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COVID Prevention Plan

(Updated 6/16/21)

The health and safety of our campers and staff will always be our #1 priority.

We continue to study the best practices for preventing COVID here at camp.  The American Camping Association (ACA), Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA) and Texas Department of State Health Services have provided numerous resources, webinars and guides to assist camps in safely reopening for 2021, and we encourage our camp families to learn from them as well.  While we are hopeful that COVID cases throughout our area and the world will continue to decrease as summer approaches, we are preparing for COVID to continue to impact our area through summer.

Below is our current COVID Prevention Plan for summer.  We are asking our camper families to partner with us in helping create the healthiest environment we can.  We want to do our best to keep COVID out of camp as well as implement best practices for reducing the spread of COVID should it find its way into camp.  Please recognize that components of this plan may continue to evolve throughout summer and leading up to your session at camp. COVID continues to be a fluid situation, and state/federal recommendations continue to change recommendations.

COVID Prevention Plan

Air Purification – During this school year, camp has invested in air purification systems (Reme Halo) for the main buildings and cabins with central air conditioning.  Other cabins with wall unit air conditioning have air purifiers with HEPA filters and UV lights.  Camp also installed new windows with screens in our Chow Hall to increase air flow.

Vaccinations – A vaccinated camp community protects those within the community.  Camp Olympia strongly encourages its staff to receive the COVID vaccine.  Please note, however, it is not mandatory at this time for staff to receive the COVID vaccine.

Camp Olympia strongly encourages campers 12 and over to receive the COVID vaccine prior to camp now that children 12 and over are eligible to receive the vaccine. 

It is NOT recommended to schedule a vaccine appointment within 48 hours of the start of camp due to the possibility of side effects from the vaccine which could be interpreted as COVID symptoms.

Families are asked NOT to schedule a vaccine appointment for their camper during their camp session.  Camp will not facilitate campers leaving and returning during the camp session.

Fully vaccinated staff and/campers will NOT have to be COVID tested prior to camp.  Instead, fully vaccinated individuals will need to present his/her vaccine card.  (Fully vaccinated means two weeks post the final dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.)

Quarantining Prior to camp, we ask that your camper self-quarantines for 10 days.  If face-to-face interaction with individuals outside your household is necessary (ex. attending school), physical distancing must occur and masks must be worn.  Please do not schedule trips or social gatherings in the 10 days leading up to camp.  Fully vaccinated campers or staff do not need to quarantine.

Testing – With increased access to testing facilities, COVID testing remains a key component to our overall prevention plan.

    • Camp requires campers and counselors to take a COVID PCR test within 72-hours of arrival and have proof of a negative result in hand on arrival to camp.  Please note that the COVID PCR test is the “gold standard” for accurately detecting the presence of COVID-19.  It is most commonly a nasal swab, but there are also saliva and cheek swab tests available.  PCR tests are sent to a lab to verify results and usually take 24-72 hours to receive results so please plan accordingly.
      • Vaccinated campers and counselors do NOT have to be COVID PCR tested prior to camp.  Instead, they must present their vaccinated card at arrival.
      • People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within three months from the start of their camp term and recovered fully do NOT have to get tested as long as they do not develop new symptoms.  Please present the record of your positive COVID-19 test prior to the start of your camp session by emailing forms@campolympia.com.
      • If a PCR test is not available in your area or if the test is unable to produce results within the 72-hour window prior to your arrival, a rapid antigen test may be used.  Please notify camp at forms@campolympia.com if the need for the rapid antigen test arises.  Additional follow-up testing may be required on-site after arrival to camp.
    • Camp has rapid antigen COVID tests available on site provided by the state for camps.  Campers or staff who exhibit COVID symptoms must quarantine and will be required to be COVID tested.  If your camper requires testing, you will be contacted.  Any camper who tests positive to the rapid antigen COVID test will be required to follow up with a PCR test.  If the PCR test is positive, the camper will be required to be picked up from camp immediately.
    • If someone in your camper’s pod tests positive for COVID, everyone in the pod will quarantine and be tested.
    • All camp families will be notified if there is a PCR-confirmed, COVID positive case at camp.

Health Screenings– Upon arrival at camp, each camper will go through a health screening with a temperature check.  Additionally, each camper and counselor will have a daily health screening.

Pods/Camper Groupings – Campers will be assigned a cabin within a specific cluster or “pod”.  Activities, programs and events will be planned to limit the mixing of pods.  Campers will be scheduled in their daily activities based on their activity choices made prior to camp.  Activities will be coordinated by gender and pod.  As in prior years, we will strive to place campers in their top activity choices but the number of classes available per pod may be limited.

Cleaning Measures – Camp will continue to use an EPA approved, commercial-grade cleaning agent that kills bacteria and viruses in addition to our standard daily cleaning practices.

    • Cabins and bathrooms will be sprayed daily.
    • Sports equipment throughout camp will be cleaned twice daily.
    • Frequently touched objects and surfaces (such as doorknobs, railings, etc.) with special emphasis on the high-traffic, high-touch areas of camp will be routinely cleaned.
    • Camper and staff belongings will be sprayed prior to moving into the cabin.

Handwashing – Proper and frequent handwashing with soap and water will be emphasized.  Additionally, there are hand sanitizer stations at the cabins, main buildings and activity areas throughout camp.

Masks/Face Covering – Campers and staff alike will be required to wear a face covering (mask or buff) while inside buildings (except for their own cabin).  For example, when entering our chow hall, waiting in line, and while exiting, everyone should wear a face covering.  At this time, vaccinated campers and staff will continue to wear face coverings indoors along with the rest of the campers and staff. 

Campers and staff will only need to wear face coverings outside when in close proximity (within three feet) to campers/counselors who are not in their pod.  Face coverings will not be required while participating in physical activities.  Please note that most of our camp activities and programs are held outdoors.

We ask that campers come to camp with at a minimum of five face coverings.

Transportation – We will NOT be offering bus transportation for pick up or drop off this summer from the airport as well as our other Houston/The Woodlands area pick-up locations.  All campers must be driven to camp by parents/guardians this year.  If you have a camper who lives out of state or country and requires flying in to attend camp, we ask that you make arrangements to fly in at least 72 hours prior to camp’s opening day.  A negative PCR test following your air travel, in the 72 hours leading up to camp, is requested. If your PCR test must occur prior to your air travel and/or is not feasible to schedule after arrival, please note that additional follow-up testing may be required on-site after arrival to camp.

Visitors – Camp will enforce a No-Visitor policy at camp this summer, unless necessary for camp operations.  For example, there will be outside maintenance workers that will need to be on our facility.  These workers will be required to practice social distancing, handwashing and not allowed in our common indoor areas when other campers and counselors are present. Additionally, we will have delivery trucks, such as food delivery, making frequent trips to camp.  Delivery drivers will be required to practice social distancing during their deliveries.

Leaving Camp/Returning to Camp – In the past, we have worked as best as we can with families to accommodate scheduling conflicts during camp.  This summer, however, we will be unable to allow campers to leave and return during a term in an effort to protect our “camp bubble”.

If you have any questions about our plan, feel free to reach out via email at campinfo@campolympia.com or phone 936-594-2541, and we will be happy to talk to you.

Now more than ever, kids need to be outside, have fun and connect with others.  We are ready to make that happen at camp.  We can’t wait for summer camp and for you to be a part of it!  The COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER 2021 HAS BEGUN!

Download the summary PDF here.

Summer Health and Safety Infographic