Summer 2021 COVID-19 Policies
Please note: This plan is a working document and is written based on current information and testing protocols related to COVID-19. It is highly likely our policies and procedures will change as we lead up to the summer.
UPDATED: May 18, 2021.
Introduction
The information surrounding COVID-19 is constantly changing and evolving. This document organizes COVID-19 best practices for summer camps published by the CDC and American Camp Association, as well as countless discussions with medical personnel. The current guidelines outlined below intend to provide camp families and staff with information about how Perlman Camp is adapting policies and procedures to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 in camp.
Before Camp
The health and well-being of our campers, staff, local community, and the communities of our campers are our highest priority.
In order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 being brought into camp, we ask all campers and staff to take additional safety measures in the 10 days prior to their arrival. We may change these procedures at any time as we continue to review the latest data and guidance from public health officials.
Prior to our campers’ arrival to Perlman, camp parents will need to fill out a Health Check form to screen for symptoms.
Campers will be required to provide evidence of a negative molecular PCR COVID-19 test no earlier than the Thursday (June 24) prior to the first day of camp. Only campers who test negative will be permitted to enter camp.
Travel to Camp
Campers will arrive to camp by parent drop-off on a staggered schedule. Click here for Transportation Details.
During Camp
In order to create as safe an environment as possible and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 in camp, we will be making adjustments to camp procedures and policies in a variety of areas.
Our plan requires every camper (regardless of vaccination status) to provide evidence of a negative molecular PCR test within 72 hours of arrival at camp. Click here for details on our COVID-19 testing plan.
Campers will be tested on or around Day 3, Day 6, and Day 10, as well as weekly ongoing surveillance tests as needed.
For this summer, we will be adopting a 2/3 Rule (Outside, Masked, and Distanced), for any time campers are interacting with people outside their bunk. For any cross-pod interactions, campers and staff will need to observe at least two of the three strategies: wear a mask, be outdoors, and be physically distanced (at least 6 feet apart). Layering protection is key to mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
The American Camp Association (ACA) has provided all camps with a field guide that is designed to provide practical guides and tool kits to implement recommendations provided by the CDC to reduce potential exposures and spread of COVID-19. The image below illustrates 9 multilayered non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) and strategies we plan to implement this summer.
The Perlman community must wear masks when inside buildings, except when eating or inside their bunk. Some outdoor activities where social distancing cannot be maintained will require mask use as well.
Meals will take place spread across three locations this summer (our two Dining Halls and an outdoor tent). All campers will eat at their table with their bunk and within their pod groups. Meals will be served cafeteria-style by our kitchen staff team.
The kitchen and dining hall will be cleaned and disinfected after each meal.
We will begin our session with a two week bunk-based quarantine. Each camper will travel with their bunk (in a “pod”) together to activities and meals. There will be no hobbies for the first two weeks of the session. Camp will operate on an all bunk-activity schedule, and campers will participate in a wide range of rotating activities. Multiple groups in a pod may be assigned to areas together, where they will remain socially distanced to the extent possible.
If there are no cases of Covid-19 after the 14 days we hope to resume a more typical camp calendar and daily schedule.
When possible (and weather permitting), camp activities will be held outdoors.
There will be no out-of-camp trips to public venues this summer. We hope to send groups out on camping trips at locations where our group can be isolated from the public.
Unfortunately, in order to ensure we keep the camp quarantine “bubble” intact, visitors will not be permitted this summer. We are working on plans for a Virtual Visiting Day for our Full-Summer campers. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
Perlman will increase its cleaning, handwashing, and sanitization procedures this summer. Sanitization protocols will be in accordance with CDC guidelines. Sanitization enhancements will include a daily electrostatic spray to be used in high touch areas, additional hand sanitizer stations, new handwashing stations across camp, and additional cleaning and sanitizing of all public bathrooms, shared spaces, and highly touched services.
There will be a separate quarantine area for campers or staff exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID while at camp. Should any members of our camp community exhibit COVID symptoms or if COVID cases are confirmed cases through testing, one or more dedicated nurses will tend exclusively to the quarantined area.
Should a camper or staff member begin to exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, they will be immediately isolated, quarantined, and tested for COVID-19 in the health center.
If there is a confirmed positive case of COVID-19, we will notify all campers’ families by email while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with current privacy laws. We are unable to share names or identify information regarding medical information for any camper or staff member. If your camper is in direct contact with a confirmed case, we will communicate with you specifically regarding the status of your child’s health and wellness. We are required to notify state and local health officials of any confirmed positive test.
Conclusion & Community Updates
It is important to note that this document reflects the current conditions if camp were to start today. We will continue to update these policies and provide greater detail when necessary as we get closer to the summer.