Update on COVID-19 plans for 2021
Welcoming a New Year
As we say goodbye to 2020 and welcome 2021, we are all hoping for a healthier and better year. COVID-19 has challenged all of us and taught us to live with constant change and unpredictability. At Gwynn Valley, we have been busy establishing protocols, policies, and potential changes to our camp programs for a healthy and great summer. The health and safety of our campers and staff is our top priority. Although camp may look and be a little different this year, our campers and staff need camp more than ever! We are all ready to be in community again (even if in a mask), immerse ourselves in the outdoors, and learn and grow together!
Our Site
As you all know, camp is about being in the natural world, the best place to be whether dealing with a communicable disease or not, in our humble opinion. With access to 400 acres, we have lots of space to hike, bike, explore, play in creeks, swim at Connestee Falls, and campout. Our cabins are open air, our dining hall is extremely large with good airflow and huge screens, and we have plenty of covered shelters to gather in case of rain or bad weather.
What to Expect
By May, we are hoping that our staff and many of our family members (adults) will have received the vaccination which will help limit and contain the spread of the virus. Even so, COVID-19 will probably still be a concern this summer.
To create a healthier environment, we are looking at the possibility of requiring pre-camp testing and monitoring your camper’s symptoms before their session. We also hope to have access to rapid testing at our Health Hut. Our physician and nurses will provide health screenings upon arrival at camp and throughout the session.
Your cabin members will be your family group and you will probably eat your meals together. There will be more opportunities for picnics, outdoor eating, and cook-outs with your cabin friends. Cabins groups will also have more opportunities for “off program” activities such as hikes, paddling, waterfront activities, and tubing trips. Although you may have some planned activities with your cabin group, you will also have the opportunity to choose activities. Camp may be divided into neighborhoods to create smaller groups for sign-ups and evening programs.
When social distancing is not possible such as in climbing or when entering the dining room, we may need to require campers and staff to wear masks.
We have lots of outdoor washing sinks at camp and will require campers to wash hands frequently. Hand sanitizer will be provided at program areas when touching equipment and protocols are in place for sanitation and disinfection. We learned a lot last summer from running family camp.
Refund / Cancellation Policy
Since your second payment is due Feb. 1, we wanted to remind you of our refund and cancellation policy. Your deposit is applied to tuition and all but the processing fee of $200 is refundable any time before February 1st providing we receive notification in writing. Cancellations made before April 1st will receive a refund of tuition paid minus the $800 deposit.
No refund or discount will be made for late entrance or early withdrawal, except when caused by serious illness: in this case, the loss will be shared equally by the parent and the camp. Gwynn Valley reserves the right to dismiss any camper who violates the camp rules or whose conduct is determined by Gwynn Valley to be detrimental to self, other campers, or the general welfare of the camp. No refund will be made in case of dismissal.
Communication
As we move into the spring we will continue to communicate with our families about our plans and keep you updated via email and through our website. At any point, if you have any questions or concerns about this summer, please reach out to us. Our goal is to partner with you and to provide the best possible camp experience for your child.
We are grateful for your continued support and trust. We can’t wait to see you this summer!
