Dear Parents,
As we turn the corner from winter and head into spring the excitement for summer camp continues to grow! While we continue to make preparations for camp this month, we want to share more details on the enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures we will be following at camp this summer to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 most commonly spreads through close contact and respiratory droplets. This is why outdoor activities, physical distancing, and wearing masks will be our reality at camp this summer. While less common, COVID-19 can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. Because of this possible transmission method, enhanced cleaning is another preventive measure we are taking this summer. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html)
Here are some details you should know about our cleaning and sanitation plans:
- All sanitizers and disinfectants will meet CDC and EPA guidelines for use against COVID-19.
- Hand sanitizer will be located at each building entrance and activity area. Campers, volunteers, and staff will use sanitizer when entering and leaving any of these areas in addition to regular proper hand washing after using the restroom, before eating, etc.
- Lodging and meeting spaces used by only one cohort will be cleaned and disinfected between each session – high touch surfaces and restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected daily by our housekeeping staff.
- Adults in each cohort will have extra sanitation supplies to perform additional cleanings of high touch surfaces and other areas daily and more frequently as needed.
- At the pool: the bathhouse, high touch surfaces, and shared equipment will be cleaned and disinfected between each cohort.
- The pool and kitchen also fall under additional licensing requirements and will follow any additional state and local COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
- Any indoor meeting space that is used by more than one cohort during the day will be cleaned and disinfected between each cohort.
- Any bathrooms used by more than one cohort will be cleaned and disinfected three times per day.
- Shared items will be limited as much as possible and will be cleaned and disinfected between cohorts.
- Vans will be cleaned and disinfected between trips.
- Cleaning logs of all buildings, vehicles and activity areas will be kept.
Following the recommendations from the American Camp Association Field Guide for safe camp operations in the midst of COVID-19, we are also assessing and making improvements to indoor air movement and filtration. This includes increasing the amount of outside air that is brought into the building and increasing the filter quality to MERV 13 or higher and/or using portable HEPA filter systems. In addition to these improvements, our health centers will also have a UV or ionization system installed to further improve the air quality.
Proper and frequent sanitation is just one of the multiple layers of COVID-19 prevention practices we are implementing this summer to help protect campers, volunteers, and staff from COVID-19. To see our most current prevention practices please visit our website at https://www.bwccampsandretreats.com/rcm-home-2/covid-19-updates/summer/.
Sincerely,
Chris Schlieckert
Director of Retreat and Camping Ministries
Rev. Kirstin Shrom-Rhoads
Director, Manidokan Camp and Retreat Center
P.S. if you missed any of our earlier parent email updates, you can find them at: https://www.bwccampsandretreats.com/about-us/blog/