To Our Camp Family and Friends,
We know you’re concerned about the spread of COVID-19 and how it will impact summer camp. This situation reminds us of how important the outdoors is to our community.
Camp Grier is committed to maintaining a safe, clean, and healthy environment for our staff and campers. In coordination with other overnight camps across North Carolina, local health departments, and state officials we’re closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and making necessary changes to our screening, cleaning, and programming routines.
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This summer we are making several program changes that will allow us to serve a limited number of campers, provide opportunities for families to enjoy camp in safe social circles, and carry out our mission responsibly during the current health crisis. Our programming will follow State and Local guidelines as they become available.
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Check back here regularly for updated program changes, procedures, and announcements.
Thanks!
The Camp Grier Crew
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Your well-being is very important to us.
We have taken reasonable additional measures in an effort to reduce exposure to COVID-19 for all of the Camp Grier community.
COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. An inherent risk* of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any place where people are present.
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While any person is at risk of potential exposure, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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By coming to Camp Grier you are voluntarily assuming all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable disease.
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*An inherent risk is a risk that cannot be eliminated.
Update 5/11/2020
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Currently, we have made the decision to operate our Adventurer (Rising 7-9 grade) and Navigator (Rising 10-12 grade) programs as scheduled. We will also operate our Specialty Camps (Equestrian, Farm, and Mountain Bike) as scheduled. We have decided to cancel our Explorer (Rising 2nd-3rd grade) and Discoverer (Rising 4th-Rising 6th grade) programs.
For these families, and any family looking for a responsible outdoor experience close to home, we are offering a Family Overnight Camp and Family Day Camp option. These options will be available throughout the summer and fall of 2020 and also into 2021.
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At this time we believe overnight camps will be included in Governor Cooper's Phase II reopening plan. We are waiting operational guidelines and procedures from the State of North Carolina and Department of Health and Human Services officials. We will continue to update this site as new information becomes available.
Update 6/5/2020
Pre-Arrival and Arrival
We’re excited that you have chosen to send your child to spend time outdoors at Camp Grier! Our first goal is to keep you, your camper, and our staff as healthy as possible. In that effort we are asking all guests to follow our operational guidelines during your camper’s stay.
Before heading to camp ask yourself these screening questions:
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Have you had close contact (within 6 feet for at least 10 minutes) in the last 14 days with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or has any health department been in contact with you and advised you to quarantine?
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In the past 14 days, has the camper had any of these symptoms?
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Fever
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Chills
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Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
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New cough
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New loss of taste or smell
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If the answer to any of these questions is yes, we ask you to keep your camper home.
If the answer to all these questions is no, we look forward to welcoming your child to camp!
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Arrival- Sunday 1-3pm
Be prepared: Camp is going to be different this year. Please help prepare your camper ahead of time. You and your campers will be asked to follow new rules and guidelines.
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Campers can arrive anytime between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday.
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Review these Camp Grier COVID19 Strategies with your camper before arrival.
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Please do not carpool to or from camp this year.
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Check in: Parents will be asked to remain in vehicles. Any medications will be turned in at the registration tent. Please have them available. Campers will then walk through the health screening area and return to the vehicle to be driven to their lodging. Luggage will be carried in by counselors and campers in order to follow guidelines.
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Restrooms: will not be available to parents during drop off or pick up. Please plan accordingly.
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Masks: bring a mask with your camper’s name clearly labeled. Masks will be required when it is not possible to keep a social distance over a period of time such as during health screening or in a van
Departure- Friday 10am-11:30am​
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Campers can be picked up any time between 10am and 11:30am.
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Parents must remain in their cars during pick up.
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Restrooms will not be available at pick up so please plan accordingly.
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Medications will be picked up at the Medication Tent
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Campers and luggage will be picked up at their cabin.
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Additional Notes
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Social Distancing: it is hard to imagine this at camp but we will adapt to having fun at a safe distance. We will be practicing this during staff training.
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Separation between groups: campers will be asked not to interact with other campers or staff that are not in their group (including siblings that may be in another group).
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Trips: we are anticipating being able to make trips into the National Forest and to the river. Campers must follow all rules and guidelines on vans if we make a trip.
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Beds: campers will be assigned two beds this year. They will sleep in one and store all of their belongings on the other. The beds are personal space that is not to be touched by other campers.
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Daily screening: we will conduct daily symptom screening. We ask that you be prepared to pick up your child and have them tested if they exhibit symptoms while at camp.
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Be respectful: Different people have different responses to this pandemic.
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The state of North Carolina is reminding us of the three Ws: Wear a face mask when appropriate, Wait six feet apart, and Wash our hands often.
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Family camps: there may be small rental groups on campus during your camper’s stay. They have been asked to avoid main camp and campers will be asked to not interact with them.
Be patient: We are doing things differently than we have ever done them before...