Volunteer applications for the 2025 Camp Season open January 15, 2025!
Click here to apply!
Our medical team works hard every year to make camp as safe as possible for all our campers and volunteers. They will continue to monitor current public health issues and we will update our safety protocols as is appropriate.
To minimize risks related to COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, Okizu is continuing to ask all participants to self-assess wellness and not attend events if anyone in the household or family is feeling ill. Every program will require a rapid COVID swab test to be performed in the parking area on every attendee before entering Camp.
To preserve Okizu’s focus on creating safe environments for our most vulnerable campers, while also providing our program to as many folks are possible, we are creating a two-track model for the 2024 camp season:
Track 1: COVID vaccinations are not required but highly recommended.
Track 2: Up to date COVID vaccinations* are required.
*Track 2 requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination given on or after September 12, 2023. This applies to all campers and staff choosing to attend those sessions.
Okizu has designated one session of each program (Family Camp, Oncology Camp, and SIBS Camp) as Track 2 and these sessions will require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations given on or after September 12, 2023.
The 2024 Track 2 programs are:
- Family Camp 1 April 5 -7 @ Camp Campbell
- SIBS 2 June 23 – June 29 @ Camp Taylor*
- SIBS 3 June 30 – July 6 @ Camp Taylor
- ONC 2 July 7 – 13 @ Camp Taylor
*SIBS 2 at Camp Taylor is Track 2/Vaccination Required only for Staff or Volunteers. This is to keep the policy consistent at Camp Taylor since volunteers/staff may stay multiple weeks.
All programs, regardless of track, will require the following:
- Self-Assess: To minimize risks related to COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, Okizu is continuing to ask all participants to self-assess wellness and not attend events if one in the household or family is feeling ill.
- Testing: Every program will require a rapid COVID swab test to be performed in the parking area on every attendee before entering Camp.
- Face coverings: are not required for overnight programs. Okizu encourages participants to wear a face covering if they desire or start to feel unwell during the program.
Our goal with the two-track model is to offer services to all pediatric oncology families, including the most vulnerable in our population. We know that COVID-19 can have severe consequences for children undergoing treatment and parents should consult their child’s oncologist for any medical advice.
Okizu has a long-standing policy about contagious illnesses at camp – if our medical staff detect the active spread of any contagious illnesses at Camp, (COVID-19, flu, etc.) families will be contacted, and the affected group / session may be concluded early.
This is a lot of information to take in and we are always available by phone or email to help clarify, answer questions, and explain the differences between the requirements and how we can best serve your family.
**** All information presented above is subject to change with advice from our Medical Advisory Committee as the climate of COVID-19 is constantly changing. Okizu always prioritizes the safety of our campers and staff, and we will continue to do so moving forward.*****