Silver Birch Ranch
Coronavirus Policy

Updated 8/4/21

We know that you put health and safety at the top of your list, and we also want to make sure that all campers, leaders, and volunteers have a safe and fun time at SBR. Before anyone comes to camp, a Pre-Camp Health Screening Form must be completed. 

If someone is unable to meet the health standards on this form, we would ask that individual to stay home for the safety of all the others.  If you are unsure whether you/they should attend camp, you can call our office prior to the first day of camp, 715-484-2742, and we will work with you on the best plan possible.  

TWO-STEP HEALTH SCREEN

  1. Screening at home before coming to camp. Link to Pre-Camp Health Screening Form

  2. Screening upon arrival at camp. Link to At Camp Health Screening Process here

Once on camp grounds, if anyone is sick or shows signs of sickness, they will be quarantined, and a plan will be put into place for their medical care, or plans will be made to go home. 

Part of the care plan might include SBR medical administering a COVID-19 antigen test.  $15 will be charged to the camper’s account.

PRE-CAMP HEALTH SCREENING FORM 
Parents or guardians of minors will be responsible for completing one Health Screening Form for each camper or volunteer. 
This MUST be turned in upon arrival at the bus or camp.

OUR COMMITMENT TO KEEP CAMPERS SAFE
The health and safety of kids, families, and staff have always been our top priority at Silver Birch Ranch.  We want to address any possible concerns you may have about what we are doing to keep everyone safe from COVID-19, as well as other illnesses.  For more than 50 years we have provided a safe camp with intensive medical and cleaning protocols for a wide range of medical situations.  This is not the first virus outbreak, it won’t be the last, and we take them all very seriously. We believe that people need the opportunity to get outside, interact, learn about God, and have fun. We also believe that there need to be changes and new guidelines in place to ensure the safest camp experience possible for all guests attending SBR. It is with this approach in mind that we bring to you our health and safety commitments for 2021.  Our goal “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known” has not changed.

ADJUSTING PLANS WITH THE TIMES
SBR will be hosting new groups of campers and volunteers weekly.  We realize not every policy fits every individual situation, and we want to work with you to the best of our ability, while maintaining the safety of every person on our grounds.  We also realize that these times with COVID-19 are ever changing.  As time goes on, we may be able to relax on some policies, or we may need to tighten policies if the situation merits.  

PLANNING TEAM
SBR continues to plan and review our health policies and procedures with volunteer health professionals who have teamed up with us. We have a healthy working relationship with our county health department (Langlade County), as well as the local hospital, clinic, and EMS.  We desire to provide the best care to everyone.

Because of all the procedures and precautions we have implemented, our local health department and medical director have agreed that we are NOT required to enforce mask-wearing, social distancing, or limit the size of groups or cabin capacity.

KEEPING IT CLEAN
Hand sanitation and soap dispensers will be in each cabin, meeting room, in common areas, and meal areas. Our staff will be trained to ask every guest to use hand sanitizer each time they enter and exit a building, and before/after participation in each activity, or wash their hands before every meal. Our staff will also practice this.  

Our staff will lead daily mandatory cleanings in all shared spaces (bathrooms, meeting rooms, Dining Hall, Canteen, offices, etc.) using EPA disinfectant products, and will be held accountable through daily check lists. A deep cleaning of all cabin spaces will occur at the end of every session. We also provide cleaning products in every cabin that can be used at any time.  To the best of our ability, activity areas will be sanitized between each activity group. (Example: helmets for zip line) 

Each cabin has a fan equipped with a hepa filter to ensure air circulation.  Large common areas have commercial quality air purifiers.

Link to Cleaning Procedure here  

TRAINING AND ORIENTATION
At the beginning of each session, all attendees will be trained on updated safety protocols which include practicing good hygiene. Staff will receive training on updated protocols, additional care, and action steps to take if someone becomes ill.   

MEDICAL STAFF
We have an EMT/LPN on staff to address medical concerns that may come.  Many of our full-time and volunteer staff are trained with First Aid and CPR and are trained to identify illness and help.  

FOOD SERVICE
We are working with the WI State Health Inspector to make sure we follow all food service guidelines and regulations.  Some of these are listed below.

  • Every guest must wash or sanitize their hands when entering the Dining Hall.

  • Standard hair restraints and gloves must be worn by food service workers, but the State of Wisconsin is not requiring staff to wear masks.

  • All food service employees are health screened before every shift, including temperature checks.

SENDING SICK INDIVIDUALS HOME
In the event that someone becomes sick with an illness that could spread, he/she will move to a designated quarantine area, and our medical team will implement a quarantine protocol that works to identify, control, and contain the illness. If SBR determines that an individual must go home, the parent or group leader is responsible to provide transportation for that person within 12 hours of being notified.

LIMITING EXPOSURE
We will be greatly limiting the number of non-program staff and visitors on our properties during camp sessions to help limit exposure to illness. 

We will continue to evaluate and update the details of each category and make any additional changes as needed.

Wearing masks and social distancing are not required, but campers may choose to do so at their own discretion.

Please continue to join us in prayer for every camper, staff member, volunteer, family, and church partner who will be a part of Silver Birch Ranch this year!