Updated as of August 5th, 2021
Our plans for operation this summer prioritize steps to protect all those in our community that are not yet eligible for vaccination or are unvaccinated. The families who join us for Summer 2021 are those who feel strongly that the benefits of their children being outdoors in a camp situation outweigh the potential health risks associated with COVID-19.
We continue to review the camp guidelines published by the Center for Disease Control, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and have conferred with the Sharon Health Department. In addition, we are closely connected to the American Camp Association's national task force responsible for guidelines for safe summer camp operation. In concert with these guidelines, and with our experience in 2020 we are confident there is a way forward to create a fun and responsible summer camp environment for everyone involved.
Will all of our efforts eliminate all health risk? No. That being said, with a well-planned and organized set of mitigation strategies, staff training and awareness, close collaboration with our Sharon Health Department, and partnership with our camp families, we can lower the risk of spread of COVID-19.
All parents or guardians, and all staff must complete a health attestation for each child every day prior to arriving at camp. The Health Attestation form asks the parent/guardian to confirm that the child has not exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 nor been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual. Campers and counselors will be organized into “group cohorts” that will remain together all day, every day. Groups will not come within 6 feet of contact with each other, except in uncommon situations when social distancing cannot be maintained (e.g., rainy days, or some emergency situations). For these situations when safety is paramount, campers and counselors will carry masks with them at all times and they will be instructed to wear them when within less than six feet of campers or staff from other cohorts. When engaged in outdoor camp activities with members of their cohort, Campers and staff will NOT have to wear masks. Campers and staff will NOT wear masks while eating (will be 6 feet apart), swimming, or doing any watercraft activities (kayaking, canoeing, etc.) Campers and Staff MUST wear masks in the following situations. regardless of vaccination status: Families will need to supply at least 2 clean cloth masks or face coverings for their child to allow for replacing the covering as needed. Masks should be cleaned daily, CLEARLY LABELED, and masks should be clearly marked to distinguish which side of the covering should be worn facing outwards. Campers and Staff will be instructed in proper hand washing techniques and will be required to wash their hands regularly throughout the day. Everwood will also be using liquid hand sanitizer during times that hand washing isn’t available or easily accessible. More specifically, hand-washing/sanitizing will occur: We will also be encouraging and teaching other healthy habits including covering coughs and sneezes, not sharing drinks or food, and proper use of hand sanitizer. If handwashing is not available, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent ethanol or at least 70 percent isopropanol may be utilized as appropriate to the ages of children and only with written parent permission to use.
The following new symptoms, if observed in a child or staff member are cause for immediate isolation and exclusion from Camp If an individual is identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 positive individual, they must quarantine until they are released by a public health authority (either the Local Board of Health or the Community Tracing Collaborative). In general, a close contact will need to quarantine for: If an individual tests positive for COVID-19, they may return to care or work when they have been released from isolation by a public health authority (either the Local Board of Health or the Community Tracing Collaborative). Return will typically be 10 days after symptom onset if the symptoms are improving AND the individual has been fever-free without fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours, or 10 days from test date if the individual is asymptomatic. If an individual is symptomatic, they should be tested for COVID-19 using a PCR test. If a symptomatic individual does not get tested, they may return after 10 days in self-isolation AND their symptoms are improving AND they have been fever-free without fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours. If a symptomatic individual tests negative for COVID-19, they may return to care or work when symptoms begin to improve AND they have been fever-free without fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours. Bathrooms and common high-touch areas/surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected at regular intervals throughout the camp day, and all buildings will be cleaned and disinfected at the end of each day. Specialists will disinfect all shared equipment between each group that visits their activity, and group counselors will disinfect all equipment assigned to their group after each use. For 2021, Campers must come to camp with their own dedicated personal floatation device/life jacket that is provided by families. Life jackets must be U.S. Coast Guard Approved – USCG Approved Type III Device appropriate for your child’s weight and clearly labeled with your child’s name. Vaccination for eligible individuals 12 and up are strongly encouraged, and we anticipate that a large number of our staff and eligible campers will be vaccinated this summer. That said, there may be some unvaccinated staff members and a large portion of our camper population (those under 12) who are not yet vaccinated. As such, we are continuing to mandate the protocols above. The inside space at Everwood is not set up to accommodate large numbers of children for extended periods of time AND keep them safe from COVID-19. Even though children are required to wear their masks indoors, the nature of the activities and space is so very different from where our children will be in schools in the fall. Ventilation, consistency of mask use, close contact and other considerations are all factors in decision making for weather closures. Should more than 1 closure occur during a 2 week period we would refund the second closure and further that occur.
