Mount Hermon Kidder Creek Logo

Summer 2021

at Kidder Creek

 

Kidder Creek Operation Plans

Healthy Camping

Caring for you and your kids is not a responsibility we take lightly. In order to have an effective ministry this summer we will be instituting enhanced health and cleaning measures. However, it will still be camp, it will still be fun, and Jesus will still be in the middle of it all!

First and foremost, we will rely on expert guidance provided by the state government and our county health officials with the goal of providing a fun summer camp environment for guests and staff. These are our most current plans, however COVID-19 protocols can change rapidly, and we will keep this page updated with the latest information.

 

Health Practices at Kidder Creek

Health Practices
at Kidder Creek

These measures are based on CDPH guidance for overnight camps and are in place to keep our staff, campers and community healthy and the camp open for the whole season.

Guest and Camper Screening

Stopping it before it starts

Guest and Staff Screening

Stopping it before it starts
    Guests and Campers:

    All overnight campers will be required to show proof of one of the following:

    1. A negative COVID test upon arrival that was taken within 3 days of arrival at camp.
      (The best ways we have found to get your test are to: Check with your health provider, make an appointment at your local CVS, Rite Aid or Walgreens or take a FDA approved Quick test at home. The quick tests we recommend are BinaxNOW and are available from CVS online and in the store.)
    2. Vaccination— must be two weeks after your last shot to be considered fully vaccinated. Please bring your card or a picture of your card to show proof.
    3. A letter from the local health department stating that you recovered from COVID-19 within the last 90 days.
  • Every guest will be screened before entering camp.
  • The CDC recommends that unvaccinated campers keep a 14 day quarantine before traveling to camp and a viral test within 3-5 days of departing camp

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    Staff:
  • All summer staff will be required to show proof of a negative COVID test within 3 days of arrival or show proof of a vaccine or a letter from the local health department stating that you recovered from COVID-19 within the last 90 days.
  • Staff and campers will be screened daily including the health questions and temperature check.
  • Kidder Creek will have the ability to test any staff member exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and has comfortable facilities available for quarantine.
  • Any unvaccinated staff will be tested on a weekly basis.
    • Other things to know:
  • Contact information of local health department officials has been identified should there be a need to communicate information about COVID-19 outbreaks among employees and/or other visitors to campus.
  • Contact tracing will be used on any reported case to identify close contacts (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) of an infected person and anyone suspected of being COVID-19 positive will be isolated.
  • Adherence to plan guidelines is expected as outlined herein to prevent any possible campus illness. An outbreak may result in campus operations being ceased or limited without notice.

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Face Coverings

We’ll follow state and local guidelines regarding face coverings, but it shouldn’t negatively impact your camp experience.

Face Coverings

We’ll follow state and local guidelines regarding face coverings, but it shouldn’t negatively impact your camp experience.
  • Campers will be placed into a cohort or family group of up to 18 campers upon arrival and remain in that cohort for the duration of their program. Distancing and masking will not be required within the cohorts.
  • Any time you’re outside and appropriately distanced a face covering is not necessary.
  • Any outdoor activities where cohorts, or family groups, cannot be 6ft apart will require a face covering. For activities like archery and the Adventure Ridge course this would apply.
  • As of today, any indoor activity requires a face covering.

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  • When selecting a face covering, there are many choices. Here are some do’s and don’ts:
    DO choose masks that:
    • Completely cover your nose and mouth
    • Fit snuggly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps
    • Have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask
    DO NOT choose masks that:
    • Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
    • Have exhalation valves or vents
    • Are single layer or don’t fit snugly, like gaiters or bandannas
  • We recommend finding masks made specifically for children to help ensure a proper fit. Have your children practice wearing their mask so they are comfortable with it.
  • Bring several cloth or resuable masks so you can replace your mask when it becomes dirty, used, or soiled.

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Low-Contact Meals

We’re actually excited to present an outdoor dining experience this summer! You’ll have the same tasty food eaten outside.

Meals

We’re actually excited to present an outdoor dining experience this summer! You’ll have the same tasty food eaten outside.
  • Food will be served cafeteria style by our staff from behind an appropriately screened serving table.
  • Campers and staff will wear face coverings while getting their food and drinks.
  • Lines, food kiosks and picnic tables will all be socially distanced.

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  • All meals will be eaten outdoors.
  • All guests and employees are required to have their hands sanitized prior to entering the food service area.
  • The placement of tables will be been configured to allow for a minimum of 6 feet between each seated group or party of guests
  • Rigorous cleaning and specific sanitizing protocols are in place for food processing and meal operations that follow recommended guidelines established and updated as available on the COVID-19 Resilience Roadmap website.
  • Campers are required to follow established sequencing flow clearly indicated by signs and distancing markers. Face coverings are required when distances cannot be maintained.
  • All food and beverage will be prepared and served by Mount Hermon staff members in “to-go” packaging for guest safety.
  • Adequate trash and recycling receptacles will be provided all around the food service area.

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Activities & Teaching

The heart of the camp experience is having fun and learning about Jesus alongside other people. Here’s how we’re making sure camp is still camp:

Activities & Teaching

The heart of the camp experience is having fun and learning about Jesus alongside other people. Here’s how we’re making sure camp is still camp:
  • Based on the color tier we’re in when camp happens we’ll have a plan in place for gatherings and activities. Right now our plans are set for operations in the current tier.
  • During program transportation in busses and vehicles campers will wear masks and we will keep windows open for circulation. Space for physical distancing between cohorts will be implemented.
  • We’ll have all the normal camp activities like morning teaching, recreation and adventure activities, pond time and more. Gatherings will be outdoors, and when cohorts interact face coverings will be used when appropriate.

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  • Group size will be limited to appropriate sizes to be able to ensure social distancing for activities.
  • Appropriate distance will be maintained between other family and cohort groups.
  • Face coverings where social distancing cannot be maintained or interaction with non-counseling staff is required.
  • Staff keep social distance by doing more demonstrations
  • Disinfect shared equipment touch points daily.
  • General recreation spaces like the pond and soccer field will be enjoyed freely by cohorts, however, campers will wear masks and stay 6 ft away from campers not in their cohort. “Hang out” space will be allotted to camps and cohorts to keep them separate while at the pond.
  • Snack Shack - Each cohort will have a scheduled time to purchase items from the Snack Shack. Only one cohort will be scheduled at one time to allow for distancing.

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Cleaning & Disinfection

We have added multiple layers of cleaning and disinfecting policies and procedures with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to instill cleanliness standards for campers and staff, as well as thorough sanitization of overnight accomodations, camp buildings, restrooms, high-touch surfaces, and more.

Cleaning & Disinfection

We have added multiple layers of cleaning and disinfecting policies and procedures with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to instill cleanliness standards for campers and staff, as well as thorough sanitization of overnight accomodations, camp buildings, restrooms, high-touch surfaces, and more
  • Staff performs thorough cleaning in high-traffic areas such as lobbies, counters, dining areas, break rooms, loading docks, kitchens, doorwalls, and areas of entry and exit including stairways, stairwells, and handrails.
  • Public spaces throughout campus and help counters are equipped with proper sanitation products to include hand sanitizer and/or sanitizing wipes.
  • Daily inspections are conducted to ensure sanitary facilities stay operational and stocked with necessary PPE at all times— dispensers for soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizer are replenished as needed.
  • Products used for cleaning are approved for use against COVID-19 on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved list and responsibly used according to product instructions.

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  • In the event of a presumptive case of COVID-19, any such room will be removed from service and quarantined. Should this occur, the room will not be returned to service until the case has been confirmed or cleared. In the event of a positive case, the room will only be returned to service after undergoing an enhanced sanitization protocol in accordance with CDC guidelines.
  • We encourage the opening of all guestroom windows to allow for the circulation of fresh outside air, and ventilation in rooms, offices, classrooms and other spaces.

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Caring for Our Staff

Keeping our staff healthy is super important. All staff will receive additional training in sanitization, exposure reduction and how to prevent behaviors that spread illness.

Caring for Our Staff

Keeping our staff healthy is super important. All staff will receive additional training in sanitization, exposure reduction and how to prevent behaviors that spread illness.
  • All summer staff will be required to show proof of a negative COVID test within 3 days of arrival or show proof of a vaccine or a letter from the local health department stating that you recovered from COVID-19 within the last 90 days.
  • Staff will be placed in housing cohorts.
  • We’ll provide daily health screenings, COVID-19 tests if symptoms are shown, and, when necessary, comfortable quarantine accommodations.
  • Face coverings will be provided for all staff.

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  • Kidder Creek conducts temperature and/or symptom screenings for all workers at the beginning of their shift.
  • All employees and guests are required to stay home if they are sick or exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19. Kidder Creek reserves the right to deny campus access to anyone who appears to pose a risk to public health at our sole discretion.
  • Employees should only enter guest rooms when guests are not present, and are instructed to minimize contact with guests’ personal belongings when working. Employees are also instructed to run ventilation systems and/or open windows to increase air circulation whenever possible.
  • Kidder Creek encourages employees to wash their hands or use sanitizer when possible after all guest interactions, after cleaning assigned areas, after opening mail or handling other commonly touched items.
  • Kidder Creek schedules extra time for staff to thoroughly clean and adhere to required precautions — including the disinfection of guest traffic areas.
  • Staff common areas will be cleaned daily including staff lounge, laundry and bathroom facilities.

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We are grateful that you would consider visiting Kidder Creek and we look forward to seeing you in the mountains soon!