COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Summer 2021
Updated June 26, 2021
Dear Families,
It has been a great start to the summer and we look forward to welcoming many more campers! The first two weeks of camp have been filled with much joy, enthusiasm, excitement, and gratitude! It is so wonderful to see all of the smiling faces of our campers and their families.
We have been following the ever-evolving guidelines and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the American Camping Association (ACA), and the State of Michigan. We have been in contact with doctors and nurses and other camps to determine the best strategy to provide a safe and fun experience while mitigating the risk of Covid-19. With the latest update for camps having just come out this week after the lifting of restrictions on Tuesday, June 22 we share with you the following changes for the summer.
The following safety strategies are based on the current guidelines at this time. These are subject to change based on the recommendations of the CDC, ACA, State of Michigan, and the doctors and nurses who help to guide us.
High Risk Population
Those who have pre-existing conditions or who have a higher risk of complications due to Covid-19 should speak with their primary care physician to assess the risk of attending camp prior to registering.
Pre-Camp
One of the best ways to prevent an outbreak of Covid-19 at CSM is to minimize bringing Covid-19 to Camp. This makes the diligence of our camp families in following the pre-screening process so important. If there is any potential exposure to campers or their families to Covid-19 within 14 days of coming to camp or any symptoms shown please stay home. We need your help to keep camp safe and fun this summer.
For 14 days prior to coming to Camp, campers are asked to fill out a daily health screening form which will include taking and recording temperatures. You can use one of the following forms CSM Health Screening Form, MHSSA Covid Monitor Form, or a health screening app if you prefer. We also ask that for 14 days prior to coming to Camp, the following practices are observed:
- Choose safer activities that limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19. See the CDC’s guide to safer activities CDC Guide to safer activities
- Wash hands with soap and water frequently. Limit non-essential travel.
Covid-19 tests are encouraged within 3-5 days prior to attending Camp.
Please contact us if you have any questions as to whether or not your child should be attending camp
Arrival at Camp
We will be limiting access to indoor spaces and check-in will look very different this year. It will be a drive-through process. We are no longer asking that only parent drop their child off. Upon arrival, the following will take place:
- Temperature screening of all in the vehicle (If anyone in the vehicle has a temperature of 100.4 or over, the registered camper will be unable to check-in. Hence, it is vital you are taking daily temperatures including prior to leaving for camp on the day of check-in. If a temperature is found please stay home.)
If a camper has any symptoms or has been in contact with a person who has or is suspected to have COVID-19, you will not be able to check in. Please stay home if you or your child answer yes to questions a, b, or c.
- The following questions will be asked:
- Have you or your child been in contact with a person who has or is suspected to have COVID-19?
- Have you or your child felt unwell in the last 3 days? (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste of smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea)
- (The camper will be asked) Have you felt unwell in the last 3 days? (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste of smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea)
- Are you feeling well today?
With the above having been satisfied we will proceed with the check-in process as follows:
- Parent/guardian(s) will turn in paperwork, medication, and settle any balances.
- Camper will have a health screening performed by our Camp nurse/medical health officer prior to heading to their cabin.
- After the above has taken place, the camper may head to their cabin. We ask the person dropping off the camper to refrain from going inside the cabin. You may drop off luggage at the porch/door of the cabin, meet the counselors who will greet you outside, and say your goodbyes. Counselors will assist campers with settling into the cabin and getting their bunks set up.
At Camp
- Masks are no longer required anywhere at camp.
- The maximum number of campers in a cabin will be 16.
- Cabins will be considered a household.
- Temperature checks will take place each day.
- During meals campers will be seated as a cabin with social distance between cabins. Windows will be open in the mess hall during meals to provide ventilation.
- As much as possible, activities will be done as a cabin. The camper’s team will be their cabin mates.
- Any all camp activities outside of Mass, Night Prayer, and meals will take place outside and be socially distanced between cabins.
- As much as possible, outside of our specialized activities, such as horses for example, we will keep the cabin counselors with the campers from their cabin.
- Counselors will make sure campers are either washing their hands and/or using hand sanitizer throughout the day.
- Mackinaw Island trips will be suspended this year so as to protect our CSM bubble and limit exposure to crowds and outside people.
Cleaning and sanitation
We are returning to our regular cleaning protocols which meet the ACA and the State of Michigan high standards.
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Fever or Covid-19 Symptoms at Camp
In the case of a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher at camp or a camper experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, that camper will be isolated under the watch and care of our nurse or medical health officer. If the fever or symptoms persist the camper will need to be picked up and the camper will need a Covid-19 test. CSM will need to be informed of the results of the test so we can inform health officials, Camp families, and staff. (If a camper in your child’s cabin were to test positive or display symptoms of Covid-19, the rest of the cabin, if symptom free, can stay at camp and continue in their own bubble until camp ends. Parents will be notified if there is an exposure but no campers would have to check out early unless symptomatic. This cabin would then become what is called a shadow camp and would have separate activities, meals, and chapel time.)
The following are symptoms that can be related to Covid-19:
- Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
- Body or muscle aches
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
Check-out/Pick-up
NEW FOR 2021: All check-outs for our boys’ and girls’ sessions will take place on Saturdays at 1pm. Check-out will also be a drive-thru process, and we will be limiting indoor access as much as possible. Upon arrival for check-out, the following will take place:
- Show your ID
- Sign your camper out
- Settle any balances
- Collect camper’s medication, if necessary
- Receive cabin photo if one was purchased
- Receive your slip with your camper’s name on it and then proceed to the cabin
- Once at the cabin, please stay outside the cabin
- Counselors will assist the camper in bringing their items out from the cabin
- Head home listening to all the fun stories from your camper’s stay at CSM
We will continue to assess protocols and guidance as it becomes available from the state and local health department.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Summer 2021
May 10, 2021
Dear CSM Families,
We know that new guidelines are coming from the State of Michigan. As soon as those new guidelines are released, we will update our COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Summer 2021. In the meantime, read below for our existing protocols (or click on the link above for a PDF). Thank you for your patience, and God bless you.
February 16, 2021
Dear CSM Families,
We are excited that registration for the summer of 2021 is underway, and one of our sessions is already sold out, so we encourage you to register at your earliest convenience. We look forward to seeing all of our campers and their families once again!
The foundation of all we do at camp is Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Our mission, to provide young people a technology-free, safe, and faith-filled experience packed with fun remains the same. Jesus and our mission have not changed.
But there will be some changes in our practices and programming at Camp this summer. We have been following the ever-evolving guidelines and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the American Camping Association (ACA), and the State of Michigan. We have been in contact with doctors and nurses and other camps to determine the best strategy to provide a safe and fun experience while mitigating the risk of COVID-19.
We share with you some of the plans being put into place for the summer of 2021. As we are all aware, we are in very fluid and ever-changing times in a way that none would have predicted. The following safety strategies are based on the current guidelines at this time. These are subject to change based on the recommendations of the CDC, ACA, State of Michigan, and the doctors and nurses who help to guide us.
HIGH-RISK POPULATION
Those who have pre-existing conditions or who have a higher risk of complications due to COVID-19 should speak with their primary care physician to assess the risk of attending camp prior to registering.
PRE-CAMP
One of the best ways to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 at CSM is to minimize bringing COVID-19 to Camp. This makes the diligence of our Camp families in following the pre-screening process so important. If there is any potential exposure to COVID-19 to campers or their families within 14 days of coming to camp or if any symptoms are present, please stay home. We need your help to keep Camp safe and fun this summer.
For 14 days prior to coming to Camp, campers will be expected to fill out a daily health screening form which will include taking and recording temperatures. We also ask that for 14 days prior to coming to Camp, the following practices are observed:
- Self-quarantine to the extent possible.
- Limit contact with those outside the home to only that which is necessary.
- When contact with others outside the household cannot be avoided, wear a mask and practice social distancing by staying 6 feet away from other people.
- Wash hands with soap and water frequently.
- Limit non-essential travel.
COVID-19 tests are encouraged within 10 days prior to attending Camp.
Please contact us if you have any questions as to whether or not your child should be attending Camp.
ARRIVAL AT CAMP
We will be limiting access to indoor spaces and check-in will look very different this year. It will be a drive-through process. We ask, if at all possible, that only one parent or guardian drop off campers this year. Upon arrival, the following will take place:
- Temperature screening of all in the vehicle (If anyone in the vehicle has a temperature of 100.4 or higher, the registered camper will be unable to check-in. Hence, it is vital you are taking daily temperatures, including prior to leaving for Camp on the day of check-in. If a temperature of 100.4 or higher is present, please stay home.
If a camper has any symptoms or has been in contact with a person who has or is suspected to have COVID-19, you will not be able to check in. Please stay home if you or your child answer yes to questions 1, 2, or 3.
- The following questions will be asked:
- Have you or your child been in contact with a person who has or is suspected to have COVID-19?
- Has your child felt unwell in the last 3 days? (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste of smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea)
- (The camper will be asked) Have you felt unwell in the last 3 days? (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste of smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea)
- Are you feeling well today?
With the above having been satisfied, we will proceed with the check-in process as follows:
- Parent/guardian(s) will turn in paperwork, medication, and settle any balances.
- Camper will have a health screening performed by our Camp nurse/medical health officer prior to heading to their cabin.
- After the above has taken place, the camper may head to their cabin. We ask the person dropping off the camper to refrain from going inside the cabin. You may drop off luggage at the porch/door of the cabin, meet the counselors who will greet you outside, and say your goodbyes. Counselors will assist campers with settling into the cabin and getting their bunks set up.
AT CAMP
- Cabin sizes will be limited to no more than 10 campers.
- Daily temperature checks will take place each day.
- There will be limited all-camp activities and during those activities, at least two of the three following things will take place:
- Social distancing between cabins
- Wearing of masks
- Outdoor activity
- One exception to the above practice is during meals. Once campers are seated with proper social distancing between cabin groups, masks can be taken off. Windows will always be open in the mess hall during meals to provide ventilation.
- Anyone who cannot medically tolerate a face covering is not required to wear one. A doctor’s note of medical exemption is required at check-in.
- As much as possible, activities will be done as a cabin. The camper’s team will be their cabin mates.
- Shared equipment will be limited to cohorts. Cohorts will consist of cabins of the same age groups who may participate in some activities together. Otherwise equipment will be cleaned between uses and/or each cabin may have their own equipment in order to limit shared items.
- As much as possible, outside of our specialized activities, such as horses, for example, we will keep the cabin counselors with the campers from their cabin.
- Between programs, counselors will make sure campers are either washing their hands or using hand sanitizer which counselors will carry with them.
- Mackinac Island trips will be suspended this year so as to protect our CSM bubble and limit exposure to crowds and outside people.
CLEANING AND SANITATION
In addition to our regular cleaning which meets the ACA and the State of Michigan’s high standards, we will increase the frequency of cleaning. This will include cleaning/disinfecting of high touch points multiple times throughout the day. Some of these touch points include doors knobs, faucets, handles, toilets, showers, and light switches.
As previously mentioned, shared equipment will be cleaned or disinfected between different cohorts using it. Examples of these include canoe paddles, life jackets, bows and arrows, baseball bats, harnesses, and helmets, to name a few.
FEVER OR COVID-19 SYMPTOMS AT CAMP
In the case of a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher at camp or a camper experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, that camper will be isolated under the watch and care of our nurse or medical health officer. If the fever or symptoms persist, the camper will need to be picked up and the camper will need a COVID-19 test. CSM will need to be informed of the results of the test so we can inform health officials, Camp families, and staff.
The following are symptoms that can be related to COVID-19:
- Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
- Body or muscle aches
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
CHECK-OUT/PICK-UP
NEW FOR 2021: All check-outs for our boys’ and girls’ sessions will take place on Saturdays at 1:00 pm. This is necessary to allow us time for the extra cleaning and sanitation that will be required this summer. Check-out will also be a drive-thru process, and we will be limiting indoor access as much as possible. If at all possible, we ask that one parent/guardian pick them up, and preferably the same parent who dropped the camper off. Upon arrival for check-out, the following will take place:
- Show your ID
- Sign your camper out
- Settle any balances
- Collect camper’s medication, if applicable
- Receive cabin photo if one was purchased
- Receive your slip with your camper’s name on it and then proceed to the cabin
- Once at the cabin, please stay outside the cabin
- Counselors will assist the camper in bringing their items out from the cabin
- Head home listening to all the fun stories from your camper’s stay at CSM
Summer Cancellation Update
May 23, 2020
Dear Friends and Family of Camp Sancta Maria,
When Monsignor Maurice Chawke founded Camp Sancta Maria in 1933, I doubt he fully knew the impact CSM would have on so many people. Over the last 87 years, countless campers have come through the front gates only to leave a week or two later having grown stronger in their faith, closer to Christ, and with a special place in their heart for CSM. Camp has truly become home for so many campers and their families. I have witnessed countless campers and counselors in tears as they wave goodbye at the end of a session or the summer. We all look forward to returning to CSM, our home away from home each year.
As we are well aware, this year has been unlike any other. Nothing is quite like we are used to and we are still living in such uncertain times. One thing we know for certain is that our Blessed Mother is watching over Camp. Each year we entrust Camp to Mary and ask for her protection and care. We have been asking her intercession in a special way as we navigate and discern what lies in store for this summer.
We strive to provide a safe, fun, and faith filled experience each summer. The health and safety of our campers and staff is our top priority. With so much uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, if or when camps will be able to operate, and the new guidelines from the CDC for camps, we cannot in confidence say that we will be able to achieve those standards this year. So, it is with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I have to announce the cancellation of all camp sessions for the summer of 2020.
We, like you, cannot imagine a summer without new friendships, bonfires, Mass, Capture the Flag, and Baked Alaska. We know this is not the news any of us were hoping to hear, but we continue to entrust Camp to the Blessed Mother and trust her Son Jesus to see us through this quiet summer here at Camp. We look forward to the summer of 2021 when we can reunite at CSM our home away from home!
For those who have already registered, look for an email by the end of next week which will include a form to indicate your choice regarding your camp registration. Options include: you may transfer your registration to next summer, donate your registration to CSM, or have your payment refunded. If you do not receive the email and link with the form by next weekend, please email Wally Ferrara at wally@campsanctamaria.org.
We know these are difficult times and many are facing financial hardships. As the summer sessions are our primary source of income, if you or someone you know is in a position to support us through donations, we would be most grateful!
Please follow us on Facebook and keep an eye on your email as we plan to stay connected and to do some fun things this summer. Thank you for your understanding and support!
Sincerely in Christ,
John David (JD)
COVID-19 Important Update
As of May 14, 2020
COVID-19 Update
As of April 30, 2020
Dear friends and family of Camp Sancta Maria,
Please know of our prayers for you during this time of uncertainty through our Blessed Mother, our beloved camp’s patroness. While it is our hope to hold camp sessions this summer, we are prudently staying in touch with health officials while continuing to make opening preparations.
Assuming we open, we will be ready to care for and provide the best practices for the health and safety of our campers, staff, and families. In addition to the many standards we regularly adhere to for the State of Michigan and American Camping Association, we are working with health officials to make sure we have additional measures in place this summer. We expect to receive additional guidelines from the CDC and American Camping Association in May, which we will incorporate into our protocols.
Registration
We know many may be concerned with registering at this time or wonder what may happen in the event that we are unable to offer sessions this summer. For those who have already paid partially or in full for the summer, if we have to cancel sessions, you will have the following three options from which to choose.
- You may transfer the registration and payment toward the summer of 2021 locking in your spot for next year at this year’s price.
- Donate all or part of your payment to CSM.
- Receive a full refund
For those who have not registered, as we stated in our last eblast, we were able to work with our registration software company and temporarily adjust our sessions fees so there is no deposit or payment required at this time. After registering, as it gets closer to the start of the session, you would be contacted, and at that time, confirm you are still interested and make a payment.
With all of the uncertainty we are facing and the unknown of when restrictions will be fully lifted or how quickly, it is a challenging time for all. We have no more information or knowledge than you do so we continue to place our hope in the risen Lord and ask the intercession of his mother Mary to guide us. Please know of our prayers for you and join us in praying for a safe, healthy, fun summer at CSM!
May God bless you and your family and keep you safe today and always.
John David (JD)
Executive Director
COVID-19 Update
As of April 16, 2020
Dear Camp Sancta Maria family,
I offer Easter blessings and pray that you and your families are doing well. In the midst of these uncertain and challenging times, I pray that you are able to cling to the hope of the resurrection and Christ’s victory over sin and death.
Camp’s top priority has always been to protect the safety and health of our campers, staff and volunteers. We have been closely monitoring all of the updates and recommendations from the CDC and American Camping Association regarding COVID-19. In addition, we have been in contact with officials from the health department in Otsego County. It is our hope that we will be able to begin camp as scheduled, in June. We know, however, that with the recent stay-in-place being extended until the end of April by Governor Whitmer, and the uncertainty of what restrictions will be lifted after that time, the possibility of a delayed start or cancelled early sessions is a possibility. We will not be able to make a clear decision until mid-May when we have more information. Be assured we will update you as soon as things become more clear.
In the meantime, however, those who haven’t already registered may still want to reserve their spot in the event we are able to hold some 2020 sessions.
We also recognize that many of our families are experiencing reduced income due to COVID-related job losses and furloughs. And so we’re working with Active Network, our online registration partner, to temporarily adjust our session fees to make it easier for you to register. This is how it will break down:
- If you haven’t already registered, you may do so, but you will not have to make a down payment at this time. This reserves your spot and lets us know of your interest.
- In the event we are able to proceed with any of our 2020 sessions, you will be notified to confirm if you are still interested.
- Only then, with your confirmation and permission, will we adjust the registration fees back to their normal rates and process your down payment based on the same registration fees as those who have already registered.
If you have any questions, please contact Jan Klemm, Director of Operations and Development, at Jan@CampSanctaMaria.org or 248-822-8199. Please look for another update from us next month.
Until then, I encourage you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, as a couple of our counselors have been helping us through these times with some fun videos and opportunities for praise and worship. Again, please know of my continued prayers and I look forward to seeing our families this summer.
Sincerely in Christ,
John David (JD) Kuhar
Executive Director