PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

We need to make sure that the campers and staff who are arriving to Camp are, to the best of all our abilities, free from the coronavirus. We need to get the commitment from all participants to follow and enforce new policies and procedures.

If you have any concerns about this policy, please contact us to set up a time to talk with Executive Camp Director Ian Brassett at 830-995-3223.

Camp will continue some procedures implemented for COVID-19 prevention this summer, especially on arrival day and in the cleaning procedures.

PRE-ARRIVAL SCREENING

This summer there will be changes to the process of intaking the campers and staff into Camp. And this begins at home.

One week prior to the camper’s arrival in Camp an email will be sent to all parents (and staff). The email will request that parents strictly monitor the health of their child (or themselves). It is important to the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 that campers and staff do not bring the virus into Camp. We need to take a symptomatic approach.

Watch For Symptoms

We ask that parents and staff look out for possible symptoms of COVID-19. It is important that we communicate the importance of keeping campers who show signs of exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 at home. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough

• Fever

• Muscle pain

• New loss of taste or smell

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Chills

• Sore throat

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

• Within one week of their child’s arrival time, parents will receive an email. In that email we will inform the parents of the cabin/dorm they will be in. This will allow us one week to ensure that the campers will be in the cabin/dorm with their friends.

• In our email, we will also confirm that we have the Health History Form for the camper.

• In our email we will also attach a copy of the Medication Form. This is where the parents will indicate what medications the camper will be taking while they are in Camp. This form will reduce the time spent at the Clinic.

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CHECK-IN SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT

We need parental assistance to run a smooth and safe summer camp program.

In order to run the Camp and open our doors, protocols must be enforced. Failure to do so will result in your child not being admitted to Camp.

To reduce the number of families on-site at any given time, there will be a STAGGERED ARRIVAL TIME FOR EACH CABIN/DORM.

Campers will not be permitted to enter Camp before their scheduled arrival time. Campers with multiple family members in attendance at the same Camp, should plan their arrival at the later scheduled time.

CHECK-IN PROCEDURES

Check-in times have been established to allow for a minimal amount of contact with non-Camp participants. Campers will arrive by dorm from the oldest to the youngest dorms.

PARENTS WILL BE ASKED NOT TO LEAVE THEIR VEHICLE DURING DROP-OFF. Check-in will be a series of stops conducted by our senior and medical staff. Our counselors will be assigned to their dorms. We know this is a difficult thing to ask of our parents, but exceptions cannot be made.

Hilltop Riverside

At the first stop, a staff member will welcome the family.

The senior staff member will greet the campers and check that all the paperwork including the Health History Form is on file and that the arrival is on schedule.

Having verified the information, the car will drive forward to a second station.

HEALTH HISTORY FORM, WAIVER FORM AND MEDICATION FORM

We will be sending each family a Medication Form. We ask that this form is completed and printed before your arrival in Camp, and brought with you to allow for a swift drop-off. All medication must be in the original container with doctor’s authorization. We cannot and will not administer medication not consistent with the directions of a doctor’s orders or provided in anything other than the original packaging. At the medication table you will discuss with the Camp’s medical staff the Medication Form, and ask the nurse any questions you may have about your child’s stay.

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CAMPER GOODBYES AND LUGGAGE DROP-OFF

You will then go to the camper and luggage drop-off. At this spot, the staff will collect all luggage from the trunk and your child. Please do not leave your vehicle. Say your goodbyes in the car. A staff member will then assist your child to their dorm, introduce them to their counselors and allow the Camp experience to begin.

The counselors in the dorm are there for the campers. They will help them unpack, orient the campers to the dorm, review their activity schedule and, most importantly, introduce them to their new friends in the dorm. During the scheduled arrival times 4-5 counselors and the senior counselor for the dorm and the CITs assigned to that dorm will be present. YOUR CAMPER WILL NEVER BE ALONE.

• Parents may drop off camper packages when the luggage is dropped off. Staff wearing PPE will be able to accept the packages and mail.

• Public restrooms in Rattlesnake (Riverside) and in the Admin Building (Hilltop) will be made available for parents. Check-in for the camper will be halted until the parent is back in their car.

PICK-UP/CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES

The Saturday pick-up procedure will very much mirror the drop-off procedure. More information will be sent to parents via the Hermann Sons Life App and email.

Cleaning And Disinfecting The Camp

Cleanliness of the Camp is everyone’s responsibility. The counselors are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting the dorms. The housekeeping staff will be cleaning and sanitizing the common areas in Camp and the kitchen staff will be responsible for ensuring the Dining Hall is both clean and sanitary.

Clinic Protocol

The goal of our Camp’s health care policy and plan is to ensure the health and safety of all campers (and staff) so that they may participate in all activities to the maximum of their capabilities.

Medical care by a licensed nurse or EMT will be provided. Anyone requiring evaluation and treatment beyond the scope of the Camp’s treatment procedures will be referred to an appropriate facility and/or their own physician.

Hermann Sons Life Camp recognizes the HIPAA law. Copies of this law are posted in easily accessed areas. Every precaution will be taken to keep medical information confidential. Information will be provided to cabin counselors who live with campers and activity instructors on an as-needed basis. This is done in simple code to further protect the confidentiality of the camper.

All campers and staff are required to have a completed Health History Form on file.

Medications

It is important to note that all medications must be entrusted to the care of the medical staff and kept under lock and key in the Clinic. Under no circumstances can any medication be left in the cabin. Campers should not be in possession of medication at any time. The only exception to this rule is the carrying of injectable epinephrine (epi-pens) and rescue inhalers. Campers are allowed to carry these after it has been assessed that they know how to use them without assistance.

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Sick Call

Sick Call is scheduled four times daily: after breakfast, after lunch and after dinner. We also have a Sick Call scheduled after the evening activity has ended (from 9-10 p.m.), however this Sick Call is primarily intended for campers who are required to take bedtime medications. Medications must always be taken BEFORE 10 p.m.

SUNSCREEN & LIP BALM

It is important that campers and staff use sunscreen every day. At Hermann Sons Life Camp we will supply sunscreen to both campers and staff who do not have it. Sunscreen is available outside the Clinic and at the Dining Hall. While most campers have lip balm, there will be lip balm or Vaseline available in the Clinic.

Hydration

To prevent dehydration (and the inevitable sickness that follows), campers and staff must drink water - lots of water. Campers AND STAFF are required to carry a water bottle with them from breakfast through dinner.

Rest

After lunch it is important that all campers rest. All campers must be on their bed resting. Some campers may wish to read. That is OK. Campers aged 11 and younger must be in bed by 10 p.m. at the latest. Campers aged 12-14 and older must be in bed by 10:30 p.m. at the latest.

RESPONSE IN CAMP TO A POSITIVE (100.4>) TEMPERATURE

This summer we will be quick to respond to a temperature, persistent cough and other symptoms related to COVID-19.

Camper or staff temp at or above 100.40F.

Temp is retaken after breakfast.

Return to activities. Monitor and retest.

Sr. Counselor packs camper. Moves belonings to porch of clinic.

Sr. Counselor/ Medical Staff reassure and hang with camper until pickup.

Senior staff clean and sanitize the dorm. Housekeeping thoroughly disinfects all areas dorm visited in past 24 hours. Parent called. Camper/staff removed from Camp.

Email parents of campers in dorm that a camper had a temperature.

Recheck entire dorm at subsequent two meals.

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Dining Hall Procedures

The following procedures will be implemented in the Dining Halls of both Riverside and Hilltop. The changes made are to ensure we provide our campers (and staff) with a safe dining experience.

Most of the procedures and policies for our kitchen staff should be followed in any year. Safe food handling to prevent cross-contamination, proper hygiene for all staff, acceptable cooking practices and correct cleaning and sanitation are must-dos for any kitchen.

Key Changes To The Kitchen

• Increased staff due to the increased workload, specifically the increase in cleaning and sanitizing.

• Strict adherence to no outside kitchen staff allowed in the kitchens.

• Slight menu changes to accommodate the need for easier service.

Meal Procedures

• Campers and counselors will wash their hands before being called to the Dining Hall. One dorm is to be called for each socially distanced serving line.

• The door will be held open by a staff member who will remind the campers to sanitize their hands upon entrance into the Dining Hall.

• Campers and counselors will then line-up to be served their food.

• Once there is only one or two campers left to be served in the dorm, we will call the next dorm to repeat the process.

• Once the campers have their food, the campers will then report to their assigned tables.

• Staff are required to wear masks when serving in the Dining Hall.

Serving

• The main food will be served cafeteria-style.

• We will be unable to accommodate special diets and private food in the kitchen.

• Individual serving packets of sugar, ketchup, mustard, relish, mayonnaise, Italian dressing, ranch dressing and BBQ sauce will be used to replace the bulk dispensers..

Seating

• Each dorm will be assigned a set of tables.

The Table

• Each dorm will have a cleaning cart wheeled out to their tables during the meal.

• This cart will contain:

• a bucket for waste (and a scraper),

• a bucket with hot soapy water and a couple of sponges,

• a bucket with sanitizer solution and scrapers,

• a bus tub.

• Once the dorm has finished the meal, the campers will scrape excess food into the bucket and wipe down their part of the table using the hot soapy water.

• One counselor will then collect the plates, silverware and cups and place them in the bus tub.

• Once the table is clean, the campers and most of the counselors will return to their dorm.

• One counselor remains behind to sanitize the table and benches and sweep when necessary.

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After Each Meal

• The dining hall tables and chairs are to be completely cleaned and sanitized.

• The floor of the Dining Hall is to be swept and mopped using HOT, soapy water.

• The serving lines are to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

• All cups, plates and utensils are to be cleaned, sanitized and air-dried per state regulations.

Water Bottle Refills

10-gallon water jugs are available so campers may refill their water bottles. These water jugs are set up around Camp and sanitized twice daily and at each refill. The water bottles do not touch the faucet.

Guests And Visitors

No guests, friends or family may visit the Camp during the camp session. This will again limit the exposure to the campers and staff from outside the Camp setting.

RULE OF THREE/ACTIVE SUPERVISION

To protect our campers and staff, it is against Camp policy for counselors and campers to be alone 1:1 in a dorm. No staff member should ever be alone with a camper where others cannot see or there is an expectation of privacy. Sometimes a counselor in broad daylight may escort a camper to the Clinic. There is no expectation of privacy while walking to the Clinic. This means if a counselor needs a private chat with a camper, they may go on to the porch where they are visible to others while still allowing for the privacy a conversation may require.

We also practice Active Supervision. We want our counselors to get to know our campers, Ask questions. Be interested in them and their experience at Camp. This is where the counselor’s true value and greatest impact on the life of a child happens and where the deep friendships with Camp happen.

During each session, a senior counselor/director may ask to speak with the campers without the counselors present. We are constantly evaluating our program and this time spent with your campers provides valuable feedback on our electives, scheduling and, of course, our counselors. These discussions usually directly affect counselor evaluations and counselor of the session nominations. Back to Table of Contents

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