We have reached capacity and started a Wait List for Session 1, Session 2 and all of our two-week Middler sessions. In order to be added to the Wait List for Summer 2021, please click the "Apply" button in the top right hand corner of our website. If the virus were to remain the same, we have notified our "B" Session Middler families that those campers would not be able to attend for the 2021 season, as we will need to maintain our "bubble" for the entire season.
Summer 2021 COVID-19 Update
March 8, 2021
With our community's best interest at the forefront of our minds, we are continuing to implement best practices from the Vermont Department of Health, CDC and the American Camp Association on guidelines for safely opening this summer. Please see below for a "living" document of our evolving plan for the Summer of 2021.
We know how important this summer is for our campers and staff, and we are confident in our ability to provide a safe and meaningful camp experience this summer, especially with the support and guidance of health experts. Our plan laid out for you below WILL CHANGE as additional information is available to us, but we feel it is important to share our plans based on what we know right now.
A Modified Bubble at Camp...What Does That Mean?
We'll likely be in a modified bubble this summer. This will allow us to limit who comes in and out of camp and minimize the chances of COVID-19 entering our community. We'll run an incredibly fun and instructional program, and camp will feel very much the same. Additionally, staff time-off will mostly take place on camp at "staff only" areas as opposed to outside camp. These and other measures will allow us to be protected and safe. Even in a modified bubble, camp will very much feel "normal." Activities, events, games, traditions, and S Days will happen as always!
What About Masks?
In all likelihood, campers and staff will wear masks while traveling to camp and for the first seven-ten days after arrival. We will consult with our health experts on the way forward in regard to wearing masks when we receive test results back after the initial 7-day period.
Summer Dates
At this time, we plan to proceed with our regular summer dates listed on our website.
Travel To Camp
We are waiting for additional guidance from the Vermont Department of Health regarding their guidelines for campers' travel to camp and will update our plan as soon as this information has been made clear to us.
Health Care at Camp
We have increased the number of our nurses and nursing assistants on staff. We are fortunate to have our Lead Nurse returning for her fifth summer at Lochearn. We have multiple local pediatricians, public health experts and RNs who are helping guide us through this summer.
All in-camp health policies will be in guidance with the CDC, American Camp Association, and the Vermont Department of Health. As a Vermont Camp Association member, we are lucky to have Dr. Breena Holmes with the Vermont Department of Health and Dr. Laura Blaisdell, a pediatrician and public health specialist, guiding us with public health policies and best practices.
Pre-Camp Compliance
Campers and staff may be asked to be vigilant in their connections outside of home and school before camp. We may ask campers to avoid trips or situations where they or family members are in high-density settings or risk unnecessary exposure.
What Testing Might Look Like This Summer
We will be emailing detailed pre-camp and Opening Day procedures with our COVID Guidebook in late May. COVID-19 testing is evolving rapidly and continuing to improve. Our initial plan is as follows:
Staff and campers will be required to have a negative PCR COVID test taken 3-5 days before arrival at camp.
Upon arrival at camp, we will administer a COVID-19 test for campers and staff in addition to our normal full health screening.
We will then test campers and staff within a week into each of our sessions.
Our testing plan and daily temperature and symptom checks will be rigorous and follow best practices under the guidance of our medical team and state officials.
The First Seven Days Of Camp
While we'll still run a robust and full in-camp program the first seven days of the summer, campers and staff may stay in Pods and participate in group activities during that period. Of course, the hallmarks of Lochearn – FUN, Friendship, Family and Kindness– will be emphasized as always.
Upgrading Dining and Indoor Spaces
The Dining Hall is being modified with exhaust fans, more spacing, and hand sanitizing stations. All meals will look a bit different as we modify the traditional buffet and family style dining to follow social distancing requirements between pods. We will add an event tent for outside dining.
We're fortunate that all of our indoor spaces have sufficient open-air capabilities. We will modify these areas as needed for additional air flow.
What's Next?
We will provide the most well-informed and necessary updates for our families in the coming months. If you would like to learn more about Camp Lochearn's plan for a safe and fun summer, please don't hesitate to contact us at 802-333-4211 or fun@camplochearn.com. We are preparing for an incredible summer with our campers!!
