2022 COVID-19 GUIDE
The following are Steens Mountain Running Camp (SMRC) procedures and protocols, developed in response to COVID-19. SMRC continues to uphold the highest standards of safety and quality of programming. Our professional staff team will implement the accommodations necessary to provide safe and meaningful experiences at the SMRC.
These guidelines are written in accordance with the recommended guidelines and documents created for summer camp professionals by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Oregon Schools Activities Association (OSAA) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). The SMRC continues to stay up to date with protocols and procedures. We are aware that there may be changes in accordance with updates to the recommended guidelines from the CDC, OSAA or OHA.
COMMUNICATION PRIOR TO CAMP
- SMRC REQUIRES EACH PARENT/GUARDIAN TO FILL OUT A CONSENT TO TEST FORM. FORM CAN BE FOUND HERE
- SMRC will inform families and staff, prior to the start of camp the precautions and procedures Camp has implemented/will implement to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
- Parents/Guardians and Staff will be asked to indicate
- That they have read and understand the policies and procedures that SMRC is implementing to minimize and mitigate the risks of COVID-19 exposure.
- Provide consent for COVID-19 testing while at camp.
- Please note if a camper is exposed to a known positive case a camper will need to have a negative rapid test to stay.
IN-PERSON FIRST DAY SCREENING FOR CAMPERS
IMPORTANT: A responsible adult/Guardian or Adult Designee is required to administer a rapid test to each camper within 48 hours (recommended 24 hours) of the morning of camp departure. They will then:
- Complete and certify negative results and record on STEENS MOUNTAIN RUNNING CAMP COVID 19 ONLINE FORM. MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO ARRIVING IN BURNS FORM AVAILABLE HERE
- Questions will be asked regarding Covid -19 symptoms prior to getting on the bus or, if driving, at registration at Burns HS.
A small green mark will be placed by bus personnel on the back of camper’s hand will signify:
- they have satisfied the screener questions and
- have turned in the certification of a negative test taken within 48 hours (recommended 24 hours) of the morning of the first day of camp. If a child tests positive, the parent/guardian will not allow the child to continue to board the bus or drive to registration at Burns HS. Parents will contact Steens with positive results and their child be refunded in full for cancellation.
If your child has had Covid in the last 6 weeks we can waive testing. Antigens may still be present in their system. This would result in a false positive test. You must email Jeni Chambers RN Steens Camp Medical Coordinator ASAP and confirm that information. JENI CHAMBERS RN irongirl7@msn.com
Please include: Camper Name, School, Call Back Phone Number and Question
IN-PERSON FIRST DAY SCREENING FOR STAFF
- IMPORTANT: Staff/Volunteers/Guests. Will self-administer rapid tests 48 hours (recommended 24 hours) before arrival at camp. Before proceeding to camp, they will check in at registration in Burns.
All Employees/Staff/Volunteers/Guests:
1) will have satisfied the screeners Covid-19 questions
2) will certify a negative rapid test result using the online form.
If you have had Covid in the last 6 weeks we can waive testing. Antigens may still be present in your system. This would result in a false positive test. You must email Jeni Chambers RN Steens Camp Medical Coordinator ASAP and confirm that information. JENI CHAMBERS RN irongirl7@msn.com
COMMUNICATION DURING CAMP
Communication between parents and SMRC will be conducted as follows:
- SMRC has a team of administrative and medical staff designated to answer questions regarding COVID-19. Parents will be given information on who they should contact for questions.
- Camp administration will send out communication by email with any updates regarding COVID-19 that might affect the campers currently at camp. If the update is highly time sensitive parents/guardians will be contacted via phone number provided with registration.
- Parents/guardians will be notified of any potential exposure their camper had with confirmed cases or if their child is experiencing symptoms.
- At camp internet and cell service is extremely limited. Medical staff will respond to email questions as quickly as possible but will likely only be able to check and respond to messages once per day.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS PRIOR TO CAMP
- 14 days prior to the start of camp, we ask that all parents/guardians self-monitor their child for any COVID-19 symptoms. (If at any time during this window Camper develops COVID-19 symptoms, including Cough or Shortness of Breath not related to activity, Fever or Flu like Symptoms or New Loss of Taste or Smell, please contact Camp Administration right away to discuss).
- All Campers and Staff are encouraged to avoid social situations the 14 days prior to camp that could lead to increased likelihood of exposure. Campers should not participate in high risk activities such as indoor socializing without masks or large group gatherings during this 14 day period.
- All Campers are strongly encouraged to complete COVID-19 vaccinations/boosters at least 2 weeks prior to the start of camp. No documentation is required, this is a recommendation.
- The Medical Staff requires immediate notification for a positive test within 10 days of camp. Free rapid COVID tests, appropriate for pre-camp testing, are available at www.covid.gov Notification should be made to the Medical Coordinator, Jeni Chambers at irongirl7@man.com regarding positive tests or questions.
- All Campers and Staff will have rapid COVID-19 tests, administered by Parents/Guardians/Adult Designee or staff, 48 hours (recommended 24 hours) before arrival at camp and prior to registration.
- Must have completed the STEENS RUNNING CAMP COVID 19 FORM upon conclusion of the test. This test must be negative for admission to camp with the following exception: If a camper or a staff member has had Covid in the last 6 weeks we can waive testing. Antigens may still be present in their/your system. This would result in a false positive test. You must email Jeni Chambers RN Steens Camp Medical Coordinator ASAP and confirm that information. JENI CHAMBERS RN irongirl7@msn.com
NOTE: A SMRC staff member will administer rapid test if:
- The camper hasn’t been screened via rapid test administered by his/her parent/ guardian/adult designee within 48 hours (recommended 24 hours) before arrival at registration in Burns on Sunday July 10 or July 17.
- The camper has misplaced or forgets to bring the certification of negative test form before boarding the bus from PDX, EUG or BEND. – OR if arriving in Burns by private vehicle, prior to registration. If a parent is dropping a Camper off, they should wait until Camper passes screening and has a negative rapid test before they leave. If a parent is not coming to the drop off point there should be a plan in place for returning home if a camper presents with sick symptoms or has a positive test at drop off point.
- Campers will be asked if they have any of the following COVID-19 symptoms: New cough or shortness of breath not related to activity, fever or flu like symptoms or new loss of taste or smell. Campers with these symptoms will consult with Medical Staff and may not be allowed to board the bus for Camp if they are feeling unwell. Families are encouraged to keep this in mind as they leave home, campers should feel completely well and symptom free when they begin their journey to camp.
- If a camper is feeling unwell or has a positive rapid test at time of registration, they will not be allowed to continue to Camp. If a parent is not coming to the drop off point there should be a plan in place for returning home if a camper presents with sick symptoms or has a positive rapid test at drop off point. Staff may be available to wait with a camper for a period of time, while family arranges transportation (if needed), but are unable to chaperone a sick camper for the entire week while they would otherwise be at camp.
IF A CAMPER EXHIBITS SYMPTOMS WHILE AT CAMP
- If a camper reports symptoms including: new cough or shortness of breath not related to activity, fever or flu like symptoms or new loss of taste or smell during daily screenings, they will be directed to medical staff for further screening.
- If a camper is found to be positive for COVID-19 symptoms, they will be isolated until rapid testing can be completed. Parents/guardians will be notified and kept updated on their camper’s symptoms, testing, results and possible need to go home (if the test result is positive or if they continue to exhibit sick symptoms consistent with the infectious process).
- During the isolation period, campers will be cared for by designated staff and will continue to be supervised until they are picked up.
- Parents/guardians must be able to get to Burns within 24 hours to pick up their camper, or arrange chaperone/transportation as needed. This is the same expectation as for any ill or injured camper that is unable to continue at camp. Families, while we hope this would be an extremely rare occurrence, and we can help you with this to a certain degree, a plan does need to be in place if your child were to fall ill or be injured at camp and unable to remain at camp.
- If a camper tests positive for COVID-19 while at camp, their tent cohort will be screened for symptoms and have rapid testing administered. If tests are negative campers will be released to activity.
- If a camper tests positive for COVID-19 while at camp, any individuals they directly traveled to Burns with will be screened for symptoms and have rapid testing administered. If tests are negative campers will be released to activity.
- If a camper with symptoms tests negative they will continue to isolate and test again in 24 hours. If that follow up test is negative, and the camper is symptom free and feeling well, they will be released to activity.
PERSONAL HYGIENE AT CAMP
- All persons at Camp will be required to wash hands regularly (and for at least 20 seconds) or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer (Exception- Kitchen staff will always use soap and water prior to any food handling).
- Frequent hand washing/use of hand sanitizer will be required and planned during the daily routine at Camp. Individuals at Camp will wash or sanitize their hands before and after eating, using the restroom, or coming in contact with commonly used spaces or equipment.
- Staff will wash or use hand sanitizer before and after interacting with a stable cohort (tent group).
- All handwashing stations will be kept stocked with appropriate materials.
- Each program space will have alcohol based hand sanitizer available.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) FOR CAMPERS
SMRC has no mask requirement but will support the decision of the camper.
- Campers who choose to wear a mask are encouraged to pack some of their own masks/face coverings. Per OHA guidelines, masks should be double layered cloth or neoprene, no vents, that may be washed and air dried for sanitation and comfort. Per OHA guidelines, face coverings must cover nose and mouth and fit snugly without gaps (no bandanas), face shields are not considered adequate coverage.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) FOR STAFF
SMRC has no mask requirement but will support the decision of staff/volunteers/guests.
Staff who choose to wear masks are encouraged to pack some of their own masks/face coverings, double layered cloth or neoprene, no vents, that may be washed and air dried for sanitation and comfort. Per OHA guidelines, face coverings must cover nose and mouth and fit snugly without gaps (no bandanas), face shields are not considered adequate coverage.
HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS
- High-risk unvaccinated individuals or campers/staff who live with high-risk unvaccinated individuals should consult their healthcare provider before deciding to come to Camp.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PLAN
- SMRC has an extensive communicable disease plan that outlines the steps that must be taken if there is a suspected case of COVID-19 or any other communicable disease at Camp.
FACILITIES
- As a primitive (outdoor/tent based) Camp, activities at SMRC are conducted in outdoor spaces. When individuals at Camp are occupying enclosed spaces (tents or buses) Camp staff will create optimal ventilation by opening tent doors and flaps as much as weather and wildlife allow, and by opening bus windows as much as conditions and safety allow.
SIGNAGE/MARKINGS
- SMRC will post applicable signage as determined by OHA/CDC to encourage behaviors surrounding hand washing/sanitizing, cough etiquette, symptoms associated with COVID-19 and Physical Distancing (maintaining 6 feet distance from individuals not in a stable tent cohort as much as possible).
HOUSING
- All Camper groups will live in stable tent cohorts throughout their time at Camp. Tents will only be accessible to campers within the group that lives within the tent.
- Each camper tent cohort will use Port-O-Potties (POP) designated for their tent. Common POPs may or may not be available for campers.
- POP’s will be sanitized at least once per day.
- Campers will sleep alternating head to toe to maximize physical distance between heads/faces.
CLEANING AND DISINFECTION
- SMRC will use CDC recommended cleaning and disinfectant products. Communal spaces and shared items will be cleaned at least once per day. Commonly touched surfaces will be cleaned multiple times per day.
FOOD SERVICES
- SMRC will serve meals by tent cohort with cohorts seated together, adequately spaced from other cohorts. Seconds and thirds will be served by cohorts as well.
- SMRC food service staff will serve individually plates meals using one time table ware.
- All surfaces within the dining area will be disinfected after each meal using CDC standards for disinfecting surfaces.
- Only the current designated KP tent cohort will be in the Kitchen Wash Area after the meal.
CAMP SESSION TRANSPORTATION
- Tent cohorts will be assigned to a bus at the time of registration. Tent cohorts will be separated by as many seat rows as possible and windows will be open as much as weather and safety allows.
- During camp, transportation on the buses will continue by tent cohort. Tent cohorts will be seated together (one front, one back) with as many seats as possible between groups. As much as weather and conditions permit, windows will be down to permit for maximum ventilation.
- All buses will be sanitized daily.
TENT COHORTS AND CAMP ACTIVITIES
- ALL SMRC activities will be conducted in the beautiful outdoors.
- Campers will be bunked in stable tent cohorts that will remain the same throughout the Camp session. These stable tent cohorts will share sleeping, POP, and dining spaces. Tent cohorts will practice social distancing from other tent groups as much as possible
- Specialty staff members, when providing various activities, will maintain at least 6 feet of distancing from participating Campers.
CAMP ACTIVITIES
- Outdoor activities that were previously considered “all camp activities” including Big Day, Cross Canyon, Olympics, will be creatively modified so campers can easily continue social distancing while experiencing the outdoor activities they love.
STAFF
- All SMRC Staff have been strongly encouraged to complete COVID-19 Vaccinations/boosters 2 weeks or more before the start of Camp.
- Staff members will have a negative rapid COVID test prior to entering camp.
- Exception to those having Covid-19 six weeks prior to camp.
- Note: In 2021 53 of 57 Steens Staff members were fully vaccinated. 4 chose PCR Test. All Tent Assistants were fully vaccinated. No Staff member came down w Covid while at camp. 22 of 25 Volunteer Coaches were fully vaccinated. 3 chose PCR Testing. No coaches came down w Covid while at camp. 2022 staffing initially looks to have similar percentages to 2021.
TRAINING
- Staff will be trained at the beginning of each session. Emphasis will be placed on how to communicate to campers about COVID-19 safety including hand washing/sanitizing, meal procedures and reporting symptoms.
- Staff will be trained on how to identify symptoms associated with COVID-19 and what to do in the case that a Camper is showing symptoms.
- Medical staff is trained for COVID-19 screening, testing and isolation protocols.