[2021] Current Camp Updates

COVID PROTOCOLS & POLICIES- May 26, 2021

Masks

• Campers must wear masks when indoors or the outdoor activity requires them to be closer than 6ft (ex. Spotting on the ropes Course) Please know that safety of our campers and staff are of the utmost importance and we will request campers to wear masks when we feel that extra safety is required during close contact.
• Staff must wear masks indoors
• staff will be required to wear masks if interacting with campers or staff in other cohorts
• Mask breaks will be implemented throughout the day as necessary when mask wearing is required
• Masks do not have to be worn while sleeping or resting in the cabin
• Families are required to provide masks for their child
  • Day camp families should provide 2-3 mask per day as we know kids can get messy and misplace things easily. Place extra masks in bags to keep clean and dry.
  • Resident camp families should provide 15-20 masks for the week for campers. place extra masks in bags to keep mask clean and dry.
• Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp has the right to ask campers, staff, parents and volunteers to wear a mask at any time.
• We ask that parents wear a mask while interacting with our staff.
• Campers who are medically not able to wear a mask must provide the camp with documentation from the child’s physician.
• Campers and Staff must wear masks that fit their face. we highly recommend that neck gators and the like NOT be worn.
• If a camper is non-Compliant with mask wearing, we will gently remind them to wear their masks.

Social Distancing

• Cohorts must stay at least 6ft socially distanced from other cohorts
• staff that have to work with multiple groups of campers will practice social distancing while teaching activities
• Within a cohort campers will not have to social distance but will be encouraged to make sure other campers and staff have their personal space, keeping at least 3 feet between people if possible.

Handwashing

• Campers and staff must wash hands or sanitize hands before and after each activity
• Campers and staff must wash hands or sanitize after sneezing, coughing, or nose blowing, handling food, cleaning surfaces, using the bathroom
• Staff will have hand sanitizer with them or in their activity areas at all times.

Health Screening

• Campers and staff must complete a daily health screening for both day and resident camp

• Any camper, teen leader or staff member that has tested positive in the 3 months leading up to their time at camp must provide verification from their doctor of a positive test and clearance from their doctor that they are beyond their quarantine period.

Testing (Logistics of Testing onsite at camp are still being coordinated, once completed you will receive a letter specifically about the testing).

• Resident and Day campers must come to registration with a negative PCR test that has been administered within than 72 hours prior their arrival at camp
  • Campers that have been vaccinated and provide a copy of their vaccine card do not need to provide a negative test, unless they are showing symptoms.
  • camp is working to coordinate an opportunity on Thursday’s the following weeks for campers to come to camp and get that test (once we have things finalized, we will let families know)
  • Unvaccinated campers or staff will not have to bring a covid test if they have tested positive in the last 90 days and can bring proof of their positive test 
    • Must bring a note from the doctor stating they are clear of their quarantine period and can return to full activity.
• Staff will be tested weekly (Vaccinated staff will have the option to get tested)
• We will test all non-Vaccinated campers each Tuesday
  • We are still working to coordinate Tuesday testing. We will send a letter explaining all testing information along with appropriate paperwork once we have everything in place.
  • Vaccinated campers will not have to be tested, unless they are showing symptoms
  • Campers that have tested positive in the last 90 days will not have to get tested on Tuesdays as long as we have the proof of their positive test.
• If any camper presents symptoms with COVID-19 and nursing staff feel that testing is needed the following will occur:
  • Nursing staff will administer a Rapid test.
    • Rapid testing allows us to do contact tracing and quarantining of other campers and staff as soon as possible.
  • Nurse will call parent to inform them that their camper will need a PCR test
    • Campers must then leave camp until results of PCR test are received

COVID CASES AT CAMP

• If a Camper, Teen Leader or Staff member shows symptoms, they will have to have a rapid test done as soon as possible.
  • Other members of their group will stay together and not interact with or be in spaces where other cohorts might be until results of the rapid test are received
  • Areas of camp where the symptomatic person may have been will be cleaned and disinfected appropriately
• If Rapid test comes back positive
  • Person testing positive will be required to leave camp immediately
  • PCR Follow up test will be needed
  • People in their cohort will also be sent home to quarantine and wait for updates
  • All close contacts at camp will be contacted
  • we will also notify the NDDH.
• If Rapid Test comes back negative
  • Person with negative test will be sent for PCR follow up test and asked to leave camp until negative PCR test can confirm results.
  • Other members of their group will stay together and not interact or be in spaces where other cohorts might be until results of the PCR test are received
• If person test positive and is scheduled for more weeks during summer 2021 the following will be required before returning to camp:
  • a doctor’s note stating that person is no longer contagious and is healthy to attend camp
• As stated in the code of conduct form there are no refunds for medical reasons (this includes COVID symptoms or a positive test). However, if your camper is sent home to quarantine due to someone in their cohort testing positive for COVID you will be able be given a credit for the number of days that you did not finish that week. Credit can be used in 2021 (Pending available spots) or used in 2022.

Tips for keeping camp healthy before, during and after your week at camp

• Before you arrive at camp
  • If your child is showing signs of illness such as running a temperature, throwing up, has diarrhea, nasal drainage and/or coughing/sneezing, keep the child home and contact the camp director. This greatly reduces the spread of illness at camp but also supports your child’s recovery. Know your camp’s policy about illness and camp attendance.
  • Teach your child to sneeze/cough in his/her sleeve and to wash his/her hands often while at camp, especially before eating and after toileting.
  • If your child has mental, emotional, or social health challenges, talk with a camp representative before camp starts. Proactively discussing a camp’s ability to accommodate a child can help minimize – if not eliminate – potential problems.
  • Make sure that if your child has allergies or other medical diagnoses that present the same symptoms as COVID-19 you make sure it is marked clearly on their medical paperwork.
  • Travel/Gatherings
    • Minimize travel out of state and the country before you arrive at camp
    • do not attend large group gatherings with members outside your immediate household especially where Covid precautions not in place. 
    • Do not Attend activities that do not provide for social distancing prior to arrival at camp
  • Once your child has had their required PCR test for arrival at camp, try to quarantine as much as possible to help limit exposure (especially for people who are not vaccinated)
• During Camp
  • Fatigue plays a part in both injuries and illnesses – and camp is a very busy place! If your child is going to a day camp, be sure they get enough rest at night. If the child will be at a resident camp, prepare then to know that camp is not like a sleepover; they need to sleep, not stay up all night!
  • Remember to send sunscreen appropriate to the camp’s geographic location and that your child has tried at home. Teach your child how to apply his/her sunscreen and how often to do so.
  • Send a reusable water bottle. Instruct your child to use it and refill it frequently during their camp stay. Staying hydrated is important to a healthy camp experience, something your child can assess by noting the color of their urine; go for light yellow.
  • Talk with your child about telling their counselor, the nurse or camp director about problems or things that are troublesome to them at camp. This includes how they are feeling physically and emotionally. We know that the last year has taken a toll on all of us and we want to help your child have the best camp experience possible.
• After Camp
  • Be sure to contact the camp if within the two weeks after their stay at camp your child becomes ill or test positive for COVID-19. We will want to help with any contact tracing that may need to happen as a result of a positive case.

PICK UP AND DROP OFF

• Day Camp
  • Parents will pick up and drop off their campers curbside. Parents will not be allowed to get out of their vehicles.
  • If you need to speak with member of the administration team during pick up and drop off, we will have a designated area for you to park. An Administrative staff will then meet you in that parking area.
  • Each day, parents will be asked to complete a series of screening questions before dropping their camper off at camp.
    • DAY CAMPER HEALTH SCREENING WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS TO FILL OUT DAILY THROUGH OUR JOT FORM.
      • THE LINK FOR DAILY COMPLIANCE WILL BE EMAILED TO PARENTS AND ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. THE FORM IS DATE AND TIME STAMPED. NO SUBMISSIONS PRIOR TO 6AM EACH DAY YOUR CHILD ARRIVES AT CAMP WILL BE ACCEPTED.
• Resident Camp
  • Parents will pick up and drop off their campers curbside.
  • Parents will not be allowed to get out of their vehicles and go to the cabins with their campers.
    • Staff and Teen leaders will help campers get their belongings to the cabin and get settled in.
  • We are going to be staggering registration on Sunday afternoon to help with traffic flow
    • Please watch your email the week or so leading up to your child’s week at camp for the time frame in which to arrive      
      • Overall arrival will be from 2:30-4pm we will be doing 45 min blocks for each check in group.
• Illness refund Policy
  • As stated in the code of conduct form there are no refunds for medical reasons (this includes COVID symptoms or a positive test). However, if your camper is sent home to quarantine due to someone in their cohort testing positive for COVID you will be able be given a credit for the number of days that you did not finish that week. Credit can be used in 2021 (Pending available spots) or used in 2022.
• Cohorts/ Meals
  • Campers will be in Cohorts of 16 by age and have mixed genders. due to the fact that some activities have age requirements, we want to make sure other campers are not feeling left out. Cohorts will pick their weekly schedule as a cohort. This will help campers work on group decision making skills and teamwork. Each Cohort will have at least 2 staff members assigned to them. All campers will stay with the same group all week. Staff will stay with the same group as much as possible. If staff are needed to be with different groups, they will stay at least six feet from campers and wear masks when necessary.
  • All Meals will be eaten outside.
    • in the event of rain, we will be inside or in the pavilion.

these policies and protocols were created with the health of campers, staff, volunteers and camp families in mind. The Policies and Protocols were put together with input from the CT Office of Early Childhood, CDC, ACA, ACN, our Camp Doctor and Camp Director.