COVID Safety Plan

Updated  July 12, 2021

Introduction

We are working closely with the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services (NH DHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to ensure summer camp meets and/or exceeds all federal, state, and local health and safety laws, rules, and regulations.

Please note that while Camp Takodah seeks guidance from the CDC, we are ultimately required to follow the Overnight Camp Guidelines mandated by the NH DHHS.

In addition to working with the NH DHHS and CDC, we have assembled a COVID Advisory Team of local medical experts to guide our COVID Safety Plan and provide ongoing advice and support throughout summer camp. We have also hired a COVID Safety Officer to ensure compliance with our COVID Safety Plan.

We strongly encourage you to become familiar with the COVID Safety Plan – along with the risks and benefits of summer camp – so you can make an informed decision about your participation in Camp Takodah this year.

In addition to this webpage, please check our Parent Resources Page for additional information about preparing for summer camp:

Parent Resources

COVID Safety Plan Guidelines

Pre-Camp Procedures

All Campers

  • Campers are required to have an emergency contact within 90 miles of Camp Takodah who is available for same-day pickup in case of infection.
  • Campers with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions are strongly encouraged to consult their healthcare providers about participating in summer camp.
  • Campers ages 12+ are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before arrival.
  • Campers and their families are strongly encouraged to choose safer activities that reduce the risk of infection or exposure during the 10 days before arrival.

Vaccinated Campers

  • Provide a copy of their COVID Vaccination Card in Camp Doc.
  • Answer the COVID screening questions in Camp Doc during the seven days before arrival.

Unvaccinated Campers

  • Provide proof of a negative PCR test in Camp Doc that was conducted during the 72 hours before arrival.
  • Answer the COVID screening questions in Camp Doc during the seven days before arrival.
  • International Campers: Adhere to a home quarantine during the 10 days before arrival.

 

Cohorting / Face-Masking / Physical Distancing / Hygiene Procedures

Cohorting

  • Campers will be placed in cabins comprised of 10 campers, two cabin leaders, and possibly a Leader-In-Training.
  • Each cabin will function as a “family unit” where face-masking and physical distancing is optional.

Face-Masking

  • Campers will not be required to wear masks with their cabin cohorts.
  • Masking will be optional for outdoor activities.
  • When campers are inside buildings with campers and/or staff from other cohorts, then they will be required to wear masks (e.g., Dining Hall, Bathhouses, TPAC/NoPAC, Hobby Nook, Candlelight Ceremony).
  • During times when masks are optional, all staff and campers will create a supportive and affirming environment for anyone who chooses to wear a mask.
  • Campers will receive free laundry service for their masks, and they will be able to purchase additional masks in the Camp Store.

Physical Distancing

  • Campers will be required to practice physical distancing when interacting with staff and campers from another cohort.

Hygiene

  • Campers will be required to practice regular handwashing.
  • Campers will be required to cover their noses and mouths for coughs and sneezes.

 

Screening / Testing Procedures

Symptom Monitoring

  • Campers will participate in daily screenings for new symptoms.

Screening Testing

  • Unvaccinated campers will participate in saliva-based PCR screening testing on Days 1 and 6 of their session.

Diagnostic Testing

  • Vaccinated and unvaccinated campers with symptoms will participate in rapid antigen and PCR diagnostic testing. All rapid antigen testing will be confirmed by additional PCR testing.

 

Isolation / Quarantine / Dismissal Procedures

Vaccinated Campers

  • Campers are subject to isolation and/or quarantine only if symptomatic.
  • Campers are subject to dismissal from camp only if infected.

Unvaccinated Campers

  • Campers are subject to isolation and/or quarantine if symptomatic or exposed.
  • Campers are subject to dismissal from camp if infected or exposed.

Quarantine

  • Campers who are quarantined together will still enjoy camp activities while awaiting test results. Staff will supervise them to ensure they stay clear of all other campers and staff. For example, they could go swimming together when nobody else was at the waterfront.

Camp Refunds

  • Anyone dismissed from camp due to infection or exposure will receive a prorated refund.

 

Arrival Procedures

We will operate according to our normal Arrival Procedures except for the following:

  • Visitors are prohibited at Camp Takodah except during Opening and Closing Days.
  • Parents/guardians will receive their cabin numbers 24 hours before arrival. Your cabin number determines your 30-minute check-in window. Odd-numbered cabins will arrive at 1:00 PM, and even-numbered cabins will arrive at 2:00 PM. Families with campers in both odd- and even-numbered cabins will arrive at 1:00 PM.
  • Everyone will receive COVID screening questions upon arrival. Anyone with symptoms will be refused entry to Camp Takodah.
  • Everyone will be required to practice face-masking and physical distancing.
  • Only one parent/guardian per camper will be permitted to enter their cabin.
  • The Kona Snow Cone and Ice Cream truck will not be available. Please make sure your camper eats lunch before arriving at camp, as their first meal will be dinner that day.
  • Local officials have prohibited line-ups on Fitzwilliam Road/119 and the camp lane for public safety reasons. Please plan your trip so that you arrive in Richmond no earlier than your scheduled 30-minute check-in time.

 

Cabins

We will operate according to our normal Cabin Procedures except for the following:

  • Staff will arrange the bunks and require sleeping head-to-foot to increase distance.
  • Staff will keep the windows open as much as possible to increase ventilation.
  • Campers will use the same bunk throughout their entire session.
  • Campers will not be allowed to share personal items.

 

Bathrooms

We will operate according to our normal Bathroom Procedures except for the following:

  • Campers will have scheduled bathroom times with their cabin cohorts for taking showers and brushing teeth (unmasked activities).
  • Campers will practice face-masking and physical distancing in the bathrooms during all other times.

 

Dining Hall

We will operate according to our normal Dining Hall Procedures except for the following:

  • Tables will be spread out among the Dining Hall and Dining Hall Terrace to maximize the distance between cabin cohorts.
  • Campers will be required to sit and eat with their cabin cohorts.
  • Campers will be required to practice face-masking and physical distancing when not seated at their tables.

 

Classes / Activities

We will operate according to our normal Camp Schedule except for the following:

  • Campers will be required to practice face-masking and physical distancing during indoor activities when interacting with staff and campers from another cohort.
  • Activities will be conducted outside whenever possible.
  • We have eliminated mandatory swim lessons for this year.

 

Changeover Weekend

If your camper is registered for 2+ consecutive sessions, then they will be required to stay with us at camp during the weekend(s) between those sessions (called changeover weekends). If your camper is enrolled in consecutive sessions this summer, then you don’t need to do anything to register them for the changeover weekend(s).

Please note: The changeover program is only available to campers attending 2+ consecutive sessions. We’re not able to accommodate additional campers.

Parents/guardians are prohibited from visiting or picking up campers during changeover weekend this year. We will be happy to schedule phone calls, Zooms, FaceTimes, and/or Skypes so that you can talk to your camper during the changeover weekend if you like.

The changeover program and activities will remain mostly the same except for prohibiting campers from taking field trips.

We will continue to offer laundry service to changeover campers through a local vendor. We will collect laundry from campers on Friday and then return it to them on Sunday. We will simply charge campers for the cost of the laundry (usually around $12). We will deduct the charge from their Camp Store account so please make that a consideration when depositing money for your camper.

Cabin Leaders will help campers move into their new cabins, make their beds, and store their personal belongings.