Even in 2022, the progress of the Covid Pandemic is ever-changing. It is difficult to pinpoint what the situation with Covid-19 and its variants will be during our Open Season. This document is to keep our Board and Community Members informed as to the plans for precautions to take place onsite and during programming and events.These Covid protocols may change prior to or anytime during the season based on regulations, guidelines, and operational needs. Updates will be available at Admin and onsite in our “Unicamp 2022” tab.
Please note that Unicamp is taking a “multi-layer approach” to protect against the spread of Covid-19 and other communicable diseases. However, there remains a possibility that Covid-19 may be contracted at Unicamp despite our precautions, and that all campers and community members accept this risk as they arrive at Unicamp.
Definitions:
Fully Vaccinated: For the purposes of this document, “fully vaccinated” means having received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine or combination of COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (e.g., two doses of a two-dose vaccine series, or one dose of a single-dose vaccine series); and having received the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.Children’s Camp:
The “Multi-Layer” Approach
These are 10 mechanisms we have designed to protect against the spread of Covid-19 and also to reduce the transmission of other diseases. Other illnesses may mimic the symptoms of Covid-19 and, in the case where access to PCR testing is restricted, may require the use of Covid-19 protocols regardless of symptom cause.
1. Enhanced Cleaning Protocol Covid cleaning protocol to ensure proper products being used in line with federal recommendations, protection of workers, and increased cleaning frequency. More hand washing and sanitizing stations available.
2. Vaccination policy To ensure all staff and campers coming into contact with each other are fully vaccinated or have a valid exemption
3. Camper and staff cohorts To allow for meaningful and close social/professional interaction while also limiting the risk of communicable disease spread should a case occur
4. Modified use of indoor spaces:
- Indoor programming spaces, including the Program Center and Dining Hall, remain closed for the season, at the discretion of the Camp Director.
- For Kid’s Camp and Youth Programming: Indoor spaces to be used for programs by one cohort at a time. If members of more than one cohort are occupying an indoor space, masks must be worn and distancing practiced where possible (i.e. staff working in the kitchen)
5. PPE and barriers Protocols in place for mask wearing depending on location and activity (i.e. the masks required in the serving line, barrier in place). PPE and/or distancing protocols in place for interactions between cohorts
6. Testing Imperfect, but one tool to use. Rapid tests upon arrival and three days after arrival. Two tests provided to campers and staff, other tests for staff coming and going will be at their expense (or covered by a grant/agency program if available)
7. Program Modifications Program schedule and activity modifications to allow for cohorting and distancing
8. Training Training for staff on Covid-19 information and camp protocols. Orientation/info provided to campers about rules, procedures, and expectations
9. Send-home thresholds Established thresholds in place for when a camper is sent home/staff member required to isolate (symptomatic). And when/if they can return
10. Screening Daily symptom screening for staff and campers including temperature checks
Children and Youth are required to be one of the following in order to attend programming:
- Be fully vaccinated
- Be in possession of written proof of a medical reason provided by a physician or registered nurse in the extended class that sets out both:
- a documented medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19c
- the effective time period for the medical reason
As registration for programs began before this policy was established, all families who have registered have the option to cancel their registrations and receive a full refund, without penalty.
All campers will be encouraged to take reasonable measures to isolate for 5 days before arriving at camp, as per provincial recommendations.
Campers and staff attending overnight camp should limit their exposures (i.e., reduce the chances of becoming infected by limiting contact with individuals outside of their immediate household) to the greatest extent possible 5 days prior to arrival to camp. Operators of camps should request that campers and staff provide the camp with a written attestation indicating they have taken all reasonable measures to limit their exposures for the 5 days prior to their arrival.
Anyone travelling from outside of Canada must follow federal and provincial requirements and guidelines for quarantining, screening, and testing prior to camp.
Staff or campers who have been advised to quarantine cannot carry out their quarantine at the camp.
Campers or staff who are symptomatic prior to camp and are unable to arrive on their scheduled day, may enter the camp later if they have complied with requirements for symptomatic individuals as outlined in the COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge, and are no longer required to self-isolate.
Campers will need to complete a rapid test on the day of arrival as well as three days afterward.
Provincial guidelines for response in the event of a positive result will be followed.
Unicamp will provide these rapid tests (additional cost to camp fees to account for this)
Cohorting plans to be determined May 2022 using recommendations from the Province and Local Health Unit. Current recommendations include:
Operate programs in cohorts (including staff members) who remain together throughout the duration of the program with the following considerations:
Cohorts should be organized and sized in a manner that ensures staff/camper ratios as described by O. Reg. 503/17: Recreational Camps made under the HPPA for overnight camps and the guidance in the Operational Guidance for Child Care During COVID-19 Outbreak for day camps (refer to Table 1 in the Appendix), and where applicable, the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
Cohort limits in overnight camps should be reflective of the size of the cabin/tent or sleeping arrangements.
The number of campers and staff within each cohort can vary to facilitate common grouping arrangements (e.g., according to age groups, leadership training programs, campers with special needs, length of stay) or groupings outside of camp (e.g., classroom cohorts);
If a camper requires a support worker or other additional personal assistance, the support or other person providing personal assistance does not need to be included in the cohort count, but the individual must stay with the cohort and must follow all policies and protocols for staff;
Campers staying for multiple, overlapping sessions should remain together;
Even within cohorts, personal belongings brought to camp should not be shared between individuals.
Personal items (e.g., pillow, clothing, towel, water bottle, toiletries) should be labeled or clearly identifiable and kept in the individual’s designated cohort area.
Physical distancing should always be promoted, as much as possible, for campers and staff, between cohorts when indoors.
Living accommodations (cabin, tent, or bedroom) must be shared only amongst members of a single cohort.
Where buildings have individual bedrooms and shared spaces with other cohorts, masks must be worn in common spaces with other cohorts.
The entire building may become an established cohort after 5 days have elapsed provided there are no new individuals have been added, and there have been no reported illnesses or cases within the 5 days.
Pick-up and drop-off of campers should occur in a designated area and in a manner that adheres to applicable public health measures.
Parents/guardians should not enter the camp or go beyond the designated drop-off/pick up area unless it is determined that there is a need, and if so,they must adhere to applicable public health measures.
Masks must be worn by all staff and campers indoors, unless the individual:
Has a medical condition or special need that inhibits their ability to wear a mask or face covering;
Is unable to put on or remove their mask or face covering without the assistance of another person;Is being accommodated in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act;
Is being reasonably accommodated in accordance with the Human Rights Code;Is with their cohort, or in a space with other cohorts where there is adequate ventilation and physical distancing
Is eating or drinking;
Is in their designated accommodation (with their cohort);
Requirements for activities include:
Outdoor programming is encouraged as much as possible.
When developing a contingency plan for outdoor activities that may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions, avoid contingencies that might require multiple cohorts to seek refuge in a cramped space.
Restrict program activities involving food preparation to a single cohort at a time, if the activity is taking place indoors, with masks recommended during food preparation.
Stagger the use between cohorts of indoor rooms/spaces.
Ensure the rooms/spaces are cleaned and disinfected as required.
Activities that involve singing are permitted as follows:
Singing is permitted indoors within the same cohort or established cohort.
Masking is required with as much distancing as possible between individuals with the use of a large well-ventilated space. Singing is permitted outdoors.
Camps with aquatic activities (e.g., pool, lake, splash pad) must adhere to the applicable requirements in O. Reg 503/17: Recreational Camps for overnight camps and Regulation 565: Public Pools under the HPPA ,as well as, municipal or local guidance and restrictions in place at the time of activity. Refer to the Lifesaving Society for more information on reopening pools and waterfronts.
High and low contact sports and recreational fitness activities are permitted indoors. Masking is encouraged for indoor sports/activities where they can be worn safely based on the activity. Masking is not required if playing sports/activities indoors with individuals of the same cohort or if physical distancing can be maintained.
Masking is required indoors when not actively engaged in the sporting activity. Windows should be opened when feasible to increase ventilation.
Swimming is permitted with physical distancing on the pool deck to discourage congregating.
High and low contact sports and recreational fitness activities are permitted outdoors.
Masking is not required while playing sport/activities outdoors.
Resources for Families
SickKids provides a Covid-19 Consult Service to have an open conversation about the COVID-19 vaccine. The consult service provides expert guidance for children, youth and those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to conceive. It is available in multiple languages, using over-the-phone language interpretation. Appointments can be made here: https://www.sickkids.ca/en/care-services/support-services/covid-19-vaccine-consult/
“The more people who are vaccinated against COVID-19, the more we can protect ourselves and prevent new variants from emerging and spreading in the community.” – About Kids Health
“…we strongly recommend that all camps and outdoor education centres follow the recommendations of Public Health Ontario and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) regarding vaccinations. Both groups recommend vaccines for people 5 years of age and older unless there are medical exemptions.” – Ontario Camp Association
“COVID-19 vaccines help protect the community: Another reason to strongly consider a COVID-19 vaccine for your child is to protect the health of those living and working in your area. Each child or adult infected with the coronavirus can transmit the virus to others in the community.If this happens some of the people so infected will become quite sick themselves or further spread the virus to others who will become very sick, and maybe even die — all because of a preventable infection.This transmission also provides a chance for the virus to mutate further and create a new variant that might prove more infectious or resistant to the available vaccines and therapies. Fewer overall infections among the population means less chance of severe infection and death in the community and of dangerous coronavirus variants emerging.” – John Hopkins Medicine
Staff: Because staff members live and work in close proximity, all staff members are required to show:
- Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, OR
- Written proof of a medical reason provided by a physician or registered nurse in the extended class that sets out both:
- a documented medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19
- the effective time period for the medical reason
Staff will be informed of this requirement AS THEY APPLY and during the hiring process. For staff already under contract, they will be informed after board discussion
Masks must be worn by all staff and campers indoors, unless the individual:
- Has a medical condition or special need that inhibits their ability to wear a mask or face covering;
- Is unable to put on or remove their mask or face covering without the assistance of another person;
- Is being accommodated in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act;
- Is being reasonably accommodated in accordance with the Human Rights Code;
- Is with their cohort, or in a space with other cohorts where there is adequate ventilation and physical distancing
- Is eating or drinking;
- Is in their designated accommodation (with their cohort);
- Is at their desk or workspace (for staff); or, Is placed behind a barrier (desk/workspace for staff).
- Recommended Isolation before arriving at camp and testing before and during camp to be set by May 2022.
Staff and Volunteers working in Kitchen / Dining Hall:
To protect the health of others working in close proximity and maintain health standards for our meals, all those working in the Kitchen and Dining Hall must wear a mask.
In addition, all staff and volunteers working in this space must show:
- Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, OR
- Written proof of a medical reason provided by a physician or registered nurse in the extended class that sets out both:
- a documented medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19
- the effective time period for the medical reason Recommended Isolation before arriving at camp and testing before and during camp to be set by May 2022.
unicampofontario.ca 