Participant Handbook & COVID-19 Procedures

WEST COAST LATVIAN EDUCATION CENTER/KURSA
Participant Handbook & COVID-19 Procedures
Summer 2021

We look forward to WCLEC/Kursa 2021!  Although there have been some necessary changes in light of the continued pandemic, we feel confident that your child will have a wonderful and rewarding experience this summer!  At this time, the following handbook will offer some clarity as to what can be expected given the current recommendations and restrictions. 

We recommend registering your children as soon as possible, as space will be limited in all programs based on the necessity to maintain social distancing. If a program registration reaches full capacity, your name will be added to the waitlist and you will be notified. 

PRE-ARRIVAL
  • All participating adults must have received a COVID-19 final immunization (#2 in case of Pfizer or Moderna, #1 in case of J&J) no later than 14 days before the first day of Kursa. Proof of immunization will be required. 
  • All unvaccinated students must submit proof of negative COVID-19 test (antigen or molecular [not antibody]) administered within 72 hours prior to arrival at Kursa. 
  • Anyone traveling by plane or other mass transit to camp must wear a well-fitted N95, KN95 or similar respirator mask while in transit (a regular cloth mask is not sufficient). This is to help reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and/or other infections in route. Given that: 
    • any respiratory illness (and certain other symptom classes) will be suspected of being possible COVID-19, 
    • real-time testing is both difficult to coordinate and has limited reliability, and 
    • the limited ability of Kursa to manage any sick camper, we anticipate that any camper with symptoms of suspected COVID-19 must be picked up by parents and removed from camp within 48 hours of notice. Therefore, it behooves prospective campers and participants to take extra precautions in the two weeks prior to camp in avoiding contracting an infection. 

CHECK-IN

  • All required ActiveCamp and supplemental forms must be completed prior to arrival. No exceptions. Your child will not be able to check in if all necessary paperwork is not submitted prior to arrival.
  • Best practice is to designate one parent/guardian for contactless participant check in.
  • Face coverings for any unvaccinated parent and/or participant(s) in the vehicle are required upon arrival to WCLEC/Kursa. 
  • Staff will be at the designated drop off area to meet your participant.
  • Please take the time to say good-bye, chat, etc. to your child before they get out of the car as only participants/students will be allowed to exit the vehicle. 
  • Each participant needs to arrive with face masks for the duration of their time at WCLEC/Kursa. Details regarding type/amount of face masks needed will be given closer to the start of the Program and based on recommendations available at that time.
DURING CAMP
  • A parent or other responsible adult party designated by the parent must be able to pick up a camper within 48 hours of notice in the case of illness.
  • Every participant must be prepared to wear a mask during all indoor activities except while sleeping, and during outdoor activities where a 6-foot distance can not be continuously maintained. 
  • Everyone must observe camp sanitation requirements.
  • No visitors will be allowed, and once on site, participants may not leave and return. Any participant who leaves camp without permission will be expelled and forfeit his/her camp tuition.
  • Everyone must participate in daily symptom checks, and, when necessary, additional COVID-19 testing.

Health and medical services:

  • Quarantine and isolation rooms will be labelled. 
  • The WCLEC/Kursa communicable disease policy, adopted May 2021, can be viewed here.
  • Students must comply with WCLEC/Kursa policies, nurse or provider instructions, and/or parent wishes concerning the use of medications. Students may not keep medications in their possession while at school. Students are expected to be responsible for picking up medications from administration while at school. 
  • Sleep aids, stimulants, (such as No-Doze and high caffeine beverages), and diet aids are not allowed without written physician permission and that these medications will be kept and monitored by WCLEC/Kursa administrative personnel. 
  • Prescription medications must be in original pharmacy containers, labeled by the pharmacy in English, with the name of the student, and with current instructions for use and expiration date. If medicine is taken “as needed” only this directive MUST appear on the label or additional written documentation from the prescriber is required. Parents are asked to provide enough medication for the duration of the student’s stay at school. 
  • We strongly discourage students from bringing over-the-counter medications. WCLEC/Kursa can provide items such as mild pain relievers, cold relief medications, cough suppressants, etc. If you believe your student must bring his/her special over-the-counter medications, these medications must be labeled in English and handed in to WCLEC/Kursa administration office. 

In case of emergency

  • WCLEC/Kursa has no means of determining what each family considers an emergency.  Our practice is to contact parents/guardians when there is a concern regarding the participant’s health and/or when a situation is not progressing/improving as expected.
  • If a situation arises, where it is deemed necessary to seek medical attention, every attempt will be made to contact the parents/guardians prior to treatment and immediately after conclusion of treatment.  
  • If your child has sustained an emergency or tested positive with a communicable or infectious diagnosis WCLEC/Kursa requires that you pick up your child within 48 hours of notice.

Cabins and room occupancy

For Summer 2021, cabin and room occupancy for unvaccinated participants will be by household or 50% per available guidelines. This will allow for 6-feet between participants and/or staff while sleeping. With ventilation improvements, a reduced capacity should provide for healthy living quarters per suggested guidelines. There is no required reduced cabin occupancy for vaccinated participants.

  • No sharing of any personal items will be allowed.
  • Windows in the dorms will be required to remain open at all times.
  • Local students driving to Kursa are encouraged to bring a small fan for their rooms. 

Meals:

  • Students will prepare for meals by washing/sanitizing hands at one of the hand washing stations. 
  • Seating will adhere to distancing guidelines and will possibly occur in areas outside of the cafeteria (Ēdamzāle). 
  • Food service will use prepared napkins/utensils, condiments, etc.

Classroom and indoor activity set-up and cleaning of rooms:

  • Participants will be asked to do daily sweeping, trash-removal and cleaning of their room or cabin area. Common areas and bathrooms will be cleaned and disinfected by trained staff.
  • Unvaccinated students will be spaced six feet apart in all indoor classroom and activity areas.
  • Participants may be required to wear masks for all indoor activities and classes.
  • Desks/tables will be sanitized as required.

Extra curricular activities:  

  • Off site field trips are unlikely to be conducted. 
  • Allowed all-Program activities will proceed normally, but with physical distancing between groups and face-coverings. 

Rainy day procedure:

If there is inclement weather and participants do need to be inside, participants will be asked to wear a face covering during this inside time, per Washington State guidelines.

After Program for All Participants

Following the Program, it is highly recommended unvaccinated participants self-isolate for 10 days to ensure they have not contracted COVID-19 and to remain distant from anyone in the household who may have increased risk factors.

The above processes are drawn from guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Camp Association’s Field Guide for Camps on Implementation of CDC Guidance, our local health department and our team of medical experts.  

Thank you all for your patience and flexibility, as we understand how challenging these months continue to be. This handbook will continue to be updated as necessary.

Revised July 2021