By: Chip Sherer
A wonderful schedule of events is planned for ARPs here at Bonclarken this spring, summer, and fall. We thank all the leaders of these events for their optimism and continued hard work. We remain prayerful that our grounds will be filled again with guests at some point in 2021. For the schedule, look under the heading “ARP Events” on our website—www.bonclarken.org.
If you are considering registering you, your child, or your grandchild for an event, a legitimate question is “What steps has Bonclarken taken to keep me (or them) safe while there?”
This month I would like to share some of the steps we are taking. We have received some excellent guidance from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the American Camping Association. Our Covid-19 strategy is to provide a quality experience for our guests while also protecting them, our staff, and our community, as well as honoring state and local authorities.
Guest Housing and Meeting Facilities
We are using a tamper-evident adhesive label to seal the doors of guest rooms after complete cleaning and sanitation. Once the seal is applied, the door cannot be opened without breaking the perforation on the label. This confirms no one has been in the room since it was sanitized. We have removed all bedspreads. Blankets are being laundered in the same manner as sheets and towels. All are being laundered on the grounds to prevent contamination and ensure a higher cleanliness standard. After being washed, the blankets are wrapped to ensure that they are sanitary for guest use. Our staff is not entering a room during a guest’s stay and are instead providing any requested items by leaving them at the door. Meeting spaces and other communal gathering spots are being set up according to social distancing guidelines. These areas are regularly sanitized throughout the day.
Dining Room
As part of our Dining Room renovation in 2005, we began a self-serve buffet after years of staff-serve. We have returned to staff-serve. A glass partition has been installed behind which our staff is filling plates as our guests go through the serving line. Salads and desserts are packaged. Staff members are stationed at the drink and ice cream machines serving guests at each. We are presetting tables with cups and silverware and resetting and sanitizing between turns. We have installed a cold plasma generator within the ductwork of the heating and air conditioning system which creates ions out of molecules and drastically improves the air quality.
Guest Registration
Contactless registration is a new norm in our world. We are implementing all measures we can take to reduce or eliminate check-in wait times, such as electronic payments, contactless key pickup, and online guest waivers. In our main office, we have installed a glass partition at the front desk. Camp Bonclarken’s very successful experience with contactless registration last summer was beneficial in our learning how this can be done.
Adventure Activities
Guests participating in our New Heights zip line, our climbing tower, and our Leap of Faith are required to wear the appropriate harnesses and helmet. These harness and helmets are being sanitized after each use. This action does limit how many guests we can serve in these activities, but it is certainly worthwhile.
Attending an event at Bonclarken is special. The crisp mountain air and this welcoming environment are something we pray never changes. I hope that by reading this article you will be confident in our safety protocols. Please share this information with others. We want everyone to know Bonclarken is ready for them to return.