COVID-19 Response

Updated: January 15, 2022

In Response to COVID-19

The Alberta government has once again declared a Public Health State of Emergency. Included in this declaration comes a variety of temporary restrictions. Camp Caroline continues to adhere to all restrictions outline by AHS and the Alberta Government. According to the recent update, we can continue to operate under the province’s guidelines for Overnight Camps.

The health and safety of our camper’s and guests continues to be our top priority. Until restrictions are lifted Camp Caroline will continue to practice the following:

Ask that all guests and staff perform a self-check prior to arriving onsite.
- Anyone showing signs of contagious illness, or who is sick with cold-like symptoms not related to a known pre-existing condition should stay home.
Ask that all guests and staff wear masks while in public spaces.
- Unless eating or drinking
- In their accommodations/room
- At their workstation alone
- Swimming or doing athletics in the gym
Ask all guests and staff to maintain 2 meters distancing from one another as best as can reasonably be done.
Ask guests to participate in their retreat exclusively with their group.
- The province has outlined that Overnight Camps are to operate with “Cohort Modeling.” A cohort is defined as a group of attendees and staff members assigned to them who stay together throughout the day, as well as day-to-day. Cohorts should remain as stable as possible over an extended period.
Camp Caroline will be continuing our COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

With the above in mind, we would still be honored to host your group at camp. If restrictions should change between now and your event we will work with your group to:

Meet new restrictions if possible.
Re-schedule for a future date
Refund Booking Deposit

For more information, please refer to the following Frequently Asked Questions.

EVENTS and RETREATS

Am I still able to book an overnight retreat for a date in 2021-2022?

We are currently taking booking inquiries for this fall and into 2022.

If you would like to book an overnight retreat, please contact us at bookings@campcaroline.ab.ca.

Is Camp Caroline open for day events?

Yes, we are open for day events. Please contact bookings@campcaroline.ab.ca to inquire.

If I book an event or retreat which later needs to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, will I get my deposit back?

Yes, booking deposits will either be refunded or kept on account and carried forward to a future booking date to be determined.

Who do I contact with questions about an event or retreat?

Please contact us at the camp office. We can be reached at bookings@campcaroline.ab.ca or (403) 722-3939.

CAMP CAROLINE'S RESPONSE

How has Camp Caroline been affected by COVID-19?

After the province declared a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak we temporarily closed camp from March 202o to June 2021. Thankfully, we were able to run Family Getaway Camps and Lead camps this past summer.

We continue to monitor the status of this emergency and the province’s restrictions on businesses and gatherings. The health and safety of our campers, counselors, and guests is always of highest priority to us.

Currently, we are permitted to host overnight camps or retreats using a cohort model. Therefore, based on the current public health measures for overnight camps, Camp Caroline is open to overnight campers and guests.

See above for restrictions details.

What has Camp Caroline already done to help reduce and prevent the spread of COVID-19 to its guests?

In line with the guidelines provided by Alberta Health Services, we have implemented new operational and ministry protocols based on AHS guidelines for overnight camps. We have developed a thorough set of Camp Caroline specific guidelines to ensure that all parts of our operations are safe for guests and staff.

Who determines Camp Caroline’s response to COVID-19 and how long camp will stay closed, etc.?

Like you, we cannot forecast how this situation will play out, but our staff and the Board of Directors are dedicated to monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and staying up to date with any new information that may impact our response or decisions. We are taking all recommendations and restrictions provided by Alberta Health Services and are acting upon them immediately.

In October 2020, the Board of Directors approved a response and recovery plan to help us chart our course forward in faith. The plan identifies a series of guiding principles and ministry priorities.
The guiding principles and ministry priorities identified in our response and recovery plan are:

Principle 1: Permitted and prudent. Both conditions need to be met.
Principle 2: Slower is better. We want to be well prepared to manage risks and maintain operations.
Principle 3: Protocols that communicate care, concern, and a commitment to safety.
Principle 4: Grace and generosity. We are here to serve and will respond to opportunities as we can.

Priority 1: Protecting the ministry of Camp Caroline during this season of disruption.
Priority 2: Positioning the ministry to be prepared to re-open and resume operations for summer.

Wondering how you can help Camp Caroline?

Please join us in praying for the following:

1) Wisdom, discernment, and direction as we prayerfully consider how God is continuing to direct us through this season and toward the next.

2) Open doors to offer ministry programming in 2021-2022.

3) Camp finances as we continue to cut any costs that can be avoided and to identify other potential sources of income.

4) As we were getting ready to reopen, we identified a series of maintenance projects that could not be delayed. Whereas each of these projects addressed either safety concerns for guests and staff or the immediate care of the facilities, we committed to having the required work completed before we reopen. These projects included replacing the heat exchanger in the make up air unit in Aspen Lodge, a cracked picture window in Creekside Lodge, and the hot water tanks in Creekside Lodge. Our site and facilities team have worked hard to have these projects completed at the lowest cost to camp without compromising the overall quality of work. The cost of these projects was just under $25,000.

5) In addition to these project costs, our site and facilities team is having to replace a number of tools and equipment due to a break in at camp last spring. Just under $5,000 worth of equipment and tools were stolen from the shop. While we will replace some of the tools and equipment taken, we will not replace everything. It will cost us approximately $3,500 to replace the tools and equipment needed.

6) Continue praying that God will provide for the needs of the camp. We are so THANKFUL for how God has been meeting the needs of the ministry this year. Thus far God has provided the necessary resources for us to manage our financial obligations and maintain cashflow without borrowing any funds. We want to manage our financial obligations, maintain cashflow, avoid borrowing funds for operations, and begin rebuilding reserve funds so we are well positioned to respond to future ministry opportunities.

Interested in making a financial gift? As you consider making a gift please know we believe the church should be the primary place each of us give and want to encourage you to give to your church first. If after giving to your church you have the means and desire to help camp financially, we welcome your gift this spring. Gifts received this spring will be used to help us be ready to reopen. At this time we are asking that gifts be directed to the General Fund to allow us to maintain appropriate cash flow, manage ongoing costs, and direct funds to those areas most in need as we look to the future.

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