NBTSC and COVID-19
February 3, 2025
Hello and thanks for coming to our Covid page.
We continue to seek the optimal intersection between 1) protecting our community from pathogens, including COVID-19, and 2) facilitating the traditional NBTSC experience: connective, welcoming, affectionate, adventurous, and relaxed.
Times have changed, and we don’t foresee incorporating as many time-and-energy-consuming Covid measures as back in 2022 and 2023. But we can’t see the future, and as always we intend to adapt to whatever is needed–in the realm of Covid and also any fresh surprises that Reality may send our way. So with that in mind, anything below could change. We don’t expect it to, but it could. We need our community – campers, staff, parents – to continue bringing a flexible, adaptive, and cooperative mindset. For instance, we don’t anticipate the need for distancing or masking during this year’s sessions, but if this does turn out to be needed then we must be able to count on everyone’s cooperation.
Re Covid testing ~ it’s likely that (similar to 2022-2024) we’ll continue doing community-wide rapid tests at the start of camp and then again a few days later. (Plus additional tests if symptoms arise or if there are any positive test results.) Campers should plan on bringing at least 4 tests–we don’t expect to have access to any free testing programs this year.
As of February we have not, however, definitely committed to testing for 2025. It’s possible we’ll stop doing this, such as if Covid tests become expensive or difficult to procure. If community-wide testing is an imperative for you, NBTSC may not be the right choice at this time. You’re welcome to get in touch with us to discuss any concerns. And of course even if we don’t implement community-wide testing, you’re still welcome to bring tests for your own use, and you’re also welcome to mask, maintain distance from others (including sleeping outdoors), etc. NBTSC culture has plenty of space and respect for folks who choose to take these kinds of cautionary measures.
We’ll share details re testing in the summer, after we’ve firmed up plans.
We do also plan to continue our layered approach to health screening. We ask everyone to care for their health and avoid exposure to pathogens in the weeks leading up to camp, especially during travel. During the 3 weeks prior to each session, all staff and campers report several times (via their online accounts) re their current health status and precautions they are taking to avoid exposure – to anything, not just Covid. We also conduct a brief health screening as part of the arrival check-in process.
Depending on how things are going in August and September, during each session we may also implement precautions such as ventilating indoor spaces, emphasizing outdoor activities, waiting a few days to host high-touch activities like bonding night (literally dozens of hugs for those who choose participate), etc.
What if there’s a positive Covid test part-way through a session? We’ve had four of these scenarios over the last 3 years, and fortunately we’ve been able to continue camp without Covid spreading to additional people. Our general approach is to follow CDC guidelines re isolating, masking, distancing, etc. – both for the person with Covid and also for their recent close contacts. But we reserve the right to adapt as needed, to adjust to the specific realities of NBTSC.
Once we’ve decided about testing details and any other protocols for 2025–probably by around mid-June–we will share details with this year’s camp families. We normally share this type of nitty-gritty info through email notifications that go to all authorized users on a camper’s online account, rather than here on our website.
We’ve been truly blessed from 2022-2024 both to enjoy NBTSC in all its huggy, rambunctious, sweet, cuddly glory and also to pull off a series of radiantly healthy camp sessions. This has taken all kinds of collaboration. We vastly appreciate our community for all the ways y’all have rallied around the challenge of Covid, and we’re so excited to gather again this summer. The late, great John Taylor Gatto used to sign his letters and books, “Sparkle and shine in the face of darkness.” Let’s keep on doing just that. Together.
Thanks for reading!
Grace Llewellyn and the NBTSC team