COVID-19 FAQs

The best camp sessions start with healthy campers and this begins at home.  Please be diligent, ask questions of friends and family, and notify us immediately if you learn that there has been an exposure. While we certainly cannot impose restrictions on your actions when your child is not at Maplewood, we hope that you will make careful choices, considering others that will spend time in the company of your child during their time at Maplewood.  

 In an effort to minimize illness at camp we are asking that all participants begin screening for fever and other symptoms 14 days prior to the start of their session, and to complete a daily electronic screening attestation prior to arriving at camp each day (completed by 7:30 a.m. through the Campanion app).  

 Campers and staff members will not be permitted to enter the bus or camp if any of the following occur:  the electronic screening form is not received; questions on the electronic screening form are answered yes; we find that the child is not well during the morning visual inspection. 

Each morning upon arrival (upon immediately exiting the car or getting on the bus), campers and counselors will be visually inspected for signs of illness (cough, congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing) and may have their temperature taken with an infrared thermometer (temperature check is not required by state guidelines at this time).  

Staff will monitor children throughout the day for signs of illness.

The following symptoms, if observed in a child or staff member are cause for immediate isolation and exclusion from camp:

• Fever (100.00 degrees and higher), feverish, had chills. 
• Cough 
• Sore throat 
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. 
• Gastrointestinal distress (Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) 
• New loss of taste or smell 
• New muscle or body aches 

The following symptoms, if observed in combination with symptoms bulleted above, are cause for immediate isolation and exclusion from camp: 

• Fatigue  
• Headache  
• Runny nose or congestion (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) 
• Any other signs of illness 

Extended day hours are from 7:30-9:00 and 4:00-6:00. 

Parents/Guardians should drive into the oval area past the playgrounds and then follow the same procedures included in this document for the regular drop-off and pick-up of campers.  Extended day programming will take place on the camp-side, which is the area after the boating area. 

Most of the activities will take place outdoors with the indoor space being mainly used for inclement weather.  Campers will have a place (table under the tents or canopy) for their belongings (jacket, camp bag). 

In addition to the items mentioned in the section – “Important Items to Bring to Camp,” please send your child with additional morning and/or afternoon snacks including bottles of water or a reusable water bottle.

During extended day if campers are indoors due to inclement weather, we will follow our physical distancing protocols which include keeping campers in their own groups (i.e. Bunnies, Knights….), and to the greatest extent possible, maintaining at least six feet separation from other groups.  Outdoors, campers will be separated into cohorts by grades.  

Activities will include art, sports (gaga ball, basketball….), playground, sand play, and quiet space for reading.

• Our aim is to reduce the density and physical interaction of individuals at any given time in the drop-off area.  In order to do this and efficiently perform the health screening, the window for drop-off at this time is scheduled from 8:30-9:00.
  
  
• We will send communications in the next two weeks to camp families assigning their drop-off designated group spot.
  
  
• The two drop-off locations in the morning will consist of the oval area after the playground and the parking lot across from boating.  Families who have children being dropped off in both locations must first come to the oval area and then proceed to the parking lot across from boating.
  
  - In the oval area each group will be assigned a spot, and the parking staff will direct cars to the correct location.  Group counselors will apply hand sanitizer and assist each camper to the car.  Once it is safe to exit, a parking staff member will motion for you to leave.
  
  - The parking lot across from boating will be marked for two rows of cars to idle park. Row 1 will be unloaded first as staff members assist campers from the car to their group. Once all the cars in the first row are completely unloaded, the parking staff will direct these cars to exit and Row 2 to move forward.
  
  

• Each family will be emailed a camper drop-off/pick-up card which you should have visibly showing on the passenger side of the dashboard for the staff to easily view. The information on this card will help our staff direct you to the correct location. If carpooling, please make sure that the individual driving has a copy of the drop-off and pick-up card for each camper that will be in their car. Here is what we expect:

  - Parents/Guardians are NOT permitted to exit their vehicles

  - Minimize the time you take saying goodbye to allow for the continual flow of traffic. Please say goodbye inside your vehicles.

  -  Counselors will visually inspect for signs of illness and apply hand sanitizer. 

  -  Please have your camper use the bathroom before arriving at camp to facilitate the pre-screening each morning.

• If you are bringing special food due to allergies, please have it in a labeled box or bag and leave it with the counselor at drop-off.  

• Parents/guardians dropping off late need to go to the main building, remain in the car, and call 508-238-2387 if they do not see any check-in staff outside.  Parents/Guardians are NOT permitted to exit the vehicles.

• The pick-up time of campers in the afternoon is scheduled from 3:40-4:00 to reduce the density and physical interaction of individuals at any given time in the pick-up area.
  
  
• We will send communications to parents/guardians that assign each camper their pick-up location (same spot for drop-off).
  
  
• The two pick-up locations in the afternoon will consist of the oval area after the playground and the parking lot across from boating. Families who have children being picked up in both locations must first come to the oval area and then proceed to the parking lot across from boating.
  
  -  In the oval area each group will be assigned a spot, and the parking staff will direct cars to the correct location.  Group counselors will apply hand sanitizer and assist each camper to the car.  Once it is safe to exit, a parking staff member will motion for you to leave.
  
  -  The parking lot across from boating will be marked for two rows of cars to idle park. Row 1 will be loaded first as staff members assist campers to their cars.  Once all cars in the first row are completely loaded, the parking staff will direct these cars to exit, and for Row 2 to move forward.
  
  
• Each family will be emailed a camper drop-off/pick-up card which you should have visibly showing on the passenger side of your dashboard for the staff to easily view. The information on this card will help our staff direct you to the correct location.  If carpooling, please make sure that the individual picking up has a copy of the drop-off/pick-up card for each camper that will be entering their car.  Here is what we expect:
  
  -  Parents are NOT permitted to exit their vehicles.  Staff will supervise campers to their parent’s/guardian’s vehicle.
  
  -  Maintain physical distance with other parents/guardians and campers
  
  -  Minimize the time you take greeting your camper to allow for the continual flow of traffic
  
  -  If your child needs assistance to strap into their car seat, please drive forward into the parking lot outside of the main building so that we may maintain a continuous flow of traffic.   

• This summer, at Maplewood, a camper’s group will be their primary group. Campers and staff will stay with their assigned group throughout the day for the duration of the program session.
• During swim and at lunch where there may be more than one group, we will adopt mitigation methods such as physical distancing between groups.  Group size will comply with state and local requirements and proper staff to camper ratios will be maintained. Lunchtime will be staggered to allow physical distancing between groups.
• Visitors (including parents) are not permitted

Staff and campers will need to wear a well fitted, multi-layer face mask (CDC- approved):

• On the bus to and from camp
• At drop-off and pick-up
• During all indoor activities including the use of the bathrooms  & changing rooms
• In the unlikely chance that campers or staff need to interact with a different group (cohort)
• Campers will not need to wear masks while playing sports or boating.

 Children may wear masks more than required if that is more comfortable.

 Pull-up masks and gators may not be worn. 

All campers must bring at least two clean face masks to camp to allow for replacing the covering as needed. These should be clearly labeled with the camper’s name, clearly marked to distinguish which side of the covering should be worn facing outwards, and placed in individually labeled baggies.  Maplewood will provide masks to staff and to children as necessary.

Listed below are the health and safety practices that will be in place for all campers and staff who ride the bus to and from camp: 

• All campers, staff, and bus drivers will be required to wear masks while on the bus.
  
  
• Since we are still separating children this summer into cohorts, we are asking that families stay physically distanced and wear masks while waiting at bus stops.
  
  
• Campers will be assigned seats and will be seated by group.
  
  
• A completed health screening indicating that the camper is in good health must be completed each morning before the camper boards the bus. If this health screening is not completed, the camper will not be allowed to board the bus.
  
  
• In addition to the health screening, bus staff will perform a visual check on each camper as they board the bus to confirm that they are not showing signs of any symptoms associated with COVID.
  
  
• Bus staff will provide hand sanitizer to campers as they board the bus each morning and afternoon. Once they arrive at camp, campers will be greeted by their counselors who will again provide hand sanitizer.
  
  
• Windows and roof hatches will be open. In adverse weather conditions, every other window may be opened. 
  
  
• After each morning and afternoon run, the bus will be sanitized using EPA-approved disinfectants.
  
  
• Campers will be assigned to the bus stop closest to their home. In order to maintain the right balance of children on each bus, we are not able to be as flexible as we have in the past regarding changing buses and bus stops.
  
  
• Minimize the time you take saying goodbye to allow for the continual flow of children loading the bus.
  
  
• For purposes of planning your summer schedule, the buses will arrive at camp in the morning between 9:05 and 9:20. This is similar to a normal summer.  In the afternoon, the buses will depart camp at 3:30.  This is a little earlier than a normal summer as we need to coordinate the parent car pick-up in the afternoon.  If for any reason you feel that your child will not thrive under the above-mentioned CDC guidelines, you may want to consider parent drop-off and pick-up or extended day as an alternative to bus transportation.
  
  
• The window for parent drop-off in the morning is 8:30-9:00 and pick-up in the afternoon is 3:30-4:00.

At camp, we will be practicing physical distancing through increased spacing, limited mixing between groups, and staggered scheduling, arrival, and pick-up 

1. Campers and staff within a group will try to maintain 3 to 6 feet of distance when they are in close proximity to the same individuals for a sustained period of time including but not limited to:
   1. During transitions (i.e. waiting for bathrooms)
   2. During snack or lunch
   3. During activities such as art, arrival, and dismissal

2. Campers and staff within a group will limit interactions with members of other groups.
   
   
3. To the extent that they must interact, members of different groups will do so with at least 6 feet of separation when possible.
   
   
4. When a specialist (swimming and boating) must interact in close proximity (such as a staff member instructing campers outside of their group the following must be true:
   1. They will follow the Maplewood Mask Protocol.
   2. They will consciously minimize the duration of this interaction (less than 15 minutes).

In addition to the items mentioned in the parent handbook please supply the following items all clearly labeled:  

• String bag which campers will remove from their backpack & carry with them throughout the day. String bags will be used to carry masks, water bottles, and snacks.
  
  
• 1 labeled water bottle. Staff will refill water bottles during the day as needed.
  
  
• 2 clean CDC- approved face masks that are clearly labeled and marked to distinguish which side of the covering should be worn facing outwards. Store in separate labeled plastic bags.
  
  
• Spray sunscreen and/or sunscreen sticks –no lotion to facilitate safe application by the counselor.
  
  
• Swim shirts (optional)
  
  
• Lifejacket – Maplewood will provide lifejackets for boating and bumper boats. If you would like your child to bring a lifejacket it must be U.S. Coast Guard Approved (Type III Device), appropriate for the child’s weight, and clearly labeled with your child’s name.

For the past 56 summers, Maplewood has been known for its outstanding staff and diverse programming.  In that respect, this summer will be no different but, to ensure camper and staff safety, some time-honored Maplewood activities and events will be on “sabbatical” for 2021.   We have had our “thinking caps” on for months and we are excited to say that our daily group schedules are action-packed.  We are planning to hold most activities outdoors but will take advantage of our abundant air-conditioned indoor space for those rainy days.  Here is a sneak peek of some of the activities our campers will be able to enjoy this summer:

• Swimming
• Boating
• Pedal Karts
• Village
• Dancing
• Drama
• Art
• Laser Tag
• Sports (GaGa Ball, Basketball, Kickball, Homerun Derby)
• Barnyard
• Disc and Miniature Golf
• Playgrounds
• Penny Dive and more

Diligent cleaning protocols have been implemented and will be adhered to by all staff members and our maintenance team to ensure the safety of everyone at Maplewood.  Our maintenance team is already prepping the camp for the arrival of campers and staff.  During camp, we will increase the frequency with which we perform deep cleanings of shared surfaces.  We have also hired extra maintenance teams throughout the day and a professional cleaning crew at night.

In addition to our new HVAC system in the main building, we recently installed air purifying devices called iWave-C to further enhance air quality when children and staff are indoors.

In order for participants to come to camp after traveling outside of Massachusetts, we require that the participant either quarantine for 10 days upon their return or get tested upon return from a trip outside of Massachusetts (best if the test is close to starting of the camp session as possible).  The participant may come to camp once we receive the negative PCR result.

• Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after an absence of fewer than 24 hours is exempt.
  
  

• Individuals are exempt that travel outside of MA to drive to a private property they own/rent in another state, as long as there is no unmasked interaction with unvaccinated individuals outside of their household.  (EX: You may get an Airbnb in Vermont, or visit a lake house in NY). This includes going to stay at a relative’s house where the people you are staying with are fully vaccinated.

• Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms are exempt.

• Travelers are encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel.

Participants who are symptomatic will be asked to remain home until they receive a negative PCR Covid test or alternate diagnosis from their physician.

In accordance with MA DPH guidelines, participants who present with symptoms at Maplewood will be immediately isolated and brought to the nurse’s office for evaluation.   Parents/Guardians will be called for immediate pick-up of the camper.  The staff member may use his/her car to drive home.   

Participants sent home must remain home until they receive a negative PCR Covid test or alternate diagnosis from their physician. Symptomatic individuals who test negative may return after symptoms improve and have been without fever or fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours.

Confirmed cases will not be able to return to Maplewood for ten days after symptom onset and 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Any close contacts (closer than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes while indoors) will need to quarantine for 10 days without testing OR 7 days after receiving a negative test result (on day 5 or later). Fully vaccinated staff/campers will not have to quarantine if a close contact. 

Maplewood will notify families and staff of close contacts about exposure while maintaining confidentiality. In addition, the Easton Health Department and EEC will be notified.

 In the circumstance of a reported COVID-19 positive staff or children, all potentially exposed facility areas and equipment will be closed until professionally cleaned and disinfected. We will continue to monitor MA DPH guidelines and will make updates to these procedures as the public health authorities update their guidance.