WinShape Camps for Communities COVID-19 Updates

OVERVIEW

At WinShape Camps, the safety of campers, Summer Staff, and all who come in contact with our organization, continues to be our first priority. We also believe strongly in the benefits of camp in person.  

With these as our guiding commitments, and in light of an ongoing global pandemic, we are working hard to ensure our in-person camp experience promotes the health and safety of all. This means you will see some changes in our programming this summer. Rest assured, we remain committed to proving you and your community with the excellent day camp experience you expect from WinShape Camps.  

These following guidelines/changes have been created and approved in collaboration with the WinShape Camps Health Care Coordinator, Julie Bailey, the WinShape Foundation Risk Management Department, and in light of recommendations put forth by an internal research team.  

 Please review the expected program changes set forth below but keep in mind that camp is still 5 months away. As the situation changes, there is a possibility the stringency of these guidelines can be loosened. We will provide you with timely updates as the program model for Summer 2021 becomes more concrete.  

MASKS AND CLEANING  

As of right now, we will be asking all Summer Staff, campers, and volunteers to wear masks during the camp day. We have built in “Breathing Breaks” in the schedule when masks can be removed. Masks will likely be able to be removed during outdoor activities as well. As of April 2021, campers will be able to remove their masks during Team Time with their Animal Group (a small group of no more than 15 campers), if socially distanced and if permitted by state health regulations. Please notify your Host Development Rep if your church/community’s preference conflicts with this policy.

 Upon arrival to camp each morning, all campers, Summer Staff, and volunteers will go through a symptom check where they will have their temperature taken and answer a few questions about how they are feeling.  

 Our camp schedule this year will create margin for increased hand washing and sanitization of equipment and spaces. Campers will likely use hand sanitizer as they enter a space and as they exit.  

Cleaning around campus will need to be a joint effort between our Summer Staff and our church partners. We will set cleaning standards for our program and then work with you each week to determine the best way to tackle cleaning together.

COHORT MODEL & SCHEDULE  

 This year, campers will remain in the same group or “Team Time” throughout the camp day. Team Times are groups of campers next exceeding 15 paired with one of our Summer Staff and a volunteer. As in the past, a Team Time will be comprised of campers of the same age.  

Team Times will travel between 4 zones at camp: Auditorium, Team Time, Rec!, and Skills

Campers will visit these 4 zones twice each day, creating 8 “periods” in the day. The total length of the camp day is not changing. At no point will the entire camp be in a room together. At most, 50% of the total campers may be in the auditorium at the same time with adequate distancing between Team Times achieved.  

This rotation model creates time in between the use of spaces and equipment where crews can clean and sanitize before the next group of campers comes in.