Summer 2022 FAQ
The questions and answers below reflect our current planning related to COVID-19. Please note that protocols may change; if there are any updates, we promise to relay them as soon as possible. We are actively incorporating all the recommended best practices from the CDC and American Camp Association, as well as our consulting work with Dr. Laura Blaisdell.
PRE-ARRIVAL & DROP-OFF
Is there anything we need to do in the weeks prior to camp?
Yes. A healthy camp always begins at home and is particularly important this year. Campers and staff should participate in only low risk behaviors when outside your immediate family for at least 10 days prior to Camp. Low risk behaviors are those that can be done outdoors and/or with masking and physical distancing.
Aside from school, large indoor gatherings of groups outside the family household are not recommended. Families should consider having campers mask at school if the end of the school year is within 10 days of the start of camp and the community level is medium (yellow) or higher. Campers and staff are encouraged to discuss their pre-camp plans with Garth should there be any questions. Staying healthy at home increases the likelihood for a healthy start to the summer at Timanous. We ask all family members to engage in low-risk behaviors in the 10 days leading up to camp to help keep our campers healthy for the start of their camp stay. Please contact us if your camper has close contact with any positive cases in the 10 days leading up to camp, and do all that you can to keep your camper away from any positive cases.
Aside from school, large indoor gatherings of groups outside the family household are not recommended. Families should consider having campers mask at school if the end of the school year is within 10 days of the start of camp and the community level is medium (yellow) or higher. Campers and staff are encouraged to discuss their pre-camp plans with Garth should there be any questions. Staying healthy at home increases the likelihood for a healthy start to the summer at Timanous. We ask all family members to engage in low-risk behaviors in the 10 days leading up to camp to help keep our campers healthy for the start of their camp stay. Please contact us if your camper has close contact with any positive cases in the 10 days leading up to camp, and do all that you can to keep your camper away from any positive cases.
Will my camper need to have testing before he arrives at camp?
All campers need to be tested with a rapid antigen test two days (June 21 or July 16) before arriving at camp. Please upload a scan or photo of your camper’s test result to your CampMinder dashboard. A negative test result from this time period will be needed for your camper to start his session of camp on time. Please call right away if your camper tests positive. We will work with you to determine the best arrival timetable and plan. After testing, we ask for those traveling to camp to be extra careful with their interactions with others. We will also test all campers upon arrival at Timanous and again several days into the session in case of transmission during travel.
Will you require a vaccine for campers?
No. However, given the residential nature of summer camp with people living in tight quarters and in close proximity to one another, we strongly encourage all campers to be vaccinated and up-to-date to the fullest extent possible. At this time we have a camper vaccination rate greater than 95% for both sessions; vaccines and boosters for eligible campers will help towards providing a summer with fewer COVID disruptions.
How do I get my camper to and from camp?
We strongly recommend traveling directly from home to Timanous on the first day of your session (June 23 or July 18) if at all possible, avoiding stops that can lead to exposure. Air travel necessitated by distance is acceptable, but we encourage car travel whenever possible. While many forms of public transportation no longer require masking, we require masking with K95 or KN95 masks on public transportation when traveling to camp.
What will drop-off look like on arrival day?
Please refer to the 2022 Arrival and Departure handout for dates and times. We are not planning to stagger arrivals as we did in 2021. Staff and counselors will greet your camper and help him unload and travel to his cabin. Families can walk with their camper to the cabin and briefly see the interior of the cabin but not stay to unpack. All family members must be masked while in the cabin with only two families per cabin at a time. Please be mindful of the amount of time you spend in the cabin so that other families may have their turn.
IN-CAMP OPERATION
Will my camper need to wear a mask at Timanous?
While we do not anticipate the widespread use of masks at this time, we still need to prepare for circumstances when they may be needed. Please pack 10 N95 or KN95 masks. Be sure to clearly label each one with your camper’s name and number them 1 - 10 to avoid use on consecutive days.
Will there be a health check-in upon arrival?
Our nursing team will administer a COVID-19 rapid test before campers are cleared to go to their cabins, as well as a lice check, and will review any necessary medications.
Will there be testing during camp?
We anticipate testing the entire camp around the fifth day of each session. Waiting five days is the recommended time period to accurately test any infection resulting from travel to camp.
Will we be allowed to visit in the middle of the summer?
Families of our 7-week campers are welcome to have an outdoor picnic visit at Timanous during the middle three weeks of the summer (July 7 - 27). All guests will need to take a rapid test within 24 hours of their visit to camp.
How will you respond to any medical concerns?
We will have the same three nurses as last summer. All three nurses are familiar with COVID protocols. Our camp nurses will continue to be supported by our partnerships with a local physician’s office and hospital as needed.
How will you respond if there is a positive test at camp?
It is best to anticipate that we will have positive cases at camp despite our preventative measures given the highly infectious nature of the current variants. We will provide general communication with families regarding any positive cases at Timanous and more detailed communication if there is a positive case in your camper’s cabin. Positive cases will follow CDC guidelines for isolation with isolated camp activities if appropriate. Close contacts (including those in the same cabin of a positive case) will follow the above CDC guidelines with a modified camp routine. Modifications may include a mix of activities assigned by cabin group, situational use of masking and/or avoiding close contact, including during indoor activities and meals. Our goal with these modifications is to provide as typical a camp routine as possible without generating additional positive cases.
Are your counselors ready for this responsibility?
Yes. We are fortunate to have a veteran group of counselors with much experience from summer 2021 and a strong commitment to the Timanous experience. All staff will be trained on safety protocols. We’re a community that takes care of each other and steps up when we have to.
