COVID-19 Updates

Working Together for a Safe Summer


Many students and parents have asked questions about our COVID-19 plans for on-campus programs in summer 2022. The reality is that our plans are rapidly evolving based on the latest scientific evidence, guidance from the CDC, and advice and learnings from our university partners. We are preparing to host in-person programs, but the safety and health of our students has always been our number one priority. Our commitment to student and staff safety is the driver behind all of our planning, decisions, and protocols.  

We have developed response protocols based on recommendations from the CDC, the American Camp Association, and our university partner protocols. 

We can all work together this year to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Below are some of the protocols we’re implementing, as well as ways residential program participants can help protect themselves and each other.  

Please note - We are still actively updating our 2022 protocols and policies. The information listed below outlines our general protocols from summer 2021. We will continue to adapt our policies and update families through proactive communications regarding our 2022 expectations.
 

See Our COVID-19 FAQs

On-Campus Interactions
  1. How will on-campus housing be handled due to COVID?
  2. What precautions will be taken in the classroom due to COVID?
  3. Will my student have access to the on-campus gym or fitness centers this summer?
  4. How will weekend activities be impacted due to COVID?
  5. Can residential students be signed off-campus for lunch, dinner, or weekend activities?

  1. How will on-campus housing be handled due to COVID?

    Room occupancy will be set by each university/partner.  At this time, depending on the campus, rooms will be either single or double occupancy. Please note that this may change, so please bookmark this page for the most up-to-date information. Masks will be required. Safety is our number one priority, and we will adhere to local, state and federal CDC guidelines to keep our students and staff as safe as possible. As they pertain to housing and academic precautions, in all cases state regulations and protocols of the host-campus will serve as the baseline for informing summer program policies. SIG reserves the right to supplement these policies as needed to further align with pre-college program best practices and updated information from the medical community.

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  2. What precautions will be taken in the classroom due to COVID?

    Classroom capacity will be determined by physical distancing guidelines. We'll be using CDC guidelines, state guidelines, and university/partner protocols to determine our classroom numbers. Course capacity will vary based on the square footage of classroom space available. Students will have ample space between seats. SIG may limit class sizes to meet safety protocols, and because of this we recommend students apply and enroll as soon as possible.  As they pertain to housing and academic precautions, in all cases state regulations and protocols of the host-campus will serve as the baseline for informing summer program policies. SIG reserves the right to supplement these policies as needed to further align with pre-college program best practices and updated information from the medical community.

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  3. Will my student have access to the on-campus gym or fitness centers this summer?

    This will depend on university protocols and we will update you when we know.  Regardless, students will have full access to the outdoors on campus and will be able to exercise outside to help maintain their physical wellness. 

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  4. How will weekend activities be impacted due to COVID?

    It is possible that some of the activities will look different than in years past in order to follow safety guidelines. However, there will be many activities offered both on-campus and off-campus for our SIG students. We're still in the process of finalizing the activity lists by campus.

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  5. Can residential students be signed off-campus for lunch, dinner, or weekend activities?

    In previous years, students could be signed off-campus (with a parent's permission) for lunch, dinner, or weekend activities with family. In order to keep students and staff as safe as possible, we are not permitting students to be signed off-campus. We will continue to monitor the global health situation and may update this policy prior to summer 2022. 

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Travel to Campus
  1. What if I am traveling outside of my city, state, or country to attend a SIG program? 
  2. What if I am traveling internationally to a SIG program in the United States?  What protocols are necessary? 
  3. Should I go ahead and book my flights?

  1. What if I am traveling outside of my city, state, or country to attend a SIG program? 

    Make sure you check the most recent CDC guidelines for travel. Also, be aware that each arrival city may have its own requirements and documentation expectations. Be sure to check the city and state guidelines before departure.  

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  2. What if I am traveling internationally to a SIG program in the United States?  What protocols are necessary? 

    We’re excited to have you! Be sure to follow CDC guidelines and recommendation for air passengers traveling to the United States. 

    Masks  are required on all planes, busses, trains, and other public transportation in the United States. Be sure to pack several masks for your trip. Please note that these guidelines change often so please check CDC info to keep up-to-date with travel protocols.  

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  3. Should I go ahead and book my flights?

    When determining when to book flights, families should consider that SIG is continuing to monitor local COVID-19 information and while we’re confident that we will be running residential programs on these campuses, nothing is 100% guaranteed, so we are advising that families wait until the end of April to book flights.

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COVID-19 Testing & Quarantine
  1. Will the faculty be tested (faculty and teachers, TAs, administrative staff, housekeeping, etc.)? If so, how frequently?
  2. What happens if a student tests positive for COVID-19?
  3. What if a student on a residential program gets COVID and needs to quarantine?

  1. Will the faculty be tested (faculty and teachers, TAs, administrative staff, housekeeping, etc.)? If so, how frequently?

    University faculty will follow university protocols; SIG staff will follow the SIG weekly COVID testing protocols. We encourage families to visit the university or college website to learn about their COVID protocols. Universities are taking COVID very seriously and have enhanced their policies based on their experiences during the fall and spring semesters.

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  2. What happens if a student tests positive for COVID-19?

    The response would depend on the campus, timing, and local and state health protocols. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, a parent or guardian will be notified immediately, and the student will be moved into isolation. A staff member or nurse will be present until someone arrives. A parent or guardian will be asked to pick up their child from the program as soon as possible. If a parent or guardian is not available, we will contact the person designated as the COVID-19 Point of Contact. Each student will designate a COVID-19 Point of Contact who will be able to pick up a student from campus upon receiving a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. This policy is designed to keep students and staff safe and healthy and help prevent the spread of the virus.  

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  3. What if a student on a residential program gets COVID and needs to quarantine?

    All students will be required to submit a travel contingency plan before arriving on-campus. This plan will outline how a student will return home if they test positive for COVID. If a student does test positive, their travel contingency plan will go into effect and the designated COVID-19 Contact must come and get the student within 24 hours. The student will be quarantined while waiting for their designated COVID-19 contact to arrive. 

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Refunds and Cancellations
  1. Will I receive a refund if my program is canceled mid-session?
  2. Will I get a refund if my student needs to return home due to testing positive for COVID?
  3. If I am unable to secure a visa by June 1, 2022, will I receive a refund?

  1. Will I receive a refund if my program is canceled mid-session?

    If SIG needs to end a session early for any reason, students will be entitled to a partial refund less expenses and non-refundable fees (such as the application fee and any optional insurance) based on when the program cancels. Refunds will be determined at the time of cancellation.

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  2. Will I get a refund if my student needs to return home due to testing positive for COVID?

    If the program is not completely canceled due to COVID, any student that contracts COVID and needs to leave the program will not be entitled to a refund.

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  3. If I am unable to secure a visa by June 1, 2022, will I receive a refund?

    Yes, you will receive a tuition refund.

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Vaccination
  1. Does SIG require students to be vaccinated again COVID-19?
  2. Will my student have to wear a mask and complete COVID testing if they have been vaccinated?

  1. Does SIG require students to be vaccinated again COVID-19?

    No, we do not require the COVID-19 vaccine to attend our programs. However, we strongly encourage families who feel comfortable with their student receiving the vaccine to prioritize getting it prior to attending their program.

    Vaccines offer further protections for our students, but we will continue to implement COVID-19 protocols regardless of a student’s vaccine status.

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  2. Will my student have to wear a mask and complete COVID testing if they have been vaccinated?

    As of this time, all students, staff, and instructors – regardless of vaccine status – will be required to follow our COVID-19 protocols. Testing and masking will be required for vaccinated students. If CDC guidance changes, we will reevaluate our policies and notify families accordingly.

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What You Need to Know

Before Arriving

All program participants will be expected to conduct pre-screening measures, including temperature checks, symptom monitoring, and exposure likelihood. Participants will be required to take and record their temperature for 5 days prior to the program. 

  • Do you have COVID-19 symptoms? A fever of 100.4 F or greater, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, etc., within 14 days prior to the program? 
  • Have you been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with, tested for, or quarantined as a result of COVID-19? 

In addition, all program participants will also be required to provide SIG with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the start of the program. If this test is returned positive, participants will not be able to participate in-person. More details about test submission will be provided closer to arrival times.

During Your Stay

All program participants will be expected to follow the following protocols while attending their program.

  • Wear face coverings at all times when outside of their room unless they are eating  
  • Complete a daily symptom monitoring survey  
  • Adhere to weekly COVID testing  
  • Maintain recommended physical spacing from other individuals 
  • Limit guests to one guest in their room at a time, and the guest must be another SIG program participant  
  • Respect closures and limits on community spaces including bathrooms, common spaces and study areas, and restrictions on events and social activities, per public health guidance and SIG guidelines 
  • Refrain from sharing food or beverages with others
  • Follow hand washing and sanitizing guidelines 

In addition to asking students to follow these guidelines, SIG will:

  • Regularly disinfect heavily touched surfaces
  • Use outdoor spaces as much as possible for classes, activities, and meals
  • Required isolation/quarantine for residents who are exposed to or test positive to COVID-19 (symptomatic or asymptomatic) 

Commuter Day Students

Any students in our commuter or day programs will be required to complete daily screening measures at home prior to class:

  • Complete daily temperature check
  • Complete Symptom Tracker
  • Determine and notify SIG of potential for COVID due to close contact

Any commuter or day program student found to have a temperature or combination of symptoms will be unable to attend the program in-person.

Staff Preparedness

All program staff will be trained in alignment with the CDC, American Camp Association, state and local government, the University, and SIG health and safety protocols and procedures prior to campus arrival, with additional training during program orientation.  

Each program will have designated staff responsible for and responding to COVID-19 concerns. 

Health and Wellness Supplies

SIG will provide all program staff with portable Health + Wellness Kits that will include, but are not limited to basic first  aid supplies, gloves, masks, hand sanitizer, a thermometer, and liquid hand soap. Similar kits, with additional supplies, will be stored in every SIG office.  

What If I Get Sick?

Any program participant found to have a temperature or combination of symptoms (as consulted by a medical professional) will be isolated from their Resident Counselor group, and testing will be conducted.  
 

  • With a negative test result the program participant will be able to return to their Resident Counselor group and continue the program in-person. 
     
  • With a positive test result the following will occur:
     
    • SIG will reach out to the program participant’s parent or guardian and request implementation of their Travel Contingency Plan  
    • Care for the program participant will continue, along with isolation 
    • All program participants and staff in the affected Resident Counselor group will undergo testing 
    • Contact tracing measures will be set in place   

Frequently Asked COVID-19 Questions

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