We are so glad to be preparing for in-person summer camp again. We want this page to be a helpful resource for you to see the many layers of plans and protocols that will be in place during this summer of 2021. Like you, we are trying to keep up with the most recent COVID-19 developments, and are using trusted sources as we plan. We are studying and relying on guidance from the American Camp Association and the Minnesota Department of Health. We are planning to operate in the safest way possible based on what we know TODAY. If the pandemic eases by summer, we will update our protocols as necessary, so we invite you to visit this page often for updates.
Last updated: January 21, 2021
Last updated: January 21, 2021
What kind of things are you doing to protect campers from COVID-19 this summer?
This is the biggest question we’re getting here at camp. There is kind of a long answer! To keep it succinct, there are about 7 basic strategies that we will rely on. We have participated in several training sessions, and over and over these same things came up. When done together, the risk of transmitting COVID is very low. These 7 layers are: pre-screening, cohorting, sanitizing, masking, being outdoors as much as possible, physical distancing, and hand hygiene. If you are interested in learning more about what each of these layers might look like at camp, click here!
This is the biggest question we’re getting here at camp. There is kind of a long answer! To keep it succinct, there are about 7 basic strategies that we will rely on. We have participated in several training sessions, and over and over these same things came up. When done together, the risk of transmitting COVID is very low. These 7 layers are: pre-screening, cohorting, sanitizing, masking, being outdoors as much as possible, physical distancing, and hand hygiene. If you are interested in learning more about what each of these layers might look like at camp, click here!
I keep hearing about a “pod structure.” What does that mean?
One of the key things that camps who ran in 2020 learned was that using a pod structure was key to controlling the spread of COVID-19. Basically, campers should never be closer than 6 feet to people outside of their cabin group (their “pod”). If they are, for unavoidable reasons, we have other things like masking and such in place to help with potential exposure. While we will do everything we can to reduce the opportunities for COVID to even be at camp, we cannot guarantee that it won’t show up. If it does, the strict use of pods is extremely helpful. Rather than needing to scramble to figure out who the camper or staff has been in contact with, we can quickly narrow down a potential group of people who may need to isolate themselves, allowing the rest of the camp to continue their camp experience.
As an added layer, we will also require that all pods within each program group stay together. For example, if four cabins in the Andy’s Gang program go to a campfire together, they can do so if they safely spread out. However, cabins from Andy’s Gang and cabins from Trailblazers will not participate in activities in the same area at all in 2021. When combined with other mitigation layers, this structure should ensure that a case of COVID would not spread far, if at all.
One of the key things that camps who ran in 2020 learned was that using a pod structure was key to controlling the spread of COVID-19. Basically, campers should never be closer than 6 feet to people outside of their cabin group (their “pod”). If they are, for unavoidable reasons, we have other things like masking and such in place to help with potential exposure. While we will do everything we can to reduce the opportunities for COVID to even be at camp, we cannot guarantee that it won’t show up. If it does, the strict use of pods is extremely helpful. Rather than needing to scramble to figure out who the camper or staff has been in contact with, we can quickly narrow down a potential group of people who may need to isolate themselves, allowing the rest of the camp to continue their camp experience.
As an added layer, we will also require that all pods within each program group stay together. For example, if four cabins in the Andy’s Gang program go to a campfire together, they can do so if they safely spread out. However, cabins from Andy’s Gang and cabins from Trailblazers will not participate in activities in the same area at all in 2021. When combined with other mitigation layers, this structure should ensure that a case of COVID would not spread far, if at all.
How will my camper’s experience look different from a typical summer?
We are doing everything we can to keep the core aspects of camp as recognizable as possible. Things like swimming, worship, campfires, devotions, games, etc., will still happen. We just need to adjust the way we do them. All activities done outside of the camper’s direct cabin group will need to be done in a physically distanced manner. However, as we are learning, we can do a lot of neat things from 6 feet apart! Our program team is creating new, innovative ways to be in community. There may be more time spent together as a cabin group, and the scheduling of programs on the same site (for example, Andy’s Gang and Half Blast at Shores) will be done in a way that all activities can be done, just not at the same time in the same space. The good news is that all three of our sites have acres of beautiful outdoor space where we can spread out and still be together! For a more detailed look at a sample daily schedule, click here (coming soon!).
We are doing everything we can to keep the core aspects of camp as recognizable as possible. Things like swimming, worship, campfires, devotions, games, etc., will still happen. We just need to adjust the way we do them. All activities done outside of the camper’s direct cabin group will need to be done in a physically distanced manner. However, as we are learning, we can do a lot of neat things from 6 feet apart! Our program team is creating new, innovative ways to be in community. There may be more time spent together as a cabin group, and the scheduling of programs on the same site (for example, Andy’s Gang and Half Blast at Shores) will be done in a way that all activities can be done, just not at the same time in the same space. The good news is that all three of our sites have acres of beautiful outdoor space where we can spread out and still be together! For a more detailed look at a sample daily schedule, click here (coming soon!).
How will my child’s cabin group function?
As the summer approaches, we will have a clearer idea of what kind of pre-screening will be required to come to camp. Whatever that process might entail, we will work together with families to ensure that, to the best of our knowledge, all campers coming to camp are healthy and COVID-free. Therefore, the cabin that your child is assigned to for the week will be allowed to function like a “family unit.” When in the cabin or outside your child will not need to act terribly different from a normal summer. Cabin-mates and their counselor can be unmasked around each other. There will be extra layers of caution that are new within the cabin - kids will need to sleep head-to-toe in their bunks, the cabin will be cleaned and disinfected each day, windows will be open as much as possible, nobody outside of the cabin group will be allowed in the cabin, and, we will not do extremely close activities. Outside of the cabin, the group can stay together, sit together, eat together, etc. Throughout the day, it will be the case that other cabin groups of the same program will do things together. When that happens, distancing, masking, and other layers of protection will be expected.
As the summer approaches, we will have a clearer idea of what kind of pre-screening will be required to come to camp. Whatever that process might entail, we will work together with families to ensure that, to the best of our knowledge, all campers coming to camp are healthy and COVID-free. Therefore, the cabin that your child is assigned to for the week will be allowed to function like a “family unit.” When in the cabin or outside your child will not need to act terribly different from a normal summer. Cabin-mates and their counselor can be unmasked around each other. There will be extra layers of caution that are new within the cabin - kids will need to sleep head-to-toe in their bunks, the cabin will be cleaned and disinfected each day, windows will be open as much as possible, nobody outside of the cabin group will be allowed in the cabin, and, we will not do extremely close activities. Outside of the cabin, the group can stay together, sit together, eat together, etc. Throughout the day, it will be the case that other cabin groups of the same program will do things together. When that happens, distancing, masking, and other layers of protection will be expected.
What will the summer staff be doing to help with COVID safety?
All hired summer staff have been communicated with about how important our safety protocols will be this summer. They are ready to be helpful and to model behavior that will be needed for a safe experience! At this time, we are planning to organize our staff in pods that will stay together all summer. Staff pods will be based on the camp program that they are assigned to (Stargazers, Andy’s Gang, etc.). This is the best way to avoid transmission in the event that a case of COVID does occur. This means that the entirety of the summer, weekends included, our staff will maintain strict protocols when around campers and staff outside of their pod. In addition, we will be training our staff on the latest guidance during their two-week staff training prior to the start of summer. They will understand and be ready to implement the layers of safety we are prepared for. Finally, if our summer staff is included in any of the upcoming vaccine groups as essential child-care workers, we will be highly encouraging all staff to get the vaccine. While this does not solve all problems, it is a helpful piece of the puzzle!
All hired summer staff have been communicated with about how important our safety protocols will be this summer. They are ready to be helpful and to model behavior that will be needed for a safe experience! At this time, we are planning to organize our staff in pods that will stay together all summer. Staff pods will be based on the camp program that they are assigned to (Stargazers, Andy’s Gang, etc.). This is the best way to avoid transmission in the event that a case of COVID does occur. This means that the entirety of the summer, weekends included, our staff will maintain strict protocols when around campers and staff outside of their pod. In addition, we will be training our staff on the latest guidance during their two-week staff training prior to the start of summer. They will understand and be ready to implement the layers of safety we are prepared for. Finally, if our summer staff is included in any of the upcoming vaccine groups as essential child-care workers, we will be highly encouraging all staff to get the vaccine. While this does not solve all problems, it is a helpful piece of the puzzle!
Can the pastor and youth staff from our congregation still come to camp this summer?
At this time, the answer to that question is no. In order to maintain the integrity of the pods that are key to reducing and tracking spread, we have to be very careful about any ways that germs might be transferred from group to group. Church staff who might have campers in various programs or sites create a significant challenge. We want you to know that as the pandemic eases, vaccine rates are higher, and transmission rates hopefully are more manageable, this is something we’ll be eager to revisit. We know this is a tough thing to hear!
At this time, the answer to that question is no. In order to maintain the integrity of the pods that are key to reducing and tracking spread, we have to be very careful about any ways that germs might be transferred from group to group. Church staff who might have campers in various programs or sites create a significant challenge. We want you to know that as the pandemic eases, vaccine rates are higher, and transmission rates hopefully are more manageable, this is something we’ll be eager to revisit. We know this is a tough thing to hear!
What will happen if a case of COVID is suspected at camp?
The Minnesota Department of Health has developed some guidance for schools, youth, and child care programs that is clear and easy to follow - it’s likely your child’s own school has used this same guidance this year. Following their guidance, we will take great care to isolate any campers or staff who are exhibiting COVID symptoms. Depending on the symptoms, options may range from monitoring the camper (if the symptom is less common and there is only one symptom) to requiring that the camper returns home as soon as possible. The action that is taken with that camper will determine what action needs to be taken with the cabin group. It is possible that an entire cabin could be asked to return home. We will work with county health officials to make that determination. The pod structure we will implement, along with the other layers of precautions, should greatly minimize the potential of spread in the cabin group and to the rest of the camp. You can view the decision tree recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health here.
The Minnesota Department of Health has developed some guidance for schools, youth, and child care programs that is clear and easy to follow - it’s likely your child’s own school has used this same guidance this year. Following their guidance, we will take great care to isolate any campers or staff who are exhibiting COVID symptoms. Depending on the symptoms, options may range from monitoring the camper (if the symptom is less common and there is only one symptom) to requiring that the camper returns home as soon as possible. The action that is taken with that camper will determine what action needs to be taken with the cabin group. It is possible that an entire cabin could be asked to return home. We will work with county health officials to make that determination. The pod structure we will implement, along with the other layers of precautions, should greatly minimize the potential of spread in the cabin group and to the rest of the camp. You can view the decision tree recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health here.
What if I register for camp in January but change my mind due to COVID conditions in the summer?
We are ready to be very flexible with this! If you decide that you just aren’t comfortable following through with your registration due to COVID concerns, just let us know and you can expect a full refund. Between now and the summer we know a lot can happen - in your lives and in the life of the pandemic. So, register with the knowledge that there is no risk if you change your mind!
We are ready to be very flexible with this! If you decide that you just aren’t comfortable following through with your registration due to COVID concerns, just let us know and you can expect a full refund. Between now and the summer we know a lot can happen - in your lives and in the life of the pandemic. So, register with the knowledge that there is no risk if you change your mind!
Green lake lutheran ministries
Inviting all to experience the life-changing love of Jesus through vibrant settings in community and creation.
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Green Lake Bible Camp
9916 Lake Ave. S. Spicer, MN 56288 Phone: 320-796-2181 Fax: 320-796-6633 camp@gllm.org |
Shores of St. Andrew Bible Camp
19080 16th St. NE New London, MN 56273 Phone: 320-354-2961 |
Camp House
1411 Camp House Road Brimson, MN 55602 Phone: 218-848-2277 |