Updated as of May 16, 2022

Our team is guided by:
-The National Ramah Commission (NRC) Medical Committee, chaired by Dr. Cliff Nerwen
-The National Ramah Commission Day Camp Medical Sub-committee
-The Ramah Nyack Medical Committee
-The local Rockland Department of Health and New York State
-Recommendations from the CDC and the American Camp Association (which reviews our protocol and re-accredits us annually)

VACCINATIONS

Are COVID vaccinations required of campers and staff members?
All COVID vaccine-eligible campers (those 5 years of age and older) and staff members must complete the primary COVID vaccination series and receive a booster vaccine (campers 12 years of age and older) prior to the beginning of the summer camp season. COVID vaccination cards must be uploaded to your CampInTouch Account.

Can I submit antibody testing instead of getting them vaccinated?
No. All COVID vaccine-eligible campers and staff must be vaccinated.

My child is turning 5 or 12  just before or during the summer. Will they be required to receive additional COVID immunizations?
If your child becomes eligible for additional immunizations prior to the summer, they must receive those immunizations. If your child becomes eligible for additional immunizations during the camp season, they will not be required to receive additional immunizations.

What if my child had COVID in the last 90 days? Do they still need to get vaccinated?
Yes. According to the CDC they should receive the vaccine once they are without symptoms and the quarantine period has ended. The natural immunity and antibodies from past COVID infection do NOT replace the vaccines at decreasing illness from future variants. Emerging evidence shows that getting a COVID vaccine after recovery from COVID infection provides added protection to your immune system.

POSITIVE CASES 

What if campers or staff members test positive for COVID? 
If campers or staff members test positive for COVID via antigen or PCR, they are required to stay home (isolate) for 5 days. If they are asymptomatic and fever free, they may return to camp (pending approval of our medical staff), and will be required to mask for days 6-10 while indoors and on the bus/in a car. 

MASKING

Will masks be required at camp? 
Masks will be optional during the summer. If prevalence becomes higher, it is possible that our medical committee or the local health department may require masking.  

Will some people wear masks at camp this summer? 
Yes. Diverse practices in our camp community will be honored and respected. There are many different reasons for masking, including: personal preference, “test to stay” (see below), discretion of the camp medical staff, immunosuppressed family members at home, and chronic illness.

Are masks required on the bus or in a carpool? 
Masks will be optional while on the bus. Carpools may choose to mask at the discretion of all of the families involved. If prevalence becomes higher, it is possible that our medical committee or the local health department may require masking while in transit.

DAILY SCREENING

Will there be a daily screening tool this year? 
We do not anticipate using a daily screening tool. We rely on parents to keep their children home if they are not feeling 100% well. Children who arrive at camp with symptoms of illness, or develop symptoms during the day, will need to be picked up from camp.

TESTING

Will pre-camp testing be required? 
No. Except for our international staff members who are testing for travel approval according to current guidelines. 

When will testing be required? 
Based on CDC recommendations, testing is required for:

1. Confirmed exposure, defined as less than 6 feet apart for 15 minutes or longer indoors or direct exposure at home by family member (see below)
2. Symptomatic campers or staff members (see below)

In the event that testing is required, can I submit a home test result?
No. For consistency and accuracy, we require that any testing (antigen and PCR) be done at a medical facility where results can be printed and sent to us. 

CONFIRMED EXPOSURE

What happens if there is a confirmed exposure and the camper or commuting staff member remains asymptomatic?

• If the camper or staff member is vaccinated and asymptomatic, they may continue to come to camp and no quarantine is required. They must mask indoors for 10 days as per CDC rec. They must also take an antigen test three days after the exposure.  
• If the camper is unvaccinated (under 5) and asymptomatic:
  • If they were exposed by a family member who has tested positive, they must quarantine for 5 days from exposure at home, then return to camp while continuing to mask for five additional days. A PCR test required at day 5 prior to return.
  • If they were exposed at camp, therefore mainly outdoors, they may remain in camp and “test to stay” per New York State protocols. Masks will be required while indoors. Two antigen tests will be required on day 3 and day 5 after the exposure.

What happens if there is a confirmed exposure and the camper or commuting staff member is symptomatic?

• If the camper is vaccinated and symptomatic, they may return when asymptomatic for 24 hours without medication AND show 2 negative antigen tests from day 1 and 3, OR a negative PCR after symptoms subside for 24 hours. 
• If the camper is unvaccinated (under 5) and symptomatic, they may return when asymptomatic for 24 hours without medication AND show 2 negative antigen tests from day 1 and 3, OR negative PCR after symptoms subside for 24 hours.