SO: camp hidden meadows Covid outbreak

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It's a secular camp -- period. We would not be interested otherwise. Our experience this year has been great so far (kids are there currently, so we'll see, but judging by pictures and the communications Ive had with the camp. I believe the camp founders are still involved, but have brought on new directors. As a mom of a daughter who prefers skimpy bikinis, I'm glad they have a rule against them so I'm not the bad guy!

The dress code for girls was not just about swimwear. No tank tops, no crop tops, no shorts that show any, and I mean ANY of the stomach, so if your daughter has a long torso like ours she will get heavily monitored.

But boys were allowed to be shirtless, etc.

Was ridiculous.

Wow. That’s absurd. Between that and the “nondenominational prayer” being added to meals, I would reconsider sending my kids next summer.

What nondenominational prayer before meals? My kid just spent two weeks there and said there was nothing like that before meals? Was this earlier in the summer? Maybe they got push back and stopped? Or maybe my kid is just oblivious? 😂 we chose it because it was secular, so would appreciate knowing if there is anything religious.

My daughter was there at the beginning of the summer and similarly said there was definitely no prayer/discussion of religion at any point during her experience at the camp. (We’re religious/Christian so it wouldn’t have necessarily have bothered us personally if there was, but of course it’s something that needs to be clearly advertised up front)

I feel like some previous posters are bashing CHM with things that many campers just aren’t seeing or experiencing. Our camper had friends who wore tank tops when it was hot, sweatshirts when it was cold, without any comments from staff. There was no prayer before meals. Campers used they/them and it was no big deal. IDK why some campers might feel like they things were happening when others didn’t see them at all. Our kid had a great time at CHM this year. Loved the activities, especially the farm - which is really special, and how welcoming the staff was. Our kid is super excited to go back next year.

+1…I mean it’s possible that an individual counselor went rogue and led his/her cabin in prayers, but seems more likely that a parent with a vendetta/someone from a rival camp is just making things up.

[Anonymous]

My camper just got back CHM with only positive things to say. Even the poison ivy and stinging nettles didn’t detract from the fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My camper just got back CHM with only positive things to say. Even the poison ivy and stinging nettles didn’t detract from the fun.

Some would say that those this ARE part of the fun. Or at least part of the camping experience. We've all been there.

[Anonymous]

Just picked up my son yesterday. He had a blast and wants to return next year. It was our first year so I can’t compare it to before, but he didn’t recall any prayers before meals or anything with religious undertones. They did email us on Friday to tell us 3 kids not in his cabin were covid positive. That seemed very transparent to me.

The covid test upon arrival seemed serious to me, someone kept an eye on my son while we did the test. Overall a great experience and we will be back next year.

[Anonymous]

Planning to send my kids this summer and, from what I understand, there is a gratitude circle sometimes where they take a few minutes to appreciate staff members (cooks, etc.) and recognize people at camp who have been helpful, things like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor’s kid was sent home last week and the parent is extremely unhappy with how it was all handled. She doesn’t blame the camp for her kid getting covid however when the kid complained of feeling sick for days and was repeatedly refused a test the kid was able to call the parents and told her parents how bad she felt and then it all hit the fan.

Camp is saying it’s just the annual “camp cold”.

This EXACT scenario happened to us at Camp Twin Creeks (near HM actually) last summer. We arranged to talk to my son and daughter about 6 days into the session. My son tells us he's not been feeling well for 2 days. He had been to the nurse with 2 other kids from his cabin all with headaches and congestion. Was NOT tested, was still feeling bad. Only when specifically asked to do so by me, they tested him and sure enough, he had Covid. Was really irresponsible of them. Not sure who was making that decision to not test. They said "well he didn't have a fever", come on, seriously? I was SO pissed. I've vowed not to send the back, but they did offer us half off...

Maybe after my outrage they improved their protocols.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor’s kid was sent home last week and the parent is extremely unhappy with how it was all handled. She doesn’t blame the camp for her kid getting covid however when the kid complained of feeling sick for days and was repeatedly refused a test the kid was able to call the parents and told her parents how bad she felt and then it all hit the fan.

Camp is saying it’s just the annual “camp cold”.

This EXACT scenario happened to us at Camp Twin Creeks (near HM actually) last summer. We arranged to talk to my son and daughter about 6 days into the session. My son tells us he's not been feeling well for 2 days. He had been to the nurse with 2 other kids from his cabin all with headaches and congestion. Was NOT tested, was still feeling bad. Only when specifically asked to do so by me, they tested him and sure enough, he had Covid. Was really irresponsible of them. Not sure who was making that decision to not test. They said "well he didn't have a fever", come on, seriously? I was SO pissed. I've vowed not to send the back, but they did offer us half off...

Maybe after my outrage they improved their protocols.

Thanks for sharing. Considered sending my kids to Camp Twin Creeks this summer. Did you like it otherwise? I got possibly inaccurate vibes from their website that it was a place that very reasonable children would enjoy. My boys are outrageous and need to be able to push their boundaries a little without people flipping out. I didn't get the sense that CTC was the place for that.

Hopefully covid management will stabilize as things continue to return to normal.

[Anonymous]

Just following up. Sent my kids to Camp Hidden Meadows this summer for a week. All went well and it was very organized, director was very good. Overall positive experience. Lovely counselors.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and apparently the food is great.

[Anonymous]

Long time camp parent. Asked my kiddos, who have been going since 2013 and 2017 - no dress code for anyone (no bikinis that tie or skimpy has been a caveat on the packing list for 10 years now), no praying or religious undertones, thank you circle is definitively secular, pronouns are always respected - at least 5 counselors this past summer used they/them pronouns, and most cabins of kiddos over about age 10 have at least one or 2 kiddos who use different pronouns than the majority of their cabinmates.

Also, according to the FAQ on the newly revamped website:

Are there any religious or spiritual programs offered at Camp Hidden Meadows?
No, Camp Hidden Meadows is a non-denominational camp. There is no religious affiliation or spirituality as part of our program. Campers join us from many different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Like all institutional settings, I think opinions on the food are somewhat diverse.