Communicable Disease
& COVID-19 Plan

The safety of our campers, staff, and camp community
has always been of the highest priority to us.

With the help of the Vermont Health Department, CDC, American Camping Association, Association of Camp Nursing, and other camps we have put together a Safety & Response Plan to address communicable diseases and COVID-19.

1. Purpose & Goals

This plan establishes policies and procedures to prevent, identify, and manage communicable diseases within the Windridge community. Our primary goals are to:

  • Protect the health and safety of campers, staff, and visitors.

  • Limit the spread of illness through prevention, education, and response.

  • Ensure continuity of camp operations while meeting public health requirements, specifically the Vermont Health Department, CDC, American Camping Association, and the Association of Camp Nursing.

2. Roles & Responsibilities

  • Camp Director – Nifer Hoehn: Oversees implementation of the plan, communication with parents, and reporting to health authorities.

  • Health Center / Camp Nurse: Leads health screening, manages suspected cases, maintains medical records, and enforces isolation protocols.

  • Counselors & Staff: Monitor campers daily for symptoms, support hygiene practices, and promptly report concerns to the health team.

  • Parents/Guardians: Provide accurate health information, ensure pre-camp medical forms are complete, and promptly pick up campers if possible and required.

3. Pre-Camp Measures

  • Health Forms: Guardians must submit updated medical history, immunization records, and emergency contacts by May 1. 

    • An up-to-date Health History Form is required of all our campers and staff.

    • The Physician's Examination Form is required of all our campers and staff.

  • Pre-Camp Screening: Guardians attest that campers have been symptom-free of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other communicable illness for at least 48 hours prior to arrival.

  • Immunizations: Campers and staff must be up-to-date on all required immunizations as outlined in our Parent Handbook.

4. Arrival & Daily Screening

  • Arrival Day:

    • Health staff conduct health checks and symptom screening.

    • Campers showing signs of illness may be delayed entry or sent home.

  • Ongoing Monitoring:

    • Counselor check-ins for symptoms (cough, sore throat, rash, stomach upset, fever).

    • Nurses available in our health center, if needed.

5. Prevention & Education

  • Hand Hygiene: Frequent handwashing encouraged before meals, after activities, and after bathroom use. Hand sanitizer stations available across camp.

  • Respiratory Etiquette: Campers taught to cover coughs/sneezes and use tissues.

  • Cleaning & Disinfection: High-touch surfaces, restrooms, and shared equipment disinfected daily.

  • Education: Staff trained in recognizing early symptoms, prevention measures, and reinforcing healthy behaviors. Foodservice staff will know and implement safe food handling practices.

6. Response to Illness

  • Symptomatic Campers/Staff:

    • Immediately evaluated by the nurse. Health Center staff will isolate people with questionable symptoms until the communicable illness can be ruled out.

    • If suspected communicable disease (fever >100.4°F, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained rash, persistent cough): camper placed in designated isolation space.

    • Anyone presenting with a fever of 100.4 or greater but no other COVID-19 Associated Symptoms will hydrate and continue to be monitored by our nurses in the health center. If fever persists after hydration and rest, the patient will remain in the health center until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication - at which time they can return to activities.

    • Anyone with a fever of 100.4 or greater AND exhibiting one or more additional COVID-19 symptoms will get a rapid COVID-19 test. We will notify parents if their child is tested for COVID-19.

    • Anyone presenting two or more COVID-19 associated symptoms without a fever will be further assessed by a nurse and doctor, if needed, to determine the next steps (strep test, COVID-19 rapid test, etc.)

  • Isolation Protocol:

    • Symptomatic individuals remain supervised in isolation until they are symptom free for for at least 5 days and will wear a well-fitting mask around others for an additional 5 days. Parent/Guardian will have the option to pickup camper if desired/possible.

    • If urgent, transport to Central Vermont Medical Center, 130 Fisher Rd, Berlin, VT 05602.

  • Return to Camp:

    • Camper may return with a healthcare provider’s clearance or after being symptom-free for 24–48 hours, depending on illness.

7. Outbreak Management

  • Definition: 3 or more cases of the same illness within a cabin or group in a 72-hour period.

  • Procedure:

    • Notify Vermont Department of Health, 800-464-4343.

    • Increase monitoring, cleaning, and separation of affected groups.

    • Communicate with parents promptly.

    • Follow public health guidance for possible camp-wide measures.

8. Specific Illness Protocols

  • Gastrointestinal Illness (norovirus, stomach flu): Exclude symptomatic campers for 48 hours after last symptom. Increase sanitation of bathrooms and dining hall.

  • Respiratory Illness (flu, COVID-19, RSV): Isolate until medically cleared or symptom-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

  • Strep Throat: Exclude until 24 hours after starting antibiotics.

  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye): Exclude until cleared by healthcare provider.

  • Lice/Scabies: Camper may continue or start treatment at Windridge.

9. Communication

  • Parents/Guardians: Notified if their child becomes ill or is exposed to a communicable disease.

  • Staff: Updated on any necessary protocols without disclosing private medical details.

  • Public Health Authorities: Reportable diseases (per VT/local requirements) communicated immediately.

10. Record Keeping

  • All illnesses, treatments, and isolation incidents will be logged by the Health Center in CampInTouch.

  • Documentation maintained for public health review and for post-season evaluation.

11. Review & Training

  • Plan reviewed annually by camp leadership and medical staff.

  • Staff receive communicable disease training during orientation week.

  • Post-season debrief identifies improvements for next year.


Revised 9/16/2025