Note: These procedures were developed by researching outdoor industry best-practices for running outdoor courses during the Covid-19 Pandemic. While we expect these precautions to ensure a fun and safe course, some risk of Covid-19 exposure will remain with any outdoor or social activity like WFSI. For students at higher risk for severe illness from Covid-19 (see CDC guidelines here), we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider and consider participating in a WFSI course in later years.


The Covid-19 situation is uncertain and changes frequently. WFSI is regularly evaluating the situation and safety implications, and will make decisions regarding the course based on medical advice and our best judgment. This includes changes to our itinerary and activities, including full-course cancellation. We will do our best to give advance notice of changes, but some situations may dictate last-minute changes. 


By signing up for the WFSI California 2021 trip, you acknowledge these risks and you/your child’s responsibility in contributing to mitigating these risks. If a student is found to be violating any of these protocols before or during the course, WFSI reserves the right to dismiss the student from the course immediately with no refund. Any travel expenses incurred if a student is dismissed while the course is in session will be paid by the student/family.

Pre-Trip

  • Students and staff will be required to follow all school, county, and state procedures for maintaining social distance and wearing masks in public spaces (even outdoor public spaces).

  • Students and staff will quarantine for 14 days prior to the first day of pre-trip classes. Students and staff will take a Covid-19 test at the beginning of the quarantine period as well as on the first day of pre-trip classes.


Pre-Trip Classes

  • Students and staff will quarantine at home when not attending pre-trip classes

  • Students and staff will complete and submit a wellness check prior to coming to pre-trip classes, and temperatures will be taken and recorded by WFSI staff daily.

  • Classes will be held outdoors whenever it is safe to do so

    • Students should be prepared to be outside rain or shine

  • Students and staff will wear masks for the duration of the pre-trip meetings.

  • Hand sanitizing stations will be provided and their use required between activities


Daily

  • Students and staff will complete a wellness check each morning

    • This will include questions about Covid-19 symptoms and a temperature check

  • Students and staff will wear a mask at all times a minimum distance of six feet from individuals outside our group cannot be maintained.

    • This includes but is not limited to at camp, on hikes, and during any situation where we are in an enclosed space.

  • Time will be allotted for hand washing frequently, and WFSI will carry a portable handwashing station.


Vans, Tents, and Crews

  • Students and staff will ride in the same van for the entire duration of the course.

  • Students will share a tent with other students in their van and staff will share a tent with their co-driver

    • Depending on the situation at the time of trip departure, tent groups may be four or two students

    • We will carry individual tent capacity to sleep all students in separate tents should the need arise

  • Crews will be assembled from students in the same van 



Food & Shopping

  • The cook will be responsible for all course food shopping. 

  • Each student will be assigned a mess kit with a fork, spoon, knife, plate, bowl, cup, and mug.

  • All dishware and cooking utensils will be sanitized after each use.

  • Water bottles will be sanitized during after-dinner dishwashing each day.

  • To limit student exposure to the general public, there will be no town days and students will not be allowed to enter shops during gas and bathroom breaks

    • Once each week, the cook will take requests for necessities (such as batteries, stamps, sunscreen, etc.) and purchase these. Families/students will provide $200 at the beginning of the course to cover these expenses. A tab will be kept for each student, and money left over will be refunded. If a student requires additional funds, the parents/guardians will be contacted and will be responsible for transferring those funds digitally to Worthington Field Studies.

  • If park gift shops are open, students will be allowed to shop in small groups for 10 minutes or less.

If at any point anyone on the trip shows symptoms we will separate that student from the group and seek medical advice at the nearest local healthcare provider.