To Our Mountain Meadow Family, 

We’ve received some very exciting news over the past week. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has included sleepaway camps in the businesses that are permitted to open (with COVID restrictions) this summer in counties that are in red, orange, or yellow tiers . The Director of CDPH has also told a group of camp leaders that we can expect guidelines by the end of this month.

We cannot thank each of you enough for your continued support during such uncertain times. At this time, all of the anticipated changes below are tentative until we receive more guidance from California.  As always, the health and safety of our camp family is of the utmost importance to us, and we believe this means holistic health (mental, social, physical) and so remain committed to doing all that we can to provide a program that addresses the needs of our campers this summer.

Based on the existing guidance for resident camps in other states, as well as the American Camping Association (ACA) Field Guide, the following are some anticipated changes that may be implemented at MMR in 2021:

CAMP at MMR 2021

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SOME ANTICIPATED CHANGES TO OUR PROGRAM

Enrollment

Enrollment will be limited, allowing for smaller cabin groups and more space for distancing during meal times and group activities.

• If CDPH precautions require a further reduced capacity before the start of camp, spots will be “first in, last out” based on date of enrollment.

Staff + Pre-Camp

All staff will partake in testing and quarantining prior to camper arrival. All staff will arrive 10-12 days prior to session start date for a longer training period.

• Camp staff are now eligible to receive a vaccine, and we will do our best to encourage staff to be vaccinated.

All campers will participate in a 14 day health screening prior to their session’s opening day. This tracks temperature and symptoms to ensure all campers are feeling well and have no visible signs of illness.

• All campers are additionally encouraged to restrict their behavior for 5-10 days prior to camp arrival (limit commercial travel and indoor gatherings).

It is likely that campers will be required to obtain a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival at camp. 

Travel

At this time we are not offering escorted flights.

We may be limited in the travel we can accept for incoming campers. All are encouraged to make flexible travel plans and avoid commercial travel if possible (airlines, etc.).

• We may be able to offer a shuttle bus from the Reno-Tahoe Intl. Airport to MMR, but cannot guarantee that at this time.

Preferred travel: Drop-off at camp. 

• Drop-off and pick-up will be scheduled and staggered. All campers will be screened prior to entering camp property.
  • Only campers are allowed to leave their car.
  • * Parents or an approved guardian may be required to accompany their camper to drop-off in the event the screening disqualifies the camper from participating. 

You are encouraged to book flexible travel options so the timing of arrival can align with the schedule.

• Please note that domestic and international air travel may have additional requirements (testing, quarantine, etc.) and restrictions that are the responsibility of each individual to be aware of and plan accordingly. MMR cannot accommodate the pre-session quarantine of any campers. 

Activities

Cabin groups will function as “bubbles” for the duration of the camp session. These will remain the same for wide-game activities, meal times, and other all-camp events, and possibly all day-time activities.

• We hope to allow some inter-bubble mingling during day-time activities (with masks and physical distancing) but cannot guarantee at this time.

We will not be offering out trips this summer in an effort to maintain our community’s safety and limit our possibility of exposure.

• We hope to maintain a similar level of freedom with regards to choosing activities; however, this may be restricted and limited. 
• We are planning to run all on-site activities except film photography. 

Staff days off will not include interaction with the general public.

Housing + Meals

Sleeping and housing arrangements may be modified to mitigate risk.

Meals times will be in cabin bubbles seated outside, distanced, and staggered.

Health + Wellness

Daily screenings (temperature check, symptom survey) will be conducted for the entire camp family to ensure all members are asymptomatic.

Approved masks or face coverings are likely to be worn in any setting in which physical distancing outside of one’s bubble is impossible (and may include all times except swimming, eating, and sleeping).

Proper hand washing and hygiene practices are to be observed by all camp family members, with poster and decal reminders posted around the camp property. 

Any camper or staff with COVID symptoms will be quarantined and tested. Campers with a positive test result will be sent home as soon as possible. Staff with a positive test will remain quarantined until deemed safe by medical staff. Cabins of campers or staff who have been exposed will isolate and be tested and may be sent home. 

• Campers sent home due to illness or Covid-19 protocols are not entitled to a refund. 

Mountain Meadow Ranch, as well as most residential summer camps, are especially well-suited for many of the current recommendations. All activities take place outdoors, meals can be served outside, warm summer weather allows the option for great air ventilation in cabins, and cabin groups easily form bubbles.

We again thank you for your patience and grace as we navigate this season. We are excited to work toward offering a program that meets the needs of our campers. So many of us have felt isolated, afraid, anxious, and uncertain this past year and we are committed to doing what we do best:

• providing a safe environment for our campers
• giving them the opportunity to connect with others
• get outside and explore
• experience adventure
• and grow as full humans

As always, we are here for you to answer any questions and talk with you about how we came to our current tentative plans. Anna, who leads our Parent Hotline in-session and handles Parent Communication year-round, is available to you by email and, as always, our office line (NOW 530-310-9281) is open to you. 

We will update this page frequently moving forward as guidelines are released and we get a better idea of what operating this summer looks like. Check back regularly!

Be well,

The Team at Mountain Meadow