COVID – Summer Plans

What will the 2022 summer look like?

As we plan ahead for the 2022 summer amidst lingering concerns regarding COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, consider the key information below.

Updated and current as of May 23rd 2022, these steps will be further crafted in the weeks and months leading up to the 2022 summer.

May 23rd UPDATE: Now that the Pfizer booster shot has been approved for children ages 5-11, all children ages 5 and up are eligible for the booster shot 5 months after receiving their second shot. We strongly recommend that all eligible children come to camp boosted.  Not only will this slow the potential spread of COVID at camp, but children with booster shots will experience less disruption (quarantine, testing, etc.) in case of exposure at camp.

Visit our testing partner Heed Health here to register and request your mandatory PCR test in time for your session.

We will take all relevant guidance from the American Camping Association, our local health department and the CDC.  This page on our website represents a work in progress and updates will be made as we learn more, discuss program options with staff and develop healthcare plans with our amazing health center staff.  Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions related to any of these points.

Cabin Capacity

In order to ensure more room in cabins for sleeping and relaxing, we will once again cap enrollment in our main village cabins to comply with WV state guidelines and/or ACA and CDC recommendations.  This will likely mean 10 to 12 campers per cabin.  This represents a reduction of between 4-6 campers and will allow each camper ample space in their beds for at least 6 feet of separation.  Natural ventilation and movement of air in cabins is already excellent thanks to screen windows every few feet, a screen door and cool temperatures as a result of our fresh mountain air!  Cabins will still be home to a minimum of 2 or 3 counselors.

Camper Health Screening

At this time the plan is for campers to report to camp on day 1 of their session with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior of the session starting.  As in 2021, this test will be ordered by families from Heed Health here.  Results will be collected by this lab partner and shared with us.  Once at camp we will perform daily screenings and temperature checks to ensure the ongoing health of our camper population.

We will have a plan in place to quarantine any camper or counselor exhibiting a high temperature or typical COVID symptoms.

We are strongly recommending that campers be up to date with all relevant COVID vaccinations prior to the start of Camp.  Campers will not be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Dining Hall and Meals

We are fortunate to have a large dining hall with extensive seating inside and several tables outside on the porch.  Tables inside will be spaced accordingly to allow sufficient space between campers.  The grass area leading up to the dining hall will also be utilized for lunch as always and for other meals too if necessary.  It is our intention to still offer just 2 seatings for each meal to preserve the daily camp schedule as best we we can.

Daily Program

For the past 20 years, our daily schedule has meant campers spending each morning with their own cabin traveling together to the 3 different activities.  This will not change, allowing cabins to remain within their age group structure.  Afternoon activities and special events typically involve mixing and mingling between cabins and age groups.

Activities Outside

Like most summer camps, we are fortunate that almost all activities take place outdoors.  For those activities that often take place indoors, such as dance, arts and crafts and woodshop, we will consider outdoor alternatives when practical.  Our Arts and Crafts building already includes a large outdoor deck that campers love to spend time on.

On rainy days, the aim will be for programming to continue to be outside or on covered porches whenever possible.

Sanitizing and Cleaning

Everyday hygiene and healthy practices are already such an important part of a communal living situation such as summer camp.  Our health center staff always remind campers to wash hands, stay hydrated and look after themselves in general.  These reminders will now also include daily temperature checks as well as self-screening for COVID symptoms.  Hand washing protocols will be introduced between activities and hand sanitizer will also be readily available at all locations around camp.

Regular cleaning and sanitizing of common touch-spots such as door handles, sports equipment, rest rooms and water fountains will be carried out by a specific team of staff.  Between sessions, all of these same areas will undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfecting process.

Our health center staff will also help us establish guidelines and protocols in case of a suspected outbreak.  We will share these plans with all camp families prior to the summer.

Special Events, Campfires

What is summer camp without campfires, cheers and special, crazy events?  Not summer camp as we know and love it, that’s for sure!  Campfires with all of our campers and counselors screaming along to ‘Lion Hunt’ or ‘Country Roads’ should be back in place this summer.  We cannot wait to gather around the campfire altogether once again!

Overnight Camping Trips

Parents always love the fact that all campers get the opportunity to spend a night in a tent at one of our rustic camping sites on, or very close to, camp itself.  Some campers love those trips too, some less so 😉  Our plan is to keep a small number of camping trips for certain age groups.  Our oldest campers will still participate in the TC Trek – 9 miles on the Allegheny Trail – and other fun and memorable trips will still take place on camp or in our beautiful surroundings of Pocahontas County, WV.  Rest assured, every camper will be enjoying as much exposure to nature and the great outdoors as usual!

Counselor Staff

It’s our aim for all staff to arrive at camp fully vaccinated, pending medical or other exemptions.  Staff time off away from camp will be modified to limit their exposure to members of the public.  As always, our counselor team is a key part of the success of everything we do and that will continue to be the case in 2022.

Bus Transportation from Washington DC

We often claim that ‘camp starts on the bus’ as friends reunite and excite builds during the drive into the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.  Transportation to & from camp will once again be offered.  We will continue to remain in touch with our long established bus partner to learn more about their health and safety plans as well as local state guidelines.  Keep an eye on our transportation page for updates.

Resources for Families

CDC Guidelines for Summer Camps
ACA Field guide for Camps
How to talk to your kids about COVID-19
Talking to teens and tweens about Coronavirus