Camp Little Notch COVID-19 Protocols & Procedures These guidelines have been prepared in accordance with the most up-to-date NYS guidance for children’s camps, as of June 7, 2021.
CLN COVID-19 COMMUNICATIONS PLAN All plan information contained within this document is a result of reviewing and understanding state-issue industry guidelines. Camp Little Notch (CLN) affirms that these will be implemented throughout the children’s camp 2021 season. CLN’s designated staff member who will respond to all COVID-19 concerns is Executive Director, Susan Rhoades. Concerned parents or staff members can reach Susan at susan.rhoades@friendsofcln.org or 518-817-8892. This document has been prepared to inform campers and staff of CLN’s COVID-19 protocols for summer 2021. This information will be made available to all campers and staff via posting to the website and direct email. Any further updates will be communicated directly to registered families via email and will be communicated to staff via email ahead of camp, or during in-person staff meetings once camp is in session. Signage will be posted throughout the facility reminding individuals to adhere to proper hand hygiene, social distancing, use of PPE and cleaning/disinfecting protocols.
PRIOR TO CAMP Screening Prior to Arrival ● Camp Little Notch is required by the state to collect vaccination status for staff and children, which may be reviewed by the health department as needed. This question has been added to all camper and staff health paperwork. ● Any staff members and campers are required to stay home if they or any member of their household are sick or showing any symptoms of COVID-19. In the event of needing to miss camp due to a suspected case of COVID-19 in a camper or their household, Camp Little Notch will work with you to arrange attendance at an alternate session when possible or a refund on a case-by-case basis. ● For two weeks prior to attending camp, a camper’s temperature must be recorded daily along with monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19. The symptom form must be brought to camp check-in and will be reviewed by a medical
professional on site to ensure your camper is safe to attend camp. The screening form can be found on CLN’s website. ● Per NYS guidelines, all campers and staff must receive a negative PCR test or NAATs that is collected within 72 hours of arrival at camp. If campers and staff are vaccinated, proof of vaccination completion at least 14 days prior to the date of arrival is also acceptable. Laboratory confirmed proof of COVID-19 within the previous 3 months is also acceptable documentation. ○ This type of testing is much preferred due to accuracy. However, if you are unable to access this type of testing or your result does not come back in time, we will have a small supply of rapid tests available on site for your camper to take. Please also note that this will make your check-in process a bit longer.
Screening at Check-In & Check-Out ● Anyone arriving to CLN camp property including campers, staff and caregivers, must undergo a screening, which will include a temperature check and a questionnaire. ● Anyone who has a temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 or exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter the property. ● If being sent home due to a positive screening noting possible onset of symptoms, individuals will be provided with information on healthcare and testing resources. ● Check-in and check-out screenings will be received and attested to by the Camp Director. ● If a camper’s household member has tested positive for COVID-19 or is exhibiting symptoms, this household member is not permitted to enter Camp Little Notch for any reason.
CHECK-IN ● CLN is required by NYS to limit the amount of time visitors spend in camp during the check-in process. ● Groups will have staggered entry by last name. Last names starting with letters A-M will check-in between 2-2:45pm and last names N-Z will check-in between 2:45-3:30pm. CLN will also send a reminder email ahead of camp about check-in with these times and groupings reiterated. The email about check-in will also serve as a reminder that no more than two escorts will be allowed to drop a camper off and escorts will not be able to leave main camp during the check-in process.
● Once arriving into camp, a staff member - wearing a mask - greets the car at the main intersection and conveys the following: ○ Follow the flow of traffic to the next staff member who will direct you to your parking spot ○ For the safety of everyone, masks and social distancing are in effect ○ Steps to check-in (wait in your car until asked to exit; when it’s time to exit, a staff member will alert you and let you know what to do next) ○ The car will then be directed to park in an orderly fashion. ○ Only two escorts will be allowed to drop campers off; no extended family members will be allowed. ● A staff member is stationed in the car park to instruct cars where to park and to one at a time exit their vehicle and begin the check-in process. Before allowing anyone to exit their vehicle, the staff member takes temperatures and asks the screening questions of the whole group, taking note of names and replies on their clipboard. ● If screening is successful the group can then exit their vehicle. The camper & escorts first stop to see the Camp Director at the Singing Logs. They confirm the camper is checking in and direct them on the next steps. ● Campers then proceed inside the Health Center, which will have one way traffic into it through the Infirmary door and out through the porch door. They will stop to see the Health Director who will check for lice, receive any medications, review the 14-day at-home screening log and discuss any other medical concerns. ● Luggage will be left in a designated area in the car park (or in the dining hall in case of rain). ● After this process is complete, campers are dropped off in a designated space in the field; each group will have its own marked space. In the event of rain, campers will be dropped off in the main lodge, again in a designated space for each group. Counselors will be waiting there and will check campers in as “in” to the unit and fully under counselor watch, and will play field games and “get to know you” games until the whole group has arrived. Masks will be worn until the check-in process is fully complete and only campers & staff are on site, no visitors remaining. After all unit members have arrived, counselors will walk the group down to the unit.
DURING CAMP Masks & Social Distancing ● All campers and staff will be required to wear masks indoors, except for when eating. Outdoors, campers and staff will not be required to wear masks, however any camper or staff member is welcome to wear a mask at any time. Unvaccinated staff members must wear a face covering at all times. ● Per NYS guidelines, bandanas, buffs and face shields are not acceptable face coverings. Cloth-based 2-ply face coverings, disposable masks, or N95 respirators that cover both the nose and mouth are acceptable face coverings. ● For one week sessions, campers must have one clean cloth face mask or new disposable face mask per day of camp. For the two week session, if bringing cloth masks, campers can bring one week’s worth of face masks and masks will be washed halfway through the session. If bringing disposable masks for the two week session, campers must bring enough for every day of the session.
Daily Screening ● Per NYS guidelines, all campers and staff will have their temperatures checked twice a day, before breakfast and dinner. This will be checked as they enter the dining hall for those meals. ● Record will be kept that all individuals were screened and what the results of those screenings were (pass/fail). ● Staff will make visual inspections of campers throughout each camp day, looking for signs of COVID-19 such as flushed cheeks, rapid breathing, difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity), fatigue or extreme fussiness.
COVID-19 Isolation Space ● Any campers suspected of having COVID-19 will be isolated in the infirmary. No other campers will be permitted in the infirmary at this time, and only the camper and Health Director will be permitted in the space at that time. The Health Director will wear a N95 mask in the result of a suspected COVID-19 case. The health center bathroom will be cleaned and sanitized after each use during this time. ● When in isolation, the windows in the infirmary will be left open to allow for ventilation and the camper will stay at the back of the infirmary, and the Health Director will remain two rooms away in the office space whenever possible. ● Meals will be brought to the door to the infirmary and left for the camper to retrieve so no contact is made between the person delivering the food and the camper.
● Staff who need to be isolated will stay in an unused platform tent unit, having their own latrine, unit house and tent to themselves. Meals will be delivered in the same fashion as noted above. ● A camper or staff member who is being isolated will undergo an on-site rapid test to determine if they need to leave the property.
Positive COVID-19 Case ● If a camper is determined through health department contact tracing to have been a contact of someone with COVID-19, they must be picked up within no more than 24 hours. The pick-up person must be using private transportation by someone who will be living with the camper. ● CLN will immediately notify the health department in the event of a positive COVID-19 test result by a staff member or camper. ● CLN will immediately notify caregivers of all campers upon learning of a positive test for COVID-19 for anyone on site, while maintaining confidentiality. ● If a camper tests positive for COVID-19, they must be picked up within no more than 24 hours from the time of notification. The pick-up person must be using private transportation by someone who will be living with the camper. ● Asymptomatic contacts who are fully vaccinated will not have to quarantine if exposed to a positive case and can remain at camp. ● Following a positive COVID-19 case, all areas used by that person will be closed off, cleaned and disinfected. Doors and windows will be opened for ventilation. Whenever possible we will wait 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting that space.
Stable Groups The maximum number of campers on camp will be limited to 26 at one time. This will allow for the entire camp population to function as a “stable group,” per NYS requirements. Campers will be grouped into units of approximately 12 with other campers of similar age, and do the majority of their activities within their unit. However, thanks to our small overall number, campers will still be able to participate in certain socially distanced “all-camp” activities and meals together in the dining hall.
Meals Meals will be served cafeteria-style in the dining hall, meaning they will go through a food service line where masked/gloved kitchen staff will hand them their food items of choice in individual servings. Campers and staff will wear masks when entering the dining hall and whenever traveling around the space. Windows and doors will be left open with fans running to constantly circulate fresh air into the building. Tables will be spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart from other tables, and whenever possible, 6 feet
between individuals will also be maintained. As a departure from previous years, kitchen staff will handle all aspects of the dishwashing process. After each meal, all “high touch” dining hall surfaces include tables, chairs, and door knobs/railings will be sanitized. Kitchen staff will practice regular food service safe-handling guidelines and also practice proper hand hygiene before and after transferring a food or supply delivery.
Sleeping Campers will sleep in platform tents, sleeping feet-to-feet. This will allow for more than 6 feet between the heads of sleeping campers. Additionally, except in the case of rain, tent flaps will be kept open to allow for adequate air circulations. In tent flaps have to be closed in cases of extreme rain, campers will have to wear their masks inside the tents unless sleeping. However, whenever flaps are open, the tents are considered outdoor space.
Camp-Wide Sanitization - People, Surfaces & Equipment Campers and staff will engage in handwashing before all meals and between every activity period. Staff will educate campers on proper handwashing techniques, provide constant reminders of proper techniques and ensure campers are following them. Hand sanitizer will be available in convenient areas throughout common areas on site, including Imagination Station, Unit Houses, the ropes course, the waterfront, and the dining hall. Signage will also be posted at these locations with reminders that visibly soiled hands must be washed with soap and water; hand sanitizer is not effective on visibly soiled hands. The following equipment will be sanitized with spray or wipes between uses, and will be logged: ● Oars, paddles, PFDs ● Non-single use arts & crafts supplies such as scissors and hot glue guns ● Ropes course equipment ● Sports & field games equipment ● Picnic tables, dining hall tables & chairs ● Indoor game materials for rainy days, such as board games ● Door knobs on buildings
Additionally use of equipment that is difficult to sanitize will be discouraged, such as soft toys, dress-up clothing, etc. Latrines and showerhouses will be cleaned and sanitized daily and cleaning/sanitizing will be logged.
Camp Activities 1. Activities will be intentionally planned to maximize social distancing and limit person-to-person contact. Focus will be put on activities with lower/moderate risks. 2. Focus will be put on activities that limit shared equipment. If equipment is shared, it will be gear that can be cleaned and disinfected between uses. 3. Water activities will be planned so that staff can safely supervise older campers in the water without having to be in the water themselves. Staff will actively encourage social distancing between swimmers through the “starfish” method (you should always be able to ‘act like a starfish’ without touching another camper!). 4. Off-site excursions are discouraged due to enhanced risks, so all overnight or day hiking trips will be conducted on CLN camp property. When pitching trip tents for overnights, tents will be limited to one occupant and will only be occupied by multiple people if they are siblings. 5. In the event of rain, campers will take shelter under an open-air structure whenever possible. In the event of truly inclement weather that requires all of camp to take shelter in the dining hall, social distancing will be enforced.
Other ● Non-essential, unvaccinated visitors are prohibited on site except under emergency circumstances. ● An adequate supply of extra face coverings will be kept on hand in the office in the event of campers or staff members needing a replacement. ● The Health Director and Camp Director will work together to act as the site safety monitor throughout camp, ensuring continuous compliance with all aspects of this plan. ● Rosters and logs will be kept of all individuals on site and who they come into contact with during camp. This will include staff, caregivers during check-in/check-out and any essential visitors. This will be kept to determine any close or proximate contact with other individuals on site, in case this information needs to be used for COVID-19 contact tracing purposes.
CHECK OUT ● CLN is required by NYS to limit the amount of time visitors spend in camp during the check-out process. ● During check-out, campers will be waiting and playing small group games either in the carpark field on nice days, or inside the lodge on rainy days. ● Once arriving into camp, a staff member - wearing a mask - greets the car at the main intersection and conveys the following ○ Follow the flow of traffic to the next staff member who will direct you to your parking spot ○ For the safety of everyone, masks and social distancing are in effect ○ Steps to check-out (wait in your car until asked to exit; when it’s time to exit, a staff member will alert you and let you know what to do next) ○ The car will then be directed to park in an orderly fashion. ○ Only two escorts will be allowed to pick a camper up; no extended family members will be allowed. ● A staff member is stationed in the car park to instruct cars where to park and to one at a time exit their vehicle to complete the check-out process. Before allowing anyone to exit their vehicle, the staff member takes temperatures and asks the screening questions of the whole group, taking note of names and replies on their clipboard. ● The adult picking up a camper will then see the Camp Director/Health Director to have ID checked and sign their camper out. They will also have any medications returned at this time. The Director will radio for the camper to be brought to the check-out area. ● Luggage will be retrieved in a designated area in the car park (or in the dining hall in case of rain). ● A counselor will escort the camper over, where they will have a brief touchpoint with the caregiver to let them know how their camper did, anything notable that happened during the week, etc.
STAFF ● Staff meetings will take place in outdoor spaces whenever possible; if not possible, they will take place in a well-ventilated indoor space. ● Hand sanitizer and sanitizer wipes/spray will be made available in staff-only spaces including in the Staff House, staff showers, and office. Staff should make use of this at their own comfort. ● Signage encouraging social distancing will be hung in all staff-only spaces.
● Staff members must and will be provided acceptable face coverings at no cost to them. However, staff are also allowed to wear face coverings that they provide, as long as they are cleaned after each use. ● Staff will be trained on the following during pre-camp staff training: ○ How to adequately put on, take off, clean and discard PPE ○ Any and all policies and precautions contained within this document that are applicable to their job responsibilities ○ How to support the campers in developing good public/individual health behaviors to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as hand hygiene and social distancing ○ Requirement for staff to make visual inspections of campers throughout each camp day, looking for signs of COVID-19 such as flushed cheeks, rapid breathing, difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity), fatigue or extreme fussiness ● Staff coffee station will be setup as single-use vs self-serve from a communal coffee pot. ● Unvaccinated staff will undergo weekly on-site COVID-19 testing.