HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOL | SUMMER 2022
5/19/22 Update
We are so excited for another summer in the woods! While we will be relaxing our protocol from last summer somewhat to allow our programming to return that of prior years, we will still be starting with more stringent Covid-19 guidelines which will only be relaxed after our bubble at camp has been established.
Please review our protocol for this summer, and email healthforms@beamcamp.org if you have any questions!
COVID-19 GUIDELINES IN REVIEW | SUMMER 2021
11/2/21 Update
Thank you to every camper, camper family member, and our Camp staff for another incredible summer! With everyone’s support and abidance to our pre-camp and on-site protocols, we were able to have a COVID-free summer.
Every camper arrived to the bus or at camp with a clean bill of health, setting us off on the right foot. Camp Staff were tested at the beginning of staff week on Wednesday 6/30. Campers were tested upon their arrival to camp on 7/10 and were tested again a week later on 7/17. All tests came back negative. As the session progressed and all Campers and Staff exhibited no COVID symptoms, we were able to relax our cohorting and share in the togetherness that happens at our campfires, after dinners, Talent Shows, Dances, and Theme Days. We were also able to join together for our annual Circle Rules Football Big Game, fireworks on the final night of Camp, and the unveiling of this year’s camp project, A Universe!
Running a camp in the midst of an ongoing pandemic and a world that is trying to reopen was no small feat. We so deeply appreciate the care and understanding of each and every member of the Beam Camp community for helping us make this past Summer happen. All of our gratitude goes to our inspiring staff who were consistently intentional and responsive with the Campers. As always, no amount of thanks can truly express our pride for and admiration of every single camper who attended our 2021 session and brought all their magic, joy, and love to Beam Camp.
Until Summer 2022,
Beam Camp
COVID-19 UPDATES CONCERNING BEAM CAMP 2021
6/14/2021 Update
We have all experienced the changing guidelines and conditions of the past several months. As camp gets closer vectors continue to decrease, making it possible for us to be safer at camp now than we previously thought. The slide deck below represents our most updated guidelines, with an FAQ section at the end which will be updated regularly. Adherence to this protocol makes it possible for us to consider relaxing our protocol once a bubble has been established at camp. These guidelines are about our Camp community and every member’s safety.
4/15/2021 Update
Register now to join us for an Online Open House on April 28th - 5:30 EST
Learn more about Beam Camp 2021, Health & Safety, the project A Universe, meet fellow campers, Beam Camp Staff & more.
2/24/2021 Update
We are grateful to the families that joined us for our first Beam Camp Health and Safety Guidelines Advisory Meeting on 2/17/2021. For those who missed it, here is a video of the meeting and the first draft of the Beam Camp '21 Health and Safety Protocols that we shared on the call.
2/1/2021 Update
It is our intention to clearly document and communicate our approach to COVID-related health and safety as it develops.
We will release a draft COVID safety plan by Friday, February 12. We invite families to join us for a COVID Family Advisory Zoom call on Wednesday, February 17 at 5:30pm. Though there is much work to do in creating a detailed plan, based on what we know so far, we are working from some basic imperatives. Here is an outline:
Consultation with physician and authorities
Creating and maintaining bubble
Pre-arrival screening for staff and camper families
Strict arrival and departure protocols for staff and campers
Limited "in and outs"
Only essential visitors
Cohort and cluster structuring
Hygiene training and supervision
Cleaning, disinfection, maintenance
Health Screening/Surveillance
Early identification and isolation for symptoms
Testing
Adaptation of all program areas
Dining
Recreation - games/swimming
Instruction
Project
5/21/2020 Email to Parents of Enrolled Campers
Thank you for your patience and hope. We’ve been consulting with Beam Camp Doctor David and Nurse Mary Ann, as well as monitoring recommendations from the CDC, the NH Department of Health and Human Services and the American Camp Association. Unfortunately, these guidelines do not give us the confidence to keep everyone safe at camp this summer. So, it is with regret and heavy hearts that we have to cancel Beam Camp 2020. Waiting until June 2nd to make this decision became more difficult as we will all need time to shift our minds and plans for a summer without Beam Camp.
Now, more than ever, we want to hear from you. How can Beam support your campers this summer from afar? We have some ideas, but we know that the campers will have better ones. Encourage your campers to email us directly so we can navigate and develop our ideas together.
The financial disruption that the pandemic has caused is substantial, but Beam Camp and Beam Center are maneuvering through to continue our work with young people in the present and plan for the future. We offer you the following options for addressing camp tuition payments you may have made:
Donate to Beam - please consider converting some or all of your tuition to a donation to Beam Center. Your support will enable us to keep Beam Camp accessible to all regardless of need next summer, and for many summers to come. Your donation would be fully-tax deductible.
Credit towards 2021 - you can credit your tuition paid (minimum $1000) towards Beam Camp 2021.
Full or Partial Refund - you can request a full or partial refund. Refunds will be processed within two weeks of your request. If you paid by credit card, your refund will be processed to the original form of payment. If you paid by check, we’ll confirm the name and address the check should go to, and then mail a check.
Please fill out this form by June 1 to let us know how you would like to handle your camper's tuition. We are grateful for your trust and support as we move forward as a Beam Family.
We can’t wait to be together again, and when we are, the power of making together will be stronger, brighter and sweeter. We will keep you posted and are eager to hear from you. With love always, the Beam Camp crew.
4/2/2020 Email to Parents of Enrolled Campers
Hello Beam Camp families,
We want camp to happen this summer more than ever. Beam Camp staff have not stopped planning. We’re keeping in touch with our returning counselors, and interviewing and hiring new staff members. Morgan, Mitchell and the project team are meeting weekly with our Project Designer Ye for ‘A Universe’.
As Beamers, our process in navigating COVID-19 will be collaborative and transparent. We are engaged with government recommendations from the CDC and the state of New Hampshire, as well as guidance from the American Camp Association. We plan to make the final assessment of Beam Camp 2020 on June 2nd and we’re extending our refund deadline and tuition due date to June 10th.
Over the next week, you will receive a call from either Brian or Cassie to check in and say hi. Until then, please email us your thoughts and questions.
Thank you for Beaming!
3/10/2020 Email to Parents of Enrolled Campers
The American Camping Association (ACA) states as of now Coronavirus : COVID-19 poses no immediate threat to summer camps.
Beam Camp will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated. We are following recommendations from the CDC, State of New York, State of New Hampshire and the American Camping Association.
We are also extending the the Refund Policy to remove any financial pressure to withdraw:
Deposits are refundable until May 1. Tuition balance is still due May 1 and will be refundable until June 1.
Beam Camp is prepared to make the best decisions to keep our campers, staff, and families safe and healthy.
Beam Camp has always taken great care to develop and maintain medical practices to address a variety of communicable diseases, both common and rare. Coronavirus will be no different. Prior to camp, we’ll make sure everyone who comes to camp is healthy. Prevention is one of the best tools we will use to keep Beam Camp healthy. Once camp is in session we will work with campers and staff to minimize communicable diseases. Hand washing, proper cough etiquette, minimize sharing of personal items, and many other common sense practices will be discussed.