We are so excited to be planning in-person, overnight camp for 2021! Registration is open!
There is so much to do to get ready for our campers! We are working hard to provide a safe, nurturing environment that will allow campers to connect with each other, their counselors, God, and creation in Silver Lake's 60+ wooded acres.
It is hard to know right now what June is going to look like. We are putting together policies and procedures to address concerns around Covid-19 using the best scientific information available, and we know that it will change before we welcome our first campers on June 27.
We are still awaiting guidelines from The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), but we are moving forward with our plans to run camp this summer!
As we update policies based on state, national, and American Camp Association guidelines, we will update this page. If you would like to receive an email when updates are made, please fill out this form.
If you have questions, please email slcc@silverlakect.org. We can set up a phone conversation to make sure you get the information you need to feel confident about sending your camper to Silver Lake in 2021.
We can't wait to welcome you back!
Updated May 1: pre-camp requirements (Before You Come to Camp) & additional details about modifications at camp (Covid Modifications at Camp).
Click on the section header below to read more.
If Silver Lake or the State of CT cancels camp, we will encourage families to roll their money forward to 2022 or convert to a donation. Partial or full refunds will be available.
If a camper tests positive or the family is advised to quarantine in the 14 days before camp, every effort will be made to move the registration to an upcoming session. Otherwise, a full refund will be available.
If a family chooses to cancel a registration before April 30, all fees minus the $150 non-refundable deposit may be refunded. If they cancel after April 30, a family may receive a refund of up to 50% of the total camp fees.
All campers and their household should follow all CDC guidelines for masking, distancing, group gatherings, etc. in the the 14 days prior to arriving at camp.
Travel
All campers should follow CDC guidelines for travelers. Read the guidance here.
Health Monitoring
All campers will be required to complete a Pre-Camp Health Screening Form to monitor and record temperatures and symptoms in the 14 days prior to arriving at camp.
Download the Pre-Camp Health Screening Form here.
Testing
All campers will be required to provide documentation of a negative PCR Covid-19 test in the days before arriving at camp.
Campers will be tested again after arriving at Silver Lake.
Vaccine
Vaccination is strongly recommended for anyone who is eligible.
Packing
Each camper will need to bring 3-ply surgical style masks (at least 2 for each day) to wear while they are at camp. We recommend each camper have 28 masks for their 2-week session. The exact policy of who has to mask when will be determined closer to camp.
We recommend each camper have their own personal hand sanitizer. We will be adding handwashing or hand sanitizing stations and will incorporate hand cleaning breaks throughout the day.
Read our general summer packing suggestions here.
Two-week sessions
We have lengthened our camp sessions to two weeks to allow better monitoring of health.
Cohorting
Conferences (program groups) will be limited to 20 campers and 5 staff members. Conferences will move around camp as a unit; for example, the counselors will also serve as lifeguards during swim time to minimize contact between different groups.
Cabin groups will act as family pods.
Testing
Our intention is to test all campers after they arrive at camp. Summer staff will be tested periodically throughout the summer as well. More information about this policy will be sent to families in advance of camp.
All campers will be required to provide documentation of a negative PCR Covid-19 test in the days before arriving at camp.
Masks
We anticipate that campers and staff will wear masks at least some of the time. The exact policy of who has to mask when will be determined closer to camp. We anticipate that masks will be used when individuals are interacting with people outside of their family pods, when indoors, or when distancing can't be maintained. More information about this policy will be sent to families in advance of camp.
Each camper will need to bring 3-ply surgical style masks (at least 2 for each day) to wear while they are at camp. We recommend each camper have 28 masks for their 2-week session.
Health Screening
We will monitor the health of campers and staff on a daily basis throughout camp. More information about this policy will be sent to families in advance of camp.
Handwashing and Deep Cleaning
We are currently working to identify areas of camp where we can add handwashing or hand sanitizing stations and will incorporate hand cleaning breaks throughout the day. We have a policy in place that everyone participating in an activity using props or items that will be handled by the group must sanitize their hands before and after touching the items.
During the summer, our maintenance and housekeeping staff will be responsible for enhanced daily cleaning, focusing on high-traffic common areas. The entire camp will be deep cleaned between sessions.
Vaccines
We are hopeful that camp staff will have access to vaccines before the summer and are encouraging all of our staff to obtain one.
Vaccination is strongly recommended for anyone who is eligible.
Together with our Medical Director and our team of Camp Nurses, we are putting together a comprehensive Communicable Disease Plan that will allow us to respond quickly to any communicable disease that appears at camp, in addition to confirmed or suspected cases of Covid-19.
Silver Lake Conference Center is a ministry of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Click here to read our Mission Statement.
223 Low Road | Sharon, CT 06069 | 860.364.5526 | Fax: 860.364.1000 | slcc@silverlakect.org