camp and communicable diseases (including Covid-19)

Sent to camper families -July 4th, 2023

Greetings 2023 Camper Families - 

With our summer season upon us we are reaching out to share our communicable disease policy (including Covid-19) for the 2023 season. This update will also be updated on our website at wanakee.org/covid19. Please read for important updates about our summer season. 

The health and safety of our community – campers, staff, and volunteers – is our top priority. Philosophically, as  a diverse Christian camp, we are first called to do all that we can to keep our community safe, especially those  who may be immunocompromised or especially at-risk. Practically, as a small  non-profit camp, our ability to operate this summer depends on the health (and availability) of our staff.  

Any and all communicable diseases create a significant and clear challenge to both of those priorities – the safety of everyone, and our ability to run our full summer. We are doing our very best, and understand that our policies may not be what  you prefer. We have created them based on our experiences in 2022 and in consultation with our Board of Directors and camp doctor. 

For campers who display signs of illness (including but not limited to fever, vomiting, runny nose, and cough) the following may occur: 

  • Campers will be tested for Covid-19

  • They may spend time in our rest and recovery area in hopes their symptoms improve

  • For campers whose symptoms do not improve in 12 hours (even if it is not Covid-19) you will be contacted to determine the best course of action which may include picking your camper up mid-session

In the event that your camper is in close contact with someone who tests  positive for Covid-19 at camp: 

We will notify you, and; 

1. If a camper is vaccinated: you can decide whether to keep them at camp. We will monitor symptoms  and test them (at least 2 doses or 1 of Johnson and Jonhnson, but we recommend that everyone is up to date with their boosters as well) 

2. If a camper is unvaccinated: because of the increased risk that they contract Covid-19 they will need to be picked up as soon as possible. We understand that Covid-19 now is different even than it was last summer but this will give us the best chance at preventing further spreading of sickness. 


In the event that your camper tests positive for Covid-19 OR if your camper is unvaccinated and exposed to  Covid-19, please make your plan now for how they would be picked up. We can offer a pro-rated refund for  missed days for either of these scenarios. 

We reserve the right to do additional testing of all campers at any time. Please fully disclose any known contacts within 10 days of camp so we can monitor your camper accordingly. 

If anyone in your household tests positive during camp, please contact us so we can monitor your camper  accordingly. If your camper tests positive within 7 days of returning home from camp, please contact us so we  can monitor our staff accordingly. 

If any of the above changes your desire for Wanakee to be part of your  summer, we understand. Let us know, and we can issue a full refund, including  your deposit.

Grace and Peace,

Hannah and the Wanakee Board of Directors