We are excitedly counting down the days for NMC to start. Understandably many of you have questions regarding our COVID protocols for this summer. The good news is we have been open and operating summer programs since July 2nd and with no COVID cases! It is wonderful that the overall numbers of new COVID infections are down in the province and vaccination rates are steadily growing to keep everyone safe. We have been following operational guidelines set forth from the Ontario Camps Association and Public Health regarding COVID-19. As such, regardless of having been vaccinated or not, the protocols and guidelines of which we must follow in order to offer wonderful summer programs for children, state that anyone entering camp MUST have and provide a copy of their negative COVID (PCR) test results taken within 72 hours of arrival. This has been the most asked question from our NMC community.
Below are some additional FAQ’s:
1. Do I have to pay for a COVID PCR test and where do I get my child tested?
3. What if the results of the COVID test have not been received prior to the start of camp?
4. What if my child experiences COVID-19 symptoms prior to camp?
5. What if my child had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, do they require a COVID negative test?
6. What if my child is coming directly to NMC from another summer camp?
7. Do you accept out-of-province PRC test results?
8. What will arrival to camp look like?
9. What if my child takes medication?
10. What if my child is unwell during camp?
11. Will my child be able to socialize with other children at camp without a mask?
12. What about “Tea and Symphony” Concert Day – can I still come to camp to see my child perform?
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1. Do I have to pay for a COVID PCR test and where do I get my child tested?
COVID PCR tests are free in the province of Ontario for children going to summer camp. Please refer to the Ontario COVID-19 Test and Testing Location link to find a testing location near you: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-test-and-testing-location-information. We require all NMC campers, staff and faculty to be tested 72 hours prior to the start of camp to ensure you receive and can print a copy of the negative result. Therefore, please arrange your COVID-19 PCR test for Thursday, August 19th.
2. If my child has been fully vaccinated, do they still require a COVID test within 72 hours of arrival to camp?
Yes! The COVID-19 guidelines for overnight camps stipulate all individuals participating in a camp program must have a negative COVID test to attend camp. Please bring a hardcopy printout of the negative test result to camp.
3. What if the results of the COVID test have not been received prior to the start of camp?
If your test results have not been received by 9:00am, Sunday, August 22nd, please contact camp at 705-325-2285 to receive instructions regarding camp arrival options.
4. What if my child experiences COVID-19 symptoms prior to camp?
Any campers with sore throats, fevers, vomiting, diarrhea or other COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of camp will not be permitted to attend camp without a Doctor’s note and a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. Any camper in this situation must be symptom-free for 3 days prior to being allowed to attend camp.
5. What if my child had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, do they require a COVID negative test?
If your child was positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days you do not require a COVID-19 test. You must submit your positive test result, indicating the date of the result, to the camp office. If you have tested positive within 14 days of camp, you will not be permitted to attend camp this summer. Please notify our camp office immediately if you test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of camp. Any camper in this scenario will receive a full refund of fees.
6. What if my child is coming directly to NMC from another summer camp?
Your child still requires a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arriving at NMC. The camp from which your child is coming from prior to NMC should be able to arrange for a PRC test.
7. Do you accept out-of-province PRC test results?
Yes! As long as the PCR test has been conducted and results received within 72 hours of the first day of NMC.
8. What will arrival to camp look like?
There will be a staggered arrival schedule. The arrival schedule will be sent by e-mail to you in the week leading up to camp and will advise you regarding what time you should arrive to camp. All arrivals will take place before 12:30pm. The staggered arrival system worked very well with our other camp program. Cars will be guided to a parking station where our staff will help unload baggage, and cabin number will be provided. We ask that parents/guardians remain in the car during this process so that this can happen quickly and efficiently.
9. What if my child takes medication?
All medication is kept at the camp health centre. No medication, including OTC (over the counter medication), is to be kept in cabins. All medication will be collected when you drop off your child and their baggage. Please bring medication in original bottle or pharmacy blister packs with written administering instructions for the health team. Make sure that the medication is clearly labelled with your child’s name and include clear instruction for administering. The only medication kept with campers are EpiPen or Allerject and Inhalers.
10. What if my child is unwell during camp?
We have a physician and nurse living on-site while your child is at NMC and available 24 hours per day. Should your child become ill and require to be admitted in our health centre, our physician or nurse will contact the parent or guardian listed on the health form. Should your child require assessment or x-ray off site, a parent or guardian listed on the health form will be contacted. As a reminder, a medical form is to be completed online by Aug 16 for all campers – click here to complete your medical form now.
11. Will my child be able to socialize with other children at camp without a mask?
“Outdoor, Physical Distance, Mask” – two out of any of the three must be adhered to at camp. The beauty of camp is being outdoors and enjoying fresh air and nature! This summer we have successfully operated our summer programs. We have acquired a lot of large tents to enable fresh air ventilation and the ability to fully participate in all aspects of camp even if it rains. For NMC, cabins are natural cohorts so staff and campers living together do not need to mask in their cabins. We are physically distanced during meals and rehearsals will take place both inside and outside following COVID guidelines.
12. What about “Tea and Symphony” Concert Day – can I still come to camp to see my child perform?
No, unfortunately not this summer. We will be filming all concert presentations and performances for your viewing that will be available online approx. a week post-camp.
