(Updated 6.18.2022)
Thank you for choosing to camp this summer at Camp Keowa, Camp Aquehonga, Camp Ranachqua, John E. Reeves Cub World at Alpine Scout Camps. We appreciate that your family trusts our summer programs to provide a safe and action-packed environment for your Scouts.
To that end, the safety of our campers, staff, adult leaders, and those who visit our camps, is our number one priority. We are in an environment where camps have started for the summer in different parts of the country and have had to shut down for COVID. Many of these camps have had minimal covid mitigation strategies in place. New York and the other areas where our units are coming to camp are still in areas of high community spread of COVID.
Last summer, we had numerous mitigation strategies in place during all or parts of the summer. We operated in 2021 with small cohort groups, masking when indoors and unable to social distance from large groups, restricting families and visitors entering camp, temperature checks on arrival, and individual Scouts assigned to a tent, to name a few.
This summer, we are looking to bring our programs closer to normal while also creating a safe environment for all. To roll back some of the in-camp mitigation strategies, we focus on procedures to follow before arriving at camp.
Key elements of the COVID mitigation strategy are:
- Camp Staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Masks are recommended to be worn indoors or when social distancing is not practical.
- Cohorts are recommended for units while at their campsite.
- Pre-Camp Screening with specific criteria for when a participant can or can not attend camp.
- Participant COVID testing and a negative result within 24 hours before arrival at camp.
- Non-participants driving to camp or visiting camp must test and have a negative covid-19 result 24 hours before arrival.
- Positive COVID tests must be reported to covid19@nycscouting.org.
- Participants that develop two or more COVID symptoms at camp may not remain in camp.
- Established close contact procedures for participants with up-to-date vaccine status and those not up to date.
The safety of all depends on your support of the mitigation strategies. For example, sending a participant to camp who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has been in close contact with someone with an illness puts the whole camp in jeopardy. All parents and unit leaders must follow the guidelines to ensure the camp can operate as close to normal this summer.
Even with the best plans, COVID may be identified in camp. Families and leaders must understand the impact that this will have on close contacts. The CDC defines “Up to Date” as being fully vaccinated, including the recommended number of boosters. Those close contacts that are “Up to Date” may remain in camp but must wear face coverings. Those close contact participants who are not “Up to Date” must quarantine at home. As you prepare for camp, we recommend that all participants be “Up to Date” on their COVID-19 vaccine.
If the community infection rate increases, additional mitigation practices may be implemented. Our COVID mitigation strategy will change as the environment changes or as required by government direction.
We ask that all families read the COVID Mitigation Strategies document for the specifics. Questions about the policy can be sent to covid19@nycscouting.org.
Thank you in advance for your diligence in the COVID mitigation procedures for this summer. Much of the mitigation occurs before arrival at camp, and your effort on behalf of the entire camp community is appreciated.
Vaccination Policy
Staff Vaccination Policy
All TMR staff are required to be fully vaccinated at least ten days before arriving at camp, unless they are approved for a medical or religious exemption. Approved exemptions require PCR testing twice a week.
Camper Vaccination Policy
Adult leaders and campers are not required to be vaccinated, including boosters, but it is strongly recommended. Youth ages 12 and up are recommended to receive a full dose of the vaccine1 and a booster per the CDC. Adults are recommended to receive a full dose of the vaccine1 and a booster per the CDC. Immunocompromised campers and adult leaders are recommended to receive a full dose of the vaccine1 and 2 boosters per the CDC.
Mask Policy
Masks are optional, but strongly recommended, when indoors and not able to social distance. All campers, adult leaders and staff should bring several masks to camp.
Pre-Camp Screening
All families must complete a BSA Pre-Event Screening form prior to arrival (Link). The attending adult leadership will be required to collect and retain these forms on the first day of camp. They should remain with the unit/campsite/group and will be used for contact tracing if needed.
- Do not come to camp if the participant has any symptoms of COVID-19.
- Do not come to camp if anyone in your household has symptoms of COVID-19 that developed in the four days before your departure for camp.
- Do not come to camp if you or anyone you live with has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Camp attendance is allowed sixteen days after the individual in the household tested positive for COVID-19 and with a participant’s negative PCR test taken after day 15 and within 72 hours of arrival. In addition, a negative rapid test the day before arrival at camp is required.
- Do not come to camp if anyone in your household has symptoms of COVID-19 and tested negative for COVID-19 using a PCR test within five days of arrival.
- The participant must have a negative PCR test, conducted at least five days after the household member’s negative PCR test and within 72 hours of arrival at camp. In addition, a rapid test the day before arrival at camp is required.
- Do not come to camp if the participant has been identified as a close contact to someone with confirmed COVID-19, and the participant is not considered “Up to Date” with the COVID-19 vaccine based on CDC guidelines within 15 days of arrival.
- Camp attendance is allowed sixteen days after the participant is notified of being a close contact and with a participant’s negative PCR test taken after day 15 and within 72 hours of arrival. In addition, a negative rapid test the day before arrival at camp is required.
- Do not come to camp if the participant has been identified as a close contact to someone with confirmed COVID-19, and the participant is considered “Up to Date” with the COVID-19 vaccine based on CDC guidelines, within ten days of arrival.
- Camp attendance is allowed eleven days after the participant is notified of being a close contact and with a participant’s negative PCR test taken after day 10 and within 72 hours of arrival. In addition, a negative rapid test the day before arrival at camp is required.
IMPORTANT PRE-ARRIVAL TESTING REQUIRED:
All adult leaders and campers, regardless of vaccination status, must have a negative COVID test before arrival at camp. PCR testing is preferred, though a rapid test is acceptable. Rapid tests should be conducted within 24 hours of arrival. PCR tests should be done within 72 hours prior of arrival.
All family members that will be coming to camp as drivers for drop-off or pickup, or visiting, must complete the BSA Pre-Event Screening and have a negative COVID test before arrival at camp. PCR testing is preferred, though a rapid test is acceptable. Rapid tests should be conducted within 24 hours of arrival. PCR tests should be done within 72 hours prior of arrival.
If the test result is negative the results do not need to be documented. You do not need to provide documentation of negative test results to the camp.
If an adult leader or camper tests positive for COVID-19 at home, then they will not be permitted to attend. Positive tests need to be reported to covid19@nycscouting.org. Please see “refund policy” for more information on COVID-related refunds.
COVID Testing During Camp
Any new COVID-related symptoms need to be immediately reported to the camp health officer. Campers and adults may be asked to rapid test. If an adult leader or camper tests positive for COVID-19, they will be asked to leave camp and quarantine. If an adult leader or camper has two or more symptoms of COVID-19, and has a negative on-site rapid test, they will be asked to leave camp and consult their healthcare provider.
If a camper or adult leader tests positive at camp:
- The individual should isolate for at least five days, where day 1 is the day after symptoms begin or, if asymptomatic, the day after their test date.
- Isolation ends after five days if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms, if any, have improved. They should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional five days. Participants can attend BSA programs on day six after symptoms have improved.
Cohorts and Close Contacts
A close contact is defined as being within six feet for more than ten minutes of an individual with COVID. Units are highly encouraged to limit close contact amongst campers as much as possible, including when traveling to and from camp, conducting activities and establishing sleeping assignments. Units are encouraged to establish cohorts to limit the spread of communicable disease throughout the larger group.
In cases of close contact:
- Youth or adult leaders who are vaccinated and have their booster shots can remain at camp as long as they wear close fitting masks for ten days. Close contacts will be seated separately during meals and must wear face coverings when not actively eating or drinking. While at camp, daily health checks will be conducted by the health officer.
- Youth or adult leaders who are not vaccinated and fully boosted (to the current CDC standard of “Up to Date”) must quarantine for five days at home and monitor for a total of ten days for symptoms. Participants can attend BSA programs on day sixteen after close contact.
COVID Refund Policy
If an adult leader or Scout is unable to attend camp due to a positive test result prior to arrival, they are entitled to a full refund, less the $50 deposit. To receive a refund, documentation from a health care provider will need to be sent to covid19@nycscouting.org. Photos of rapid test results or notices from non-healthcare providers will not be accepted. Failure to submit proper documentation will have the adult or camper considered as a no-show and the entire camp fee will be forfeited.
Close contacts sent home during the camp session, who are not vaccinated and fully boosted, will not have a refund issued but are eligible to attend a different week of camp during the same year, if timing allows and if available.