Infectious Disease Policy

At Camp Lilac, we aim for full transparency in our intended response to infectious diseases during a camp session, including (but not limited to) COVID.

Infectious diseases are an inherent risk of any setting that involves large numbers of people congregating, including summer camps. According to the CDC, camps are considered a low-risk congregate setting due to the lower risk of severe health outcomes for children and young adults. However, we acknowledge the potentially higher risk among some adults and disabled individuals in our community, as well as the increased risk of long term post-viral symptoms in the transgender community. With this in mind, we have implemented the following evidence-based policies to further reduce risk for attendees.

We ask that all attendees carefully read the information below prior to beginning an application to determine if Camp Lilac is an appropriate setting for them and their needs.

While Camp Lilac is a disability-affirming space (See also, our Accessibility Policy), we cannot guarantee a risk free experience.

Vaccination

All attendees must be vaccinated according to the Ohio guidelines for public school attendance. Attendees must also be vaccinated for COVID and have a booster within one year of attendance.

Exceptions to this must have a medical basis and be documented by a licensed physician (MD, DO) or advanced practice provider (PA, NP).

Before Camp Begins

Attendees are encouraged to keep their health in mind leading up to camp. We strongly recommend avoiding scheduling travel, concerts, conventions, or similar activities in the days leading up to camp, which can be both draining and increase risk for infectious diseases. Instead, aim for a restful week that lets campers arrive with a fully charged battery! We additionally encourage masking or taking other precautions to limit exposure to infectious diseases.

Mandatory COVID-19 Screening Testing

Attendees will complete a total of two COVID tests prior to the start of Camp Lilac. Regardless of test results, anyone feeling ill or unwell should plan to not attend camp.

Attendees should plan to acquire 2 rapid antigen tests. The first of these should be completed 48 hours prior to departure for camp. If positive, your camper will unfortunately be unable to attend. Please contact us to make arrangements.

The second test should be completed immediately prior to traveling to camp. Proof of this test and negative results (by bringing the actual test or a photo of the test) is required. Failure to provide proof will result in an additional test onsite.

Upon arrival, our nursing staff will also talk with each attendee to complete a brief infectious disease screening.

Attendance Following Recent COVID Infection

If a camp attendee is symptomatic and has had a positive COVID rapid test within 14 days of the start of camp, we ask that they do not join us at camp. A refund or credit may apply according to our policy.

Hygiene & Inherent Precautions

A range of safety measures are inherent in our camp program, such as open-air sleeping arrangements and a large portion of activities taking place outdoors. Additionally, we encourage regular hand hygiene, have air filtration devices present in certain buildings, and have masks available at all times for anyone more comfortable using one.

Staff members leaving the facility for any reason are highly encouraged to wear a mask. Attendees are not required to wear a mask on Camp Lilac grounds, unless in the event of several active infections (see below).

Ongoing Screening

Our team of nurses is available on-site 24/7 throughout the camp program. Any campers or staff experiencing symptoms of illness are requested to seek care at our Health Center, and will be guided through COVID testing and other precautions as indicated. Attendees are educated on the signs of infectious disease and encouraged to test as needed during the check in screening process.

Response to Active Infections

All individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID will be tested utilizing a rapid antigen test.

If an attendee has a positive COVID test result, they will be isolated until arrangements can be made for their departure. Regardless of test results, campers may be sent home due to illness at the discretion of our nursing team.

Following a positive COVID test result, a notification will be made to onsite attendees by our nursing team. Families will additionally be notified via email.

Rapid testing will be made available for asymptomatic close contacts. A single case or small number of cases (e.g., 2-4) is not considered to be an outbreak. In such an instance, masks will continue to be available, but not required. Distancing will not be required. Our nursing team will monitor for spread of infection (See, Response to an Increasing Number of Infections).

We do not anticipate interruption to our camp programming due to a single or small number of infections, as this is inevitable given the nature of any large gathering. We do not recommend attendance for any prospective staff and campers for whom a small number of COVID infections onsite would necessitate their departure.

Response to an Increasing Number of Infections

With an increasing number of infections (greater than 5% of camp attendees becoming ill), an additional announcement will be made to onsite attendees by our nursing team. Families will be notified via email, which will include instructions for withdrawing their camper if they choose to do so.

In this event, masking will be required in indoor spaces only. There will be no requirements regarding distancing. Attendees may express personal preferences for others to distance or mask near them in conditions not required by camp policy. Staff and campers should make a good-faith attempt to meet these needs, according to our culture of consent.

Meals or other situations that preclude masking will be conducted outdoors when weather permits. Weather not permitting, these activities will be done as cabin groups. Indoor activities will be moved outdoors when possible, space and weather permitting.

While we do everything in our power to ensure that this is not the case, in the event of a severe outbreak (10%+ of camp attendees become ill), we may ask all participants to depart. This is based on our ability to maintain a safe camper-to-staff ratio. Families will be informed of this via email and given direction on making pick up arrangements at that time.

If you have questions about this policy, please contact us.