COVID Readiness - Summer 2022 - Perlman Camp
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COVID Readiness – Summer 2022

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to camp very soon to kick off Summer 2022.

As COVID-19 is still present in our daily lives, it is important that we take precautions to mitigate the risk of infection and spread this summer at camp.

We have worked closely with our medical committee to determine the necessary precautions in order to allow us to run camp as close to “normally” as possible. This year, we will start the summer eating in the dining hall together, having campers mix in hobbies, and gather together inside and outside as a whole camp. Please read below for how we plan to do so and keep everyone safe at the same time!

Vaccination

All campers must be fully vaccinated and we strongly encourage you to get your child the first booster if they are eligible.  That booster may be critical to keeping camp COVID-free.  If you haven’t yet uploaded proof of vaccination in the forms section, please do so. If your child receives a booster after uploading your form, you can always resubmit at a later date.

Pre-Camp Behaviors

Families are asked to take extra precautions to avoid contracting COVID-19 in the week leading up to arrival at camp – including following these recommendations:

  • Wear a well-fitting mask while indoors in any public places (including at school, stores, etc.)
  • Avoid eating indoors in restaurants
  • Avoid large indoor gatherings or wear a mask at these events.
  • Practice social distancing in public areas, indoors and out

If your camper tests positive within 10 days prior to arrival at camp, you must notify us immediately. Your camper may arrive at camp on the 11th day after their positive test, assuming their symptoms are resolving and they have a negative rapid antigen test.

Children with respiratory/cold symptoms, or those who have a family member who tests positive in the week before camp should contact us to discuss their plan of action.

Travel to Camp

Campers and staff must wear a mask throughout all parts of their travel journey to camp in public areas/vehicles, including in ride shares, airport, airplane, bus, etc.

Campers and staff riding camp buses to camp will be asked to mask on the bus.

Pre-Camp Testing

Campers must receive a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of arrival at camp. If families have difficulty accessing a pre-camp PCR test on your own, please contact us to discuss arrangements.

The morning of arrival at camp, your camper must take a rapid antigen test at home. Take a picture of the negative test result and show it to us upon arrival at camp or the bus stop. You may utilize any FDA approved at-home COVID-19 antigen test. If you have any difficulty accessing a test kit, please let us know.

If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days prior to camp, they do not need a PCR test prior to arrival (though we will still require a rapid antigen test on arrival day). If your child tests positive on an antigen test at any point in the 90 day window, please get a follow-up PCR test (or medically supervised antigen test) so you have proof of a positive test.

In Camp Testing

We plan to utilize PCR testing during the first week of camp and may test weekly after that. Families will need to register in advance with our testing company, and all test costs will be processed through insurance. There will be no out-of-pocket costs for in-camp testing. Keep an eye out for an additional email with details on how to register for testing.

Second Session campers will receive repeated rapid antigen tests throughout the first week of the session. This will take place instead of re-masking the rest of the camp population at the start of the session.

If a camper has COVID-like symptoms during camp, they will be tested with a rapid antigen test and will receive a follow-up PCR if necessary. Campers who have a negative test and are fever-free will be permitted to continue at activities. Campers with a fever and negative test will be isolated in the Health Center until fever-free. As always, we will call you if we admit your child to the Health Center.

If a camper tests positive for COVID-19 during camp, we will consult with each family to determine the best course of action. In cases where the child is asymptomatic or has very mild symptoms, we will do our best to manage these cases on-site. These campers will be isolated  in a room or bunk either alone or with other COVID-positive campers for a period of at least 5 days. We recognize that campers may be more comfortable isolating at home, and parents who wish to pick up their campers may do so.

If it is determined that a camper’s symptoms cannot be managed on-site, parents will be asked to pick their child up as soon as possible.

Campers will be reintroduced to their bunk and camp activities at the discretion of the medical committee and Camp Director. 

Masking in Camp

Campers and staff will be asked to mask when indoors together in mixed groups (other than when seated at their table in the Dining Hall or interacting with only their bunkmakes) for the first few days of the session and until after we receive the results of our in-camp PCR tests. If there are any positive cases in camp, we may extend this time frame as necessary.

We ask that you send your child with plenty of well-fitting masks. KN95 or surgical masks are preferred, but cloth masks may be worn if they are well-fitting and worn correctly at all times.

Visiting Day

Our medical committee and Board have determined that it is in the best interest of camp and our campers not to have an in-person Visiting Day this year. Full Summer campers will have the opportunity to have a virtual visit with their family when second session begins.

Staff COVID-19 Policies

Our staff must be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, which means they must have at least one booster, if eligible.  Staff will be allowed to leave camp on their time off with very clear instructions as to off-camp behavior to minimize the risk of getting COVID-19.  We plan to test staff twice weekly and follow the same policies and procedures should anyone test positive during the summer.