Registration is on for Spring Camp!

Hearts of Hope Family Grief Camp, Spring 2021

Will we be having camp this spring?

Yes! We are planning for a safe and impactful one-day, in-person program on April 10th, 2021 at Camp Friendship in Annandale, MN.

To maximize safety for everyone we are consolidating our usual three-day experience to a single day. This is to avoid the risks inherent with overnight stays in shared spaces.  

In what follows, we have made modifications in our usual programming that align with recommended guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health, the American Camping Association, and True Friends, Camp Friendship.

The health and safety of our campers and volunteers is our number one priority, and we are making choices with that in mind. We did not come by this decision lightly, but chose the most impactful, safest way to bring hope and healing that we can.

What are we doing to protect campers and volunteers while at camp?

We have put protocols in place in all areas of camp to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. These include: changes to group size, screening procedures, camp hygiene practices, and cleaning and disinfecting. 

In particular, the following policies will be adhered to: 

• Facemasks will be required at all times indoors unless a person is eating in the dining hall
• All food will be eaten in the dining hall. Sharing circles (age appropriate pods) will be seated together, while physically  distanced from others.
• Each camper will be asked to respond to health screening questions to ensure safe program participation. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival at camp.
• A temperature screening will be required of volunteers and campers upon arrival. Any family member with a temperature above 100.3, or deemed a risk because of potential exposure to the virus  will be sent home 
• Sharing circles will not exceed 10 participants in order to adhere to the 10-person limit indicated in guidelines.
• Camp Friendship staff is following cleaning and disinfecting standards recommended by the CDC, MDH and OSHA. 
• Weather permitting, activities will take place outdoors, or with windows and outside doors propped open to allow fresh air to circulate in the buildings.
• Hand washing and sanitizing will be required before each activity and when transitioning to a different area.
• Campers will not be permitted to stay overnight at Camp Friendship. 
• Sharing circles will use outdoor walkways to transition to different areas whenever possible.
• Campers will be provided with water bottles.No drinking fountains will be used. No sharing of water bottles will be allowed.
• We will not be providing care for children under school age at this camp.
• Volunteers will receive COVID-19 safety training as a complement to their training on camp programs and standard procedures.
• Capacity will be limited to 55 persons.

Information for volunteers

• Each volunteer will be asked to respond to health screening questions to ensure safe program participation. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival at camp.
• Volunteers traveling to participate in the camp will be allowed to stay overnight, though only sharing cabins if they belong to the same household. Volunteers living in the vicinity of Annandale will be asked to sleep at home on Friday and Saturday night.
• Volunteers will be asked to bring their own water bottle. No drinking fountains will be used. No sharing of water bottles will be allowed.
• Volunteers will receive COVID-19 safety training as a complement to their training on camp programs and standard procedures.
• No Camp Prep Day at the Sturgeon Lake storage facility will take place in order to limit contact with the community and each other.
• One facemask will be provided to each volunteer upon arrival at camp. Please bring at least one personal “back up” mask.

Response of Children’s Grief Connection if someone becomes sick.

During Camp
A participant who is showing symptoms will be isolated and seen by the Camp Nurse for an assessment. If the participant is a child, the Executive Director will inform the parents/legal guardians that their child(ren) is showing symptoms. Should a participant show symptoms, they will be asked to get a COVID-19 test at their own cost, and share the results with CGC (as indicated in the waiver). All participants will be notified by the Executive Director of a suspected case and immediately sent home. CGC will communicate findings via phone call with all families in a timely manner.]

• CGC will inform local health officials of suspected or confirmed cases immediately.

After Camp

CGC will immediately inform participants about any potential contact they may have had with suspected or confirmed cases.

FAQs

What if I cannot wear a mask due to medical reasons?

We recommend that you not attend this camp.

What if my situation or condition makes me more vulnerable to COVID 19?

We recommend that you not attend this camp.

What if I have had the vaccine, do I still need to wear a mask?

Yes, please. The CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people continue to wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Can you guarantee that my family will not be exposed to or get sick from COVID 19?

We are unable to guarantee that your family will not be exposed to COVID-19 or other illnesses. We have followed the recommendations of the CDC, MDH and local authorities to create protocols and procedures that  minimize risk.

How will you ensure physical distancing with younger campers?

We cannot guarantee that physical distancing will be followed with younger campers. We will emphasize with this group the importance of personal space and boundaries as a way of promoting physical distancing. We will also avoid overlap between groups in shared areas.

What if I’d like to attend, but I am not from the metro area?

We encourage you to attend! There are a number of hotels close to Camp Friendship that we can recommend for you to stay at on Friday or Saturday night. A list of hotels will be sent to registrants.

How do I register for Spring Camp?

To register for Spring Camp 2021, click this link

I have a question that isn’t covered here.

Please email hope@childrensgriefconnection.com and we will answer your questions as quickly as possible.