Dear NCC Families,
We are writing to share our plans for reducing the risk of COVID at camp this summer in accordance with the NY State Department of Public Health recommendations. Our goal is to make the camp experience in 2023 as close to the pre-COVID days as possible. To do so, we need your help and want to make you aware of important deadlines. If you have any questions, please reach out!
Planning for Arrival to Camp
We ask that you fill out your travel preferences in your CampinTouch account as soon as possible as the deadline was May 1st. Information with specific details regarding the bus and dropping off by car will be sent in mid- June.
CAMP BUS: We will be running a camp bus this summer with pick-ups available at Horace Mann School, Exit 14 and Albany off Interstate 87.
DROP OFF: Families are also welcome to drive their children to camp and drop off between the hours of 12:30 and 2:30 pm. If you plan to do this, contact us so that we can plan a time for drop off and COVID testing on arrival.
ARRIVAL BY PLANE/TRAIN: Campers who will require camp to assist with their arrival, such as those arriving by plane or train, must coordinate with us in advance. Please contact the camp directors at directors@northcountrycamps.com to plan ahead.
Pre-Arrival COVID Testing Plan
All campers must complete a minimum of 2 COVID rapid antigen tests prior to traveling to camp. Why two tests? Per FDA guidelines: “To increase the accuracy of an at-home COVID-19 antigen diagnostic test, it is important to perform repeat testing, after 48 hours, following a negative test result, whether you have symptoms or not, to reduce your risk of a false negative test result.” Commercially available testing kits should all come with two test kits to make this feasible.
•When should you test your camper?
◦Administer the first test 48 hours prior to arrival at camp (i.e. 48 hours prior to bringing your child to the bus, train, plane or dropping them at camp)
◦Bring the second test with you to drop off and administer on-site and show the negative test result as your “ticket” to board the bus or enter camp.If you are using other means of transportation please contact the directors for guidance.
◦ Families should consider doing additional earlier test(s) if their child is symptomatic or had an exposure. In the event your child tests positive you may be able to reduce the required isolation period and accelerate your child’s arrival date to camp.
•Where should you get the rapid antigen tests?
◦We suggest the following options:
▪Families are strongly encouraged to order free tests from the US Government if they are still eligible.
▪Free and or reimbursed tests are still available through or reimbursed by most insurance companies. HOWEVER, when the state of emergency expires on MAY 12th this benefit will go away for most insurers. Please check with your insurer for coverage and place your orders or purchase over-the-counter at your local pharmacy and seek insurance reimbursement before May 12th
▪Families can search for local free lor low-cost testing for their first test using this government website.
•What if I forget to bring my test to the bus/drop off?
◦Camp will have a limited number of tests on-hand. We will have Venmo set up so that you can reimburse for the cost of the testing kit (~$25). If we run out of tests, your child will not be able to board the bus.
◦If the cost of testing is prohibitive or not available for your family, please contact the camp directors and we will assist you.
If your camper, a close contact, or a member of your household tests positive for COVID in the 10 days prior to arrival at camp we ask that you reach out to camp so that we can plan for your child’s/children’s camp arrival.
If you have unused covid tests at home, please consider donating to North Country Camps.
COVID Vaccination Policy
North Country Camps strongly encourages families to have their children fully vaccinated and appropriately boosted prior to the start of the summer. COVID-19 Vaccinations for children have been shown to be safe, effective and protective.
Testing at Camp after Camper Arrival
All campers with two documented negative covid rapid antigen tests prior to arrival will be able to join in normal camp activities upon arrival at camp. We will not be masking at camp. We will not do asymptomatic testing of campers after arrival.
Any camper who develops a fever ≥100.4 with sore throat, congestion or cough will be tested for COVID using 2 rapid antigen tests on separate days and isolated until both tests are negative. Testing will be done at camp if the NY State Department of Public Health approves our site for a testing license; otherwise it will be performed at a local testing facility. Any child requiring testing will have their first test kit covered through the store account. If additional testing is required we will bill families at the end of the summer to cover the cost or it will be billed to insurance if run at a commercial facility.
Campers who test positive for COVID will be required to mask for the next 10 days. In the first 5 days, they will be isolated in a separate supervised cabin for sleeping/eating and participate masked in separate activities from regular camp. On days 5-10 of illness, they can return to camp activities but must remain masked for these activities. They will continue to sleep/eat separately for at least 10 days. To return to regular camp without a mask, children must be fever free for ≥ 24 hours, have resolved symptoms and either have a negative rapid covid antigen test or 10 days have passed.
Visiting Day
We will be planning to host a visiting day this summer at camp on Saturday, July 29th. We will be sharing details for COVID mitigation closer to that date along with the schedule. We ask your cooperation to ensure that all campers can enjoy their last 2 weeks at camp COVID-free after Visiting Day.
We are looking forward to having a happy and healthy summer with your camper and appreciate your support!
Warmest Regards,
Jen and Neil
NCCF Covid Planning Team (Yi-Lo Yu, MD and Nursing Staff)