We know families need camp programs more than ever; which is why we are committed to addressing COVID-19 while ensuring our mission of a joyful connection to nature. We are fortunate that our programs are already primarily run outdoors. This coupled with carefully considered health and safety measures will be our ticket to “seeking the joy” at GRP this summer.
Please read through our preliminary health guidelines for our 2021 season. Here you will find details on how we plan to operate and maintain a healthy community. Our guiding compass for this document is the health and safety of our campers, staff and greater GRP community. Please understand this is a living document and we will continue to make adjustments and adaptations based on guidance and guidelines received.
In a Nutshell, Camp is Doing the Following:
We will continue to closely monitor this rapidly evolving situation this spring. As we move forward with program planning, know that we will be abundantly transparent in our decisions.
Again, nothing is more important to us than the safety of our campers and staff. We thank you for your trust and support.
YES!!!! And this summer will be AMAZING! We are confident we can run a successful summer program and again gather on The Preserve. Since last summer, we’ve learned from quite a few summer camps, including some in our local area, who were able to show that a safe summer camp experience is possible. We will be operating two family weekends in May, along with a few school groups, and then resident camp starting in June. We will build on the successes of camps that ran in 2020 and schools this year to develop plans for these programs.
Yes. All campers and program participants will be asked to monitor and track their temperature and any COVD-19 symptoms 10 days prior to arrival to camp. Additionally, we do plan to require a negative PCR COVID test upon arrival.
We have two medical staff (registered nurse, Doctor, and/or Physician’s Assistant) on site at all times. Campers and staff will have their temperatures taken regularly each morning, and our on-site RN will closely monitor the health of all campers and staff.
Campers or staff with a suspected case of COVID 19, will be immediately isolated in our Health Hut and assessed by the Camp Nurse. If testing is needed, we will either conduct that onsite or take the symptomatic patient to our local Hospital. Campers or staff showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of the test result, may be sent home. Other campers in that group would be isolated and assessed, and parents will be notified of procedures.
Check-In and Check-Out will be contactless for parents. All paperwork and payment must be completed prior to check-in. Following ACA Guidelines, we are asking that campers come with only 1 adult to camp (no other adults or siblings, please). Temperature checks will be required for everyone driving through the gate, including parents. We are requiring all parents and campers to wear a face covering at check-in. Check-In time will be assigned by cabin and family groups. It is very important to arrive only at the time that you will receive in an email. This insures that we can social distance children between cabin/family groups and they don’t intermingle. Make sure that all of your luggage is easily accessible and packed well. Camp staff will assist your camper in unloading luggage from the car, sanitizing it, and then camp staff will transport luggage by carts to your camper’s cabin or unit. If parents would like to speak with our Camp Nurse, a telephone or video appointment can be arranged prior to camp. Please let us know that you would like to speak with the nurse by emailing hayne@greenriverpreserve.org
Parents will not exit their vehicle at any point during check-in. Camp counselors will assist campers with moving into their bunks and setting up beds. Please prepare your camper for this change. Check-Out will follow similar procedures to Check-In. Each camper will receive a specific time for Check-out. Please wear a face covering, bring only one adult (no siblings), and be prepared to remain in your car and receive a temperature check.
This means camp activities need to happen in smaller groups and on camp property. Camp leadership has been looking at every component of camp to maintain as much of the Green River Preserve experience as possible. Overall, campers will experience camp with their family, attending activities, hikes, and meals together.
Activities will be scheduled ahead of time and supported by program area specialists. Campers will experience classes with their cabin or family. Over the years, we have collected data to determine which activities campers like best. We plan to use this information to create the best possible activity schedule for campers. We know this is different from years past and we are putting our best foot forward to make it awesome. In the 2 and 3 week sessions, we plan to allow families to collaborate and choose their group learning project days and some other special activity times. Additionally, we will work with a family if they really want to spend more time with a specific activity.
We know that these are a special part of the camp experience. We believe with a new COVID-Careful design, we can still have our favorite evening activities like Predator Prey, Talent Show, and Council Fires. We feel confident that we will continue to build on the creativity of our staff to offer these important pieces of our program.
We will be doing campouts during our 2 and 3 week sessions in family groups. This is very similar to how we have always run this program. We will have increased sanitation, carefully set menus for cooking in the backcountry, and continued health screenings in the field. We are consulting with experts and looking at best practices as we plan for these adventures.
Yes. We do require that every camper and adult arrive at check in day with a face covering. Campers will also need to bring a handful of masks to wear while at camp. With masking, social distancing, and predomiately programming outside our goal is to keep our communinity safe. We will provide more information to families as soon as we receive the guidelines from the State of North Carolina. You can find CDC guidance on masks HERE.
Still have questions? Email usanne@greenriverpreserve.org
State and National Resources for Camps
Quarantining Guidelines for NC
ACA worked with Environmental Health & Engineering to create this thorough field guide for camps
ACA partnered with the Environmental Health and Engineering to put together a list of effective practices that camps utilized in 2020 to run camp safely.
Suggestions for Youth and Summer Camps from the CDC
Resources About Camps
Study Shows Minimal COVID-19 Infections Among Children at Day Camps
Summer Camps Successfully Prevented and Mitigated COVID-19 Transmission, Says New CDC Study
Preventing and Mitigating SARS-CoV-2 Transmission — Four Overnight Camps, Maine, June–August 2020
Summer is Approaching Bring Back Camp An article from last year in The Atlantic that highlights the social-emotional impact camp has on children and some ways that camps can operate safely during COVID-19
Children and COVID Resources
Children and COVID-19 A weekly summary of all publicly available data from states on child COVID-19 cases, compiled by The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association
The Kids Corona Study SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital conducted a study last summer to better understand COVID-19 in children and pregnant women. They studied camps in Spain and saw evidence that there was a low infection rate among kids, outlined in this article.
COVID and Children from the CDC
Kids not likely to drive household infection an overview of a study conducted by the University of Minnesota
What you need to know about summer camp and COVID-19 An article that summarizes best practices.
Additional Helpful Resources
Covid Tracking ProjectThe best source for the latest compiled data from around the country
COVID Data Tracker from the CDCCOVID Data Tracker from the CDC
COVID-NET A weekly summary of US COVID-19 hospitalization data organized by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
The Swiss Cheese ApproachAn article from The Verge about how one protocol will have many holes to it, but stacking multiple safety protocols on top of each other is the best approach to preventing a COVID-19 spread. (Here’s a great illustration of this approach)
The Pandemic Safety Rule That Really Matters An article from The Atlantic that discusses how COVID-19 is an airborne virus that is much more likely to spread in “closed” environments with poor ventilation like bars, restaurants, and gyms. The most important rule to follow is not spending time indoors with people that are outside your household
How long does it last? An article by Medical News Today that outlines how long COVID-19 symptoms can last for positive patients, as well as how long droplets can last in the air or in the food.
Don’t rely on a negative test A CNN article about COVID-19 testing and how even if someone tests negative, they could still have the virus and transfer it to others.