The Annual Fund

We did it! In the summer of 2021 we saw the successful reopening of camp. Led by a remarkable staff, 1,200 boys came through Belknap to Seek the Joy of Being Alive. We are proud of the work that went into this summer, and feel a strong sense of success. As we already begin to get ready for next summer and as operating costs continue to rise, we turn to our annual donors to help us prepare for another Belknap summer with the boys back under the pines!

In any given year, the Annual Fund provides between 8 to 11 percent of the current operating budget, and helps to fund all aspects of the Belknap experience including programs, leader salaries, facility maintenance, and financial assistance.

Camp Belknap’s annual fund runs from January 1 to December 31 each year.

Every gift, no matter the size, makes an impact on the Belknap summer. Annual Fund gifts of:

$10,000 provides a tent site platform and tent for farm island
$5000 provides a “donut” for main dock deep
$2500 provides a new 2-man sailboat
$1000 provides a canoe
$ 500 provides candles for the final candlelight ceremony
$ 250 provides one session with archery targets
$ 100 provides baseballs for the first month of camp
$ 50 provides ping pong balls for one session of camp
$ 2 provides a chicken patty lunch

GIVE ONLINE

GIVE BY VENMO

If you would like to donate stocks or make a wire transfer, please contact Geoff at geoff@campbelknap.org

Pre-Arrival Requirements

Camp Belknap continues to monitor the state of COVID-19. Our focus is to ensure that camp operates safely in our residential community setting while still maintaining our mission. These requirements may be updated if community transmission increases. You will be notified via email if there are any updates prior to your arrival.

We are requiring all campers and staff to be up to date on COVID vaccination. Click here for our up-to-date vaccination policies.
Last summer (2021) was successful because camper families were careful prior to arrival. We encourage you to engage in low-risk activities to help keep us all safe. ie- an indoor concert with 20,000 people unmasked is not a good idea prior to arrival. We do not currently have any other specific pre-arrival quarantine requirement.
Please refer to the CDC guidelines for national and international travel for any travel expectations. Additionally, if traveling on public transportation, we kindly request that you wear a mask in the vehicle and also at the transportation centers.
If your camper has symptoms in the two weeks prior to camp - Prior to arrival please complete COVID testing if you or anyone in your household is symptomatic 2 weeks prior to camp. And share with us if there is a positive case in your household.
COVID Testing Prior to camp arrival- Because of the community transmission as high at this time (June 1, 2022) in many of the counties our campers are coming from, we are NOW requiring a pre-arrival test for campers in all sessions (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). The pre-arrival test must be completed prior to arrival on the FRIDAY before your session starts using an antigen home test. Click here for information about this test.

Home tests should be completed on the following dates prior to your session:

Session 1: June 24

Session 2: July 8

Session 3: July 22

Session 4: Aug 5

Session 5: Aug 20 (this is a Saturday because camp starts one day later)

For other sessions (2, 3, 4, and 5)– We will continue to watch community transmission and communicate 2 weeks prior to each session. If we are not requiring for your session we still highly recommend that you test your camper the week prior to arrival on camp (this can be done with PCR or rapid antigen). Last summer we did have to turn some campers away on check in day. Testing at home in the week prior may be a gentler way to discover the news of a positive case. If your camper will still be in isolation at the start of camp, we can work closely with your family to determine a different time/session in the summer for your camper to attend.

Any additional pre-arrival requirements will be communicated ahead of time and posted here.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Belknap is planning coordinated efforts to minimize exposure and risk on these high traffic days.

In order to reduce the spread of COVID and safely enter and exit campers we have adjusted our drop off and pick-up process as outlined below.

Please note the following:

Reminder - Late arrivals will NOT be accepted on to campus because of the testing procedures and COVID protocols. Also please note if the camper needs to depart early from camp for a pre-planned event or unforeseen circumstance, they will be unable to return back to camp no matter what day it is within the session.
For 5th Session, all campers (vaccinated and unvaccinated) must bring a printed copy of their negative PCR test on change day.
If your camper has had a COVID vaccination, we also want you to bring a copy of the vaccination document (however, this does not exclude them from pre-arrival testing or arrival day testing).
The Camp Store will be closed on check-in days. The Camp Store is open online at campbelknap.org/shop

We require anyone outside of their car to wear a mask at all times.

We ask that everyone except for campers stay in their car during check-in and check-out time.

Bathroom facilities will only be available on Clark Field.

Due to onsite COVID testing on drop off day, drop off time will be staggered this summer. Drop off will be between 10AM and 4PM with families being assigned a specific 1 hr arrival window. Your time slot is designated by your hometown (not current location) and sometimes also by last name. Please look for your session below to see your specific arrival times. Pick up will be on Saturdays and will be between 9AM and 11AM for all five sessions.

Drop Off process will be the following:

-Parents/Guardians will be directed to enter camp through camp’s eastern most entrance our laundry facility (just north of chase point rd. on Rt. 109).

-This will allow us to guide all cars up onto Clark Field where cars will be parked, and campers will be checked in. Check-in will consist of seeing proof of a negative PCR test within the last 5 days or vaccination card, reviewing any pertinent medical histories with our medical team and receiving division assignment.

-From Clark Lodge, campers will walk across the field to our main office where they will receive a rapid PCR test.

-Campers will return to the car and once confirmation of a negative PCR provided by the test they will be released via car to the division.

-Once cars arrive at the division, we ask that all parents remain in the car. The cabin leader will help your son with his trunk.

-The cabin leader will provide time to speak to the parents while they are in the car.

Pick Up process

-Pick Up process will consist of picking your camper up at his cabin and then returning to Clark Field to sign him out and settle up his camper spending.

Family Camp and Women's Retreat

-Please see communications section and/or visit the events page for more details about arrival and orientation times.

COVID Testing

Camp Belknap plans to use COVID testing as a part of our 2021 plan for entry and admittance to camp, diagnostic (symptoms) and ongoing monitoring. The following outlines our requirements for pre-arrival COVID-19 Testing.

We have updated our requirements as of Aug 6, 2021. Now all Session 5 campers (vaccinated and unvaccinated) attending Camp Belknap are required to have a Covid-19 PCR-based test conducted 3 to 5 days prior to camp arrival. The results must be complete and campers must arrive with a printed confirmation of a negative Covid-19 PCR-based test.

Reminder: once campers are swabbed for a PCR test, we ask that they interact only with their household family members and engage in low risk behaviors to prevent COVID exposure between the time of testing and arrival at camp. For details, please refer to pre-camp expectations for VACCINATED or UNVACCINATED campers.

What is a PCR-based test?

A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based test is conducted to determine if a person is infected with SARS-CoV-2. More specifically, a PCR test looks for genetic material from the COVID virus itself. By contrast, rapid testing is usually antigen testing, which looks for cellular evidence of the body’s response to the virus, but not the actual virus. The PCR test is the most accurate and reliable test for COVID-19, the “gold standard.”

If you want more information on different types of testing, you can read this:

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/coronavirus-disease-2019-testing-basics

Again, Belknap can only accept a PCR test, not an antigen test. This is a state requirement for camp admission.

Where can I get tested?

Look on your local state websites or contact your primary care providers. This link might help:

https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html

Many drug stores such as CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, along with walk-in clinics, are now offering Covid-19 testing. Just make sure, wherever you go, that it is a PCR test, not a rapid antigen test.

Can I do a rapid test?

Maybe. Currently, most rapid testing is antigen testing, which the State of NH will not accept for camp admission. There are some instances of rapid PCR testing, but it is less common. Bottom line: rapid vs. slow does not matter; PCR vs. antigen does. Again, we cannot accept an antigen test per the NH guidelines and regulations. If you have further questions, please let us know.

How will the camp get the results?

You will hand carry a copy of the results with you to camp. We need a hard copy, not a screen shot or photo of the result. Your camper will not be able to remain at camp without documentation of a negative PCR test performed 3-5 days before camp, by order of the state of New Hampshire. Additionally, you may be asked to upload this document to his CampDoc medical record.

What if my child has had COVID?

If your child has had a Covid-19 infection within 90 days of camp arrival, your child does NOT have to be tested. However, you must upload documentation showing a positive Covid-19 test result to Camp Doc. We also require you to bring a hard copy of the result on arrival day.

Will campers still be tested on arrival day even if they are vaccinated?

Yes, all campers vaccinated and unvaccinated will also be tested upon arrival at camp. If the test is positive, the camper will not be allowed to enter/attend that session.

What if I still have questions about testing?

Call camp or email the Camp Belknap COVID Team at teamc@campbelknap.org