COVID-19 SAFETY

As we prepare to welcome campers in 2021, we continue to work on measures and protocols to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. The items below are part of a working document that we will review regularly during our summer planning to ensure we are doing our part to follow Department of Health and CDC guidelines.

COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES

  • COMMUNICATION

    We will continue to post COVID-19 updates to our Facebook page and VLM’s response to COVID-19 page on our website.

    We will notify registered camper families/canoe groups of enhanced screening and registration procedures before their arrival at camp.

  • HEALTH SCREENING

    Parents and summer staff will be sent a Covid symptom check-list/waiver form to be signed the day their camp session begins, and turned in during registration.

    Initial onsite health screenings will be performed before campers exit their vehicles.

    Campers with a high risk of complications from a COVID-19 infection, or who are living with a high-risk individual, are recommended to not attend camp.

  • REGISTRATION

    Registration will be done in a drive through style with outdoor stations run by camp staff.

    Families will be asked to stay in their vehicles. Campers can exit after completing the registration process.

    Registration times will be staggered by age groups.

  • SMALL GROUPS

    A majority of activities throughout the week will be done as a cabin group; Physical distancing will be practiced by cabin groups in program areas for all camp activities.

    Large group activities like campfire and all-camp-games will include physical distancing protocols and face masks when necessary.

    Campers will eat their meals by cabin group. Cabin groups will use their own designated table for the week which will be physically distanced from groups and time staggered if necessary.

  • CLEANING & SANITATION

    Cabins will be sanitized between groups and high use areas will have increased cleaning procedures and protocols. Staff will be fully trained in these additional measures.

    All campers and staff will have regular access to hand washing and sanitizing supplies all around camp.

  • HEALTH SAFETY MEASURES

    Facemasks will be mandatory inside buildings and outside when physical distancing is difficult, except when sleeping and eating. Parents should pack one facemask per day for their camper. VLM has a limited supply of facemasks.

    If anyone on site exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or has a fever over 100.4 Fahrenheit they will be quarantined until they can be taken home.

UPDATES VLM’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

Covid-19 Response
COVID PREPAREDNESS PLAN

The purpose of the Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry (VLM) preparedness plan is to guide the VLM staff in establishing practices and procedures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 while still providing quality summer program experiences for campers in a safe and healthy environment.

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COVID-19 FAQS

We have compiled some more detailed information on our plans to keep our campers and staff as safe as possible at Summer Camp in 2021.

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CONSERVANCY PLAN UPDATE

VLM is still managing the camp under the Be Bold, Be Strong Conservancy Plan. We are hosting family and small group retreats and will be coming to the end of a contract with the US Forest Service who have been renting the Bakk House at Camp Vermilion.

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VLM BOARD DECISION

April 3, 2020 The VLM Board of Directors voted that, “For the safety of our campers, volunteers, staff, and their families and to position the organization to be a resource for our church and communities during these uncertain times, Camp Hiawatha and Camp Vermilion and their associated programs, will be temporarily closed until further notice.”

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EXECUTIVE UPDATES

Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry is working diligently to navigate and make decisions, as you all are. There are a lot of unknowns right now, so we are putting together some options.

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LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

On March 16, 2020 our executive direcotr, Joel Abenth wrote a letter to the VLM community.

Read More →

FAQs

Here are some of the questions we have been receiving as we prepare for summer camp. If you have additional questions as you prepare for time at Camp Hiawatha or Camp Vermilion please contact us by email or phone.

  • Yes. In order to keep everyone as healthy and safe as possible, we ask that you take the precautions needed to limit the exposure to Covid-19 prior to camp. This includes the CDC recommendations to wear masks, physical distance, and wash your hands, especially when interacting in settings that are not as controlled as school, work settings, sports, or your own home.

  • If you are able to drive your own child to camp, that would be preferred, but we appreciate that not every family can make the drive to camp twice in one week. (Plus, carpooling is good for the environment.) If you choose to carpool, please take the necessary steps to minimize the risk of spreading Covid to others. It is also very important that each camper has the needed paperwork completed and ready upon their arrival at camp. If you will not be bringing your child to camp, please be sure you have paid any registration balance, completed the health history information, and that you send the required Covid check-list/waiver form. Campers without the required documents will not be able to stay at camp.

  • Facemasks will be mandatory when inside buildings except for when in one’s assigned housing or eating/drinking. Facemasks will be worn outside when physical distancing is difficult or impractical. Parents should add one facemask per day plus a spare (7 masks total) to their child’s packing list for camp. There will be a limited supply of face masks at camp. We recommend two layered cloth masks that fit comfortably. Paper/surgical masks are discouraged as they are not durable or sustainable.

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