COVID-19 Safety at Camp Krem
The health and safety of our campers and staff is of the utmost importance to us, and we will have multiple precautions in place to ensure we have a safe summer. For the safety of all participants, Camp requires that all participants agree to the following COVID-19 precautions and protocols.
Camping Unlimited follows the guidance of the CDC, State of California, Madera County Department of Public Health, and recommendations from the American Camp Association, Physicians & other medical professionals with whom we work.
Please review the information below to learn about our COVID-19 policies. Please note that updates may be made, and policies are subject to change, based on further guidance from health officials and changing circumstances.
Pre-Camp:
All participants must self-monitor for symptoms 10 days prior to the camp session.
Participants agree to reduce their risk of exposure. We ask all participants to use their best judgement in their decision-making regarding participation in large group and high-risk activities in the 10 days prior to the Camp session.
Vaccination Requirements:
All campers and staff must have an up to date COVID-19 vaccination status, including booster shots, if eligible. The CDC defines up to date vaccination status as having received a recent 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine.
The bivalent booster is still highly recommended for all participants to receive prior to attending Camp. Our full Immunization Policy can be found here.
Pre-Arrival Testing – Year-Round Program:
Prior to arrival, campers and staff will be required to complete COVID tests and submit proof of negative test(s).
We ask that people take extra precautions (avoid large gatherings, mask when indoors, and maintain social distancing as much as possible) between getting their pre-arrival test and coming to Camp, to avoid exposure during this time.
Testing options:
Please note that it is the responsibility of the camper parent/guardian to ensure that the testing is completed and proof of negative results submitted at the required time(s). Failure to submit test results within the required timeframe will result in the camper being unable to attend, for the health and safety of our other participants.
- A laboratory diagnostic test, preferably a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (however, any diagnostic test will suffice — it does not have to be a lab PCR test. Rapid PCR and rapid antigen tests will be accepted) within 96 hours of arriving at Camp Krem. Please contact your healthcare provider, or click here to find a community testing site near you, to schedule this; OR
- Two (2) at-home COVID tests in the days leading up to your camper’s session (specific dates for testing will be provided for each session/program).
Pre-Arrival Testing – Summer Camp:
Prior to arrival, all campers and staff will be required to complete COVID tests and submit proof of negative test. Families will have the option of submitting test results either from laboratory diagnostic tests, within 96 hours of the first day of your confirmed session, or at-home PCR or rapid antigen tests, within 48 hours of the first day of your confirmed session. Rapid PCR tests are preferable. Please contact us if you have questions about where to purchase.
Pre-Arrival Screening:
Campers: Within 48 hours of arriving at Camp Krem, camper families need to complete a “Pre-Arrival Screening” (located in the Forms & Documents section of your Camp Krem account) to record COVID test results and answer a few screening questions.
Staff: We will be conducting a pre-arrival health screening prior to staff’s arrival to Camp for Staff Orientation.
Arrival Day Screening & Testing:
Campers: On arrival day (for Summer Camp and Year-Round Programs), families are to bring a COVID test with them, to administer when they arrive for check in. Please be sure to bring a COVID test with you. This arrival day test will take place at the bus stop, or at Camp Krem Yosemite. The health screening will include a review of a symptom checklist, and possible exposure to COVID-19.
Once test results have come back negative, and campers have been screened by our Healthcare team, they will be officially checked in and ready to begin their session/event!
Please be aware that a positive test will result in the individual being turned away and unable to attend that session/event, and we will work with you to schedule a future session/event at a later date.
Staff: Staff will do a COVID test when they arrive for Orientation, and will be tested again each session.
Additional Testing: Campers and Staff: In the event that an individual exhibits any possible COVID symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscles or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea), we will administer a COVID test to determine whether or not they are COVID positive. Our Healthcare Team will closely monitor camper and staff health, in order to identify, and isolate, as early as possible. We have bulk tests on-site, so we can administer tests any time anyone exhibits possible COVID-19 symptoms.
Cohorts: Summer Camp: Each cabin will be its own cohort. If somebody from a cabin group does exhibit any symptoms that could be COVID-19, we can immediately isolate that cabin group from the rest of camp, until we rule out COVID-19. If isolated, cabin groups will still be able to enjoy camp activities, however we will schedule things so that they are at each activity with their cohort group only, and not intermingling with the rest of camp.
Year-Round Respite Program: As our YRRP events are on a much smaller scale, the group as a whole will be considered a single cohort, as everyone attending has tested negative for COVID-19 with their pre-arrival and arrival day tests.
Masking: Summer Camp: Masks will not be required outdoors, with cabin cohorts, or during mealtimes. Masks will be worn inside main activity buildings such as the costume closet and Arts & Crafts building, and when moving about the dining hall, when we have groups from different cabins indoors in the same area. Please send your camper with an adequate supply of KN-95 masks for the duration of the session. We will have extra masks on hand. Please be sure to communicate with your camper’s Counselors if they will require assistance or reminders with masking.
Activities: We will be holding camp activities outdoors as much as possible. The only times campers will be indoors will be in their cabin (with their cohort, unmasked), the dining hall (see below), and in a few activity areas such as the costume closet (one cabin group at a time, or masked if more than one group inside) and Arts & Crafts (masked).
Mealtimes: Our dining hall are equipped with HEPA filters, and will have a lot of ventilation and air flow. We also have two outdoor patios for campers to eat meals, and will spread cabin groups out to reduce the number of people inside during meals. Masks will be required moving around the dining hall, and can be removed upon sitting down at a table for a meal.
Enhanced sanitation: We will be using hospital-grade sanitizers and disinfectants, and in addition to the usual cleaning, will have staff doing ongoing extra disinfection of bathrooms, equipment, and high touch areas including door handles, railings, light switches etc.
Hand Washing: Campers and staff will be encouraged to wash hands regularly, above and beyond “usual” hand washing. In addition, there are hand sanitizer dispensers located all over Camp, as a supplementary precaution, not as a replacement for hand washing.
Staff Precautions Off Work: Staff are expected to make COVID-safe and responsible choices in their time off, with regard to masking and social distancing. We ask that our staff avoid crowded indoor places and gatherings, for the safety of our campers, for the duration of their employment.
Summary:
We continue to keep up with the latest COVID developments, including following all the recent guidelines from local, state and federal authorities, as well as the American Camp Association. Camp Krem is doing more than is “required”, and our protocol more stringent, as it is extremely important to us to keep our campers safe. Operating in-person Camp during the COVID-19 pandemic comes with inherent risks, however we will do all we can to mitigate these risks and keep our camp community healthy.
Thank you for your understanding, and your cooperation in helping us ensure our campers and staff are as safe as possible, while still maintaining the “magic” of Camp!
