YXL West has a registered nurse on staff every summer. Additionally, all qualified adult leaders are required to have first aid and CPR certifications.
We desire for everyone to arrive at YXL healthy so we can enjoy the week without disruption.
COVID-19
When registering for YXL West, please be aware of the COVID-19 protocols. YXL follows the guidelines established by Silver Cliff Ranch. View Silver Cliff Ranch’s full COVID-19 Mitigation Procedures here.
To facilitate a COVID-free conference, we strongly recommend that you adhere to the following recommendations prior to travel:
- Screen yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 72 hours (3 days) prior to travel and if symptoms are present, test yourself for COVID-19 disease. If using an antigen test, use 2 tests, 48 hrs apart. If positive you should not attend camp and isolate. If both tests are negative and you are improving, COVID-19 is unlikely. Common COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- If you were exposed to someone who was positive in the past 10 days you should wear a mask when with others while in inside areas except while sleeping, eating or drinking. Monitor yourself for symptoms and if you develop symptoms you should report immediately to your camp counsellor for next steps. Test yourself with an antigen test on Day 5, 7 and 9 from last date of exposure. If using a PCR/NAAT, a test on day 5 is sufficient.
- If you are eligible to get vaccinated and high risk for hospitalization or severe illness please vaccinate yourself prior to travel. Please remember that a vaccine is fully effective 2 weeks after the last dose. So, ensure that you receive your vaccine shot in a timely fashion.
- Review the following public health best practices to ensure a safe camping experience for everyone.
What if someone develops COVID-like symptoms while traveling to YXL?
As mentioned above, altitude sickness can manifest some of the same symptoms as COVID, as can seasonal allergies, a cold or a stomach bug. If you or someone in your group develops symptoms while traveling please notify the nurse on arrival. She will evaluate and determine if it is likely just altitude or if a test is recommended.
If you develop COVID-like symptoms during YXL
Let the nurse know. We will treat COVID like any other illness and won’t test anyone unless they ask for it and it is approved by their parents.
The nurse will contact the parent of anyone under 18 and request permission to administer a test. Silver Cliff Ranch uses an Antigen rapid test (Abbot BinaxNow).
Isolation for people with symptoms of COVID-19 (or any highly contagious disease)
If someone tests positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-like symptoms, they will be moved to a cabin where they can stay in isolation. While in isolation SCR will provide meals and any other needs. The nurse will don full PPE and continue regular care and checks at least twice per day. Care will be provided in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of the FirstDay Foundation, Silver Cliff Ranch’s parent company.
After 5 days a person may leave isolation after receiving a negative antigen rapid test.
Transportation Home for Students with COVID-19
We understandably cannot send a person with active COVID-19 home in a vehicle with other participants. In the event a student is not cleared from the 5 day isolation protocols for a positive test before the end of the week, a parent or guardian will need to come get them in a vehicle.
We recognize this would be a tremendous inconvenience but we have no other options.
If you are exposed
SCR recommends everyone who has been exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-like symptoms to wear a mask for the remainder of the week, but this is not mandatory.
If you have to cancel because of COVID-19
We will provide a full refund to anyone who has to cancel due to their own COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within 10 days of the start of camp.
Other Illnesses
If someone tests negative for COVID-19, the nurse will be able to provide over-the-counter medications and the symptomatic person would need to use their best judgment to avoid passing the potential illness along to anyone else. In cases where isolation is needed (intestinal virus etc.) SCR will provide a cabin where the person can isolate to avoid infecting other people in his/her cabin.