In-Camp Impacts of COVID-19 Summer Camp 2021 Safety Mitigations
To minimize exposure to COVID-19, and to maximize safety, NIC Summer Camps will always comply with the latest IDPH guidance. Please double-check this page the Saturday before your check-in for the most current status.
 
NIC Summer Camps are implementing the following on-site process changes that will impact campers, counselors, directors and staff during camp.
 
Interpersonal Interactions
Interpersonal interactions are what make camp C-A-M-P. To minimize the risk of virus spread we will:

group into Clusters of 30 campers from local geographic areas who will stay together all day, each day,

maintain 6 feet distance between campers within each Cluster,

maintain 30 feet distance between Clusters, and discourage interaction between Clusters

erect sneeze and splash guards in common areas, such as between restroom sinks,

install touchless hand sanitizer dispensers throughout camp,

prioritize Outdoor Activities–DUH! it's C-A-M-P!

Personal Hygiene
Camps that include meal service will conduct COVID-19 Wellness Screenings by Cluster before breakfast each morning.

During these daily screenings, campers will also be reminded to

carry a back-up mask

stay hydrated throughout the day

practice healthy breathing techniques whenever outside and maskless

carry their own hand sanitizer, and sanitize hands regularly by

washing with soap & water for at least 20 seconds when leaving restrooms

using a hand sanitizer with 60%+ alcohol content before and after touching door knobs, equipment
    (e.g. canoes, bows and arrows basketballs, etc), and fixtures (e.g. chairs, tables, gates, sinks, toilets, etc.)

wear face masks whenever indoors, and whenever within 6 feet of another person

eat quickly--leaving the table within 15 minutes of sitting down to eat

cough and sneeze into their own bent elbow–even when wearing their mask

self-report to the camp Nurse, or designee, if they have COVID-19 symptoms

Personal Hygiene Signage specific to respiratory virus mitigations will be posted throughout camp facilities and activity areas.

Symptomatic Campers
Any campers exhibiting COVID-19 Symptoms will be referred to the camp Nurse for confirmation.

If confirmed, parents will be contacted immediately to pick-up their camper ASAP that same day.

The symptomatic camper will be isolated until the parent/emergency contact picks them up.

Cabin-/Bedroom-Mates' social distancing will be modified in accordance with the then current CDC/IDPH guidance.

Campers who have been sent home will not be allowed to return to the same camp session.
    Symptoms include:

Once home, symptomatic campers should remain isolated at home for a minimum of 10 days after symptom onset and can be released after feeling well, AND 72 hours after the fever breaks (without fever-reducing medication), OR after testing COVID-19 NEGATIVE on 2 consecutive tests administered at least 24 hours apart.

Body aches Chills Cough Congestion Diarrhea Difficulty Breathing

Eye redness Fatigue Fever Headache Muscle aches Nose, runny

Nausea / Vomiting Shaking, from chills (repeatedly) Shortness of Breath Smell, Loss thereof (IF New) Sore throat Taste, Loss thereof (IF New)

Activities

Activities, such as archery, swimming, boating, et cetera will host only one Cluster at a time

Activity durations will be shortened to maintain the same # of experiences while

allowing time-to-disinfect objects between each Cluster, and

30-feet of separation between Clusters.

Dining

Self-serve buffets, and "beverage bars" will be closed

Weather permitting, meals will be served outside at appropriately spaced picnic tables

INSIDE Dining will seat and serve only one Cluster in each Dining Hall area--as per current Health Agency guidance--with separate entrance / exit for each Cluster.

Each Dining Hall Restroom will be assigned and limited to one Cluster during meals.

Seating positions will be alternated so that campers will not sit directly across from one another

Single-serve, disposable, pre-packaged flatware, condiments, snacks, juice and water will be utilitized instead of table presets.

Pick-Up / Departure @ End-of-Week

Pick-Up / Departure will be at 10:30am each Friday (J.O.Y. Camp is Saturday). However, ...

we are still working on the end-of-camp pick-up process, and will let you know as soon as it is established.

Pre-Camp Quarantine / Isolation

We encourage you to quarantine for 14 full days prior to camp, but do not miss work, and do not isolate.

If you are symptomatic, do NOT come to camp.

Restrooms

Staff will DISINFECT lodging & shower house restrooms during each meal (i.e. while campers are physically away from each facility)

Staff will erect sneeze and splash guards between sinks where feasible

Staff will DISINFECT Dining Hall restrooms between each meal (i.e. while campers are physically away from them)

Sleeping

Implement alternating head-toe alignments between top-&-bottom bunks, and between adjacent bunks

Sleep with open, screened windows (instead of air conditioning), to increase fresh air turnover

Space beds 4-feet apart where feasible

Add sneeze guards where feasible

Talent Show
The CDC/IDPH have asked us to not allow non-essential personnel on-site while campers are present; therefore, parents will NOT be invited to watch Talent Shows in-person, on-site this year. We are developing a video substitute, but do not yet know if it will be live streaming, or uploaded after-the-fact.
 
Testing for COVID-19

We are intentionally following the science and, therefore, not requiring pre-camp, nor in-camp testing.

However, we will send all symptomatic campers home the same day they exhibit symptoms. (see Symptomatic Campers above).

Vaccinations

We are NOT requiring that campers be vaccinated before attending camp.

However, we are NOT allowing symptomatic registrants to attend--you will be turned away in the parking lot.

Thank you Parents for helping us to make this a SAFE & AWESOME return to in-person Camping!
 
Jeff Casey, Executive Director
Camps Reynoldswood & Wesley Wood
exec@niccamp.org