Staff Overview

Summer 2020 and 2021 Have Been A Success!

During the COVID pandemic, children need camp more than ever! Last summer, we took many necessary steps to make it happen and as a result Summer 2020 was a success! Although camp last summer was different from any year in our history, our goal was to make it happen while operating within necessary safety constraints to minimize the risk of transmittal of the COVID-19 virus. We stayed safe and still had tons of fun!

We carefully review the CDC’s guidelines, the American Camp Association’s Field Guide and the New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Youth Summer Camp Standards for operating camps in the current environment. You can see our protocols in the 2021 Health and Safety Handbook, with plans for everything from facility cleaning and camper hygiene, to physical distancing and daily monitoring of camper and staff health.

We are prepared to operate Camp safely under these guidelines, building on what we learned last summer. We will monitor the situation continually, and update our protocols as necessary, based on the most up-to-date guidance from the State, medical experts and others.

A Glimpse Into Our Protocols & Smiling Faces

All parents from nearby towns drove their campers to Camp each morning. To prevent traffic, we assigned three different drop off times and each family had an assigned lane.

Our staff greets campers at their bus or cars, takes temperatures, and confirms with families that campers are symptom-free before heading to join their group.

Spread out morning assemblies, to keep groups socially distant from each other. Everyone in Camp wears masks for morning assemblies as an additional precaution to social distancing.

Two full-time nurses attended to everything from gaga knuckles to upset stomachs. Most campers were treated at the outdoor triage tent for optimal circulation. If a camper or staff member had any symptoms related to COVID they were sent home and asked to present a negative test before returning to Camp.

Twice-daily swimming continued with some modifications. Group pods remained together and were assigned a specific area of the pool for both instructional and free swim. During instructional swim, lifeguards remained on the deck in masks while the counselors that were part of the group pod assisted with hands-on instruction.

In high traffic areas of Camp, campers and counselors wore masks as an additional precaution.

Each group pod had their own lunch table spread out across three separate lunch periods. All lunches were individually packed to order instead of our usual family-style serving.

All specialists received additional training to tailor their activities to accommodate deep cleaning and sanitizing between groups With these precautions, we were able to operate almost all of our normal activities in openair settings.

To stay hydrated, campers brought labeled water bottles to all activities. During the additional transition time between periods, groups could refill at the water monster where a designated staff member sanitized after each use.

To help campers continue to create the crafts they love, specialists designed projects with materials that could either be sanitized between uses or independently prepared ahead of time.

Like our other specialty activities, our high ropes course was open with slight modifications. Campers and staff members wore masks and hands were sanitized before and after each climb. Two sets of equipment allowed the ropes staff to thoroughly clean before use.

Parent Testimonials

It was my children’s last day at camp today, and we were all so sad, happy and grateful as we drove away. They had an amazing summer, and I’m so thankful to Riverbend for taking on the challenge of camp through COVID. I cannot begin to imagine the effort that that took and the risk that you all took on. You provided a happy break from the stress and sadness of the spring. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will be back next summer!

Phenomenal summer camp with top notch administration, staff, and facilities. They have a wide range of activities to help your kids explore, grow and just have FUN. And that has never been more needed than this summer. Huge kudos to them for figuring out how to create a safe and fun experience amidst a global pandemic. We are multi-year campers here and will definitely be signing up for more!

On behalf of my family, I want to say how impressed we are with your operation this summer. Under the most difficult of circumstances, you are working well (obviously well-planned) to reduce risks where possible and keep everyone as safe as you can. Despite the uncertainties of humans, your camp is beautifully run. Thank you for giving my son back his summer.

Breene family! I will say it again at the end of camp but just a note that our entire family could not have survived this summer without you! We know it was very hard for you all in a variety of ways. You have done a wonderful job, and literally saved all of us mentally and physically from ourselves. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't say... thank g-d for camp!....We could not be more grateful to be part of your community. Looking forward to camp in 2021.

My children have both truly loved their experiences this summer and we are so grateful that camp was able to open. You did an amazing job with the camp even with COVID. This summer, more than ever, it was so important for kids to get to camp and we really appreciate that you were able to make it work.

My child is thriving and camp was more important for us this year than ever before. We are truly grateful that you’re up and running and being so thoughtful about everything this summer. The past few months have been so challenging and to have her come home every day excited about her day and chattering nonstop about her activities and her new friends is a huge gift. She is really having the time of her life. Thank you and your staff for all you do. We’re so excited to be here.

I have to reiterate how much we appreciate how hard you have all been working this summer. My kids are happier than they’ve been in months. All of my friends who opted not to send their kids to camp are seriously regretting it when they hear how amazing it’s been for us. I’m sad that it’s already week four.

Thank You

We are very grateful that camp parents took the virus situation seriously and did their part to keep their families, and therefore the whole camp community, safe. Thank you for all your support and encouragement during this difficult time. Camp Riverbend would not be what it is without our wonderful families.

Please contact us if you have any questions on our protocols & procedures. We are here for you!

The Breene Family

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