May 22, 2020

Dear Riveredge Camp Families,

We have been working hard to adapt our programs, especially our day camps to provide a safe and memorable experience for all. After extensive review of our local guidelines as well as those provided by the Center for Disease Control, the American Camp Association and many others, our Riveredge leadership team believes we will be able to provide modified versions of our day camp experiences this summer.

We would like to share the high level protocols we have developed to allow you to make the best informed participation decision for your family. We know that there is no guarantee that all the well thought out protocols we are putting in place will eliminate 100% of the COVID-19 risk, but we will continue to adjust and follow any guideline changes to mitigate the risk as much as possible. We believe that the opportunities that camp provides for adventure, excitement, and the ability to grow and explore can all be done while we operate within our guidelines.

We also know that Riveredge is uniquely positioned to provide day camp options with social distancing practices in place. Because of our dispersed “home bases” for our camp program (versus everyone arriving at one main building), we can ensure small day camp groups will remain isolated from other groups at Riveredge. Families should make special note of what “homebase” their camper is assigned (River Outpost, Sugarbush House, Visitor Center, or Yurt Village).

What you can expect:

• Your child’s health and safety will be our first priority.

• If your child or a family member is considered high risk, please reach out to your primary care physician to see if camp is the right fit for you this year. If you are unable to attend in-person camp, we are working on a virtual camp week in August.

• Screenings: We are asking families to self screen for symptoms and keep track of daily temperatures for 14 days prior to attending camp. During camp, Riveredge will do daily temperature checks and screenings for staff and participants. We are asking families to continue their self checks for 14 days after attending camp as well.

• Face coverings will be required for staff and participants during drop off/pick up, when indoors, and if social distancing is a challenge. *Please let us know if your child is Deaf, hard of hearing, or may otherwise need accommodations.

• We will not be offering off site field trips or overnights for Garden, Explorers,or Guardians. Camps that previously had an overnight will instead have a full day of camp on Friday.

• Riveredge will not be providing the afternoon snack of popcorn. Campers will not be sharing any food or drinks. We do encourage families to keep the tradition alive and pack popcorn for a snack.

• Camper drop off/pick up will be no contact in designated “home-base” locations for each camp. To ease the drop off congestion it will also be staggered.

• Extended care from 7:30 am - camp start & camp end to 5:30 pm, will be available for those families that require it.  Please let us know if you would like to use extended care.

• Smaller group sizes: Camps will consist of two sub groups of one adult camp leader and up to 9 campers and teen volunteers (10 people per group maximum). The staff, volunteers, and counselors will remain consistent throughout the week. Each camp will remain socially distant from other groups.

• Friend requests must be a mutual request and will be honored as space allows.

• Increased sanitation including frequent hand washing or hand sanitizer use

• And most importantly, a Riveredge Camp (although, slightly different than the past) that provides your child with the chance to make new friends, explore the great outdoors, and reconnect with their wild side.

Families are also welcome to view our summer camp’s Reopening Procedures due to COVID-19. Those may be found on our website.

We have complete trust in our staff to enforce these safety protocols in a fun and educational way that maintains the health and safety of everyone. We are proud and excited to be able to provide our camps this summer. We can’t wait for your child to unplug, explore nature, and play outdoors with us this summer.

We understand that, even with the new protocols in place, you may wish to cancel or refund your camp experience for 2020. If you do wish to cancel we ask that you consider donating your registration fee to help Riveredge or donate it to a camper who is in financial need this summer. Please contact us right away if you decide to cancel so we can process your refund. We will waive our refund policy for all cancellations between now and June 1. Cancellations after June 1 will be subject to our refund policy.

If your family is experiencing financial need please contact Steff Merten (smerten@riveredge.us) for more information on camperships. Camperships will be awarded June 1st.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate to a new normal,

Steff Merten

Riveredge Adventure Education Manager