In response to our continued need to navigate our cultural landscape in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have a few protocols in place for those attending. These simple guidelines for participation are in line with what we are facing in and around our world every day. We thank you for adhering to and understanding the need for these guidelines in order to provide the best, healthiest camp environment possible.
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Pre-camp Health Screening Guidelines
Associational Children’s Camp group leaders must agree that:
Prior to leaving for the event, leaders will ask each participant the health screening questions to see if any of the following apply:
Have you knowingly been exposed to or in close physical contact with anyone confirmed to have COVID-19 in the pat 14 days? (Close physical contact = 6 feet or closer for 15 consecutive minutes or more in a 24-hour period)
Do you feel sick?
Have you or members of your household experienced any of the following in the past 14 days?
Fever over 100? Chills?
Cough or sore throat or cold/ flu-like symptoms? (fatigue, muscle/body aches, headaches, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
New loss of taste or smell?
Are you currently waiting on the result of a COVID-19 test?
If participants answer yes to any of these questions, we require that they stay home and not attend Associational Children’s Camp.
Leaders, also, please encourage vulnerable individuals to consider whether they should attend the event or not. Vulnerable individuals include:
The elderly
The immune compromised, and those with other health related considerations that might make them vulnerable to Covid-19
Those with breathing issues (asthma, etc.)
In addition to pre-camp screening, we encourage participants to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly throughout the day, use hand sanitizer, and observe physical distancing when possible.
Also, please be mindful and considerate of other participant’s comfort with social distance, shaking hands, fist bumps, elbow bumps, high fives, etc.
Group Leader Covid-19 Exposure Response Plan
Following is the Associational Children’s Camp response in the case of a COVID-19 exposure while at camp:
If any participant has symptom(s) of COVID-19 listed below, immediately remove them from participation in camp activities.
Fever over 100 / Chills
Cough or sore throat or cold/flu-like symptoms (fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
New loss of taste or smell
Contacts parents and consider the need for medical attention and/or rapid test. Rapid testing may be sought off grounds. If the participant is unable to get a negative rapid test (by availability, willingness to test, or positive results), the participant must return home immediately.
If the rapid test is positive, the individual must return home immediately.
If a rapid test is negative and an alternative diagnosis is provided, the participant may be allowed to return to participation in camp activities, if not contagious with another illness (strep, flu, etc.).
The group leader will work to identify other participants exposed to symptomatic participants, exposure being defined as 6 feet or closer for 15 consecutive minutes or more in a 24-hour period.
Tracking exposure begins 48 hours prior to the signs of their first symptom.
Begin to monitor these potentially exposed participants more closely.
An exposed participant is immediately removed from camp activities if the symptomatic participant’s rapid test comes back positive. The group leader must contact parents and make plans to get the exposed participant(s) home immediately.
The group leader is responsible to report to camp leadership, using the contact tracing report form (download available below), when the symptomatic student goes home from a positive test and students leave due to exposure to the symptomatic participant.
Groups have the option of either performing contact tracing within their group or sending the appropriate individuals home or returning home with their entire group.
There are certain exceptions for not needing to leave camp after an exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual. You must be able to show appropriate documentation at that time to qualify:
Vaccination (You are fully vaccinated (>2 weeks following second shot in a two-shot series or one dose of a single-doe vaccine)
Past recovered case of COVID-19 (People who have tested positive for COVID-19 with the past 3 months and recovered do not have to leave camp or be tested again as long as they do not develop new symptoms)
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Protocols
Will masks/face coverings be required?
No. At this time, masks/face coverings are allowed and optional for Associational Children’s Camp according to personal preference. The Associational Children’s Camp Program Office will notify group leaders if this changes due to changing pandemic conditions.
I was not around a COVID-19 positive person, but I was around someone who was a “close contact” to a positive case. Since I am a secondary exposure, do I have to skip or return home from camp?
No. Only participants who were in close contact (6 feet or closer for 15 consecutive minutes or more in a 24-hour period) with a confirmed COVID-19 positive individual will be asked either not to attend camp or to leave camp early. We do not consider secondary exposure problematic.
Is my group required to leave if we have a student or adult exhibit symptoms or test positive while at camp?
No. Please refer to COVID-19 RESPONSE portion of this document.
Will there be testing on grounds?
No. Seek testing off grounds promptly with the onset of symptoms.
Are vaccinations required?
No. Although vaccinations could prove beneficial in protection against exposure, they are not required for participation in Associational Children’s Camp.
How might we minimize the risk of exposure within our group?
Consider altering group behavior to minimize close contact exposure opportunities in your group. For example:
Shorten the length of small group interactions (segments under 15 minutes at a time) ii. Approach group activities in smaller “pods” (sleeping arrangements, small groups, meals etc.)
Prohibit participants in your group from entering other cabins and other groups from your cabin.
In addition to heightened attention to cleaning habits, personal hygiene, and possible distancing behaviors when possible, leaders may want to consider daily temperature checks and health screening with their groups.