The day here in The Realm started with a phone call at 6am from the lab in Manchester telling us that all the tests from opening day were NEGATIVE! WOW! How could the day get any better. But it just got better from there. At 6:30am 10 Tinker/Pagers tumbled out of the bunk to go fishing with Rick, our program director. To their delight they pulled in a few fish and threw them back in the lake, so there will be no fish fry tonight. What a great way for them to start the day.
At 8am the rest of The Realm was awakened by Reveille and Woodys booming voice over the loudspeaker telling all that it was going to be a BIG DAY. Breakfast was egg muffins, assorted cereal, juice and choice of fruit. A good start to the day all under the two dining tents in from of the dining hall.
The morning was full of activities with everything up and running, from archery to waterskiing.
Even through masks, you can tell everyone is smiling.
Since you all didn’t get a chance to come into camp on opening day, I will take sometime to fill you in on what it looks like here. Covid has made camp look a bit different but in many way it is still the same Robin Hood as it has been for the last 93 years. We were required by the American Camp Association and the State of New Hampshire to implement guidelines to protect our staff and campers.
Overseeing all of this with Woody ws Dr. Arash Babaoff who you all had the chance to meet on opening day and who you may have had the opportunity to speak with on the phone. We have been fortunate to have Arash on our medical team for the past 14 years and to be alongside us through this journey.
Here are a few of the highlights:
- Each morning and evening all campers and staff are asked about symptoms and have their temperatures taken.
- All groups are divided into “cohorts” within their groups. In the bunks cohorts sleep in the same area with beds spaced 6 ft apart and campers sleep head to toe.
- Bathrooms in each bunk are marked for use by specific cohorts.
- We have built a 15 minute break in between activities to allow for hand washing. This also allows the department heads to disinfect all equipment for the next group.
- At meals campers are all called up by group cohorts. 3 lines for serving and routes are marked on the floor to help direct traffic in and out. Marks on the floor show us where to stand to be 6 ft away. Much of the food is individually packed and paper plates and plastic utensils are used. There is hand sanitizer on all the tables and all hands are sprayed with hand sanitizer before entering the dining to get food. After meals tables are sanitized and wiped down.
- We have added foot pedals to all of the water dispensers so there is no touching involved.
- Masks are worn at all times except when eating, swimming, or sleeping.
- In our infirmary, which was just dedicated to Dr. Arash for his tireless efforts to help us open, we have 10 nurses and currently 2 doctors on staff.
- Next to the medical center we have an isolation tent set up which can hold 8 or more campers and a trailer with separate bathrooms for their use. This was put in with the hopes that we do not have to use it.
- There is also a sizable tent outside of arts and crafts so campers can still enjoy ceramics and art and be outside and protected from the sun and rain.
- Throughout camp there are signs reminding campers and staff to wear masks and to wash their hands regularly.
- Another big tent was added for staff use to be able to relax on time off.
- One of the biggest changes is that we are on complete lockdown for the summer. No one is leaving camp. We have created a bubble on our over 180 acres and 1 mile of waterfront.
I may have missed a few things but as you can see, we have taken all of the precautions required by the ACA and the State of New Hampshire.
You as parents, did your job keeping your campers quarantined prior to arrival at camp and making sure that they received the correct testing.
It was a great first full day of camp and everything is up and running.
Good Night From The Realm
