Communicable Illness Planning and FAQs

We continue to work closely with our camp health professionals to plan for a healthy summer. As a residential community of nearly 100 campers and staff each week, we continue to be mindful about how to reduce the spread of communicable illnesses. Although our planning is comprehensive in seeking to reduce the spread of all communicable illnesses, we are especially  mindful that COVID is still present and is highly transmissible. This is especially true at camp, where we sleep, eat, sing and play together.  

 The most important part of creating a healthy 2024 camp community is for campers to arrive at camp healthy.   

The COVID information below is based on the current variant and levels of community transmission. If new variants emerge or levels of community transmission change before or during camp, we may need to change the policies and guidelines below. If updated guidance is issued by the Vermont Dept of Health or the American Camp Association, we may change our policies and guidelines to be in line with industry standards. 

We will communicate any changes to families regarding all Communicable Illnesses via email or by updating the Communicable Illness Planning page of our website. Thank you in advance for your flexibility. 

What pre-arrival expectations have been decided at this time? 

COVID

We  STRONGLY ENCOURAGE all campers and staff be fully vaccinated and boosted prior to arrival. COVID is still a highly communicable illness, and although being vaccinated and boosted does not prevent getting COVID, it does reduce the severity of illness.  The optimum timeline for getting a booster or vaccine would be at least two weeks before your child attends camp as this will offer maximum protection against serious illness. If your child has had the bivalent vaccine, they are considered to be fully vaccinated.

Arriving at Camp Healthy 

The most important thing you can do to ensure camp continues uninterrupted is to arrive at camp healthy and to reduce potential exposure to COVID and other communicable illnesses in the 2 weeks prior to camp. In 2022, some positive COVID cases emerged several days after check-in. We are once again asking families to engage in low-risk activities prior to arrival at camp. For example, attending large, indoor events with sizeable numbers of people unmasked is not a good idea prior to arrival. If you must attend such events or travel, fly, etc, please wear a mask to minimize exposure to all communicable illnesses. 

*Please complete a COVID antigen test, in the morning before you come on the first day and inform camp if there is a positive case or other communicable illnesses in your household. 

What pre-arrival testing will be required? 

COVID 

We are asking that every camper do an antigen test the morning of the day they first arrive at camp! In addition, if your camper has been exposed to a positive COVID case in the 2 weeks prior to camp, we highly recommend you test your camper a few days prior to camp and again the morning before coming to camp, even if they are asymptomatic. If your child tests positive, they may not attend camp if they are within the 5 day isolation period, whether or not they are still testing negative or have symptoms. After the 5 days, if they are without symptoms and test negative, they may attend but would be required to wear a mask for the following 5 days.

 Will there be COVID testing at GMC?

In our current plan, antigen testing on site will not be a part of our Check-in Day health screening. Health screenings, including lice checks, will take place before campers move into cabins.  Parents should test their children at home before heading to camp!  What will testing at camp look like during camp? We are currently creating protocols to identify testing thresholds for COVID, flu, strep and communicable illnesses. Please send several masks and 2 Covid tests with your camper in case they are needed.

What will be the policy regarding masks?  

Our current plan is that masks will be optional at camp unless a camper tests positive. Campers who want to mask can and will be supported in their masking. If a camper or staff member tests positive they will need to go home and the campers and staff in their cabin may need to wear masks indoors and additional testing may be needed.  We are asking families, campers, and staff to be flexible and willing to adapt, even mid-session. Bring several masks and 2 Covid tests, just in case. 

What happens if my camper is symptomatic at camp and tests positive? 

COVID 

A camper that tests positive will be moved to an isolation room in the Health Center until a parent/guardian or emergency contact arrives to pick them up. Please make a plan in advance so your camper can be picked up within 5 hours. All families must designate an emergency contact that can pick up the camper within that time if the parent/guardian is unable to be at camp within the 5 hours. 

Other Communicable Illnesses 

As a congregate community, illness can spread quickly through camp. Some don’t slow campers down, but others may require medication or extended isolation and rest.  Please be aware that there are other illnesses that may also require your camper to go home.  We will follow the state guidelines and ask that parents understand that it is important to keep a sick child home and they will be sent home for fever above 101 degrees, vomiting, diarrhea, pink eye, etc and may not return until they have been symptom free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication. This list is not comprehensive and the camp medical personnel will have the final say on when a camper must leave and when they can return. Once again, you should designate an emergency contact who can pick up your child within 5 hours in the event of illness.

What happens if there is a positive COVID case in my child’s cabin? 

If a camper tests positive, that camper will go home. Based on current guidance, the other campers can continue to participate in camp as normal. Masks may be required indoors, and we will ask campers to visit the Health Center if they feel ill. Parents of campers who are considered a close contact will be notified and given the option of letting their child continue camp or picking them up, and either way no refunds can be issued as staffing, food, supplies, etc have all been figured on  all campers being present. A positive case may result in other strategies which may include additional testing /masking.

What happens if there is a COVID or other communicable illness outbreak among staff? 

We must maintain certain ratios of staff to campers to deliver a safe, quality camp experience. Although we will do all we can to keep staff healthy, if there is a COVID or other communicable illness outbreak among staff that prevents us meeting these ratios, campers may be required to return home or we may need to adjust the schedule to keep everyone safe. Families will be contacted with a plan to pick up their camper expeditiously if this should happen.

We are grateful to have an outstanding team of experienced nurses on staff, as well as excellent resources they can reach out to for support in our local medical providers. The Health Center staff reserve the right to use their medical and nursing judgment to send a camper home if there is a concern about a worsening condition that is not responding to the treatments available at camp or the local clinic. Every attempt will be made to ensure the safety and well-being of your camper and the camp community. Your part in that commitment may include many strategies such as all vaccinations being up to date, testing before you come, sending masks and extra tests, and being vigilant about pre-camp exposure to all communicable illness.