TVRC Covid Response
In the Hard Moments - We Draw on Our Grit
TVRC Covid-19 Response and Operations
Updated Febuary 1st 2022-
Friends,
The TVRC program is built around an intentional and strong community with a major focus on backcountry and wilderness experiences. Bringing people together and creating positive life changing experiences is what we do best, and it’s been challenging to accomplish that over the past two summers due to COVID-19.
Therefore, to promote good risk management, we will require all campers and staff to be up-to-date on their vaccine for Covid-19 this summer. It’s our hope this will help prevent outbreaks at camp that would create immense challenges with quarantining, missed trips and could impact the services we provide. It also helps us be more lenient on masks, social distancing, routine testing and prepares us for more social events, like Dubois Rodeos, dinosaur museums, and town trips. We believe the vaccine is a tool in our kit and one that will set us up for a successful and memorable camp experience.
Since the end of last summer, developing a Covid policy has been a focus of the Leadership Team and Board of Directors. We have worked diligently to understand the nuances and issues with creating a blanket policy for everyone in the TVRC community.
When we venture into the backcountry, we begin preparing before we ever set foot off the Ranch. We plan our route, look at the weather, and gather the needed equipment. Part of our staff members’ job is to manage risk with opportunities for challenge, growth and adventure. We pack bear spray, water purification methods, first aid kits, maps, and satellite phones all to support the likelihood of a safe, fun, and impactful experience. In the same way, we believe the Covid-19 vaccine has a place in residential camping and as a risk management tool.
Vaccine exemptions for medical reasons or religious beliefs may be considered. Furthermore, TVRC continues to review and monitor the Covid situation; thus, TVRC may amend this policy at any time. For more details about our policy, please visit our Covid-19 FAQ page. Please reach out to us if you have questions or would like to discuss this more.
Thank you for your attention to this matter,
The TVRC-EF Board of Directors & TVRC Leadership Team
TVRC's 2022 Covid-19 framework:
TVRC is dedicated to following the best science and the leading professionals in the field; namely the Center for Disease Control, the American Camp Association, as well as our state and local health officials and our Medical Director.
TVRC remains always committed to clear communications with our families and staff. If you have questions at any time, we are readily available for a phone call, email or zoom meeting! Please just reach out!
TVRC has evaluated most aspects of our traditional program to fine-tune ways to operate our program with respect to the constraints presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. Some areas might look different, but we can assure you it’s still wholeheartedly TVRC!
TVRC created new positions in 2020 called “Sanitation Team” whose sole responsibility is to clean and disinfect high touch areas of camp. Dining hall, Vans, Bathrooms, Cabins; they are everywhere!
TVRC has always held a high regard to our medical staff, and this continues to be a main focus. We are committed to staffing our medical team with two experienced nurses with frontline Covid 19 experience. Our Medical Director and Board Pediatrician are heavily involved in our plan and suggested guidance and protocols. We also maintain fantastic relationships with the Medical Clinic in Dubois, Grand Teton National Park, the hospitals in Jackson and Lander, and with emergency medical responders in our area.
Unlike the previous two years, 2022 will have an ease of restrictions in how we interact with the local communities. We will start participating in Community events (Dubois Rodeo’s, Town trips, Museum visits, etc.) as long as local conditions allow. Further, were excited to have families visit on rodeo days and spend the afternoon with us on final rodeo. We also will encourage staff to take time off in ways that do not put them around large numbers of the public; and avoid crowded situations.
TVRC is focused on updating and reviewing our plan, especially as new information becomes available. That being said, our plan can and probably will change as we continue to move through this fluid situation.