We are looking forward to a Great Summer!
I hope everyone is staying well and enjoying the beginning of Summer. Please check out the link buttons at the bottom of this post. The first one is a waiver that must be printed out, carefully read, and signed. Please return to me through US mail or scan and email back to director@campwachusett.com. The second link button provides an option for an acceptable at-home FDA approved saliva test kit for the required covid-19 test. Please recall that Vermont overnight camp guidelines require a seven day self quarantine for staff and campers prior to arrival at camp. The test can be administered three days into the quarantine to enable test results to be available as close to arrival at camp as possible, at which time a negative result will need to be presented. For Staff the test date should be Tuesday, July 7th. For Campers the test day should be Tuesday, July 14th or Wednesday, July 15th. We will provide a full refund if you obtain a positive result and can not attend camp. Vault Health is providing a service especially for summer camp testing. The preferred testing would be through a physician, but this is an alternative that may be helpful to some. I have also been consulting with two physicians at the retirement community, where I am VP of Operations, to make sure our guidelines and best practices for camp are as effective as possible. They have researched and agreed that the saliva test is a very accurate test. We recently had 600 tests performed by the National Guard on all of our employees and residents and fortunately found no cases of the virus.
Some General Guidelines
Drop off on July 19th may take place after 9:00 am and will last throughout the day ending before 6:30 pm. Remember that we only allow drop offs, and screening and temperatures will be performed on the driver and campers. Also, you must present a very recent negative covid 19 test at drop off to be in compliance with Camp Wachusett and VT guidelines.
Please do not pack any knives or sharp instruments. Cell phones are not permitted, but if you want to send one along, we can hold onto it for safekeeping until departure
We ask that you not call your boys for the first week. If you would like to call after that, mealtimes are best: Breakfast 8:30 - 9:00, Lunch 1:30 - 2:15, Dinner 6:30 - 7:15. The number is: (802) 273-2880. If you would like to reach me, those are also good times, but I will generally be available at that number or will call you back asap if you leave a message. Stefanie Wilbur is our Registered Nurse. She may be reached at the phone number above or through a cell number that is always monitored (202) 744-7130.
A Reminder About Health and Photo Release Forms
Please remember to download and return your health and photo release forms as soon as possible. We know it's time consuming, but it is very important to have the health forms carefully filled out. Please mail them to us in VT or email to director@campwachusett.com
You can download the forms on this website at the Summer 2020 Forms Page.
Packing Reminders
Laundry will go out weekly. It is important to write your camper's name on his articles of clothing. Check out the packing list on our website. Some differences for 2020 include: Minimum of four cloth face-masks. Two or more may be bandannas. Camping gear is not necessary with the exception of hiking boots with ankle support for two weekers. We are planning to take a hiking or canoeing trip in the third week and will ask that you bring the recommended camping equipment if you are a three weeker. Please do not pack any sanitary wipes of any kind. We will provide all disinfectants and cleaners. Wipes somehow find their way into septic systems and will wreak havoc in our waste water systems (even if labeled flushable.) If you would like to send along alcohol based hand sanatizer, feel free, but we will have plenty on hand.
For more information on camp guidelines see older posts below from June.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone!! Unaliyi, Phil