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Information on Appel Farm’s COVID-Responsive Plan for Camp 2021
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Appel Farm Arts Camp COVID Safety Plan and Operating Handbook
Updated June 6, 2021
Thank you for your patience as we worked diligently to adapt our COVID-19 Operations Plan to the ever changing guidelines. Below, click to read our comprehensive plan that encourages all campers and staff who are eligible to be vaccinated, details pre-camp testing needs for those who aren’t, and explains our distance, ventilation and mask approach to keep everyone safe this summer.
COVID Safety Plan and Operating Handbook
Please keep in mind that we must follow the NJ Department of Health’s guidelines for summer camps, which was last updated April 28th. Although the CDC has released new guidance surrounding masking, we are required to still follow the NJDOH guidelines. If they update their guidelines, we will adjust our plans accordingly to be aligned.
We have also added a new required Camp Form to your child’s CampInTouch account. Please review and sign the COVID Safety Agreement by June 11, 2021. If you have any questions regarding our COVID-19 plan, please reach out to us at camp@appelfarm.org.
Governor Murphy Gives Overnight Camps the Green Light
Updated March 3, 2021
Governor Murphy announced that, “As we expect to be in a much better place this summer, we can announce that another New Jersey tradition – sleepaway camps – will be able to safely resume their operations, after they were suspended last year.” Click here to read more.
CDC Prioritization of Camp Staff for COVID-19 Vaccinations
Updated March 2, 2021
All Appel Farm Arts Camp Staff are eligible for the vaccine, and we are spreading the news of their eligibility along with support to help them access resources and information in their locations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously expanded the definition of “essential workers” to incorporate out-of-school time workers, including camp staff. To support that move, CDC recently made changes to their website that explicitly list camp staff in Phase 1b of their vaccination prioritization. Click here to read more.
Camp 2021 Planning Committee & their Work
Updated December 18, 2020
The Camp 2021 Planning Committee, which includes staff, alumni, and parents, is working on policies and procedures based on guidance and relevant data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Salem County Department of Health & Human Services, New Jersey Department of Health, and American Camp Association. Between now and Camp 2021, we will continue to update our policies and procedures to operate camp under current health conditions. This may include changes to our capacity, changes to our programming, procedures for visitors and transition days, cleaning and sanitation protocol, training for our staff and more. As information about health and safety continues to change over the coming months, we will continue to provide updates about our planning here.
Surveys Lead to New Procedures, Protocols & Policies
Updated December 18, 2020
Thank you to parents and guardians, campers, and staff who participated in our surveys this fall. Your input will guide the Camp 2021 Planning Team as we find ways the right to keep everyone safe at camp this summer. We will continue to gather your input throughout the planning of Camp 2021. In our current state, and based on your input, here are new COVID-responsive plans. Read this list as if Camp 2021 were starting today, and check back for changes as health conditions change. We anticipate that all changes will be for better!
Don’t share your air! Masking, Social Distancing & Ventilation will be the keys to keeping our community safe!
- Camp will operate at 50% reduced capacity according to state-mandated capacity limits.
- Campers and staff will provide a negative COVID test result issued less than 72 hours prior to Check-In.
- Campers and staff will undergo daily health screenings, including temperature checks.
- Campers and staff will wear masks at all times except when sleeping or eating. Mask breaks will be overseen closely by staff, and may be approved by staff when campers are socially distanced outdoors, or in their assigned bunk.
- Campers in North and Coop may have Major Classes in the morning, and Minor Classes in the afternoon; while campers in Hill and South may have Minor Classes in the morning and Major Classes in the afternoon. With this new schedule, campers will be in classes with other campers closer to their own age group, and our smaller staff will be able to offer more class choices.
- Some classes, performances, and activities will move to outdoor classrooms or stages. Others will be held in spaces with updated air-filtration, and room for social distancing.
- Some activities, like Workshops and Evening Activities may be reimagined to avoid large group gatherings, such as having Workshops at each Bunk Area. Off-camp field trips will likely be replaced with exciting on-camp activities.
- Staff who live off-site, staff who leave camp for their time off, and visitors will follow the strictest of current recommendations while off campus, such as masking, social distancing, avoiding indoor dining, and avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people. Upon return to camp, all staff and visitors will undergo a health screening, including a temperature check.
New Camper Application Policies for Camp 2021
Updated December 22, 2020
- If a child must go home after the start of their session due to illness, including COVID, families are entitled to a pro-rated tuition refund based on the length of stay.
- If camp is unable to open as planned, families will be offered a choice to request a full refund, roll tuition over to Camp 2022, or donate it to Appel Farm’s non-profit operating fund.
