TAF 2023 COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan & FAQ

Subject to change. Last updated May 11, 2023.

The TAF 2023 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 TAF community is of paramount importance to us. In light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, TAF is committed to fulfilling our mission of fostering personal growth and developing servant leaders so we developed our risk mitigation plans and policies to reunite our community in 2021 and were able to successfully host our annual summer conference with no reported cases of COVID-19 among our staff and TAFers.

Our 2023 COVID-19 protocols reflect a return to increased socialization and interaction between programs. We still have strict protocols in place for any attendee when illness is suspected at TAF.

This TAF 2023 COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan details our policies to meet our goal of limiting COVID spread using the latest data and strategies from the Centers for Disease Control, the American Camp Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics.

While we are taking measures to mitigate the possibility of infectious disease spread, we cannot guarantee a completely risk-free environment. We understand some families may be hesitant to attend TAF this summer, and this plan is intended to equip TAFers with the information needed to make their own decisions.

For more information on TAF 2023 plans, please refer to TAF 2023 or contact a member of our team.

Medical Director Karena Lin Woo, RN, medical@tafworld.org
Conference Director Alison Yeh, cd@tafworld.org
Executive Director Shannon Sung, shannon.sung@tafworld.org

 

COVID-19 Health and Safety Plans

Jump to: Health Screening, Vaccinations, and Testing | Masking | Physical Distancing | Small Groups and Program Capacity | Housing and Rooming | Daily Morning Screenings |  Dining and Meal Times | Communications

 

COVID Health Screening, Vaccinations, and Testing

All TAF attendees will be required to securely share additional health information as part of registration. Please do not attend TAF 2023 if you have any symptoms of illness.

  • Any camper or attendee is subject to screening as needed throughout the week if they are exhibiting any illness.
  • All TAF staff and attendees are required to to receive at least one updated bivalent booster since September 2, 2022 before attending camp.
  • We highly encourage any other household members to receive an updated bivalent booster as well.
  • Parents who are dropping-off or picking up their camper in person will undergo screening measures as well.
Registration Requirements

All attendees will be required to submit proof of the following before arriving at TAF, including the Weekend Program:

  1. At least one updated bivalent booster since September 2, 2022* before arriving at TAF. 
  2. One negative COVID test before arriving at TAF.
    • A rapid antigen test will be done 24 hours prior to the first day of your arrival.

All tests, especially at-home rapid antigen tests, should include the TAFer’s name, date, and time in which the test was completed. Please upload a photo of the negative test results to the confirmation page from registration.

You have until May 11, 2023 to claim free tests from the government if you have not done so already. We believe that this testing strategy will help us more actively monitor potential COVID spread.

Note that parents who are spending time on campus during drop off on Sunday, July 23rd are asked to complete the COVID pre-screening testing.

Parents will be able to submit the required information by visiting their Registration Confirmation page and clicking on their Health History Follow-Up Form button when it is live. Our staff will conduct a screening for these completed requirements as part of the Check-In process when TAFers arrive. More information can be found in the Orientation Packet.

We encourage all TAF household members to get the updated bivalent booster as soon as possible and to plan for appropriate precautions, potentially including quarantine or testing measures.

*If you are attending only for the weekend, children 5 years and younger will need to have received an updated bivalent booster since March 17, 2023. Please refer to the CDC guidelines for specific vaccination scenarios.

TAF 2023 Vaccination Deadlines

Attendees must receive an updated bivalent booster no later than July 9, 2023

  • Attendees who will not have received their updated bivalent booster before TAF will need to consult and obtain approval from the TAF Medical Director*
  • Attendees who will not have received their updated bivalent booster before TAF and will not be able to fulfill their vaccination requirements will automatically be placed on the waitlist. Final notifications for waitlist acceptance will be sent by June 1, 2023.

*Acceptance of medical exemptions provided by your physician are up to the discretion of the Medical Director.

COVID Testing Requirement 

All campers and attendees are required to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test result via rapid antigen test within 24 hours prior to arriving at TAF.

Individuals who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 are allowed to attend TAF as long as the rapid test 24 hours prior to arrival is negative.

Regardless of symptoms and vaccination status, individuals are considered a positive case at the time of testing and assumed to be currently contagious. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to attend TAF 2023 if they have not finished the CDC-recommended period of 5-10 days after their positive test result, in addition to meeting the requirements above.

 

Masking

During TAF, masks will be optional but highly encouraged.

TAFers may choose to bring appropriate reusable masks for their personal use.

  • TAF will have a limited supply of disposable masks for TAFers’ 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 effective mask guidelines

 

Physical distancing

Manchester University is hosting conferences at full capacity, and TAF will be the sole conference on site. TAF programming may still include social distancing measures for large-scale gatherings such as camp-wide programming. 

 

Small Groups and Program Capacity

The Small Group structure will be used throughout the week, as cohorts (aka pods) have been shown to reduce risks of transmission and allow us to be able to conduct contact tracing, if necessary. All programs will implement a camper capacity limit, to ensure standards of safety and quality programming. 

  • No more than 10 campers and 2 staff in a Small Group, with final camper-to-staff ratios depending on program capacity and attendance numbers. 
    • Sprouts Program may have up to 6 campers in a Small Group.
    • Juniors Program may have up to 8 campers in a Small Group.
    • JH and Youth Programs may have up to 10 campers in a Small Group.

 

Housing and Rooming

Campers are housed with their respective Programs, and assigned rooms at the Program Directors’ discretion. Parents/guardians may make a note during the registration process to request other rooming accommodations related to any camper needs for medical reasons. Although TAF cannot guarantee all requests, Program Directors will do their best to provide reasonable accommodations whenever possible.

The Sprouts and Juniors Programs will be housed in Helman Hall. The JH Program will be housed in East Hall. The Youth, Labs, and Parents Programs will be housed in Garver Hall. Other staff and attendees may be housed based on their involvement and responsibilities.

 

Dining and Meal Times

Programs will have staggered dining times scheduled.

 

Communications

Upon successful registration, you will receive a confirmation email. In the following weeks, registered families will also receive via the TAF 2023 Orientation packet (PDF) via email, 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 the week of TAF:

  • Daily health updates, including any illness or COVID-19 positive test results.
  • If anyone is identified with a confirmed case of COVID-19, our medical team will directly notify any campers, participants, and associated families who may be considered a “close contact” with the individual. Close contacts will be monitored for any potential symptoms.
  • Arrival and pick-up procedures will be emailed to parents with reminders for any households that have not been fully vaccinated to take appropriate precautions, potentially including quarantine or testing measures.
  • Camper-Parent contact (via phone) is encouraged every day, especially for younger campers. Counselors will assist those who do not have a personal mobile device.

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 results while withholding any identifiable health information. Therefore, any family members or staff who test positive for COVID-19 immediately after TAF are encouraged to communicate with our Medical Director, the Executive Director, the Conference Director, or TAF President, Karen Lin.

We encourage everyone to make the decision that is 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/bad behavior.

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 | Registration & Programming | 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 appropriate actions to keep the community safe, TAF is not able to guarantee that a TAF participant 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.

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

  • If a 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, the Medical Team will make arrangements for isolation, perform a rapid COVID-19 antigen test, and monitor for further symptoms. Once the patient is cleared by medical staff, the camper/staff member may return to normal camp activities.
  • If a camper/staffer tests negative without a fever, they will remain in isolation until the rapid COVID-19 test id negative. If symptoms are improving and the patient has been fever free for 12 hours, they can return back to activities wearing a mask, which we will provide.
  • If a camper/staffer tests negative without a fever, isolation continues until the Medical Team determines it is safe for them to resume activities. If the symptoms were potentially respiratory, the camper may be required to wear a mask, which we will provide.

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 plan to 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 throughout the week for medications, injuries, and sickness.

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

We are bringing back the Parents and Weekend Programs this year, and we may have parents on-site for the full week who serve as medical volunteers. If you are a parent that would like to help serve as a medical volunteer for the week, please contact medical@tafworld.org. The only other people who will be allowed are Manchester staff who provide essential services to TAF. No weekday visitors will be allowed.

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

We will suggest that TAFers and their families use appropriate COVID-19 precautions in the 14 days prior to TAF.

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

Parents who are spending time on campus during drop off on Sunday, July 23rd are asked to complete the COVID pre-screening 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 2023?

It has always been TAF’s commitment to ensure the accessibility of our summer conference. However, with the increasing cost of facilities and resources, please expect registration rates to increase. Details can be found here on our Rates page.
Please remember TAF provides financial aid for both campers and staff. Please apply using the TAF 2023 Financial Aid Application.

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

If we have to cancel TAF before the first day of the session, we will provide a complete refund.

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/bad behavior.

 

Registration & Programming

How do I register and when is TAF?

We plan on opening TAF 2023 Registration in April. TAF 2023 will take place July 23 through July 30.

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 virtual and in-person TAF events throughout the rest of the year.

What will the daily schedule look like?

Daily schedules will closely resemble programming held in person from previous years. TAF programming may still include social distancing measures for large-scale gatherings such as camp-wide programming. 

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?

Yes, TAF will still hold large all-camp events.

Will TAF be running camp programs at full capacity?

Yes, we will be operating at full capacity out of Manchester University’s facilities. All programs will still implement a program camper capacity limit to ensure quality programming and safety.

 

Transportation

Will TAF offer bus transportation to camp?

TAF will offer our traditional bus transportation options. More details can be found on our Transportation page.

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

Yes, parents who are spending time on campus during drop off on Sunday, July 23rd are asked to complete the COVID pre-screening testing. More details can be found in our Orientation Packet sent out to all registered families.

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

Yes, we will still have the Manchester University shuttle service running to/from FWA. More details can be found on our Transportation page.