After Governor Inslee announced his plans for reopening Washington state to Phase 3 with hopes of opening to Phase 4 at the end of June, Camp Huston (like many other businesses and camps) wondered how this would impact our plans for Summer Camp 2021. Currently, Camp Huston has planned to operate camp in Phase 3, using the extensive guidance laid out by the state and the Diocese of Olympia. While awaiting further guidance on how to operate and what to expect for summer camps in Phase 4, we have been tentatively advised to continue our current plans as if nothing has changed. Since many children are still at risk due to not being eligible for vaccines, we are anticipating that the following aspects of our plan will not change: requiring pre-camp PCR COVID tests, masking, and maintaining cohort groups.
As for our Conference Center, we will be operating with our current set of Conference Center Policies until further notice. Because our conference season is put on hold for summer camp and Gov. Inslee is using June 30th as a bench marker for opening to Phase 4, we most likely won’t reevaluate our Conference Center Policies until summer camp is over. If in Phase 4, we anticipate loosening some of our restrictions based on guidance from the state and the Diocese of Olympia.
As it stands, we follow the advice and guidelines of the Diocese of Olympia closely. Recently, Bishop Greg Rickel reiterated that, although the CDC has updated its guidelines about vaccinated individuals and mask-wearing, the Diocese has not changed their policies regarding masks. Camp Huston asks that conference guests, summer campers, and staff alike wear masks in our facilities regardless of vaccination status.