Summer 2023 Experience
Updated February 9, 2023
The Camp Wise leadership team is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and fun environment for everyone each summer!
Please visit the sections below that contain up to date information about many aspects of the 2023 Camp Wise experience.
COVID-19 Health Procedures
The Camp Wise team develops our health standards for summer camp based on information published by the CDC, American Camp Association, and Ohio Department of Health, as well as guidance from our medical advisory team, in order to establish operations at the highest standard for our camp families. The procedures below provide camp families and staff with current policies and procedures for safe and uninterrupted operations. Should information change, this page will reflect current information.
Our “Brit” – our shared agreement to care for one another’s well-being:
Each camper and staff member who chooses to participate in an amazing summer at Camp Wise also makes a commitment to care for one another’s well-being at camp. As related to COVID-19, this involves the willingness to practice all of the policies and safety measures included in this page, and a commitment to honesty and transparency about symptoms, exposures, and test results at home.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
Everyone’s willingness to follow COVID-19 safety measures at Camp Wise led to safe and successful operations in 2021 and 2022.
For summer 2023, Camp Wise staff members on the year-round team and seasonal employees are required to maintain up-to-date vaccination status according to the CDC at all times. Campers, including Israel and SIT participants, are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated and up-to-date as defined by the CDC.
Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Testing
Each participant (camper and staff member) will need to test for COVID-19 using an FDA approved at-home antigen test within 24 hours prior to arriving at camp. Test results will need to be uploaded through your CampIn Touch account or the Campanion app.
- At-home tests and lab tests will be accepted. No need for a proctored test.
- If your camper has recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days prior to arrival day, that information should be on file with the camp office and noted on your physicians’ form. If they have recovered after your forms are submitted, please send a doctor’s note to the Camp Office. This note should include when they had contracted COVID-19 and confirmation that they are recovered and cleared to resume in person activities.
- Only campers/staff with negative 24-hour tests will be admitted to camp.
- Those with a positive test will need to remain at home and may be admitted to camp at a later date at the discretion of the Camp Wise Medical Director.
Anyone not feeling well or experiencing fever, cold or flu-like symptoms, or are otherwise unwell, should remain at home until symptom free, regardless of test results. We all agree to do our very best to keep the community healthy.
Masking and Other Mitigation Efforts
Each camper should bring 8-10 masks (2 layer, tightly woven cotton mask OR enough disposable surgical masks) for their session in the event there is a need to mask while indoors at camp. Of course, anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask at any time is welcome to do so.
Camp Wise will continue to have daily cleaning and sanitization of all common surfaces in living and dining areas. In addition, regular handwashing will continue to be part of our healthy practices at Camp Wise. In 2023, Camp Wise will also ensure that campers’ sleeping quarters are arranged head-to-toe in an effort to reduce spread of respiratory viruses when living in close quarters.
In-Camp COVID-19 Testing
We have the capability to perform rapid antigen tests if anyone in our community presents with multiple symptoms of COVID-19. We will work alongside our medical team and use best practices to determine when to test. Simultaneously, at Camp, headaches, sore throats, and other complaints can be regular occurrences and automatically testing everyone when one symptom is present is not a sustainable plan. Camp reserves the right to request that any member of our camp community who presents with a symptom of COVID-19 be tested to rule out presence of the virus.
In the event that we need to quarantine a single member of a cabin/group at any point during the summer (due to experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test), they will be quarantined at Camp in our Health Center, where there are private rooms, a bathroom/shower, and laundry available. Parents in the local area will have the option to quarantine their camper at home and then return them to Camp after they are symptom free for more than 24 hours.
The decision to end any quarantine or isolation will be at the direction of the medical team based on recommendations for doing so by the CDC, Ohio Department of Health, and Geauga County Board of Health.
**Late arrival due to COVID-19, or a parent’s decision to end a camper’s stay at camp due to typical illnesses, including COVID-19 do not qualify for refunds of camp tuition, according to our 2023 fees policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between fully vaccinated and up-to-date?
“Up-to-date” means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible. “Fully vaccinated” means a person has received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines. Learn more about staying up-to-date with vaccines by visiting the CDC webpage.
What is the Camp Wise Policy regarding all vaccines?
It is Camp Wise’s policy – and that of the American Camp Association – that campers be immunized against those communicable diseases listed on the Camp Wise Immunization Record (such communicable diseases, the “Communicable Diseases”). Camp Wise’s policy is to also comply with the applicable immunization requirements under Ohio law, O.R.C. Chapter 3313. These Ohio laws require that any child entering elementary or high school in Ohio must present written evidence that such child has been immunized against the Communicable Diseases (and some additional identified diseases) by a method approved by the Ohio Department of Health, or that such child is in the process of being so immunized, unless the child’s parent or legal guardian satisfies one or more of the exemptions outlined in O.R.C. Chapter 3313.
What are the required vaccines?
Summer 2023 campers and staff must be immunized for the following: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, mumps, measles, rubella, polio, hepatitis B, and chicken pox. It is our preference that campers and staff also have proof of immunization for (as is age-appropriate and recommended by your physician): haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcal, meningococcal meningitis, hepatitis A, and the flu shot.
Campers are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated and up to date, per the CDC for Covid-19. Staff are required to be fully vaccinated and up to date.
What will the vaccine policy be for camp visitors and guests?
Camp Wise will only admit vaccinated visitors and guests into camp programs. All visitors and guests will be required to show proof of vaccination and to provide results of a negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours, prior to entering our programs.
Where can I learn more about COVID-19 and best practices in camping?
We recommend visiting the following webpages for further information:
CDC: Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines
Arrival at Camp
Transportation
All campers (except for campers choosing to travel from Columbus or Toledo) are expected to provide their own transportation to Camp Wise. Transportation will be provided by Camp for campers traveling from Toledo and Columbus, OH with an associated bus fee. Bus fee and bus transportation details will be confirmed by April 1, 2023. Here’s what to expect:
Camper Arrival
- For families driving to camp, plan to drive out to Chardon, OH (location TBD) for drop off middday.
- Camp staff will confirm all forms are complete, including pre-arrival COVID-19 testing (Please see COVID-19 section above).
- Lice check and medication drop-off (if necessary) will occur onsite.
- Families will remain in their car until cleared for arrival; staff will guide you through each step.
- After your lice check and medication drop-off, staff will remove luggage from your car.
- Campers will say goodbye to their family, exit the car, and walk towards the Parent Free Zone.
- Drop off times will be assigned by village age group between the hours of 12-3pm.
- Siblings can arrive in either age group – preferably with the youngest child’s assigned time
Please allow 30 – 45 minutes for the drop off process. We appreciate your patience as we welcome each family and camper to Camp Wise! For those campers traveling from Columbus or Toledo, your drop-off will be very similar to the one in Chardon, but at your bus departure location.
Daily Camp Life
Daily Activities & Camp Program
Camp Wise is proud to offer a rich and engaging summer program with activities that meet a wide variety of camper interests. Campers will be able to choose from the full array of sports, arts, music, water, nature and adventure activities at camp in 2023. We strive to give each camper the opportunity to challenge themselves, build new skills, and grow in a supportive and safe environment surrounded by friends and caring counselors.
Mental well-being, including MESSH (mental, emotional, social and spiritual health), is a priority in the Camp Wise community. Campers succeed when parents and camp staff work together as partners. If you are concerned about your camper during camp, please contact us. We will do our very best to return each call promptly during business hours, and within 24 hours after Shabbat.
Out of Camp Trips/Travel (excludes ILS)
Campers in Noar and Solel will enjoy off-camp trips and overnights that meet a high-level of health and safety standards. This summer, our medical advisory team has cleared us to re-introduce visits to indoor or outdoor public venues such as baseball stadiums, amusement parks, or museums. Stay tuned for exciting trip offerings this summer!
Trips will continue to offer outdoor adventures such as kayaking, hiking, whitewater rafting, rappelling, etc. Housing offered will vary from tent camping to cabin/lodges to hosting at community partners like JCCs or synagogues.
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