Sleep away camps that are Covid careful

[Anonymous]

Due to family medical reasons, we would like our daughter entering seventh grade to attend her first sleep away camp next summer but also need a camp that has some Covid mitigation protocols in place (require testing before and first day at camp, require cohorts first few days with masks, etc). We found a religious camp that isn’t our religion and a super expensive camp in Maine, but don’t want to spend tons of money as we have medical bills to tend to. Welcome suggestions. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

My child went to 6 Points Sci Tech, a Jewish science and technology camp. They were very covid cautious: testing on arrival and for the first three days, universal masking indoors and outside in large groups. And, of course, vaccines required. But who knows if they will have the same rules next year or if you will feel the same need for caution.

[Anonymous]

Worried about Covid *next* summer?

SMH

[Anonymous]

Covid has now become like the common cold - everyone gets it, most people don't get very sick. Even people like the pope and the president - who presumably are the most careful - are getting it. Why are we still being careful?

[Anonymous]

You have no idea what the COVID landscape will look like next summer. I guess you could base your decision off of what they did this year, but it's an unreliable guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have no idea what the COVID landscape will look like next summer. I guess you could base your decision off of what they did this year, but it's an unreliable guess.

+1

You can typically unenroll (but will forfeit a portion of the funds) by a certain date. Find a place you're comfortable with now and you can unenroll next year if needed.

[Anonymous]

I am dismayed by the responder that is dismissive of your concerns. I am not sure why it is hard for people to reserve their judgment and lead with compassion.

I have a medically vulnerable kid and get where you are coming from. If the child you want to send to camp is the household member with a medical challenge, look at the Paul Newman Hole in the Wall camps. They are themed per week with various diagnosis groups and offer a normal camp experience for kids with medical conditions.

Not sure if this fits with your situation but wanted to share what we are considering for our child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child went to 6 Points Sci Tech, a Jewish science and technology camp. They were very covid cautious: testing on arrival and for the first three days, universal masking indoors and outside in large groups. And, of course, vaccines required. But who knows if they will have the same rules next year or if you will feel the same need for caution.

Sorry for hijack but did your kid like this camp? We are considering it for next year but are worried it is too much screens.

[Anonymous]

Try special Olympics camp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child went to 6 Points Sci Tech, a Jewish science and technology camp. They were very covid cautious: testing on arrival and for the first three days, universal masking indoors and outside in large groups. And, of course, vaccines required. But who knows if they will have the same rules next year or if you will feel the same need for caution.

Sorry for hijack but did your kid like this camp? We are considering it for next year but are worried it is too much screens.

She loves it. There are only screens for the purpose of the specific activity, no phones or personal screens or internet. One of the things my child likes about it is the opportunity to interact with other kids without people fiddling with their phones. Lots of board games, which she really enjoys.

[Anonymous]

Have sent kids to two sleepaway camps during Covid. In 2020 and 2021 there were a lot of precautions. In 2022 there were very few, and a lot of Covid cases, also (especially among counselors). One camp had a Covid bunk for positive kids rather than sending them home. I think unless the camp has a focus on medical needs it will be hard to get what you want. The camp has an incentive to not want to know if asymptomatic kids are testing positive. (And as long as the kids feel good, I think most parents feel similarly).

[Anonymous]

If the concern is not for your daughter but for another family member, perhaps it would help to send her for a longer stretch so any Covid a kid enters camp with would be over and have burned itself out long before pickup? Or just have someone else pick her up and rapid test her before coming home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have sent kids to two sleepaway camps during Covid. In 2020 and 2021 there were a lot of precautions. In 2022 there were very few, and a lot of Covid cases, also (especially among counselors). One camp had a Covid bunk for positive kids rather than sending them home. I think unless the camp has a focus on medical needs it will be hard to get what you want. The camp has an incentive to not want to know if asymptomatic kids are testing positive. (And as long as the kids feel good, I think most parents feel similarly).

Sorry-adding. Both camps required negative tests the day camp started, but self-administered at home, and essentially honor system. As we know, even we’ll administered home tests have limitations. There were a bunch of positives (symptomatic) right at the beginning of camp despite testing.

[Anonymous]

My guess is that camps will have very few covid policies next summer. I think you will just have to wait and see but also know that many camps did not announce or changed their covid policies between when folks signed up over the winter and when camp opened in the summer. I would not assume this summer's policy will be next summer's policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have sent kids to two sleepaway camps during Covid. In 2020 and 2021 there were a lot of precautions. In 2022 there were very few, and a lot of Covid cases, also (especially among counselors). One camp had a Covid bunk for positive kids rather than sending them home. I think unless the camp has a focus on medical needs it will be hard to get what you want. The camp has an incentive to not want to know if asymptomatic kids are testing positive. (And as long as the kids feel good, I think most parents feel similarly).

I posted above about my child's camp that was covid cautious, despite not having a medical focus. There were no covid cases all summer. It is possible, with a minimum of care.