camp, would they be able to quarantine them at home while keeping people in their community safe, particularly if there are members of home units with high-risk conditions.
Yes. Bedtime and sleeping don’t have lots of action, which means less and softer breathing. With everyone separated and our bunks being open-air, we feel it’s a lower transmission activity than other times in the tent such as tent clean-up, or getting ready for meals.
-Remember these are all cumulative, community best practices and not do or die rules! It is not like breaking a sterile field in the Operating Room, where once it happens we have to throw out the instruments and get new ones. We are taking many measures known, individually, to reduce the transmission of coronavirus. We are doing this because by diligently combining several mitigation efforts we have the greatest chance for success.
We have had an activity called ‘Cloud Watching’ for decades … we can make just about anything fun.
Thank you for thinking of us and bringing this to our attention. We have access to a wealth of information, including some that is specific to summer camps. Our plan is based on best practices and current research-based recommendations.
We’ve directed the majority of time and energy this last year to an ongoing review of recommendations, information, and trends. We also considered the best way to apply recommendations and best-practices to our specific program and layout.
We cannot guarantee a COVID-free summer, but we can tell you we are confident this is the best plan, at this time, for this organization. We continue to consider new intel, data, and guidance as it evolves; and if we see an opportunity for our plan to better follow guidance and meet the needs of our community, we will incorporate it.
Coming soon: An overview of our Older Camper Session … what might be the same, what might be different … and how we will be asking for campers’ input.
In the meantime, all of the COVID-19 Reduction and Mitigation interventions outlined in our plan will be in place during the Older Camper Session. If you haven’t read it yet, we recommend you start there.