TAF 2021 COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan & FAQ

Subject to change. Last updated July 15, 2021.

The TAF 2021 COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan & FAQ will be updated as regularly as possible, based on changing guidelines and information.

Jump to: COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan | FAQ

 

Introduction

The health and safety of our community is of paramount importance to the Taiwanese American Foundation (TAF). In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, TAF has done its best to fulfill our mission of fostering personal growth and developing servant leaders. After more than a year of loss and isolation however, we believe the time is now to begin rebuilding a safe in-person space in which our youth can continue establishing the social relationships that bring meaning to our lives.

The TAF 2021 COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan details the policies needed for us to safely reopen in accordance with the latest data and strategies from the Centers for Disease Control, the American Camp Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Manchester University, and state public health authorities. We expect this plan to continuously evolve as we are always re-evaluating best practices and adapting to new conditions and guidance.

Our plan relies on the strict implementation and layering of multiple evidence-based measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as masking, physical distancing, and the use of cohorts will form the basis of our operational strategy, in conjunction with vaccinations, daily health screenings, and testing.

While we are taking abundant measures to mitigate the possibility of transmission, nothing is ever completely free of risk. We understand some families may be hesitant to attend TAF this summer, and these plans are intended to equip TAFers with the information needed to make their own decisions.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team.

President Ho Chie Tsai, hochie.tsai@tafworld.org
Medical Director Karena Lin Woo, medical@tafworld.org
Executive Director Vince Huang, vince.huang@tafworld.org
Operations Director Shannon Sung, shannon.sung@tafworld.org
Conference Director Andrea Lin, andrea.lin@tafworld.org


 

COVID-19 Health and Safety Plans

Jump to: NEW! Health Screening, Vaccinations, and Testing | NEW! Masking | Physical Distancing | Cohorts/Pods/Small Groups | Housing and Rooming | Dining and Meal Times | Disinfecting High-Touch Surfaces | NEW! Communications

 

Health Screening, Vaccinations, and Testing

All conference attendees will be asked to securely share additional health information as part of registration, at the discretion of the Medical Director. Everyone will be screened for symptoms upon arrival either at TAF-operated bus stops or Manchester University, and again every morning before leaving their dorm rooms. Campers will have their temperature taken at least once per day. Additional screenings may be added as needed.

NEW! Beginning on July 11, 2021, parents will be able to visit their Registration Confirmation page to access their Health History Follow-Up Form. Clicking on the new button on the page will take you to the Follow-Up Form where you will be able to upload the required information.

You will be asked to fill out new form on the website, submitted prior to arrival at TAF. Our staff will conduct a screening for these completed requirements as part of the Check-In process when campers arrive. More information can be found in the Orientation Packet.

Campers will be required to submit proof of the following as part of the registration process.

  • If your camper was born on June 13, 2009 or earlier, you will be required to submit proof of full vaccination.
  • If your camper was born on or after June 14, 2009, you will be required to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours prior to arriving at TAF.

We encourage all TAF household members to get vaccinated as soon as possible, if eligible.

All TAF Staff will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Any exceptions made will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result from within 72 hours prior to arrival at TAF. If anyone has concerns about meeting this expectation, please contact Conference Director Andrea Lin at andrea.lin@tafworld.org.

Any households that have not been fully vaccinated by the week of TAF are encouraged to plan for appropriate precautions, potentially including quarantine or testing measures.

Masking

TAF campers and staff will still need to be prepared to wear a mask for the majority of camp, especially when they are indoors.

  • NEW! We understand that transitioning into full-time masking may be challenging for some of our campers who have been learning from home during the pandemic; therefore, small accommodations have been made so everyone is able to follow the rules without compromising safety.
  • NEW! Exceptions may include during meal times, in their private rooms, while sleeping, and during participation in certain outdoor physical activities (for example, when adequate spacing and cohorting can be maintained). This may include walking outside from building to building in small groups, but might not apply to vigorous interprogramming in which close contact is a possibility.
  • NEW! This policy will be enforced by staff. If campers have difficulty making it through the schedule fully-masked, we encourage them to discuss their issues and look for solutions together with their counselors.
  • TAFers may choose to bring appropriate reusable masks for their personal use. 
    • All TAFers will be given a supply of disposable masks for their use throughout the week of TAF. 
    • If a TAFer brings their own reusable mask, they will be responsible for maintaining their own masks
    • Personal reusable masks must follow TAF dress code requirements, in addition to adhering to proper effective mask guidelines

Physical distancing

At this time, Manchester University spaces are limited to 70% normal capacity. TAF programming has been reimagined in order to provide for a minimum of three to six feet of distance between individuals whenever possible, especially indoors. To give some examples, small group sessions may be more spread out and located in better-ventilated areas than in previous years, speaker sessions may take place in larger spaces such as the auditorium, and large-scale gatherings such as interprogramming may be changed or cancelled entirely. Windows will be opened when possible to facilitate fresh air circulation. Outdoor tents will be set up to expand space for mealtime and programming, and dining will be staggered across programs.

Posters and other physical markers will be placed in critical areas to remind individuals to maintain proper physical distance.

Cohorts / Pods / Small Groups

Cohorting refers to the practice of placing children and child-care staff into distinct small groups that stay together throughout the day, with less mixing or interaction between individuals from different small groups.

Given that TAF already traditionally operates with small groups and age-specific programs at the center of our organizational structure, we will continue to take advantage of the cohorting strategy as much as possible. However, we do recognize the reality that campers and staff will wish to develop social relationships outside their small groups, and that siblings from different programs may wish to check-in with each other throughout the week. Thus, opportunities may be created to safely facilitate these interactions outside the small group or program setting.

Housing and Rooming

Campers and staff that stay together in the same room/suite are considered a “household cohort.” Campers will primarily be roomed with other campers in their Small Group. Manchester University residence halls have spaced beds 6 feet apart; there will be no more than two individuals living in a room together. 

If your camper may need other rooming accommodations for medical reasons (such as residing in a room without a roommate), you will be able to make this request during the registration process. Program Directors will do their best to fulfill all requests, but there is a possibility requests cannot be fulfilled either to preserve safety or due to unforeseen circumstances. 

Sprouts, Juniors, and Junior High Programs will live in suites made up of two rooms, with a shared bathroom for each suite. Youth and Labs Programs will live in a traditional residence hall with community-style bathroom facilities on each floor and with added plexiglass dividers between the sinks.

Manchester University will disinfect community-style residence hall restrooms daily.

Dining and Meal Times

Programs will have staggered dining times scheduled. Dining hours have been extended this year, and we will utilize a combination of indoor and outdoor seating to help further promote social distancing. Small group members will always be seated together at meal times and will be distanced 6 feet apart from other small groups.

A modified salad bar and drink station with most items “grab and go” or served by Manchester staff will reduce the amount of utensils and surfaces touched by campers and staff. All food workers will be masked and gloved while in the kitchen and serving food. 

Additionally, after TAFers finish their meal and leave their table, a team of Manchester staff will be present to wipe down and disinfect tables as individuals leave.

Disinfecting high-touch surfaces

Though surface contact as a viral vector is a relatively small component of COVID-19 transmission, Manchester University will disinfect classrooms, meeting rooms, and other gathering locations daily. TAF staff will be equipped and expected to clean high touch surfaces throughout the day, and the sharing of tools and resources (such as markers or scissors) will be closely monitored.

Communications

Upon successful registration, you will receive a confirmation email. In the following weeks, registered families will also receive via email a TAF 2021 Orientation packet (PDF), including essential information detailing our COVID-19 plans, measures, and safety protocols.

Before the week of TAF, all registered participants will be required to review a virtual orientation hosted by TAF Senior Staff. The virtual orientation will cover arrival and pick-up procedures, COVID-19-related expectations to set with their children, and what to expect in daily schedules.

During and after the week of TAF, we will maintain full transparency with regards to TAF health updates, including any exposure notices upon confirmed COVID-19 test result while withholding any identifiable health information.

NEW! To keep parents informed and to remain transparent throughout the summer conference, a generalized daily health report will be released at the end of each day by 10pm ET. No child’s identity will be revealed in this report. Parents may withdraw from TAF at their own expense if they feel uncomfortable with their child’s continued participation. As a reminder, campers may go home throughout TAF for reasons other than COVID-19.

We encourage everyone to make the decision that’s best for your family. If your child is sent home early from TAF due to medical or COVID-19 related reasons, we will issue full refunds this summer. Refunds will not be given for early dismissal due to homesickness or misconduct.

Additionally, we will do our best to keep all parents informed through email announcements, newsletters, and social media (Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Instagram).

In the event that your child needs to be sent home early for any reason, you will be immediately notified and expected to pick up your child as soon as possible. Parents/guardians should be prepared to make arrangements in advance.


 

FAQ

Jump to: COVID-19 Preparedness | Financial Information | NEW! Registration & Programming | NEW! Transportation

COVID-19 Preparedness

My child and/or someone in my immediate family is immunosuppressed (i.e. higher risk for severe illness). Can we still participate this summer?

Out of an abundance of care and precaution, TAFers with any comorbidities or living as part of a higher-risk household should consult a physician before deciding to participate in TAF. Though we are taking extensive actions to keep the community safe, TAF is not able to guarantee that a person on our site will not be exposed to COVID-19. If you have any concerns, please contact medical@tafworld.org to set up a time to discuss how we can help.

How will TAF respond to a potential COVID-19 case or positive test during camp?

These protocols are subject to change. We will be testing symptomatic campers and staffers at camp, and isolating those individuals as we wait for results. The camper/staffer will be tested for COVID-19 with an on-site, TAF-administered rapid antigen test. The Medical team may also request and authorize the camper/staffer to be driven off-campus for a confirmatory NAAT/PCR test (North Manchester CVS or Parkview Wabash Hospital).

Once an individual has a negative COVID-19 test and has been cleared of any infectious disease by our on-site medical staff, they may return to normal camp activities.

If the camper tests positive for COVID-19, parents will need to make arrangements to pick up the camper as soon as possible, and contact tracing will begin with testing of close contacts (roommates and small group members).

If a camper/staffer has presented with a fever, parents will need to make arrangements to pick up the camper as soon as possible, regardless of test result.

All final determinations are to be made by TAF’s Medical team and Medical Director.

What resources does TAF have in place to respond to illness at Camp?

As in previous years, we will have a team of full-time vaccinated medical staff who will be working and living on site for the duration of TAF. They will be available 24/7 for medications, injuries, and sickness. We will be dedicating additional resources for on-site testing, PPE, and sanitation, as well as allocating staff to ensure full compliance with our COVID-19 safety protocols. 

Who will be entering Manchester campus this summer beyond campers and staff?

To ensure we keep the TAF quarantine “bubble” intact, we may be drastically limiting interaction with any visitors this summer. This will include contactless check-in and check-out procedures. We will not have an on-site Parents Program nor a Weekend Program this year, although we may have parents on-site who serve as medical volunteers. The only other people who will be allowed are Manchester staff who provide essential services to TAF. All staff will be masked and socially distanced from TAFers as much as practicable.

Will campers be required to quarantine prior to coming to camp?

We will suggest that campers and their families use appropriate COVID-19 precautions in the 14 days prior to camp — specific details to be provided at least one month before camp.

Do parents need to get tested before dropping their children off?

Our contactless in-car check-in and check-out procedure should eliminate the need for parental testing. However, any stay on campus beyond that will likely require additional proof of vaccination or testing. We also will require that campers and their families use appropriate COVID-19 precautions in the 14 days prior to camp. We will provide specific details at least one month prior to the start of camp.

 

Financial Information

Will the rates increase for 2021?

TAF is committed to supporting its community during the COVID-19 pandemic. TAF will not be raising registration rates for 2021 and will have a limited amount of financial aid to support those TAF families in need.

Will I get a refund if camp is canceled or my child needs to come home early?

If we have to cancel camp before the first day of the session, we will provide a complete refund. If we have to send a camper home early due to medical or COVID-19 related reasons, we will do our best to provide a prorated refund.

 

Registration & Programming

How do I register and when is TAF?

We plan on opening registration June 14. TAF 2021 will take place July 25th through August 1st. 

Will TAF offer online programming this summer?

TAF will not have online programming coinciding this year with our in-person conference. However, we are exploring online TAF events for Fall 2021. Accessibility is always a high priority for our community.

What will the daily schedule look like?

We anticipate re-envisioning most large-scale TAF-wide events with smaller ones. For example, family time and universal workshops might take place within your pod and not the entire camp. The traditional “tea-house” dance historically held in Union, may potentially be split into smaller dances or an outdoor event segmented into designated dance areas by age cohort. Some program activities may be altered or not offered based on the county/state health recommendations at the time of camp.

Will TAF still have large all-camp events such as family time?

The small group structure will be used throughout the week, as cohorts (aka pods) have been shown to reduce risks of transmission. Large group interactions will be very limited in comparison to past years.

Will TAF be running camp programs at full capacity?

We will be operating at reduced capacity out of Manchester University’s facilities.

How many campers will there be in a small group/pod?

The size of these pods will be determined by our Medical Director following the latest data. In past years, we have had an average of 8-10 campers in a small group. This year, our Juniors/Sprouts program will have 5-6 campers in a small group; our JH program will have 8 campers in a small group; and our Youth program will have 8-9 campers in a small group.

How will TAF Night work?

NEW! TAF Night will be held in Cordier Auditorium where it is traditionally hosted. We will be abiding by Manchester’s capacity rules and will be spacing out seating so that cohorts are 3-6 feet apart from each other in the audience. There will be no live choir performances, and may instead feature pre-recorded choir recordings to be shown as videos. Acts will be capped at around 30 individuals on the stage at a time.

 

Transportation

Will TAF offer bus transportation to camp?

NEW! TAF will offer our traditional bus transportation options, as well as a new return bus service, limited to only TAF 2021. More details can be found on our Transportation page.

Will parents be allowed to help campers move into their rooms during drop-off?

NEW! We are employing a contactless check-in process. Parents will be able to remain inside their vehicles while campers are assisted by staff in unloading belongings and moving into their assigned rooms. Families checking in multiple campers may be required to engage the check-in process multiple times at different dorms, once for each camper. More details can be found in our Orientation Packet sent out to all registered families.

Can campers fly from out of state or out of the country to camp?

We may be able to accommodate campers who wish to fly in from out of the state, but this will depend on the CDC guidelines, which could contain restrictions on travel from specific areas.

Can my child fly into Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) and be transported to camp from there?

NEW! We will still have the Manchester University shuttle service running to/from FWA. More details can be found on our Transportation page.