eagle’s nest camp covid-19 updates  

(Updated March 21, 2023)

As summer approaches we are growing more and more excited about welcoming campers to Eagle’s Nest! We are eager to provide an opportunity for children to get outside, be with friends, relax and have fun!  To do so, it’s important that we work hard to keep our participants, staff and our community healthy. 

We are also excited to welcome families onto campus from drop off and pick up. Families will be able to take their camper to their cabin and meet the counselor on opening day, and will be able to tour campus, meet camp friends and talk with counselors on closing day. Please see information below for arrival times.

As we get closer to the start of camp, we will continue to  evaluate best practices for risk mitigation from COVID-19. If COVID-19 threat levels increase, we may need to change our current COVID-19 related  policies and procedures for the Summer of 2023.  Below are our preliminary plans related to mitigating COVID-19 this summer:

Throughout the last two years we have worked diligently to create plans that are in line with guidance and recommendations from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Camp Association (ACA), and the Transylvania County Health Department. As we have all learned since the pandemic started, situations continually change and guidance is fluid. As such, our procedures are also tentative and subject to change. 

For the summer of 2023, we are highly encouraging participants to be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 as recommended by the CDC based on the participant’s age.  

Participants will be required to take an at-home, over-the-counter rapid antigen COVID-19 test 48 hours prior to the Opening Day of their session.  Families will upload a photo of the negative test result to a CampDoc form that will be available on CampDoc 48 hours prior to the session.  On Opening Day, all participants will also be tested by our staff with a rapid antigen COVID-19 test.  Participants who test positive on Opening Day, or within 48 hours of Opening Day, will not be permitted to stay at camp. Our camp Director will work with these families to make a plan.  

We recommend that families consult with your medical provider if your child or a member of your household is at a higher risk for COVID-19 complications in order to assess the risk of attending camp. Families who are not comfortable with the increased risk of contracting COVID-19 should not attend camp this summer.

Important Links:

WHAT CONSTITUTES UP-TO-DATE ON COVID-19 VACCINATION

COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

WHERE TO GET VACCINATED FOR COVID-19

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Risk Mitigation Procedures for 2023:

The following are our plans for COVID-19 mitigation for the summer of 2023.

These steps are designed to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 while at Eagle’s Nest Camp and Hante Adventures. These policies and practices are intended to work in concert with our normal policies and practices related to cleaning, health, medical concerns, and infectious disease.

Prior to Opening Day
  • All participants are required to upload (to a CampDoc form) an over-the-counter, rapid antigen COVID-19 negative test result taken by the participant within 48 hours of Opening Day for their session.  
  • All participants should practice COVID-19 safe behaviors and pay attention to COVID-19 symptoms for the 10 days prior to arrival on Opening Day. 
  • Participants or staff who have COVID-19 symptoms or are exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the 10 days prior to arrival on Opening Day should contact the Camp Leadership.
Arrival: 
  • We are excited to welcome families back to camp on Opening Day for an in-person experience. Families will have the opportunity to take their children to the cabin, meet the counselors outside the cabin, and then hug goodbye. We will have counselors ready to take campers from the cabin to the Health Hut for a quick lice screening and health check (height and weight). Because we have limited parking, and to help organize a smooth check-in for all, we will be receiving campers in stages. Arrival times are based on the child’s last name:
      • A-G arrival time between 9:00AM-10:00AM(EDT)
      • H-O arrival time between 10:00AM-11:00AM(EDT)
      • P-Z arrival time between 11:00AM-12:00PM(EDT)
  • All participants will take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test on arrival before they are allowed out of their car. Any participant with a positive COVID-19 test result will not be able to stay at camp.  
  • All participants will be temperature checked at arrival. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will not be permitted to stay on campus.

COVID-19 Threat Level Response Plan While at Camp or on Hante Adventures:

All Levels:
  • Test any symptomatic participant or staff member.
  • Isolation of any positive test result. 
  • For campers: parent/guardian pick-up within 24 hours.
  • Attention to hygiene and hand washing.
Low Threat Level:
  • Optional mask wearing.
Medium Threat Level:

At Medium Threat Level we will continue to practice the Low Threat Level measures and add:

  • Optional mask wearing encouraged for participants and staff who are in high risk categories or those who live with others in high risk categories.
High Threat Level:

At High Threat Level we will continue to practice the Low and Medium Threat Levels measures and add:

  • Small Cohorts.
  • Consistent Face Covering Usage when within 6 feet indoors (not with cabin group).
  • Eating with cabin groups.
ADDED ADVENTURES
From the exciting new French Broad Escapades Adventure to a thrilling week of camping at the beach in South Georgia and many other adventures, Added Adventures offer something for all our campers who have finished 5th through 6th grades.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ADDED ADVENTURES
JUNIOR COUNSELORS
Junior Counselors are rising 11th and 12th graders who are chosen for each camp session to help the counselors on staff supervise campers.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE JUNIOR COUNSELOR PROGRAM
HANTE ADVENTURES
Each year, a new selection of Hante Adventure wilderness trips are offered. Whether they’re rock climbing in Colorado, whitewater paddling in North Carolina, or trekking across the Blue Ridge Mountains.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HANTE ADVENTURES