Pandemic Guidelines for the Wula Retreat

After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with the Retreat this year! As much as it is important to stay home right now, we have heard from many folks how much it would mean to them to be able to get out of town, enjoy the nature and wide open spaces, and safely take class. Please continue reading for details about how we will be staying safe at this year's event. 

Due to the extra administrative work going into this year, we kindly ask that you read all the information before contacting us.

COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. It is thought that the virus may spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose or mouth, causing infection. Therefore, personal prevention practices (such as handwashing, staying home when sick) and environmental cleaning and disinfection are important principles that we expect everybody to adhere to. In addition, wearing a mask can help minimize the spread of the virus by infected people who do not show symptoms (i.e. anybody can have COVID-19, even if they feel fine and never develop symptoms. Wear a mask in case it's you!)

Staying Home when Appropriate

• If you are sick or have recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19, STAY HOME. Your money will be refunded. If you get sick after August 28th, you may need to show proof of your test (the only way we can prevent fraud since there are no refunds after August 28th). 
• With regular testing and surveys, we can ensure that all employees and staff members present on the grounds have not had a close contact with COVID-19 and are not sick.
• Employees who have recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19 are being asked to stay home and monitor their health.
  
  

Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette

• We encourage and monitor for frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer).
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used (for staff and older campers who can safely use hand sanitizer).
  
  

Cloth Face Coverings

• Please use common sense - if you are walking by yourself and nobody is around, you can take your mask off. If you pass somebody within 6 feet (or really within about 20 feet if you can), be sure to cover up your face (without touching the “front” of the mask!)
• A mask is not to protect yourself based on your own level of risk, it is to protect others, including vulnerable populations.
• You are required to wear a mask during all classes, and anytime you are anywhere near a “shared” space (during mealtimes, checking in, etc.)
• Note: Cloth face coverings should not be placed on:
• Babies or children younger than 2 years old
• Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious
• Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without help

Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected but does not have symptoms. Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks, respirators, or other medical personal protective equipment.

Supplies

• Supplies including soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol (for staff and older campers who can safely use hand sanitizer), paper towels, tissues, disinfectant wipes, and more will be available in abundance. All areas will be stocked with supplies to ensure that each participant can properly maintain safety.
  
  

Signs and Messages

• Signs and messages will be posted all around the grounds in accordance with CDC guidelines. 
  
  

Maintaining a Healthy Environment

• Cleaning and Disinfection

• Pocono Valley staff will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g. equipment, door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains) within the camp facility and in any shared transportation vehicles at least daily or between use as much as possible. Use of shared objects (e.g. sharing a drum) should be limited when possible, or cleaned between use.
• Use gloves when removing garbage bags or handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands after removing gloves.
• Shared Objects
• There should be no need for any shared objects at the Retreat. Everybody has their own bathroom, sink, and shower. You’ll need your own drum for classes (as usual).
• Rentals will be given out at the beginning and collected at the end - no checking in and out of rental drums.
• Instruments in the classes that need to be shared will be properly disinfected between uses.
• Please use common sense and remember that everybody has a different tolerance for risk. Do not share drumsticks, djembes, or anything else without disinfecting it first.
• Ventilation
• Classes will be help outdoors as much as possible.
• The indoor spaces we do have are extremely well ventilated. If you have been to the event, you may recall the largest Rec hall has screens for walls all the way around. Rec 5 is a large gym with wide open walls to the outside, etc.
• Water Systems
• The safest thing is to bring your own water to minimize use and touching of water fountains.
• Another safe approach is to only fill up water in your own cabin
• Water will be available without having to touch anything (single serve water cups poured by a gloved, masked staff member)
• Modified Layouts
• Seating in all classes will be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
• All areas will be arranged to accommodate social distancing

• Physical Barriers and Guides
• Physical guides will be provided, such as tape on floors or sidewalks and signs on walls, to ensure that staff and participants remain at least 6 feet apart in lines and at other times.
• Food Service
• For the highest level of safety, you are welcome to bring your own meals.
• Food will be served in a system that takes into account all best practices of safety and social distancing. E.g. no more self-service with shared serving utensils.
• Disposable food service items (utensils, dishes) minimize the risk of virus transmission.
  
  

Regulatory Awareness

• We are keeping close track of local or state regulatory agency policies related to group gatherings to determine if events can be held, or if any changes need to be made to the event.
  
  

Designated COVID-19 Point of Contact

• A staff person is designated to respond to all COVID-19 concerns. All participants will know who this person is and how to contact them.
  
  

Communication Systems 

• Staff and participants are asked to self-report to the camp administrators if they have symptoms of COVID-19, a positive test for COVID-19, or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days in accordance with health information sharing regulations for COVID-19
• For any changes during this time, we will send an e-mail to the address you registered with.
  
  

Staff Training

• Staff have been trained on all safety protocols.
   

Health Checks

• Upon arrival, you will fill out a health and safety questionnaire and we will take your temperature.
• If you have a fever, you will not be allowed into the event.
• If feasible, we will conduct daily health checks (e.g., temperature screening and/or symptom checking) of staff and campers (if feasible) safely and respectfully, and in accordance with any applicable privacy laws and regulations.
  
  

• You should notify Retreat officials (e.g., the designated COVID-19 point of contact) immediately if you become sick with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case.
• We will immediately separate staff and participants with COVID-19 symptoms (such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath) at camp. Individuals who are sick will be cared for by an on-site nurse following CDC guidance for caring for yourself or others who are sick.
• We will work with camp administrators, nurses, and other healthcare providers to identify an isolation room or area to separate anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms or who has tested positive but does not have symptoms.
• We will close off areas used by a sick person and will not use these areas until after cleaning and disinfecting them (for outdoor areas, this includes surfaces or shared objects in the area, if applicable).
• In accordance with state and local laws and regulations, camp administrators will notify local health officials, staff, and families immediately of any case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).