Camper FAQs

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We’re so excited for Summer 2023!

This page includes general FAQs – please don’t hesitate to be in touch with us should you have questions that aren’t answered here at campkalsman@urj.org! Please note that our Covid-19 Health and Safety protocols are still in formation for this summer; however, URJ Camps will continue to require all staff and campers be up to date per CDC for all eligible Covid vaccinations and boosters. You can read our Vaccination Policy here.

At the bottom of this page you can read more about health and safety policies from last summer. We will update this page as we have more information and will communicate proactively with current and interested families

Registration & Payment Info

What will the dates be for camp sessions this summer? 

You can find our session dates here. For Summer 2023, we are returning to three sessions, and we will have embedded sessions. Therefore, we have returned Bet and Gimmel to their previous lengths of 21 and 14 days respectively. We have also increase Aleph from 11 days to 12 so new families will be eligible for the One Happy Camper grant.

Will Priority Registration be available for this summer? 

Yes! We encourage you to register as soon as you can to ensure that your child will have a spot in their desired session. Here are the important registration dates you need to know:

October 23, 2022: Returning camper families
November 6, 2022: New campers from URJ Congregation member families
November 20, 2022: Anyone may register on or after this date

I have a credit from a previous summer. Will I need to pay a deposit when I register?

No. As long as the amount of your credit is equal to or above the enrollment deposit ($300 per session), those funds will be counted as your 2023 deposit and you will not need to pay an additional deposit fee when you enroll.

What will the cancellation policy be for 2023? 

Cancellation by March 27, 2023– 100% of tuition is refundable except for the $300 per session administrative deposit.
Cancellation between March 27 and May 11 – 75% of tuition is refundable except for the $300 per session administrative deposit.
Cancellation after May 11th will forfeit all fees, with some exceptions.
Camp reserves the right to refund any eligible refund in multiple installments as determined by Camp.
Refunds will be given without penalty (including Non-Refundable Deposit) under the following conditions:
- for campers on a “Waiting List” (those not able to be placed in their desired session at Camp) upon request if at any time they choose to be removed from the list, or if they are ultimately unable to be placed;
- if Camp is unable or elects not to open because of government regulations, orders, or guidelines;
- if Camp is required to cancel the session of a child with a pre-existing health condition;
- if Camp is unable or chooses not to open at their own discretion.
Refunds will not be made if Camper has attended any portion of the session at Camp. This covers all circumstances, including, but not limited to:
- Camper missing home
- Camper’s refusal or inability to participate in the normal activities at Camp
- Camper’s violation of any rules, regulations, or policies at Camp for which Camper has been provided notice, and as described in “Camper’s Participation and Camp Program Expectations” section of the terms and conditions
- Parent/Guardian’s decision to remove Camper from Camp for any reason
Change of Session
- If Camp is required to make a change to Camper session prior to summer, You will be notified by Camp in writing. Camp will provide an opportunity at that time for You to cancel Camper’s session without penalty (including return of any deposit). You will also be eligible for this change of session refund for all children in Your household who are registered at Camp regardless if the sessions of the sibling(s) were not changed.
- A change to the Camper session is defined as one or more of the following: a change of session dates, session cost, or, for regional camps, a camp geographic location change.

Where can I find information on travel insurance? 

Please visit this page https://campkalsman.org/travel-insurance/ for information on Program Protector insurance being offered for Summer 2023. You have 20 days from the time of your first payment (typically your deposit paid during registration) to purchase a Program Protector plan. The option to purchase a policy is built into the registration system but is not administered by Camp Kalsman or the URJ in any way. If you have questions or want to purchase coverage by phone, please call the Customer Service Specialists for Program Protector at 1-833-297-2258 the code you will need to provide for Camp Kalsman is URJKAL14WA and refer to plan #’s F530S or F530E.

Will 2023 tuition be higher due to extra costs brought on by the pandemic? 

Every year the tuition at camp increases due to rising operating costs and ongoing improvements and upgrades to our program. We have seen an increase in operating costs across the board – goods, shipping, labor, etc. Additionally, all sessions have increased in the number of days for Summer 2023. Therefore, you will notice next week that our rates have increased, but we have kept the rate increase as minimal as possible and will continue to fund scholarships.

Will there be scholarship money available?

Yes! We strive to make camp affordable for all families. Please click here for more information about our camp scholarship program. We know the financial realities of COVID-19 have changed the financial picture for many families and we have been actively fundraising to support this. We are here for you, and we are expecting to hear from many families who will apply for scholarship for the first time for Summer 2023, so please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

When will camp tuition be due for this summer? 

All the URJ camps, including Camp Kalsman, now have standardized payment and cancellation policies and schedules that have been created to ensure that families feel confident registering for camp.

The payment schedule is as follows:

25% of tuition is due by January 26, 2023
An additional 50% of tuition (75% of tuition paid) is due by March 27, 2023
Final payment is due by April 26, 2023

General FAQs

Trying to decide whether Kalsman is right for your child?

According to the American Camp Association, the best way to proceed with choosing a camp is:

Involve your child in the selection process. Review your child’s preferences and let your child ask questions.
Review brochures, videos & websites with your child. (And, if you’ve found this page, you’ve already begun that process!)
Get answers to some key questions – which we’ve taken the liberty of giving you our answers below!
Speak to the Director or a camp representative – by phone, online, or when they come to your community.
Ask for references of families who have had their child attend the camp. Speaking with these families can give you valuable insight about the camp and the families that send their children there.

We’ve tried to respond many of the questions we are asked most frequently. If you have a question that is not covered below, please email us and we’ll get back to you with a response. (And, who knows, maybe your question will make the “frequent questions” page!)

TELL ME ABOUT THE CAMP DIRECTOR - Rabbi ilana mills

Rabbi Ilana Mills joined the Kalsman team after spending three summers in senior leadership roles at Kalsman. She brings a passion for camp and learning everywhere she goes. Rabbi Ilana is a true product of the Union for Reform Judaism, having worked at four of the URJ summer camps, worked for the Religious Action Center, served as a NFTY regional advisor and was on NFTY North American board a hundred years ago. Rabbi Ilana served as a congregational rabbi in Paradise Valley, AZ after being ordained from HUC-JIR for four years. At her congregation, she spear-headed creating a new high school program and innovative programming for the religious school.

Rabbi Ilana grew up in Sherman Oaks, CA, but moved East for college. She received her B.A. in Religious Studies from Franklin and Marshall College. She received her Masters in Hebrew Letters, Masters in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR. Rabbi Ilana currently lives in Sacramento with her husband and three kids. She loves to hike, ride bikes and cook. Nothing is sweeter to her than leading services in her hiking boots with over 200 campers and staff.

WHAT ARE THE CAMP’S GOALS AND PHILOSOPHY?

Campers from across the Pacific Northwest – Oregon, British Columbia, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, and Washington – call Camp Kalsman home. We are committed to our six core values: friendship, kehilah kedoshah (sacred community), Reform Jewish identity, chesed (kindness), connection to Israel, and our relationship to teva (nature). Camp Kalsman’s 300 beautiful acres offer a great balance of education and recreation. We practice active Jewish education, which incorporates Judaism into many different activities. Our campers learn new skills and hone existing ones in athletic, aquatic, artistic, and nature programs. Camp Kalsman is the premiere Jewish camp in the Pacific Northwest. Join us for a summer of fun, friendships of a lifetime, and an unparalleled Jewish experience. We can’t wait to welcome you home this summer.

WHERE WILL MY CHILD LIVE? HOW ARE CABIN ASSIGNMENTS MADE?

A camper cabin sleeps 15 campers and 3 counselors in bunk beds. All top bunks are equipped with bed rails. Every camper is assigned a set of cubbies for storing personal items. Each cabin has a bathroom that has 3 sinks, 3 showers, and 3 toilets. Bunk assignments are made based on religious school grade and/or chronological age, geographic distribution, gender identity, and social & emotional maturity. We will honor at least one mutually matching bunk request.

HOW WILL I STAY IN TOUCH WITH MY CHILD WHILE THEY'RE AT CAMP?

Camp offers kids and parents the chance to develop a rarely practiced skill – letter writing. We strongly recommended that parents write to their campers at least every-other-day. A card, letter or e-letter through your CampInTouch account (instructions provided later), arriving regularly, does more for camper morale than anything else. If a camper receives no mail from a parent for five days, we will call home. The camp tries to ensure that campers write letters or postcards to their parents at least twice each week. It is a required activity. Your letters or cards from Camp may be short, but they will be regular. CampInTouch has also launched the Campanion App! This allows you to be notified when your camper is tagged in a photo and is updated with daily photos.

We also launched the CampMinder integrated app called Campanion! This has everything for summer integrated in one place for Kalsman families. It includes photo recognition with free photo downloads, API connected Texting service reminders, and a Form Uploader within the app (no longer need scanners of fax machines!).

WHAT IS THE CAMP’S POSITION ON ELECTRONICS?

Camp provides our children with a break from “the real world” in favor of the natural world. That is why we forbid campers to have mobile phones, pagers, portable televisions, etc. – these items may be part of the day-to-day life of your child, but they have no place at Camp.

That does not mean camp is technology-free. We sometimes use videos and PowerPoint presentations to complement our programs, and we believe that music can provide a great soundtrack to camp life.

Please see our electronics policy for more information on the types of devices we allow and don’t allow at camp.

DO CAMPERS TAKE FIELD TRIPS while at camp?

In a typical summer, field trips are taken by Tzofim and Kesher camper units. Kesher has included an overnight trip, often to campgrounds around the Washington area. Tzofim has gone on a day trip that has included activities such as roller skating, swimming in lake Goodwin, park visits, and hiking!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD at camp?

We don’t let a little bad weather get in the way of the fun at camp! Because we have such a wide-range of indoor facilities, we are able to keep our recreational activity program going rain or shine. And, for those activities that can only happen outside (like swimming), our counselors & specialists always have a “rain plan” – fun activities that can take the place of what campers are missing.

If the weather gets extreme, we have detailed protocols in place to make sure all campers are kept safe until the weather passes.

If there is a heatwave or extreme heat, we try to maximize our time in the pool and in our air-conditioned facilities. We ensure all campers are properly hydrated.

We recognize wildfires are happening more often and we check air quality everyday and adjust plans as necessary.

HOW DO YOU SELECT, TRAIN AND SUPERVISE YOUR STAFF?

At Camp Kalsman, a great deal of pride is taken in the members of its staff, who provide a stable and caring home for campers all summer long. The staff is comprised of college students, graduate students, and professionals in various fields. Each year, we look for competent and energetic young adults to fill our staff positions. While many have grown up at Kalsman, others join us from across the country and around the world – all bringing their own special gifts to share. An extensive training program is provided at the start of the summer season and is ongoing throughout the summer. During the summer, staff are supervised and evaluated by members of our camp leadership team, all of whom have proven experience overseeing the work of staff members.

Kalsman maintains a 1:5 staff-to-camper ratio.

WILL MY CHILD BE SAFE WHILE AT CAMP Kalsman?

The health and welfare of our community will always be our top concern. All the URJ Camps are dedicated to providing safe and secure environments for our campers and staff. We work closely with law enforcement officials to make sure our safety standards and practices are the best they can be. During the summer, we maintain a 24-hour-a-day security presence. The health and welfare of our community will always be our top concern.

WHAT KIND OF CLOTHING SHOULD MY CHILD BRING TO CAMP?

We dress informally at Camp, and it is not necessary to buy new clothing for your child. Simple and modest clothing is the most appropriate. Campers often choose to wear T-shirts or blouses with casual shorts, pants or skirts, or sundresses. High-heeled shoes, designer clothes and expensive jewelry are neither necessary nor encouraged. We strongly discourage campers from wearing “inappropriate attire”: Clothes depicting violence, drugs, or content of that nature will not be tolerated at camp. Our days are incredibly active, with activities such as climbing and running around so please make sure the clothing that your camper brings is conducive to those activities. All clothing and personal belongings should be clearly marked with the camper’s full name. One of the most distinctive times at camp is our observance of Shabbat. In keeping with our tradition, we ask that our camp community dress in white tops, and either white or khaki bottoms for Friday evenings. After your camp registration has been processed, you will find detailed packing lists in the Forms & Documents section of your online camp account. We dress informally at Camp, and it is not necessary to buy new clothing for your child. Simple and modest clothing is the most appropriate. Girls usually wear T-shirts or blouses with casual shorts, pants or skirts, or sundresses. Boys usually wear T-shirts with shorts or pants. High-heeled shoes, designer clothes and expensive jewelry are neither necessary nor encouraged. We strongly discourage campers from wearing “inappropriate

WILL MY CHILD NEED LOTS OF SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FROM HOME?

During the course of the session, your child will have many opportunities to learn or develop new skills. In almost all cases, the camp supplies the necessary equipment and supplies to participate. In particular instances where your child is seeking mastery of an activity, he/she may desire his/her own special equipment; be selective, and remember that the Camp is not responsible for loss or damage of personal items.

HOW CAN I GET A KALSMAN CAMP T-SHIRT FOR MY CHILD?

A Camp Kalsman T-shirt will be provided to every camper. We will also be selling other Camp Kalsman merchandise online. Click here to shop!

HOW WILL MY CHILD'S LAUNDRY GET DONE?

Campers should have enough clothing with them to last about 11 days. About every 11 days, cabins will have a scheduled laundry day.

HOW WILL MY CHILD GET TO AND FROM CAMP?

We do not provide transportation to and from camp. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from camp for their children. For campers who are flying in, we do provide free transportation to and from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, on the first and last day of each session. Flights should be scheduled to arrive between 9:00am-11:00am on the first day of their session, and to depart between 11:30am-2:30pm on the last day of their session.

CAN PARENTS CALL THE CAMP TO CHECK ON THEIR CHILDREN?

Parents are welcome to call the Camp during the summer to find out how their campers are doing. After we receive your call, your camper’s Unit Head or a member of the Director Staff will call you back, usually the same day.

CAN I VISIT MY CHILD WHILE THEY ARE AT CAMP?

Parents and other visitors are not allowed to come to camp during the Camp sessions.

HOW'S THE FOOD?

Kalsman’s kid-friendly menu offers campers plenty to eat. Our meals are served either buffet-style or family-style in the dining hall with bunks eating together at assigned tables (protocols are subject to change due to Covid). Breakfast includes a hot item, fresh fruit, and cereal. Lunch and dinner include a hot entrée, vegetables, salad, as well as dessert. Whenever meat is served, a vegetarian option is offered. We make accommodations for campers on special allergy- or health-related diets. Consistent with the policies of other URJ camps across North America, Camp Kalsman is a kosher-style facility. We do not serve pork or shellfish, or products containing them, and do not permit such products on camp grounds. Milk and meat dishes are not served at the same meal.

ARE CARE PACKAGES ALLOWED?

No, we do not accept care packages for campers. This includes boxes of any size and large/oversized mailing envelopes. Camp will only accept letters up to a standard size envelope or a standard size greeting card envelope, or standard size postcards. No padded or oversized envelopes. Of course, we understand that sometimes sending items to camp will be necessary. If your camper has forgotten something important or needs something new (e.g. more sunscreen), please contact us at kalsmanpackages@urj.org before mailing the package. Please remember that this is for forgotten essentials only! Unless we know a package is coming, we will refuse to accept it at camp.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD GETS SICK WHILE AT CAMP?

It is our hope that every camper will remain healthy and fully able to participate in all aspects of camp life all summer long. Just in case, though, Camp Kalsman has a range of systems in place to manage health care issues that may arise, refer to When We Call Home. The Camp’s modern, well-equipped infirmary is staffed by medical professionals all summer long – usually a doctor and a nurse. We supervise the dispensing of medication four times a day. A medical form with comprehensive information will be all we need to take care of your child while at Camp.

WHAT IF MY CHILD'S BIRTHDAY OCCURS DURING CAMP?

Birthdays that occur during the Camp session will be celebrated. This observance is not only a treat for the camper, but a lot of fun for everyone. Ever had a birthday party with 200 friends in attendance? Please do not send food of any kind for your child’s birthday, as we will provide a delicious cake to celebrate their special day.

DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE IMMUNIZED?

The URJ Camping system considers camp safety and public health as matters of utmost importance. The vaccination of all members of the camp community ranks as a key component in maintaining a safe environment and in decreasing the risk of transmission of contagious illness. Accordingly, the URJ Camping system requires that any member of the camp community in residence receive up-to-date, age-appropriate immunizations.

WHERE CAN I FIND CAMP KALSMAN'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS?

2022 HEALTH & SAFETY

Please note, for SUMMER 2023 URJ Camps will continue to require all staff and campers be up to date per CDC for all eligible Covid vaccinations and boosters. You can read our 2023 Vaccination Policy here.

URJ Summer 2023 Wellness Protocols >

The following sections reflect our policies and procedures from Summer 2022. As our heath and safety protocols for this coming summer take shape we will provide updates here and proactively to our camp families. Updates will be posted beginning in the early spring.

The health and safety of our families has always been and will remain our top priority as we work to open camp safely. Living with the reality of COVID-19, elements of camp life may continue to look different prior to 2019 but we are committed to delivering the same level of excellence in programming and camper care as we always have. We will plan with COVID-19 in mind to continue upholding health and safety of our community as one of our highest priorities. As COVID evolves, our precautions and procedures will, too.

2022 COVID-19 FAQs

COVID-19 Vaccination Statement

******VACCINATION STATEMENT UPDATE BELOW ******

CDC: 3-month Grace Period after COVID Infection Before Booster

People who recently had COVID-19 may consider delaying their next booster by 3 months from when their symptoms started or, if they had no symptoms, when they first received a positive test. Please refer to COVID FAQS below for more information.

What is the vaccination policy for summer 2022?

Click here for our updated 2022 Vaccine Policy as of April 2022.

M.E.S.H. (Mental, Emotional, Social, & Spiritual Health)

Camp care (m.e.s.h.) is extremely important to us.

Licensed Mental Health Professional on camp all summer

Camp Care Coordinator for campers & staff

Camp Kalsman has 24/7 professional security and medical staff, close ties with the local first-responders, Law Enforcement, Fire Department, Emergency Health Services, etc. Our Health Center Staff includes nurses and physicians that rotate throughout the summer.

COVID-19 Safety Precautions & Procedures

IS THERE A VACCINE AND BOOSTER MANDATE?

Yes, all URJ program participants and staff must be fully up-do-date with their vaccinations, including those for COVID. Being fully “up to date” with all age eligible COVID vaccinations is required, including (when eligible) a booster. You are “up to date” with your COVID vaccines when you have followed the current CDC recommendations: Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines | CDC. The required vaccination schedule will be different depending on your age, your health status, and when you began your vaccination series.

Parents send their children to URJ camps and programs and expect that their children will enjoy themselves, have positive social interactions, learn from the rich Jewish environment and most of all be safe and healthy. All the fun, friendship building, Jewish identity affirmation and character development can only happen if we are confident that individual safety and public health remain at the center of every decision made throughout the URJ camps and programs.

Reducing the risk of vaccine-preventable illnesses from entering any of our camps or programs is the single most effective strategy to protect public health. This goal can be accomplished only through the appropriate vaccination of all members of our camp and programs. Please refer to our 2022 Vaccination Statement for more detail.

WHAT IF MY CHILD CANNOT RECEIVE ALL OR PART OF THE COVID VACCINATION SERIES DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION?

Yes, there are exceptions to the URJ vaccination policy, and they are rare. In the rare circumstances that may require exemption, current documentation from a licensed Physician (MD or DO), or a Pediatric/Family Practice Advanced Practice Nurse (ARNP or PNP) not related to the individual describing the reason for exemption from immunization must be furnished to URJ Camps or Israel Programs. URJ Leadership and medical advisors will review and decide on each request on a case-by-case basis.

Please direct all Vaccination Exemption Requests to this form to begin the process:
https://urjyouth.wufoo.com/forms/xj1y0u60aqvyv8/

After completing the form, The URJ Integrated Wellness Director will communicate directly with individuals to gather the appropriate documentation and follow-up information needed to process and determine next steps for each request. We rely on the expertise and guidance of our URJ Medical Advisory Team in this process.

WILL THERE BE PRE-CAMP BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES (COVID BRIT) THIS YEAR?

The pre-camp strategies we used last year were very effective and we will use similar methods this year (though likely less stringent based on current conditions) to prevent COVID from entering camp (pre-camp testing regimen, pre-camp COVID behavior Brit). The 2022 COVID Brit will include guidance on how to minimize your camper’s COVID exposures in the week prior to coming to camp (for example, by masking in indoor public environments). It will not limit your camper’s ability to attend school, travel or participate in other camps in the days preceding their camp session.

WILL UNITS AND BUNKS BE COHORTED LIKE THEY WERE IN SUMMER 2021?

We know that by increasing some layers of COVID mitigation, we may decrease others. By requiring that our camp communities are fully up to date with COVID vaccinations, we are hopeful that we can create a camp environment that feels more typical to a pre-pandemic summer season, including a less stringent focus on cohorting in camp, while remaining agile and ready to pivot with any changing conditions.

COVID Found at Camp

If a camper tests positive for COVID while at camp, we are requiring that their family picks them up within 6 hours to recover at home until they meet the requirements to return to camp (see FAQs for more information). We realize that some families live further away, and every situation is different, but we ask that you please have a reasonable plan in place should your child need to be picked up.

WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR IF YOU ENCOUNTER COVID SYMPTOMS AND POSITIVE TESTS AT CAMP?

To protect URJ camp communities from further spread, and to simultaneously ensure that any COVID+ community member receives appropriate care during their isolation period, we are requiring that all camp families plan for retrieving their family member(s) from camp to isolate at home (or elsewhere off campus) if they test positive for COVID at camp (we can discuss any specific challenges around this individually). We are requiring families to retrieve their family members to isolate off campus, because housing and caring for COVID+ community members is operationally incompatible with our camps’ capacities (facilities and staff).

COVID+ community members can return when they test negative for COVID by rapid antigen test, on 2 consecutive days. They can begin testing daily after 5 days of isolation and can return to camp once 2 consecutive days produce negative RA test results. The COVID Leader at each camp will discuss this isolation plan individually with each affected family. Information about the potential return to camp will be individualized by camp-specific variables, such as session length.

Additionally, all URJ camps will follow leveled protocols for COVID decision-making, and agility based on changing conditions both on and off campus. If we encounter COVID on campus at any of our URJ camps, Directors will follow these protocols for elevating our mitigation efforts to reduce any COVID spread on camp.

WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR IF COVID CONDITIONS CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THE CAMP SEASON?

If the COVID conditions outside of camp change during the summer season (for example, a new COVID variant or surge takes place during the camp season), we will follow our protocols for elevating our mitigation efforts. These changes in mitigation levels will be determined by the URJ team of staff and medical advisors and the guidance of the CDC and AAP for best practices. For campers, we do not anticipate any programmatic changes unless we encounter COVID inside camp.

WILL STAFF BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE CAMP FOR TIME OFF?

Last summer, our camps were “bubbled” – this means that no staff came or went from campus during the entire summer season. In this way, we were able to keep COVID out of camp, using a stringent and layered mitigation approach. While that was appropriate last year and played a significant role in our success in keeping COVID out of our URJ camps, it was burdensome to our camp staff. This year, staff will be allowed to leave campus for time off. We will put multiple layers of mitigation around this practice to minimize the risk of COVID entering camp. Our protocols will utilize the CDC Community Risk Level Tool to guide staff on how to safely spend time off camp, and we will be ready and agile to make adjustments to this plan based on changing COVID conditions.

CDC: 3-month Grace Period after COVID Infection Before Booster

People who recently had COVID-19 may consider delaying their next booster by 3 months from when their symptoms started or, if they had no symptoms, when they first received a positive test.

If families want to take advantage of this 3-month delay in booster timeline, they will need to show clinical verification of the recent infection:

Lab-administered RA or PCR COVID test
Dr.’s note verifying infection and including date of positive test

WHAT IF MY CHILD BECOMES ELIGIBLE FOR THE NEXT DOSE IN THE COVID VACCINATION SERIES IN THE 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THEIR CAMP SESSION OR DURING CAMP?

The URJ Vaccination Statement requires that all participants and staff are up to date as of 2 weeks prior to their program or camp session. If your child becomes eligible for the next dose in their vaccination series during the 2 weeks prior to their session or during the session, they are still considered up to date without that additional dose.

The two-week time frame is in place to minimize potential vaccine-induced symptoms and any added stress in the immediate pre-camp period. Additionally, if you are up to date by 2 weeks prior to your session, there will be no requirement to obtain subsequent doses during a camp session. Please reach out to your Camp Director with any individual questions about this situation.

HOW DOES URJ MAKE DECISIONS RELATED TO HEALTH AND SAFETY AND COVID?

An experienced team of URJ staff is overseeing the development of COVID guidance for URJ programs. They work with our URJ Medical Advisory Team, who have expertise and specialization in public health and infectious disease and also rely on the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for best practices. These teams are working closely with URJ program staff to develop guidelines and protocols that preserve the camp experience, protect our camp communities, and use evidence-based best practices.

WILL MASKS BE REQUIRED AT CAMP?

Please send your child to camp with 1 high filtration mask (N95/94 or KN95/94) per day for the length of their camp session. These masks are to be used for short periods of time in communal indoor spaces if elevated mitigation becomes necessary due to changing conditions. Camps will also have a supply of masks for this purpose. If your campers’ masks are not used at camp, they will bring them home at the end of the session. Outside of having to elevate our mitigation in camp, masks will be optional – so if your camper plans to wear a mask when it is not required, please send more masks than outlined above to accommodate their individual preferences.

WILL THERE BE ONGOING SURVEILLANCE TESTING AT CAMP?

With the continued spread of COVID cases, we will increase our surveillance testing to opening day (day 0), and days 1- 6 of camp. The current variant seems to have a long incubation period and those who test negative on opening day could still be positive several days later. In the days leading up to camp is the time to be most aware.

always mask indoors in public spaces
when eating with those outside your household or at a restaurant, eat outdoors
if attending a gathering such as a graduation or wedding, wear a mask indoors and consider wearing one if in close quarters outdoors
consider exchanging indoor activities such as movies or bowling for outdoor activities such as the beach or mini golf!
wash hands often
postpone sleepovers until after camp

WHY DO WE EVEN HAVE TO ISOLATE CONFIRMED COVID CASES IF THE ENTIRE CAMP COMMUNITY IS UP TO DATE WITH COVID VACCINATIONS?

As long as the CDC continues to treat COVID as a pandemic to contain, including isolation of positive cases, we will follow that guidance. In addition to following the guidance of the CDC and our Medical Advisory Team, we are leaning on our organizational values: taking care of ourselves, our camp communities, and the broader community.

We are requiring families to retrieve their campers and staff to isolate off campus, in large part because taking care of COVID+ community members (especially in the unlikely case of widespread infection) is operationally incompatible with our camps’ capacities (facilities and staff). Knowing that a small percentage of our community will be unable to leave campus for isolation (international community members primarily), we are planning for this possibility.

WILL THERE BE VISITORS ALLOWED AT CAMP THIS SUMMER?

We know that by increasing some layers of COVID mitigation, we may decrease others. By requiring that our camp communities are fully up-to-date with COVID vaccinations, we are hopeful that we can create a camp environment that feels more typical to a pre-pandemic summer season, including welcoming visitors to camp in a limited way. What we do know for sure, is that if conditions allow us to safely welcome visitors to our camps this summer, we will use the available layers of mitigation around these visits as appropriate and based on current COVID conditions (physical distance from campers, masking, rapid tests on arrival, shortened visits, and more).

WILL CAMPERS GO ON TRIPS OUTSIDE OF CAMP THIS SUMMER?

We will be taking only trips that meaningfully contribute to the camp experience AND present exceedingly low COVID risk, and using added layers of mitigation when appropriate.

WILL I RECEIVE SOME TUITION CREDIT IF MY CHILD MUST LEAVE CAMP FOR A PORTION OF THE SESSION DUE TO COVID?

Under ordinary circumstances, we are unable to provide refunds/credits for campers missing partial days of the summer. URJ camps/immersive staff work year-round to plan for a joyful, meaningful, and safe summer season and fees cover expenses for staff, programming, facilities, operations, and more. However, we acknowledge the challenges COVID poses to summer 2022. In recognition of this, and as a thank you for your partnership, trust, and commitment, we will provide $50.00/day for up to 7 days as a credit for future programs in the event your child misses a portion of the summer due to them testing positive for COVID while at camp. We also encourage you to explore travelers’ insurance and/or other types of insurance to provide extra protection.