This newsletter is the two-year anniversary of an email sent to this email list on March 11th, 2020 simply saying we were monitoring COVID-19 and working with our partners for best practices to move forward. Little did we know that this was the first step in what would turn into a long journey of learning and adaptation.
We all know that we're not done with that journey yet. We continue to adjust in our families, our workplaces, and our congregations so that we can balance the things that make up a good life -- health and safety, social relationships, opportunities and experience, and so much more. All of this balancing comes with choices and carefully considered risk-reward decision making.
As we approach this summer season, we have continued to rely on guidelines from local, state, and federal leaders and best practices from our supporting networks, The American Camp Association, and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. In consultation with the BCC Board of Directors, we are releasing adjustments to our COVID-19 mitigation practices that we anticipate for the summer. The major areas of focus with this revision:
- Masks will be optional for campers, staff, and volunteers. Those who choose to mask at any point during the camp week will be fully supported in that decision.
- Following the successes of last summer, our programming will continue to primarily focus on the small-group experience with additional opportunities for large-group activities now available. Activities will continue to be held outdoors with little occurring within buildings beyond eating and sleeping.
- Adult staff and volunteers will be required to be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
We are just three months away from the first campers arriving at BCC this summer! We recognize that there may be further adjustments that need to be made to these procedures between now and then and all the way until the last camper leaves in mid-August. We will continue to communicate any changes to these procedures should they occur. We can't wait to see you at camp soon!
