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COVID-19 risk is fluid, and the guidance on this page does not supersede more recent government guidance or restrictions.
GSCSNJ plans to release the council's decision for total camp capacity and update the COVID-19 Safety Guidelines by Memorial Day.
 
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Summer Camp COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan

We know this summer will look different, but we are excited for the woods to come alive again with laughter, fun, and friendship. At this time, GSCSNJ is planning and preparing for in-person Summer Camp programs with extensive health & safety modifications.

GS-COVIDFree

By taking the necessary precautions last summer, we were able to serve over 550 girls at our in-person Summer Camps with ZERO cases of COVID-19. These extra safety measures allowed girls to continue building their independence and self-confidence in a safe and fun way, while connecting and having fun with others.

The health and safety of our campers is always our first priority. In-Person GSCSNJ Summer Camps have extensive health and safety procedures and staff training in place every year. This summer, GSCSNJ will update the 2021 guidelines as we receive further guidance and recommendations from the NJ State Health Department,  American Camp Association (ACA), and the considerations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

2021 COVID-19 Summer Camp Updates
GSCSNJ plans to release the decision for total camp capacity and update the COVID-19 Safety Guidelines by Memorial Day.
Register Your Girl Today, Risk-Free

We look forward to Summer Camp 2021! To ensure that girls have a fun-filled, skill-building summer with friends, we recommend that you register, risk-free, for Summer Camp.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

This secures your girl's spot in case GSCSNJ has to limit Summer Camp capacity due to COVID restrictions and ensures GSCSNJ knows which programs girls are interested in. Programs with low registration may be canceled or combined with other programs.

 

Overnight Camp Programs

All overnight camp opportunities are subject to change based on New Jersey's COVID-19 reopening stage, including:

  • Sleepaway Camp
  • Troop Camping
  • Family Camping
  • Day Camp Overnights

We are diligently and consistently adhering to the latest State and Federal guidelines that have given us a solid foundation to prevent and mitigate any spread of COVID-19 at Girl Scout programs and events.

We expect NJ Orders to issue on or before Memorial Day Weekend and we are optimistically awaiting guidelines for 2021 In-Person and Overnight Camp.

While overnight opportunities are not guaranteed, there is no risk to registering in advance! We have a pay-back plan should the Health Department or GSCSNJ restrict participation in overnight programs. We can’t wait to see your girls this summer at Camp!

 

Cancelations/Refunds

The $50 registration deposit is non-refundable. The remainder of the camp fee (excluding the deposit) will be refunded if:

  • The camper withdraws, and Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ receives a written request at least five weeks prior to the start of the camper’s session.
  • The camper leaves camp due to an illness or injury, and Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ receives a written request for a refund within two weeks of her return home. Refunds will be prorated on a per diem basis.
 
A FULL refund will be provided:
  • If a program is canceled and no alternative program is available.
  • If Council cancels in-person programming for summer 2021. Registrants will also be offered the opportunity to enroll in virtual camp programming with supplies. 
  • Should a family decide before the Summer Camp program begins that they would like to not attend camp this year due to COVID-19 concerns.
  • Should a girl test positive for COVID-19 or be exposed to a positive or assumed positive individual 14 days before the selected Summer Camp program.
 
NO refund will be provided:
  • If a camper leaves early due to behavior, home missing, or parent request.
 
Last Year's (2020) Camp COVID Procedures:
 

Below are additional measures and protocols in place for summer 2020 that we want to ensure parents, staff, and campers alike are aware of. To give you an idea of the types of safety measures and protocols we may implement for a safe 2021 Summer Camp season, below is an extensive list of the 2020 procedures.

We are prepared to implement the same level of Safety Protocols as last year and additional measures if needed.

The guidelines below WILL BE UPDATED as we receive further guidance from the CDC, ACA, state and county health departments, and GSCSNJ's COVID-19 In-Person Participation Guidelines.

Activities

Handwashing or hand sanitizing stations are installed near all program areas. Campers and staff are required to wash their hands before and after they participate in any of the following activities. Activity blocks will be scheduled with sufficient time for proper sanitization between camper units.

Adventure Activities
All of our adventure and aquatic activities will be available this summer at both Oak Spring and Inawendiwin with modifications to our health & safety procedures.
Zipline/Rockwall
  • We will limit the number of shared items by providing each person in a camper unit with their own harnesses for the day. 
  • Harnesses will be sanitized after each camper unit and again at the end of each day.  
  • Carabiners, trollies, ladders, helmets, and other non-porous high adventure equipment that is shared will be sanitized in between uses. 
  • Campers and Staff will be required to wear a mask while completing safety checks on the camper’s equipment, attaching campers to the belay systems, launching girls from the platforms/towers, and removing them from the belay.
Target Sports - Archery & Slingshots

Target Sports are already a socially distant activity. We will ensure all quivers are 6 feet apart.

  • We will limit the number of shared items by providing each person in a camper unit their own bow, wrist guards, slingshot, and paintballs. The equipment will be sanitized in between each camper unit. 
  • Arrows, targets, quivers, and other equipment that is shared will be sanitized in between uses.
  • While waiting for their turn to shoot, girls will be required to distance themselves in the waiting area. Tables will be spread out, and girls will be assigned to a seat with a seated activity while waiting. 
  • The Adventure Specialist will wear a face mask while giving instructions in close proximity, such as correcting posture and shooting form.
Boating & Paddleboards

Lifeguarding staff, with support from the facility staff, will sanitize community surfaces in between each camper group.

  • We will limit the number of shared items by providing each camper with their own life jacket for the week. All life jackets will be sanitized at the end of the week, ready for new campers the following week. Life jackets will be labeled with each camper and staff names. Campers will store their life jackets in a safe location to dry.
  • Other shared supplies, like boats and paddles, will be sanitized between user groups.
  • Limiting the number of girls to boats to ensure social distancing (i.e., single rider limit for paddleboats and rowboats and 2 girl limit for canoes.)

 

Swimming

Lifeguarding staff, with support from the facility staff, will sanitize community surfaces, such as changing stalls, cubbies, shower handles, etc, in between each camper group. 

  • In addition to showering before entering the pool, all campers and staff must wash their hands before and after participating.
  • Only one camper unit will be permitted in the pool area at one time.
  • Reduced number of girls in the pool at a time. Based on Department of Health guidelines of 28 square feet per person, Oak Spring is allowed to have no more than 125 people in the pool at one time. Inawendiwin will allow no more than 57 people in the pool at one time.
  • Campers and staff will be required to wear foot coverings while in the restrooms, changing areas, and shower area.
  • Maintain proper disinfectant levels (1–10 parts per million free chlorine or 3–8 ppm bromine) and pH (7.2–8) or applicable standards based on local and state health guidelines.
  • No pool toys will be allowed at the pool.
  • No masks are to be worn in the pool.
Camping Crafts & Supplies
Camping Crafts

Fire Building: Social distancing will be maintained for all fire building activities. Teaching girls Leave No Trace fire techniques will allow each girl to safely build individual fires while keeping our program quality high. 

Knives and Knot Tying: Knives and knot boards will not be shared between campers. We will limit the number of shared items by providing each person in a camper unit their own equipment. Knives and knot boards will be sanitized after each use by staff. 

 

Arts & Crafts and STEM

We will limit the number of shared items by providing each person in a camper unit with their own basic supplies for the week. This could include scissors, glue sticks, markers, and colored pencils. 

Community supplies will be handled by the Program Managers and be divided up between groups so that the supplies do not get cross-contaminated. At the end of the week, all individual supplies will be sanitized and re-packaged for the following week’s campers. There will be no community Arts & Craft or STEM space at either camp this summer.

 

Transportation

Busing

At this time, GSCSNJ is planning to provide bus transportation fo our in-person Day Camps for those families who need them. Bussing is included at no additional cost.

View bus schedules for each camp:

Camp Inawendiwin     |     Camp Oak Spring

The Health Supervisor will train the bus aides to take temperatures and complete the health screening questionnaire prior to campers loading the buses at each stop. 

Our bus vendor has set forth the following additional policies. They are willing to work with us to enact any established policies that we may have in place.

  • For a 54 passenger bus, we will allow 20-22 campers per bus. 
  • Buses will be cleaned and sanitized following each bus ride by our bus contractor. 
  • Due to the proximity of the driver, the driver must exit the vehicle while campers are loaded on and off the bus. 
  • We will have one bus monitor on each bus. Campers and staff are required to wear face-covering while on the bus.
  • Campers, unless living in the same household, cannot sit in the same seat.
  • Open windows, except during inclement weather, to encourage ventilation. 
  • Campers shall wash their hands or use hand sanitizer, which will be provided by the Girl Scouts, before and after any bus ride.
Campers or staff with a fever or have a family member in the household with a fever are not permitted.

 

Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Each camp will have a designated area for health screening. Cars are to arrive DAILY at the designated health screening area. Camp staff are to park in the designated area and report to the Health Screening area upon arrival. 

  • The Health Supervisor or designee will record campers’ and staff temperatures, asking questions about any symptoms that could indicate they have been exposed to COVID-19.

    • The temperature must be below 100.4 

  • When dropping off and picking up, adults and family members in the vehicle should be wearing a mask too.
Campers or staff with a fever or have a family member in the household with a fever are not permitted.

 

 

Social Distancing Guidelines

Camper Groups

The Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey will maintain small group sizes, limit the mixing of groups, and restrict large gatherings at camps.

Limiting mixing of groups will be combined with a public health approach of establishing and maintaining “concentric group circles” for infection prevention and control, along with strategic use of face coverings, using outdoor spaces as much as possible, and developmentally appropriate social distancing.

Campers
  • Campers will be in groups or units no larger than 20 campers. Groups of campers will remain unchanged day to day.
  •  Campers will not be interacting with other units in person, but we have a fun way of interacting with other units virtually!
  • Each Unit will have their own designated indoor and outdoor space that will not be shared with other units.
Staff/CITs/Camp Aides

Staff, CITs, and Camp Aides will be assigned to and remain with one group with the exception of the Waterfront Director, Lifeguards, Office and Administrative Support Staff, Nurse, and Adventure Specialist who all have the ability to be socially distant, except in cases of emergency. 

 

Wearing Masks

Staff and campers shall, at minimum, wear cloth face coverings when social distancing of 6 feet between individuals and/or assigned groups cannot be maintained, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health. 

Campers

Face coverings are encouraged to be worn by campers and are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult to maintain. It is understood that face coverings may be challenging to campers (especially younger campers) to wear in all-day settings such as camp. 

As campers approach a program area, bathroom, or handwashing station, they should be wearing a face mask. Once in the assigned program area and proper social distancing can be ensured, campers may remove their masks. 

Additionally, campers are encouraged to wear cloth face coverings unless (1) doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, (2) the individual is in extreme heat outdoors, or (3) the individual is in the water.

All Campers must bring TWO (2) cloth face-covering each day to camp.

 

Staff

Face masks should be worn by counselors whenever interacting with others closer than six feet. Facilities staff should always wear face masks when cleaning and disinfecting. Summer camp staff should wear cloth masks when interacting with outside vendors, parents, or outside community members.

Common situations in which staff must wear masks:*

  • Anytime indoors
  • Snack distribution
  • Administering first aid
  • Harnessing and other high ropes safety checks
  • Correcting form in Archery
  • Top of ziplines
  • Administering daily health screening 
  • Check in and out
  • When on buses 

*This is not an exhaustive list. All staff will be required to wear a mask when unable to be 6 feet apart from another person. 

Additionally, staff is encouraged to wear cloth face coverings unless (1) doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, (2) the individual is in extreme heat outdoors, or (3) the individual is in the water.

Limiting Visitors
Early Pick-Up / Late Drop-Off

We will be limiting parents, guardians, and other non-essential visitors into camp. All visitors will be required to wear cloth face coverings while visiting camp. Visitors who cannot wear face coverings due to medical issues will not be permitted on property.

If the need for an early pick-up or late drop-off is needed, call your camp's Office Staff to schedule a pick-up/drop-off time.

All-Camp Friday Campfires

Parents are not invited to come to the closing campfire this summer unless regulations for large groups of people change. GSCSNJ will consider live streaming the event for parents to watch.

 

Safety Protocols & Sanitization

Handwashing

Handwashing stations are installed near the program areas. Campers and staff will be required to wash their hands before and after they participate in any activities (adventure activities, swimming, crafts, etc.)

  • Campers and staff will wash hands when leaving and getting to an area.
  • GSCSNJ camps have implemented extra time in the schedule to allow for proper handwashing before and after activities
  • There will be hand sanitizer in areas where hand washing stations are not available (i.e. zipline, ect.)
Routine Camp Cleaning

Cleaning Checklists

A cleaning checklist will be posted in all community spaces at camp (pool, archery range, rock wall, docks, etc.). These cleaning checklists will detail what needs to be cleaned in each area and provide spaces to document who cleaned and at what time the cleaning was completed.

  • During staff training, seasonal summer camp staff will be trained on proper cleaning procedures. 
  • Summer camp staff are responsible for sanitizing areas before they leave. 
  • Deeper cleanings will be done and documented by the facilities’ department.

The daily camp schedules have been modified to allow time for sanitization of program areas in between camper groups.

Based on guidelines from ACA, CDC, and Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc. (EH&E), the following is a list of health items that will be available for cleaning and sanitizing: 

  • Hand soap
  • EPA approved cleaners
  • Hand sanitizer Supplies and Station
  • Surface cleaning and disinfectant wipes 
  • Paper Towels 
  • Cleaning spray bottles to contain a mixture of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved cleaner.
Social Distancing Guidelines

The Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey will maintain small group sizes, limit the mixing of groups, and restrict large gatherings at camps. See other sections for more details on:

All activities and program areas will be set up in a way to encourage social distancing. Tables will be spread out with indicators as to where to sit. Adding fun, “campy” ways to social distance will be adopted. 

Staff training will include tactics on how to ensure campers and staff practice proper hand hygiene, such as washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after activities or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol before and after activities when soap and water are not available. 

 

 

Nurse Facility & Equipment

Daily Health Screening
State Requirements

Persons that have a fever of 100.40 (38.00C) or above or other signs of illness shall not be admitted. Parents will be asked to be on the alert for signs of illness in their children and to keep them home when they are sick. Children and staff must be screened for fever or signs of COVID-19 illness prior to entry to camp each day. Any confirmed or suspected exposure to COVID-19 must immediately be reported to the local department of health. 

 

Protocol

Each camp will have a designated area for health screening. Cars are to arrive DAILY at the designated health screening area. Camp staff are to park in the designated area and report to the Health Screening area upon arrival.  The Health Supervisor or designee will record campers’ temperatures and ask questions about any symptoms that could indicate they have been exposed to COVID-19. The Health Supervisor or designee must be wearing a  facemask to administer the daily Health Screening. 

Symptoms related to COVID-19 include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

The Health Supervisor will train bus aides to take temperatures and complete the health screening questionnaire prior to campers loading the buses at each stop. See additional details regarding Bus Safety Procedures.

 

Campers or staff with a fever or have a family member in the household with a fever are not permitted.

 

Isolation Rooms

In addition to the required 1 sickbed for every 50 campers, and one additional sickbed for each additional 200 campers, we will have the required COVID-19 specific isolation rooms.  

At Oak Spring, the upstairs of Main House, where the Nurse’s Office is located, has 5 bedrooms that can be used as isolation rooms. Inawendiwin has one isolation room in the Infirmary. If more are needed, Sequoia can be used as an isolation cabin.

Procedures If Camper/Staff Develop Symptoms of COVID-19
Procedures If Camper/Staff Develop Symptoms of COVID-19 at Camp

Staff members or Campers will be isolated and removed if they develop symptoms related to COVID-19. GSCSNJ will follow current Communicable Disease Service guidance for illness reporting.  

  • If a child or staff member develops symptoms of COVID-19 while at the facility (e.g., fever of 100.4 or higher, cough, shortness of breath), the person will be immediately separated into a designated isolation room in the infirmary or Nurse’s office. Parents/ Guardians will be notified for immediate pickup. Staff member will be sent home; their emergency contact will be notified if the employee is not able to drive. 
  • The Nurse/staff member waiting with the child/staff member will follow safe distancing and use PPE protocol until the child is picked up at the main gate or staff member departs the premises.
  • The sick person or guardian will be advised to contact their health care provider for further guidance. We will ask the parent or employee to notify us if there is a positive test for COVID-19.
  • A camper/staff member who shows symptoms of COVID-19 may return to camp when they are no longer experiencing symptoms and do not have a fever of 100.4 or higher.
  • If a camper is unable to attend camp or needs to stay home for the remainder of their camp week, they will receive a refund for the camp days missed.
Procedures If There Is a Positive Case of COVID-19 at Camp

Should we become aware of a COVID-19 positive case at our camp, we will contact our local health department for guidance, up to and including:

  • Health officials will provide direction on whether a center should cease operations following the identification of a positive case in the facility. The duration may be dependent on staffing levels, outbreak levels in the community, and severity of illness in the infected individual. Symptom-free children and staff should not attend or work at another camp during any closure.

  • All rooms and equipment used by the infected person will be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with CDC guidance. If we are uncertain about the extent of potential exposure, we shall close operations for 24 hours and clean and sanitize all rooms and equipment.

  • We will notify other individuals who came into contact with the infected individual, according to health department guidance/policy.

 

Cookouts/Snacks

Food Safety
Lunch/Snacks

Each girl is required to bring her own lunch each day.  GSCSNJ will provide two(2) pre-packaged snacks to campers each day. Girls will place their lunches in the designated storage area upon arrival; girls will retrieve their lunches at the designated lunch break. Refridgeration will be available in each unit's location to store lunches. Girls may not touch each other’s lunch bags and no sharing of food will be permitted.

Water

Staff will assist in filling water bottles at drinking stations to keep girls hydrated.

Cookouts/Friday All-Camp Lunches

There will be no cookouts or all-camp lunches this summer to minimize risk of spreading germs.

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