Covid Mitigation Protocols

Working together to make camp a safer place for everyone.
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COVID MITIGATION PROTOCOLS


  • Camper Safety
  • What about campers or staff with exposure to COVID-19?
  • What is your policy on masking and hand hygiene?
  • How will you keep campers physically distanced during camp activities?
  • Refunds
  • What should I do if I see another camper or Camp Tanager staff member not following the COVID-19 safety expectations?
  • Prior to arrival at Camp
  • Covid Exposure Guidelines

Camp Tanager Day, Overnight and Seasonal Camp Programs

COVID Guidelines, Protocol, and FAQ’s (Updated: 12/01/2020)

 

Camp Tanager values the health and safety of our campers and staff members above all other priorities.  Camp Tanager will follow CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and Iowa Department of Health COVID safety recommendations, which continue to evolve. Camp administrators will determine, in collaboration with state and local health officials any adjustments needed to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the community. The information posted here will be revised as recommendations are updated. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding.

 

Please review the following guidelines. If you choose to participate in any program or event at Camp Tanager, these guidelines must be followed. Any violation of these guidelines may result in an early dismissal from Camp Tanager.

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Camper Safety

Camp Tanager is following the proper protocol to ensure camper and staff safety:

  • 2021 Summer Camp Enrollment will be capped at 50% of our normal attendance, capacity will only increase when it is deemed safe to do so. As a vaccine becomes more widely available, our current restrictions and protocol may allow more campers to attend.
  • Campers and staff will be expected to maintain 6 or more feet of physical distance from each other.
  • Campers and staff will be expected to wear a non-valved multi-layer cloth mask anytime they are around other campers or staff members to include outside with the exclusion of the time they are dining.
  • Cabin bunks will be setup in a head to toe format, maintaining appropriate social distancing between bunks.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available at every entrance and exit in spaces used by Camp Tanager.
  • All restrooms and showers will be sanitized on a daily basis.
What about campers or staff with exposure to COVID-19?

  • Campers and staff should stay home if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
  • Campers and staff should stay home if they are showing COVID-19 symptoms
  • Campers and staff should stay home if they have recently had close contact with a person who is COVID-19 positive
What is your policy on masking and hand hygiene?

  • Campers will be expected wear masks at all times in indoor spaces, including the dining hall and when they take part in activities. Campers may remove their mask when they are eating.
  • Campers will be expected to either wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting indoor spaces as well as prior to eating.
How will you keep campers physically distanced during camp activities?

  • Dining: the meal hall will be configured to maintain at least 6 feet of space between campers. Additional meal times will be added as needed.
  • Social Hour: Campers will remain 6 feet away as they play games or socialize.
  • Opening Night Program, Social Hour, Talent Show and Final Program: These activites will take place at our outdoor stage or an appropriately large indoor space at the camp facility, with chairs or markers set 6 feet apart.
  • Singing: All campers will be masked and physically distanced when they sing camp songs, outdoors or in an appropriately large indoor space.
  • Cabins: Bunk rooms will operate at 6 campers per cabin instead of 12.
  • Inclement weather: We will follow the same physical distancing and masking procedures as any other indoor activity.
  • Swimming: Additional swim sessions will be added to the schedule to help ensure social distancing is continued to be met in the pool.
Refunds

What is the refund policy if a camp is cancelled?

  • If an entire camp is cancelled due to COVID, you will receive a full refund, including the normally non-refundable $100 registration fee. 

What is the refund policy if a camper is sick or in quarantine two weeks prior to camp?

  • A full refund will be provided for any camper unable to attend due to COVID-19.

What is the refund policy if a camper has to leave camp early due to COVID-19?

  • In this event, your camp fee will be prorated for the amount of time spent at Camp Tanager and you will be refunded the remainder.
  • Leaving camp early for any other reason will result in no refund.
What should I do if I see another camper or Camp Tanager staff member not following the COVID-19 safety expectations?

  • If a camper or staff member is not following the COVID-19 safety expectations, you may contact the Camp Tanager office or contact camp Director Donald Pirrie directly at 319-286-4510.
  • Campers who do not follow COVID-19 safety expectations may be asked to leave camp for the safety of all. To run a safe, successful and fun camp program, it will take all of us together as a camp family.
Prior to arrival at Camp

What precautions are in place before my child, family or myself arrives?

  • Cabins and public spaces will be sanitized before each camp.
  • Hand sanitizer will be readily available in entrances and exits.
  • Campers will sign a statement saying they will not attend camp if they have had any symptoms of COVID-19, a known COVID-19 exposure, or a positive test in the previous two weeks.

What can we do as campers before arriving?

  • We would like for you to limit activity around groups that cannot be physically distanced and wear masks in the two weeks prior to camp.
  • We would like you to be tested for COVID-19 where it is available within two days of arriving to camp, since carriers can be asymptomatic.

 

Should my camper bring their own hand sanitizer and masks?

  • Campers will bring their own mask (and a few backup masks) to camp with them.  Camp Tanager will have a supply of masks available to provide campers with as needed throughout the week of camp.
  • Campers are welcome to bring their own hand sanitizer, but camp will have a supply available for use.
  • Masks should have two layers of fabric and be a snug fit. They must be worn over the nose and mouth. Neck gaiters are NOT recommended.

What happens if just before coming to camp a camper has symptoms, is a close contact, or has a COVID-19 test?

  • A camper should not come to camp if they have any COVID-19 symptoms that cannot be explained, have a recent known exposure and are in quarantine, or are awaiting COVID-19 test results.

What will be the same and what will be different from other summers?

  • The joy and enrichment of a camp experience, individual and small group activities, camp bonding exercises, singing, talent shows and meaningful social interactions will continue. Camp Tanager has always been a creative place, and with COVID-19 regulations, we will create new experiences out of our shared love for fun, friendship and interactions with others that bring us fulfillment. We will do the same activities in new ways and continue to encourage campers to try something new, make a new friend and enjoy this shared experience we call summer camp!  Camp will be modified due to COVID-19 but we can learn and become stronger as a community by respecting others and acting responsibly while we have tons of fun.
Covid Exposure Guidelines

  • What happens if a camper experiences COVID-19 symptoms?
    • Each day campers will be expected to review a list of possible COVID-19 symptoms. If symptoms start, the camper will need to be removed from activities and be isolated from others.  Campers will also have temperatures taken and recorded each morning or as needed.
    • The emergency contact person listed on the registration will be notified immediately. Your child (or any child who shows symptoms) will be moved to a quarantine area until it is determined if they need to leave camp or if they will be able to stay.

    What happens if a Camp Tanager staff member gets COVID-19?

    • If a Camp Tanager staff member is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms they will be tested and remain in isolation until test results are returned. If the test results are negative, they will return to work per the provided state guidelines.
    • If a Camp Tanager staff member is exposed as a close contact to someone who tested positive, they will be tested and will return to work per the provided state guidelines.
    • If a Camp Tanager staff member tests positive for COVID-19, contact tracing will determine any close contacts and the staff member will remain in isolation for 10 days. They will return to work per the provided state guidelines.

    What will happen if a camper is exposed to someone with COVID-19?

    • If they have had exposure closer than 6 feet for longer than 15 minutes without masks, they will be quarantined. You will be notified and we will request you pick your camper up for the safety of all. This is one reason following protocol, physical distancing and mask wearing is so important for all campers and staff.
    • If Camp Tanager learns of a positive COVID-19 case, we will investigate any possible close contacts to the person who tested positive. A close contact is defined by the IDPH as a person who was within 6 feet of the COVID-19 positive individual for 15 minutes. Contact tracing will include any individual with close contact of a COVID-19 positive person within the 48 hours before the test date or 48 hours before symptoms started. Quarantine procedures will be followed per the IDPH guidelines.

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HAVE QUESTIONS?

Contact us at any time to discuss how we are working together to make camp a safe environment for all.

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