Emergency Risk Management

Disciples Crossing Risk Management Procedures

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

Information listed in order of most recent update. We are monitoring the situation and updating our policies as needed.

For our most recent pre-participation waiver for non-programmed (facility rental) groups, click here. (Events programmed by Disciples Crossing staff will receive a waiver and liability release as part of their registration materials.)

For CDC suggestions for youth and summer camps, click here.

For Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) recommendations, click here.

May 14, 2021

As of 4/8/2021 we were approved by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) as a licensed Youth Summer Camps by the Texas Department of State Health Services to obtain, free of charge, Abbott Labs BinaxNow Rapid Antigen tests for use on staff and campers during the summer months. Tests are available to any individual participating in an event at Disciples Crossing through the end of Summer 2021. Tests will be conducted by a trained Testing Coordinator and test recipient information, including test results and personal identifying information, will be reported to the TDEM.

We will not conduct rapid tests on minors without prior approval from a legal parent/guardian, and tests are not required for participation in Disciples Crossing events.

In the event that a participant tests positive for COVID-19 they will be required to leave camp.

For more information on this program visit https://tdem.texas.gov/k-12testing/

February 3, 2021

We are taking extra precautions for the health, safety, and convenience of our campers and staff during all programmed events, following guidance from the CDC to the best of our ability, including:

Daily/per shift staff screenings.
Disposable, single-use dinnerware at meals and no self-serve items (ie salad bar).
Mask requirements for staff and participants.
There will be no charges to families/participants in the instance we must cancel any event for health and safety reasons.
Flexible cancellation policies for all events (review individual event information for specifics).
To the best of our ability with the facilities available, groups will be separated into groups or cohorts that remain consistent over the camp session, and we will discourage mixing between groups or cohorts.
All participants must pass a health screening upon arrival to camp.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Disciples Crossing has always taken pride in the cleanliness of our facilities. We will continue to clean and disinfect as we always have, especially in particularly high use areas such as dining facilities, meeting spaces, and restrooms.

We will make single use towelettes available to disinfect spaces as groups are using them.

Prevention

We urge all individuals to take precautions and conduct self-screening prior to coming to camp, and if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness please stay home, for your own safety and that of others.

We recommend reading and following the CDC's Steps to Prevent Illness.

*If you have questions about a specific group that is not programmed by Disciples Crossing please contact the Camp Director/Liaison.

July 20, 2020

We’ve decided to postpone our Senior 2020 Fall Retreat until 2021. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and update everyone as we are able.

July 08, 2020

On July 2, 2020, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order No. GA-29 relating to the use of face coverings during the COVID- 19 disaster. The order requires that “every person in Texas shall wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial entity or other building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household. . . . ”

While the order contains some exceptions, Disciples Crossing will adhere to these guidelines. You can read more about our participant requirements here.

May 4, 2020

Hello Disciples Crossing Camp Family,

It is with heavy hearts that the Board of Directors, with a recommendation from the Programming Committee, has voted to officially cancel all Disciples Crossing programmed Summer Camps for 2020. This is a decision that all board and committee members have wrestled with for weeks.

We realize camp is still several weeks away. However, we have used the current guidelines from the Texas Governor’s Task Force, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC, and we have consulted with our Medical Director on his recommendations. This, in combination with much prayer on the part of our Board has informed our decision. The safety of our campers, counselors, summer camp directors, and camp staff is our highest priority and as such we had no choice but to cancel camps.

Additionally, we need time to plan for camp and get camp ready for you. It takes time to write keynotes and develop activity stations. It takes time to find adult counselors. It takes time to set up the pool and lake toys. It takes time to plan meals and order supplies. You deserve more than a sub-par camp and we fear we wouldn’t be able to provide our best experience possible.

Please know that this decision only affects summer camps. It is our sincere hope that Fall retreats will resume as they have in the past. Further, we have already begun planning Summer 2021 to make it out of this world and even better than ever!

We want to address a couple of groups specifically: Youth currently in 12th grade and getting ready to graduate: we are looking at some ideas specifically for you. We know that this Summer was one you have been looking forward to since you started coming to camp. We will do our best to figure out a way for you to have your moment.

Youth currently in 8th grade and looking forward to Eighters: Never fear there will be Eighters for you! This is a camp we know you have been waiting for since you were old enough to know to wait for it. Be patient: just a little longer as we continue to make plans for you.

The camp staff and all decision makers are devastated that we don’t get to fulfill our calling this summer and minister to each and every one of you. Please keep the Board of Directors, the Programming Committee members, summer camp directors, counselors and camp staff in your prayers. This is also a financially devastating decision. If you are able please consider donating to the camp.

Most importantly, pray for the ministry of the camp. Our commitment to providing a place of sanctuary and retreat for people of all ages to experience God through rest, renewal, fellowship, and spiritual enrichment hasn’t changed.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Programming Committee,

Mark Bender - Board President

Matt Chandler - Executive Director

See a message from our Programming Committee.

April 20, 2020

Our Board, Programming Committee, and Staff met this morning to discuss Summer Camp 2020. You can read the full letter on our blog, and see an overview below:

Adventure Camp 2020 is canceled
Family Camp and Grand Camp are postponed (dates TBD)
Our hope is to still be able to offer our other camps. We are continuing to make plans for those other camps in consultation with our medical director, mandates from the CDC, and our local health department.
If you are registered for a camp that is still scheduled (or postponed) please note that cancelation fees will not go into effect until 2 weeks before your camp.
If we have to cancel a camp there will be no cancelation fees.
Campers already registered and paid will have the option to apply their payment to another camp, receive a full refund, or donate their payment amount to camp.

Our Board, Programming Committee, and Staff will re-convene May 4th to further discuss Summer 2020.

March 24, 2020:

Our Board of Directors and Executive Director are continuing to monitor the situation to ensure we are making the best possible decisions for the health of our groups and staff, as well as following local, state, and national guidelines surrounding this unprecedented time. At this time, we want everyone to know that:

We are still accepting registrations for Summer Camp 2020.
- We've suspended individual payment options. All registrants will select "Invoice to Church" as a payment option.
- Early Bird registration ends April 1st. We will waive Late Registration fees that would normally apply after May 1st.
Our Board and Executive Director continue to assess changing conditions and are meeting regularly to enhance the ministry of Disciples Crossing during these times.
We encourage ministers with or without their families to take advantage of the peaceful isolation option our private rooms in Stone offer.
- We will continue to offer these rooms and maintain extra disinfecting steps as long as that is appropriate based on local and state guidelines.
- We will honor the original intent of offering these rooms at no charge to ministers, but ask that you consider making a donation to camp if that is something you/your family are able to do in these difficult times.

March 12, 2020: We are taking necessary precautions and we keep our campers’ health and safety as our top priority. At this time we have not cancelled any retreats or camps, nor have any campers or staff members been diagnosed with COVID-19. If you have questions about a specific group, please contact your Camp Director/Liaison.

Prevention

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Additionally, cleaning products from the CDC approved “Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Fighting Products”will be used immediately upon the departure of any group. All rooms used by the previous group will be sprayed with the approved product.

We will make single use towelettes available to disinfect spaces as groups are using them.

We urge all individuals to take precautions prior to coming to camp, and if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness please stay home, for your own safety and that of others.

Policies & Procedures

At the recommendation of our Medical Director we have implemented the following:

Screening

Upon arrival at camp all individuals will be screened in an open-air location. The retreat director will be notified of the location upon their arrival at camp. Disciples Crossing staff will check the temperature of each person and ask the following questions:

Do you currently have fever OR one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing?
Have you recently been on a cruise?
Have you recently traveled to any of the following areas in the last two weeks: Southeast Asia, Iran, Italy, California, Oregon, State of Washington, or New York?
Have you been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) and/or someone who is under investigation for having coronavirus and/or anyone who has traveled to the above areas?

If any person has a temperature of 100.5 they will be sent home or to the Emergency Room.

If any person is asymptomatic but answers yes to any of the above questions, they will be sent home.

If any person is asymptomatic and answers no to all of the above questions they will be allowed to stay at camp.

Epidemic

If an epidemic seems at all likely, or if a person is diagnosed with a contagious disease, the Executive Director in conjunction with the Medical Director or Camp Nurse will notify the Texas Department of State Health Services and/or the Northeast Public Health District for further instructions.

RETREATS

For each retreat group a temporary isolation room will be set aside for use should any person show signs or symptoms of the coronavirus after their initial screening. Each retreat director will be notified of the isolation room upon their arrival for their retreat.

Guests will be sent home immediately if they show signs or symptoms.

All guests will be notified that they were at camp with a possible coronavirus patient within 24 hours.

SUMMER CAMP

For each summer camp Parsons Cabin (Nurses Station) will be set up as a temporary isolation room for any camper showing signs or symptoms of the coronavirus. The isolated campers’ parents will be called immediately. Parents will be asked to come pick up their camper immediately.

All campers’ parents will be notified that their camper was at camp with a possible coronavirus patient within 24 hours.