COVID SAFETY PLAN
In preparing for the upcoming 2025 summer camp season, we will continue to evaluate protocols in mitigating risk of the spread of COVID-19. This will be done while allowing campers to have a safe and positive camp experience. Eden Hill will continue to rely heavily on outdoor activity for all campers. Being able to have camp on the acreage of Berkshire Country Day School provides the camp to spread out and limit access to indoor spaces. The following protocols are the highlights of our plan in order to operate safe, healthy, and fun camp environment for campers, their respective families and staff. We do have a Registered Nurse full time who will be the lead on all questions regarding illness.
*Please note, the plan below is from summer of 2022. Once we receive the updated 2025 camp guidance from the Department of Public Health, we will develop our new COVID-19 safety plan to reflect any updates.*
Screening Campers Upon Arrival, Enhanced Social Distance Sign-In
Arrival and sign-in to summer camp will be performed at the entrance of the gymnasium. Please note, unlike prior years, parents/guardians will not be allowed into the gymnasium. Staff members wearing a mask and maintaining social distance will happily greet the arriving camper and walk to the appropriate location. A camper screener will be provided to all parents/guardians for them to use on their child to decide whether or not he/she is cleared to come to camp. We request that adults dropping off for camp to be wearing masks and socially distance on the long walk-way leading to the gymnasium.
Screening Staff Upon Arrival
During this time, it is important that employees do not report to work while they are ill and/or experiencing the following symptoms: fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. Employees will be self-screening daily prior to the start of their shift and prior to entering the building. Any employee who exhibits any of the symptoms provided by the CDC (posted in the entry of the gymnasium) will not be permitted to work and will be sent home. The screener tool will be provided to every employee.
Pick-up procedures – Enhanced Social Distancing
At pick up time, beginning at 3:00 p.m., all campers will be at their assigned location. Campers will pick up their personal belongings to take home with them each day. Parents/guardians will be instructed to wait in their car until their child is walked to them. This will aide in our enhanced social distancing effort. We request that adults picking up for camp to be wearing masks.
Safety Actions During Camp Activities
- Eden Hill will implement numerous safety actions to reduce the likelihood of disease transmission which include social distancing, require face mask masking, use increased disinfecting practices, and promoting frequent hand washing/hand sanitizer.
- Employees and campers will be required to wear masks when indoors and required outdoors when 6' distance cannot be maintained. Social distancing among staff and campers while outdoors will be employed unless the situation is deemed unsafe in such activities as swimming at the pond.
- Camp groups will stay within their cohort throughout the day. This will limit the number of individuals that campers interact with. Additionally, camp groups will not intermingle for activities.
- The use of hand sanitizer by staff and children is required upon entry to the grounds, before and after eating, during restroom breaks and frequently throughout the day.
- Eliminating Bi-Weekly Hot Dog Lunch picnic. Campers will bring a daily snack and packed lunch from home daily.
- Please note, water fountains will only be utilized to fill one’s water bottle/thermus.
- Personal belongings must go home each day. There will be no toys or electronics from home are permitted unless the camper is staying for after camp in which these will be allowed at the discretion of staff.
- Camp staff are to disinfect non-porous workspaces, tabletops and counters after each use by their group in their activities.
- Camp activities throughout the day will be conducted outdoors as much as possible to minimize the amount of time campers spend indoors.
- Eden Hill will follow CDC guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting of various types of surfaces that campers may come into contact with. We will also frequently clean high-touch areas throughout the day.
- An isolation area will be established for any camper who begins to exhibit symptoms during the camp day to ensure their separation from other campers until the time they are picked up by designated parent or guardian. Our camp nurse will take lead for all questions regarding illness.
- CDC protocols for cleaning and disinfecting after any suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 will be observed.
Please note our collective goal is to provide your child for a safe, fun and memorable experience while in our care. We are committed to giving them the most fun that each child deserves. It’s been a tough year for all and we couldn’t be happier to welcome back familiar faces and meet new ones.
Sincerely,
Michael Lenfest,
Owner of Eden Hill Summer Day Camp
Please note, this plan is subject to change as the state may update camp guidance. CLICK HERE to see the minimum requirements set forth by the state of Massachusetts we used to create our safety plan.