We hope this page answers your questions about COVID and Camp Shomria.
Please call Lior at (646) 809-1559 if you have any questions
Please call Lior at (646) 809-1559 if you have any questions
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Will camp be open in Summer 2021?
We are absolutely planning on opening in 2021. We will have learned from the camps that chose to open this past summer. We will learn from day schools as they operate throughout the year. We certainly will have a better understanding of the virus, significantly better rapid testing, and perhaps an effective vaccine. Therefore, we feel fully confident that Shomria will open in the summer of 2021. How will you open safely? The safety of your children is the most important thing. We are working with our medical advisory board and public health experts to make a plan for camp that is prudent, positive and without unnecessary risks. We value and love your children as our own. While there are still many details we are working out for the summer, we will keep you informed. Four overnight camps in Maine that opened successfully, without a COVID outbreak, in Summer 2020 were featured in a CDC report, outlining successful strategies camps can employ to open safely. We are learning from these camps about what worked and what didn’t so we can mirror these best practices. Shomria’s medical advisory board is a group of doctor-parents who are guiding us through the process, and we are grateful for their counsel. We are relying on this group in addition to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Camping Association (ACA), the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC), JCamp 180, UJA, and the New York State Department of Health. The ACA is currently at work on a comprehensive guide that evaluates all camps that opened in 2020 and summarize their best practices. What happens if I need to cancel? We want to make sure we support every family in our community. Therefore, we have a cancel at any time before camp policy this year. Are you changing the sessions and dates for 2021? Yes. We are changing to have one extended 4 week session, July 4-August 1. You can read more about the decision here. |
What are you doing to prepare for this summer?
We have already increased our Cleaning and Medical budgets by 35%. Additionally, we have a Medical Advisory Committee with which we will determine precise guidelines for the summer. Once we have clear guidelines, we will have a Town Hall for parents to speak with our medical consultants and receive answers. Are other discounts still in effect? Yes! We have a sibling discount and a first time camper discount for all ages and sessions. You can also a Refer-a-Friend and receive up to $400 discount! Earn $100 for every week a new family enrolls in! What’s happening with the Yedid for rising 10th graders? For rising 10th and 11th graders, we are reimagining our Yedid program to make sure it is safe for our teens. We have made the decision to continue perusing a meaningful and safe staff seminar and Israel trip. Will you require pre-camp testing and quarantine? While we cannot enforce what happens outside of camp, we ask that everyone take precaution in the 2 weeks leading up to camp, and that you follow CDC guidelines. That means campers coming from abroad may have to quarantine upon arrival in the US. We ask that families be prepared to work with us to do what is necessary to open camp safely. Everyone will have to show proof of negative COVID test within 72 hours of arrival at camp. Will you require a COVID vaccine? All of our staff will be fully vaccinated before camp begins, unless they show proof of medical exemption. We strongly encourage 16 year-old campers to get their Covid vaccines as well. |