Plans for Singing Eagle Lodge 2021
Dear SEL Friends and Family,
After nearly a year of isolation, it’s a balm to see hopeful news: of vaccine approvals and distribution, and increasing evidence that schools and camps can operate safely under COVID-19. Given these recent developments, Singing Eagle Lodge hopes to run our two-week session from August 16 to August 30.
This is highly dependent on ever-evolving protocols from the CDC’s Suggestions for Youth and Summer Camps, and the State of New Hampshire’s Overnight Camp Guidance. Given the current recommendations from both, here’s what SEL 2021 might look like this summer:
- Required COVID-19 Testing: It’s very likely that all campers and staff will need to take multiple nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), such as PCR-based tests. The first will need to be taken at home the week before camp, and two more taken once in New Hampshire (both administered by medical professionals who Singing Eagle Lodge and Camp Deerwood will contract). Results of those tests will inform our plan for ongoing testing and activities throughout the session.
- Small Camper Cohorts: Before the on-site PCR tests results return, we will limit close camper interactions to their own cohorts (probably their cabin group). If test results allow, our hope is to be able to expand the cohorts over time so that the girls may interact with others outside their age group.
- Masks and Hygiene Requirements: We’ll have a new item on our packing lists: masks. Masks will likely be required at all times when outside of cabin cohorts, and probably ongoing in situations where cohorts may expand or intersect. And no, the masks don’t need to be brown and white.
- Reduced Indoor Groups: We’ll need to reduce group sizes in shared indoor spaces, which will require adjustments to our assemblies, performances, and meals. This might require multiple seatings for meals and/or eating outdoors or under tents.
- Home Quarantine and Travel to Camp: We will ask campers and their families to make every effort possible to minimize risk of virus exposure in the ten days prior to arrival at camp, including during travel to camp. We hope to have more specific recommendations for you in April regarding travel to camp, pending information from the state of New Hampshire and the CDC.
As an entirely volunteer-run organization, two weeks of Singing Eagle can be difficult to produce under the best of circumstances. Our counselors come from across the country to volunteer at SEL, and many take vacation from work to do so. If, in August, New Hampshire requires a 10-day quarantine for staff before the start of a camp session, Singing Eagle will likely need to cancel our 2021 season. We will continue to closely monitor the protocols, and hope to make a final decision by June 1, 2021.
In the meantime, we will continue to update you with the latest information on a monthly basis. Please feel free to reach out to Susan Kemp at susankemp2013@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
The Singing Eagle Lodge Leadership Committee
