Dear Parents,
June is here and that means camp is right around the corner. Summer staff are already onsite beginning their training and final preparations are underway.
We want to take this opportunity to share with you our COVID-19 safety protocols we will operate under for this camping season baring any local or state regulation changes that restrict camp operations further.
Our protocols have been developed to keep everyone safe at camp. We are following the guidance and regulations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), The American Camping Association (ACA), The Association of Camp Nurses (ACN), the state of Maryland Health Department who oversee youth camp regulations, and any applicable local orders.
You can see the full list of our protocols at: https://www.bwccampsandretreats.com/rcm-home-2/covid-19-updates/summer/
Much of the information in these protocols remains the same from when we first put our protocols on our website in January. There are, however, a few key changes I would like to highlight.
- First, and most significantly, the state of Maryland is requiring that all overnight campers, staff, and, volunteers who have not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before the start of camp must present a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken 1-3 days before the start of camp.
- In order to make this process as easy as possible we have partnered with Quest Diagnostics to provide an at home testing kit for your camper. Specific instructions on how and when to complete this testing kit will be sent to you shortly through email address you used to register your camper(s).
- If you are not able to get the test done through Quest Diagnostics, you will need to arrange for your own test and provide the results to the camp upon arrival.
- Vaccinated persons DO NOT need to be tested. Proof of vaccination status will need to be provided. Please bring a copy of your COVID-19 vaccine card so we can keep it with your camper’s health record.
- Day campers do not need to be tested.
- Second, you will still need to complete the 14-day pre-camp health screening form.
- Next, you are requested to follow CDC recommendations in the 14 days leading up to camp including:
- Following travel guidance restrictions.
- Practicing appropriate physical distancing, wear masks around unvaccinated people or in crowded places, avoiding unnecessary travel, and refrain from indoor social gatherings with people outside of their households.
- We will be using a “drive-thru” check in process with staggered check in times. Details are in the 2021 Packing List document and will be shared by email prior to your camper’s program and cam also be found on our website.
- During camp, the masking requirements will be different for day campers and for overnight campers.
- In a day camp program campers and staff must wear facemasks when indoors. When outdoors facemasks must be worn if physical distancing cannot be maintained except when wearing a face mask creates a safety hazard, is needed for sign language interpretation, or is not practicable (i.e eating, swimming, etc).
- For overnight campers face masks and distancing (inside and outside) are not required by campers, staff, or volunteers when interacting with only people in their cohort. If interacting with anyone outside their cohort, masks must be worn except when wearing a face mask creates a safety hazard, is needed for sign language interpretation, or is not practicable (i.e eating, sleeping, swimming, etc).
- Finally, after camp the CDC recommends campers who are not fully vaccinated should get tested with a viral test 3–5 days after traveling home from camp AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
We understand this is a lot of additional tasks compared to a typical year sending your kids to camp. We are grateful you have chosen to send your campers to Manidokan and/or West River this summer and appreciate your willingness to go the extra mile to keep our camp community safe this summer. We are so excited to welcome your campers this summer and we can’t wait to see how they grow in their love of God, self, neighbor, and nature at camp.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our office at 410-867-0991 or email admin@bwccampsandretreats.com.
If you would like to read the specific guidance from the CDC and ACA you can find that information here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/summer-camps.html
https://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/coronavirus/camp-business/field-guide-camps