Summer 2021 COVID-19 Protocols

This page was updated on 6/11/21 at 9:00am

To ensure everyone’s safety this summer, we have made enhancements to our safety protocols that align with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) requirements and YMCA Best Practices. Below are just some of the things you can expect at overnight this summer:

CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT

• Families will be required to arrive during their scheduled Check In/Check Out time. You will receive information regarding your time slot via email a few days before your child’s session begins.
• Upon arrival, parents/guardians will need to present a paper copy of one of the following:
  • Camper’s COVID-19 Vaccination Card
  • Camper’s Negative PCR test (taken within 72 hours of arrival)
  • Camper’s Proof of COVID-19 (within the last 90 days)
• We will be allowing parents/guardians to exit their vehicles after having their temperature taken (registering normal) to assist in moving your camper’s belongings to outside of your child’s cabin. Children will be selecting bunks and moving in as a cabin group once all cabin mates arrive. Please note: We will be requiring all adults to wear masks while on camp property. Please understand we are attempting to do everything we can to ensure a safe environment and a successful experience for your child.

VACCINATION

Our camp is required to maintain information of which campers are or are not vaccinated. The easiest way to do this is to answer the COVID-19 questions in your child’s medical forms under “Medical Waivers & Permissions” located in the Parent Dashboard. If your child will not be vaccinated this summer, simply answer no. If your child is vaccinated, please provide the necessary details, including shot dates. (Note: You will still need to bring a copy of your child’s vaccination to camp.)

TESTING

The YMCA of Greater Rochester has licensed both Camp Cory and Camp Gorham as private rapid testing sites.  Both camps will be conducting daily health screenings in the morning and evening. If your camper shows symptoms, they will be brought to the infirmary for further medical evaluation, including an additional COVID-19 rapid test. We will need your permission to test your child or they will need to leave camp immediately. To return to camp, you will need to produce a negative rapid test result and your child must be symptom free.

Tuesday mornings, we will be rapid testing all children who are NOT vaccinated or have documented proof they have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days. A negative test result will allow your camper to interact with up to 36 campers (their cohort group) without a mask. Again, we will need your permission to test your child.

The form which gives us permissions to test your child(ren) for COVID-19 is located in the “Forms Tab” in your Parent Dashboard. Please complete prior to your child’s arrival.

FAMILIES & COHORTS

To create the safest environment possible, campers will spend more time in smaller groups called “families.”  Your child’s “family” will be their cabin group. Your child will also often interact with a larger group of children referred to as a “cohort.” There can be up to 36 children in a cohort (previously referred to as “village”). There will still be times when your camper interacts with the entire camp (i.e. closing campfire); they just will not happen as frequently this summer.

MASKING

In compliance with updated guidance from NYSDOH, campers do not have to wear masks while outside. Campers may choose to wear a mask at any time if that is their family’s preference. Campers will not be required to wear masks — upon arrival on Sunday till Tuesday morning — when:

• Interacting, eating and participating in activities with their “family”
• Sleeping and resting
• At waterfront activities
• Mask is not tolerable
• While Outside

Following Tuesday’s test results (assuming a negative rapid result) your child will not be required to wear a mask when:

• Interacting, eating and participating in activities with their “family”
• Interacting and participating in activities with their “cohort”
• Sleeping and resting
• For waterfront activities
• Mask is not tolerable
• While Outside

We continue to work with the NYSDOH as safety standards evolve daily. This summer, we are ready to serve you and your camper(s) to give them a much-needed camp experience! As always, please reach out should you have questions.