COVID UPDATE -- SPRING 2023

As the world continues to manage all things related to the pandemic, each business, gathering spot, and person must identify what works best -- taking all pieces of life into account. At Calumet, we are presently recommending that people wear masks while gathering indoors with others. Some will follow that recommendation and some will choose to go without.

Calumet does continue to ask everyone person who is planning to visit Calumet to -- just prior to making your planned visit -- take a moment of self-reflection. If you are not feeling well, please choose to stay home and re-schedule your visit for another time. When each one goes above and beyond, the whole community is more likely to be well.

As we get closer to summertime (our busiest season), we will post information that will help each guest help Calumet be successful. Keep reading as see the progression of Calumet's policies during the pandemic.

Covid Update -- SUMMER, 2022

The staff at Calumet continue to work closely with our health advisors on our COVID safety guidelines. Although many parts of our lives have returned to or are getting closer to pre-COVID ways, we must acknowledge COVID remains very present in our communities and is highly transmissible, especially in a setting like Calumet.

Cautious thinking and planning has served us well the past couple of years and that thinking will continue. The COVID safety guidelines we have are based on current levels of community transmission, guidance we have received, and endless conversations. If levels of community transmission change or new variants emerge before or during camp, we may need to change the policies and guidelines below. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and understanding.

Campground and Conference Center:

Our primary goal for 2022 is a safe and fun summer, and our hope is to continue to return to a more traditional camp experience. With COVID still very present in our communities, an essential element of achieving that goal is for everyone to do their best to arrive at Calumet healthy and vaccinated. Despite the continued limitations imposed by Covid, supply chain, and staffing shortages, we have been gradually increasing Family Camp services as safety will allow, and are pleased to be able to offer more meal and program opportunities for 2022. We are not, at this time, able to return to pre-Covid levels but we are working toward that goal. For some services like on-site meals some guests may need to go off-site or plan ahead for some meals. It is necessary to do this at this time and we will continue to work toward our goal of offering more food service options.

Some things that will continue to be in place:

- Masking in the Conference Center and other indoor communal spaces

- Contactless payments when possible

- Contactless check in when possible

Some things that have improved since last summer:

- Our tentative plan at this point is to offer a few more “breakfast and dinner to go options each week” at the Conference Center

- We are offering 3 weeks of Day Camp

- Visiting Chaplains, Bible Study, and church services will return at the big top tent

- Ice cream socials will return with a limited menu to start

- We hope other small steps will be noticeable as the summer continues

Resident Camp

The most important thing you can do to ensure camp continues uninterrupted is arrive to camp healthy. Last summer that was key. We are asking families to engage in low-risk activities prior to arrival at camp. For example, attending large, indoor events with sizeable numbers of people, unmasked, is discouraged prior to arrival. We are requiring all campers to complete a series of tests before arrival. At this time, based on current levels of community transmission we are not planning to do surveillance testing of campers and staff that are up to date on their vaccinations during camp. We also encourage you to reach out to us with any questions and speak with your child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider.

Check-in Day

Check-in will be 2 to 4:30 with staggered, scheduled check-in times. This will support social distancing, reduce wait times and allow for health screening. Movement around camp by non-campers will be limited to mitigate health risks. Access to camp buildings will be limited to campers and staff.

Masks

Based on levels of community transmission and staff vaccination rates, our current plan is to have masks optional at camp unless a camper is symptomatic or tests positive. Campers, staff, and guests who want to mask can and will be supported in their choice. We are asking families, campers, and staff to be flexible and willing to adapt, even mid-session, based on the levels of community transmission.

Late Arrivals and Early Departures

We will review requests to arrive late to camp based on the level of community transmission. If a late arrival request is approved, families will work with camp to schedule the arrival time. Upon arrival, the camper will meet with one of the nurses for a health screening that may include a rapid antigen test. Luggage will be dropped off at the office and delivered to the cabin. A staff member will meet the family at the office to walk the camper to their cabin. If a camper is leaving early for a family event they will not be allowed to return. Early pick up will also happen at the office.

Visitors

Limited visitors will be allowed on site with COVID safety rules in place for masking and will not be permitted to enter cabins or buildings. Normal sign-in and escorted procedures will continue.

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Covid Update -- FALL, 2021

As we are updating information for fall of 2021, there are probably more questions than answers as to what Calumet will be like when you visit. For the most part, it will look a lot like it always does. But there will be ways that you'll find Calumet is adjusting to the present conditions.

Keep in mind that COVID 19 Quarantine Rules, Regulations and Guidelines will need to be followed, both while you are staying in New Hampshire and as you travel from your home state. Please plan to be aware of and strictly follow the current protocol both when you arrive at Calumet and in your state when you return home.

https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov/UniversalBestPractices

WHAT WE DO KNOW

The top priority at Calumet will continue to be following all NH COVID 19 Guidelines and Restrictions. Health and safety of all our guests and staff comes first!

The Conference Center and Village Cabins are open.

In response to the current COVID-19 situation, our top priorities are that you feel comfortable and safe while at Calumet and that we all are following all guidelines set forth by state and federal officials, CDC and any additional guidelines set forth by Calumet Lutheran Ministries.

We have implemented the following guidelines in addition to our already existing rules. Please read the following paragraphs carefully, and take the time to make sure all members of your family understand these updates. These rules and guidelines from the State of NH seem to be changing daily. Please be patient with us.

* All guests will be required to adhere to guidelines set forth by state and federal officials, CDC and any additional guidelines set forth by Calumet Lutheran Ministries.

* We all have had lots of practice with physical distancing -- please continue this practice at all times. Feel free to wear a face mask whenever you feel more comfortable doing so, but especially in proximity to non-household members. Be smart and have your mask in your pocket at all times.

* Hiking, biking, and family time are just a few things we encourage you to do while here.

RESERVATION OFFICE

Leading up to your visit to Calumet, the Reservation Office will make contact with you (or your group's contact person). PLease follow whatever instructions you receive from that office.

Though Calumet’s reservations offices will be staffed during regular office hours, it will be closed to guests. Please reach out to staff members via phone or email. Most check-ins and check-outs will be done via phone, email, or appropriate visits by staff to guests’ lodging places. All reservations must be made in advance (there will be no walk-in or off-the-road camping allowed) and all reservations must be paid in full at the time the reservation is made.

FACILITIES

Meals will be served in the Conference Center Dining Room. Gatherings will take place wherever assigned staff persons choose. Whenever a group is meeting indoors, everyone will be expected to wear a mask. The only exception is when sitting at a table during mealtimes.

Much of the above information is quite likely to change at any time. We will do our best to provide a safe and welcoming place for all to rest, relax and renew. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

ALL GUESTS

For the sake of the safety of guests and staff members, Calumet will diligently comply with — and sometimes go above and beyond — local, state, or federal mandates, guidance, and limitations.

For the safety of you and others, and per the State of NH guidelines, if any of the registered occupants of your site are sick, not feeling well, or have been exposed to someone who is sick prior to or at the time of arrival, the entire group will not be allowed to come to Calumet.

Physical distancing will be a must. Please, no questions about it.

Bring your own supplies / food.

Face masks are required by all guests while inside any Calumet facility. Masks are not required in general outside other than when there is interaction with non-household/family member units and especially when appropriate physical distancing cannot be maintained.

All indoor public gathering areas will be closed to the public. (Conference Center is for CC guests only.)

Playground will be open.

Day or overnight visitors will be allowed. They must register with the office 24 hours in advance and fill out the questionnaire each time they visit.

The family camping beach will be open to all for part of the day (schedule will be posted). Physical distancing is required while spending time on the beach.

For the safety of your children as well as other guests, children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult whenever they are off their site to ensure physical distancing from others.

For the sake of everyone’s health and safety, Calumet reserves the right to ask you to leave if there is an indication that these rules are not being followed.

All Guest Check-in and Screening

All guests should be fully paid prior to arrival.

Admittance to Calumet will not be allowed before the scheduled check-in time.

All Guests and visitors will be required to self-screen when coming to Calumet.

Before arrival you will be asked to return a separate form answering a number of questions (some are listed here as an example) and all registered guests and visitors must have this form on file in the Registration Office:

Example of Questions

Is anyone in your party sick or not feeling well?

Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19? (NOTE: Healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment should answer "no" to this question.)

Have you had a fever in the last 24 hours?

Are you experiencing a sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath?

Have you had changes in your sense of smell or taste?

Are you experiencing any gastrointestinal symptoms?

Are you experiencing muscle aches, chills or severe fatigue?

Have you traveled internationally (outside of the US, except for essential travel to/from Canada) or by cruise ship in the past 10 days? If so, you must quarantine for 10 days. You do NOT need to quarantine if: You are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and more than 14 days have passed since you received the second dose of your COVID-19 vaccine OR you have previously tested positive for active COVID-19 infection (by PCR or antigen testing) in the last 90 days.

If all answers are no, guests are allowed to come.

If anyone in the party answers yes, guests will be asked to reschedule their time at Calumet.

Vaccines

You will also be asked: Are you fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

Please let us know that:

You are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and more than 14 days have passed since your final dose of your Covid-19 vaccine.

Calumet’s COVID-19 response plan for guests

When a guest displays symptoms, we request that the guest immediately return home and seek medical attention and/or testing.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES YOU CAN TAKE

We are reinforcing proactive steps that the CDC recommends to prevent the spread of germs.(1) Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. (2) Avoid close contact with people who are sick. (3) Use a disposable tissue to cover a cough or sneeze. (4) Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. (5) Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects. (6) Stay home if you have flu-like symptoms. (7) Cover nose and mouth at all times when social distancing is unable to be maintained.

Helpful Link

You'll learn about Universal Best practices and, specifically, Universal Best practices for Overnight Congregated settings for children.