We continue to approach our programming with caution and care and our 2024 Summer Retreat will again include COVID-19 protocols designed to keep our community safe.
All participants, faculty, and staff are expected to respect the guidelines listed below and to support each other in their health and safety needs. Remember, your needs around safety may not be the same as the person next to you.
VACCINATION
- We recommend that all participants, faculty, and staff be fully vaccinated, including a recent booster shot.
TESTING
- All participants, faculty, and staff are REQUIRED to take a COVID TEST no more than 24 hours before arrival. You must test negative and be symptom-free to enter camp. Participants may use rapid antigen tests. If using self-tests, we recommend testing at least twice: three days before camp as well as on the morning or afternoon of Tuesday, August 20 before arrival. Self-testing is most useful when tests are taken frequently.
- Before arrival, please take extra precautions to limit exposure including masking in public settings.
- If you are symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19, do not come to the Retreat
- All participants, faculty, and staff are REQUIRED to take an additional COVID TEST on the Friday during the Retreat.
- Anyone experiencing symptoms during the Retreat is REQUIRED to take a test immediately and report to the Info Desk.
- Off-site Registrants, Day Pass Registrants, and Guests are REQUIRED to take a COVID TEST EACH MORNING before entering the Retreat site. You must test negative and be symptom-free to enter camp each day. Participants may use rapid antigen tests.
- We RECOMMEND that all participants, faculty, and staff do rapid self-tests daily during the Retreat before coming to breakfast and morning programming. We will have a very limited supply of rapid self-tests on site; please bring your own tests, if available.
MASKING
- MASKS are REQUIRED in public indoor spaces at all times. This includes indoor classrooms, indoor performance spaces, tents with closed walls, hallways, and shared bathrooms. Please stay masked in dining halls when not eating.
- Performers may choose to unmask when onstage but are asked to put their masks back on after the performance.
- Please bring your own masks. We will have a supply of masks available for those who do not have their own.
- We RECOMMEND that masks be worn outdoors when physical distancing is not possible.
OUTDOORS
- Whenever possible workshops will be held OUTSIDE or in open tents.
- We will keep windows in social spaces open to increase airflow. Please dress warmly!
- We RECOMMEND that jamming, dancing, and socializing happen outside as much as possible. Please bring warm clothes.
- Due to popular demand, we are keeping and expanding our tented dining area.
SELF-CARE and COMMUNITY-CARE
- While enjoying the festival atmosphere at KlezKanada’s Summer Retreat, it is easy to forget to take care of ourselves. The temperature can also vary wildly during the day and week. Even before the pandemic, it was common for participants to get mildly sick during the week due to factors such as lack of sleep and not dressing warmly enough. We ask that you take extra care this year to keep yourself and those around you healthy. Please make sure to eat, hydrate, get enough sleep, and dress appropriately for the weather.
- Monitor your health carefully, and at the first sign of anything unusual, take a COVID-19 test and let a KlezKanada staff person know.If you test positive or exhibit symptoms during the week of the Retreat and cannot get in touch in another way, you may reach out to KlezKanada staff at covid@klezkanada.org. Please be mindful that finding good internet reception at camp can be challenging.
- Remember, your needs around safety may not be the same as the person next to you. Please check in with each other before hugging, holding hands in a line of dancers, etc.
In Summary:
- Pre-arrival tests are required, 1 additional test during the week required (Friday). Additional testing recommended.
- Masks required indoors, recommended outdoors
And please
- Study, jam, and socialize outside
- Take care of your health
- Respect the safety needs of others
Frequently Asked Questions
Please wear a well-fitting mask with high filtration. We recommend masks that are FFP2 grade or higher, such as KN95 or N95 masks. Fabric masks are permitted.
We will have limited quarantine housing available for participants that may test positive for COVID-19 or become symptomatic to keep them isolated and everyone as safe as possible. We will also have additional medical staff available onsite and may be able to provide informal recommendations for further care or other accommodations offsite, if necessary. P’tit Bonheur is located approximately 10 minutes away by car from Hôpital Laurentien (Ste-Agathe Hospital). Participants who test positive or exhibit severe symptoms may also be asked to leave the campsite. All participants are ultimately responsible for their own travel and accommodation after the Retreat ends.
We strongly recommend that you have sufficient medical insurance coverage for the entirety of your time at the Retreat.
KlezKanada is not a public health or medical organization, and is unable to provide formal health care or medical advice. Decisions about your health are ultimately your responsibility.