Camp BB-Riback announces plans for Summer 2021

(Pine Lake, Alberta) – The Alberta Government’s announcement that overnight camps can open with restrictions during “Stage 2” of the province’s reopening plan is some good news for Camp BB-Riback.

“In light of this announcement, it is with immense relief and excitement that we are moving forward with our plans to provide the community with some much-needed camp experiences this summer in the form of the first-ever BBRLTC (BB-Riback Leadership Training Conference), as well as Family Camp,” announced Camp Director Stacy Shaikin.

Family Camp will be open from July 1 to July 12, and August 17 to August 22, with both the pool and the boat running and available to participants!

• The cost is $250 per person per night for a cabin. This includes food and use of the facilities. Each family or cohort can book a cabin for any days in these windows.
• If you are bringing a trailer and feeding yourselves, the cost is $118 per person per night.

All bookings can be made on CampBrain. Registration will be available on June 6^th.

The BBRLTC is a new program spanning 4 weeks, from July 15 to August 15, for campers who have just completed grades 7-11. The cost is $4500 per camper, plus GST.

“This will be a one-time, unique camp experience and we will be cramming 2 years of leadership training, staff training, and camp experience into 4 weeks,” stated Shaikin. “We are so excited about it and hope that you are too!”

If you are interested in the BBRLTC and in need of financial assistance in Calgary or Edmonton, contact the Federation in your city to discuss the Integrated Bursary Program (IBP), noted Shaikin. This program has been extended and can take into account extenuating circumstances related to the pandemic. Additionally, if the fees for this program are an issue, please feel free to reach out to Shaikin directly (403-471-5547) and he will help you through the process.

Camp will send out the protocols for the summer, along with the parent manuals, to everyone who has registered for the BBRLTC in the next few weeks. However, here are some guidelines you can expect, said Shaikin.

Eligibility:

At this time, the program is only being offered to campers who have finished Grades 7 to 11.

“We are, however, creating a waitlist for Grade 6 students, and will consider if we can open up the program to additional campers in the next few weeks,” noted Shaikin.

Safety Protocols:

This program will be limited to 70 campers to ensure Covid-19 protocols can be followed and enforced.

All participants must have at least one dose of an approved Covid-19 vaccine, unless a doctor has determined by examination that is not possible for health reasons. Proof of vaccination or a doctor’s note must be provided.

A PCR Test, which is a test for Covid-19 available through private labs, will be required in the 72 hours before your child’s arrival on camp, and negative test results must be provided to us. The cost of this test will need to be paid for by families. (https://www.dynalife.ca/travel)

Each camper will be driven up by their parent or guardian and directed to a rapid test centre on camp. Once a negative test is determined, the camper will be escorted to their cabin and the parent/guardian must leave the grounds immediately. If they test positive, the camper must leave camp right away as well.

Cabins will have a smaller number of campers in them than in regular years.

Campers will be separated into 2 pods. This will be their programming pod and the group they will eat with in the chaddar.

On day 3 of the BBRLTC program, each camper will be tested again with a rapid test.

Programming: The program will include:

Swimming, Water skiing, Filmmaking, Yoga and mindfulness, Leadership and staff training sessions

First aid and CPR (each participant will go home a certified First Aid/CPR provider)

If your child wants to complete Phys Ed, please contact Virtua Vista to determine if they will still offer the program. If so, we will provide Wifi so they can complete their assignments.

Registration for BBRLTC will be available on June 6^th on CampBrain.

“I am so excited about these plans and think this is going to be an incredible summer for those who can participate,” added Shaikin. “This could not be possible without the Board of Directors (Cory, Jessica, Sandy, Emily, Ronnie, Justin, Daniel, Miriam and Ian) and the without the team keeping this place warm (Ella, Manny, Nathan, Nathanial, Shelby, Holly, Molly, Cale, Shonn, Sean, Micah and Max). Thank you all!

“With all that said, I know there are some campers and staff who won’t be able to attend this summer for various reasons, including if they aren’t eligible for the BBRLTC. I am still heartbroken that we aren’t able to have you all out at Pine Lake this summer. Please know that I am thinking of you and doing everything I can to help navigate camp through these unprecedented circumstances and ensure many incredible summers for everyone in years to come. I can’t wait to see you again soon!”

 If your child is not in grade 7 or above and you have already paid fees for this summer (or have a credit from the summer of 2020), you may request a full refund or donate all or some of your fees. If you choose to donate any or all of your fees, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation will match the donation one for one to help the camp through this incredibly difficult time. Please reach out to Stacy directly to discuss this.

“For the 70 of you who want the most unique camp experience in 65 years…we are ready to give it to you,” concluded Shaikin. “See you at the lake.”