COVID-19 Policies & Procedures

Last Updated: April 2024

We’re proud to share that since our return to in-person programming in 2022, not a single new case of COVID-19 has been spread at any of our programs. Please review our current COVID-19 policies and procedures, which are subject to change. We’ve developed this plan following the guidance of the CDC, the state of Massachusetts, our local Boards of Health, and our Medical Advisory Committee of local pediatric oncology experts, and will continue to make updates as needed to keep every child safe.

We constantly strive to limit exposure to, and spread of, transmissible illnesses in the camp setting, there is always some risk associated with attending an in-person camp. We strongly encourage you to review our policies and procedures, particularly if you or your child may be at higher risk of severe disease from infection, and speak with your, or your child’s, health team to weigh the benefits and risks of participation.

Thank you for your partnership in continuing to keep Camp Casco safe for all participants!

Vaccination Requirements

We strongly recommend campers receive all available vaccinations and boosters against COVID-19 to limit the risk of severe illness caused by coronavirus.
Camp counselors are expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as defined by the CDC.

COVID Testing & Monitoring

Upon initial arrival to Day Camp, all participants will undergo a symptom screening and exposure assessment before proceeding onto the campsite.
Upon initial arrival to Overnight Camp or Sibling Camp, a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 will be provided to each participant. Participants who test negative will undergo symptom screening and exposure assessment before proceeding onto the campsite.
It is expected that campers, volunteers, visitors and staff arrive for their camp experience in good health. The camp reserves the right to require a negative COVID-19 test prior to being admitted to the camp. The camp reserves the right not to admit any ill person.
After initial check-ins, all campers and volunteers will undergo additional screenings for communicable diseases as necessary, including:
- A COVID-19 rapid antigen test provided by Camp Casco
- Temperature check, to be compared against the participant’s baseline upon initial arrival to camp
- Symptom screening
If any camper tests positive for COVID-19, or presents with a highly-specific symptom of COVID-19 such as new loss of taste or smell, parents or guardians will be notified immediately, and the camper will be comfortably isolated until they can be picked up from camp.
If any camp counselor tests positive for COVID-19, they will be asked to leave the campsite immediately. If they need to arrange other transportation home, they will be comfortably isolated until they can be picked up from camp.

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

Masking is always encouraged at Camp Casco, especially for participants who are particularly susceptible to infection. Masking is not required at Camp Casco at this time.
Whenever feasible, activities will be held outside to limit possible transmission of COVID-19 and any other transmissible disease. There are likely to be times when participants are inside, especially for campers attending Overnight Camp or Sibling Camp, in which campers share rooms with other participants.
As always, we will continue to encourage frequent and thorough hand-washing, increased ventilation, and cleaning of surfaces to reduce risk of all transmissible illnesses.
In order to reduce foot traffic at our campsites, we ask that all non-registered campers do not leave their vehicles during camper check-in and pick-up. Parents and guardians will be provided with check-in and pick-up procedures specific to their camp session prior to the start of each program.

What Happens If…?

In general, participants who test positive for COVID-19 prior to their camp session are permitted to attend Camp Casco when they meet the following conditions:
- It has been at least 6 full days (144 hours) since the first positive test or symptom onset, whichever came first;
- New rapid antigen tests are negative;
- Symptoms have resolved or substantially improved.
Participants who are symptom-free or substantially improved, but test positive on a rapid antigen test on day 6 or later, are permitted to attend Camp Casco when they test negative on a rapid antigen test, or on day 11, whichever comes first.
Participants with a recent documented case of COVID-19 will not be tested by rapid antigen test past day 10, until 90 days have passed from the initial onset of symptoms or first positive test, whichever came first unless they develop new symptoms.
Please note that participants who are immunocompromised or on active treatment for cancer may be infectious for as long as 20 days. Please contact Krystin (attend@campcasco.org) if you are immunocompromised or on active treatment for cancer, and have been diagnosed with COVID-19 prior to your camp session. We will address these situations on a case-by-case basis in consultation with our Medical Advisory Committee.
If a camper is found to have a fever, regardless of any other symptoms, the child’s parent or guardian will be contacted immediately by the health supervisor or camp operator, and the camper will need to be picked up from camp as soon as possible.
If a volunteer tests negative but is found to have a fever, they will need to arrange for their own transportation home and depart the campsite as soon as possible.
If any participant presents with symptoms of communicable illness, such as sore throat or cough, they will be offered a COVID-19 rapid test if possible, instructed to follow best hygiene practices, encouraged to wear a protective face covering provided by the camp, and closely monitored for new or worsening symptoms. A member of our Med Shed may recommend and administer an over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol if deemed clinically appropriate. Administration of any medication to a camper in the camp setting is noted in our camper’s health logs, including medication, dosage, time of administration and the licensed medical professional who provided it.
If the mild illness persists, the child’s parents will be notified by the health supervisor or camp operator. Next steps will be decided through a discussion between the health supervisor and the child’s parents, based on the child’s current health status, the symptoms of concern, and the duration of mild illness.
While we can’t anticipate every possible scenario at camp, we will always act in the best interest of our campers’ health and wellbeing. We will make every effort to keep parents and guardians in the loop every step of the way. If you have specific concerns that we can help answer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Krystin at attend@campcasco.org anytime.