POSTED:  JULY 6, 2021

Hello Camper Families,

We are in our third week out here at Camp Daggett on beautiful Walloon Lake. We have enjoyed hearing all the stories from you about your happy campers who were able to come spend a week with us and look forward to meeting the ones still to come. Below are a few reminders that help us keep camp safe and fun for everyone.

·         Please have your campers leave cell phones, apple watches, and electronic devices at home. This is a time for us to build relationships and bond with our friends at Camp.

·         We are still doing tie dye Tuesdays so please pack a white shirt for your camper.

·         The campers are asked to wear masks when entering and exiting the dining hall and also when unable to socially distance from other cohorts (cabin groups). Please remember to pack the five cloth masks with your campers.

·         Fully vaccinated campers do not have to get a Covid test before coming to camp, it is recommended but not required that unvaccinated campers get a Covid screening test before coming to camp. All campers should monitor for symptoms 10 days before coming to camp and if they have any symptoms should be tested and not brought to camp unless they have a negative Covid test and they are symptom free for 24 hours. Remember if you have a positive Covid test and send it to us you will receive a full refund for your camper.

·         At check in we will be asking you to complete a Covid questionnaire and taking your campers temperature this is done to help keep everyone safe at Camp Daggett. Please be patient with our screeners and know they have the best interest of your campers at heart.

Camp Daggett staff has always strived to give your campers, a safe, fun, and memorable experience and this summer has looked a little different but has achieved those same results with your help. We are looking forward to creating more memories and smiles with your campers and are appreciative of all you have done to help us along the way. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

In the spirit of Daggett,

Brian and Charity Patten

Karen Marietti and all of the Daggett Staff

 

 

Posted:  June 25, 2021

Hello Camper Families,

 Summer is here and we have had a blast working with your children this first week of summer camp. Below we have answered some frequently asked questions and addressed the new guidance from the state concerning our Covid Response plan.

 How can parents get goody bags to their children?

Since sending packages to campers by mail can be hit or miss on when they arrive, some parents bring things on Sunday during registration that they would normally mail during the week and give them to us to hang on to until the day they want them delivered.  We then give them to the counselor on the day you want them delivered to take to the camper at rest hour that day. If you live close to Camp Daggett there is a large plastic bin by the mail boxes where Church Rd. forks and you can leave packages in there that will be delivered to your campers that day.

 What can be put in the goody bags?

Inside can be anything from a letter, snacks, a small game or toy, anything really…whatever they might want to have their campers receive during their stay.  The only items that we ask that you not put in the bags is candy or pop. Parents usually hide the package or bag until after they say goodbye at the cabin and then bring it to us to hold on to and deliver so it is a surprise.

 Many parents have asked about our Covid plan and the new state guidelines and how often their children will be in masks.

On June 22, 2021 the state released an updated Covid response plan for licensed summer camps please click on the link for more details. https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MILARA/2021/06/22/file_attachments/1859859/Camp%20Guidelines%20Operating%20During%20COVID-19%206.22.21.update.pdf

This plan reinforces that we are doing what is required to keep your kids safe while also providing them a fun and memorable summer experience. It has also allowed us to change some of our recommendations for pre camp preparation.

·         The prescreening recommendations have changed and we are now asking all parents to monitor for symptoms in their children 10 days before camp (no chart necessary, we will ask you about symptoms when you register) and are encouraging individuals who are showing symptoms to stay home and get tested before coming to camp.

·         Camper will continue to be in cohorts (cabin groups) and will not need to wear masks when with their cohorts. We are keeping them in cohorts because the Health Department is still requiring a quarantine period if someone tests positive, and our current practices would mean only one cabin of ten campers would be affected instead of a possible all camp quarantine which would mean all of the campers would be affected.

·         During registration we are only requiring the participants to wear masks when they are inside for head and body checks or unable to remain 6 feet away from other family groups.

·         The only time during camp the campers will be asked to wear masks is when they are walking into or out of the dining hall for meals and if they are inside with other cohorts or outside and unable to maintain social distancing from other cohorts. This happens very infrequently due to our programming and the fact that we spend the majority of our time outdoors.

 We are looking forward to working with your campers and now realize that the most important factors that make camp fun and memorable are the staff and campers and that has not changed! Thank you for helping keep our Daggett community safe and thriving this summer, we hope this helps answer some of your questions look forward to meeting your campers when they arrive!

In the spirit of Daggett,

Charity and Brian Patten

Karen and all of the Daggett Staff

 

 

Posted:  6/2/21

SUMMER CAMP 2021

Hello Camper Families,

We are in the home stretch and excited to be welcoming you back for another great summer at Camp Daggett in a few short weeks. Many of you replied after the last correspondence and shared with us how eager your children are to be returning to Camp Daggett or joining us for the first time. We share in their excitement and are anticipating a fun, safe, and memorable summer season.

In order for Camp Daggett to be as safe as possible for our campers, staff and the entire Camp Daggett community, we need your help to prevent the possibility of Covid-19 at Camp. Remember, even if you are not concerned about COVID, we are counting on you as a team member to help keep our entire Camp Daggett community healthy.  One way you can help is to follow this pre-camp check list:

  • If not vaccinated, campers are encouraged to be tested within 3-5 days before arriving at Camp. Michigan residents can find a testing location in their communities by visiting gov/coronavirustest. Several locations provide no-cost testing. Those tested are asked to report test results at Camper Registration when asked. If a test results in a positive return, Camper families may provide proof of testing to www.campdaggett.org to receive a full refund.
  • Please monitor your camper’s symptoms (fever of 100.4°F or greater, new onset of a cough, new onset of shortness of breath, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches, congestion or runny nose, nausea, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, vomiting, etc.) for at least 10 days before arriving at Camp. Please access the  PRE-SCREEN FORM .  Complete this pre-screen form prior to coming to Camp.  A copy of your camper’s pre-screen data should be brought with you to registration.
  • Please follow all registration guidelines and arrive at your pre-scheduled time to check in your camper. Please see the attached registration schedule.
  • If not fully vaccinated Camp Daggett asks all campers to self-quarantine for at least 10 days before arriving at Camp. Campers should strive to limit the number of new people that they interact with prior to their summer session. It is especially important to avoid contact with symptomatic, COVID-exposed, and COVID-positive individuals.
  • Please pack 5 masks to send with your camper for their week. Camp Daggett will also provide disposable masks when necessary.

Due to the fact that most summer campers will be unable to receive a vaccination prior to attending Camp because of age restrictions, Camp Daggett will:

  1. Plan for campers and staff to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms when registering for Camp.
  1. Plan to assign campers to cohorts upon arrival at Camp. These cohorts will remain together for the entire Camp session without mixing with other campers and staff in close contact circumstances.
  2. Develop a plan to conduct temperature checks and screening each morning for campers and counselors.
  3. Have an isolation cabin available for any camper or staff who becomes symptomatic during a Camp session and make additional testing available on site.

We know that there are many questions regarding mask mandates, changing requirements for fully vaccinated individuals and how this will impact your camper’s summer session. At this time, Camp Daggett is encouraging anyone who can receive a vaccination to do so.  However, we realize that the majority of our camper community will be unvaccinated due to current age restrictions. It has always been the goal of Camp Daggett to work as a team to keep our community safe so that we can continue to have fun. This means that we will need to wear masks some of the time to keep everyone safe. In addition, the use of quarantine protocol will still be in place for unvaccinated individuals.  If a positive case were to occur at Camp Daggett this summer, utilizing this practice will help to keep potential exposure to a minimum. This will help us all to live the Camp Daggett motto of “The Other Fellow First” and further amplify the fun that everyone can have this summer. Thank you for being a part of our community and if you have any questions please feel free to contact Camp Daggett at any time.

Please be sure to watch your emails for any future developments.

In the Spirit of Daggett,

Charity & Brian Patten, Karen Marietti & All of the Daggett Staff

Additional information

While we are all ready for a summer that looks closer to a normal summer, there will need to be a few steps that we need to take to ensure a safe summer. Below, I want to outline some of the high level steps that Camp Daggett is taking to have a safe summer. While many of these steps are to help keep our children safe, it is also important to think about keeping the communities that our campers are going home to safe as well.

The American Camping Association, the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) as well as the CDC have all field guides, resources, and guidelines that Camp Daggett will use and follow to help us have a great summer. Many of the strategies employed by these partner agencies employ Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) to combat the spread of COVID-19. It is important to note that while one layer of NPI is good, having many at one time is the best (Think the Swiss Cheese approach).

ARRIVAL INFORMATION FOR CAMPERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

In just a few weeks our first group of campers will be arriving to start their week at camp, and we are all very excited to get camp started!

This year due to COVID we are making a few changes to the registration process.  These changes are driven by camp’s desire to keep everyone healthy and comply with guidelines from the licensing agencies we work with.  We know there have been many changes to COVID guidelines recently, and camp will be putting out more information on how our days will look during the week, but here are what our Sunday arrival and Saturday pickup will look like.

Campers will arrive in camp and register during a specific time slot, based on their last name.  We will have five time slots for campers to arrive on Sunday:

 

Time Slot Camper Last Name
2:30 – 3:00 A-C
3:00 – 3:30 D-H
3:30 – 4:00 I-N
4:00 – 4:30 O-S
4:30 – 5:00 T-Z

If you are unable to arrive during your time slot, arriving later is fine and you do not need to let us know.  If you need an earlier time slot, please call us in advance so we can make sure to get you in.  If you do not let us know in an advance, we will have to require that any early arrivals wait until their time slot to come down the hill to register.  Campers and parents will stay at the top of the hill until their time slot opens.

Only registered campers and one parent or guardian per camper are allowed during the registration process and at the camper cabins.  Other adults and children/siblings must remain with their vehicle while at camp.  Large groups, especially when most of our campers are unvaccinated, increases the risk of COVID transmission.  We are doing everything we can to reduce this risk by trying to reduce the number of people in each area at camp during registration and pickup.

During the registration process campers and parents will be in close contact with staff and going in and out of buildings in a short period of time.  During registration we are requiring that all campers wear a mask both outside and inside until they complete the process and are into their cabins with their cabin group.  Because most of our campers are unvaccinated, we are asking that all parents wear a mask when indoors.  When outdoors and able to distance, parents do not need a mask.  Our staff will be wearing masks during registration.

When you arrive at your designated registration time we will have two separate areas for boys and girls to register, and the stations of registration (head check, body check, etc.) will be on separate sides of camp.  We will have signs and staff to help direct everyone.  If you are one adult with both boy and girl campers, please let us know when you arrive, and we can help with the process.

The registration will start at our registration tables where we will greet you and your camper, confirm contact information, gather health background/COVID checks and negative COVID test results if you have one.  We will also be taking your campers temperature, and taking their picture as required by the state.  With that completed, campers will proceed to the head check station, and then onto the body check station.  The body check station is required by the state as a visual check for any existing bruises or injuries while the camper is in their bathing suit.  We are asking that campers arrive wearing their bathing suits under their clothes to avoid having to change prior to body check.

Once the campers are done with these stations, they can head to their cabin and meet their counselor.  We will be trying to limit the number of parents in the cabins during registration so please be patient if the counselor asks you to wait for a minute to help get your camper moved in.

Bunks will be assigned prior to arrival this year, with camp buddy requests in mind for placement.  If your child has a medical reason for a particular placement, please let us know as soon as possible, and ideally at least a week before the week your camper will be coming to camp.

With registration and move in complete, it is time to say goodbye and your camper will stay with their cabin mates and counselor until it is time for camp to come together for our welcome meeting and dinner.

SATURDAY CAMPER PICKUP

Campers can be picked up from 9:00am to 11:00am on Saturday.  There is no set arrival time for pickup, but we do ask that only one parent/guardian exit the vehicle to go and get their camper.  We will still be trying to minimize parents in the cabins so most of the gear will be outside if the weather is nice.  When your camper is packed up and you are ready to leave, we will still be doing in-car check out and medicine return as you exit camp by the canoeing shed.

We understand that there may be special circumstances that make our new process difficult for some families.  If you have any concerns, please contact camp prior to arrival at registration or pickup so we can find ways to make the process as easy as possible for everyone.

 

Cohorts

We are fortunate to have a program that has already been running with cohorts to some degree. A cohort is a group that stays together the whole time at camp, with little mixing with other cohorts. Cohorts are a vital NPI, as they help not only decrease the chance of spreading to other cohorts, but can also assist in the contact tracing should a camper test positive. Cabins will be cohorts at Camp Daggett this summer, and with a few exceptions, will be continuing to spend most of their time with their own cohort. Our hope is that when in a cohort, campers will be able to be unmasked. Additionally, to help keep our cohorts small, all cabins will be limited to 10 campers.

Programming

We foresee not too many changes to our programming at camp. Our free water and free land time (when campers can choose to go to any land and water area they wish) may need to be modified or eliminated to meet requirements to cohort our campers. We are working on schedule changes to best protect our campers.

While we cannot guarantee a COVID-free summer, we are hopeful we will be able to operate in a manner that will decrease the likelihood of infections at Camp, as well as prevent COVID from entering our camp.

This has been a hard year, and we know the social and emotional toll that this pandemic has brought upon our children. More than ever, our children need camp.

 

Contact Camp Daggett

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