Color-coded system
We have established a three-tiered, color-coded system that helps inform Mathcamp decision-making and operations this summer. The level at any given time (under the color system) is determined by a combination of factors, including close monitoring of local, regional, and national Covid-19 trends, and the number of Covid-19 cases on campus and within Mathcamp. The code level is based on a holistic review of these factors, along with the vaccination mandate at Mathcamp, and not any one individual factor.
There are separate systems for internal interactions within camp (including classes, dormitories, and social events) and boundary interactions between camp and the outside world (including campus dining halls, off-campus field trips, and visitors coming to camp).
The levels correspond to different estimates of the risk of Covid-19 exposure inside and outside of camp. The tables below summarize the definitions of the color levels, and what to expect at each level.
| Green: New Normal | Yellow: Moderate Risk | Red: High Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Interactions Levels | ||
| What does it mean? | ||
| We are reasonably confident that no non-isolated person at camp has Covid-19, due to a lack of symptoms, a period of negative screening tests, and a lack of dangerous exposures. This enables free interactions between all people at camp. | There is a nontrivial chance that a non-isolated person has Covid-19. Enhanced precautions may be enforced for mandatory activities (dining, classes), such as holding events outdoors, physical distancing, and masking. | There is a high likelihood of Covid-19 transmission within camp. Enhanced precautions will be used in all indoor settings. | What to expect: |
| Campers and staff will be able to interact with everyone in the Mathcamp community without restrictions. Masks will only be required at large mandatory activities (such as all-camp assembly) taking place indoors, and in any other contexts in which they are required by campus or state policies. |
Every official Mathcamp activity will either take place outside or enforce a mask mandate. Wearing masks will be mandatory in classrooms, lounges, and the Mathcamp offices; we will encourage socialization outdoors. Large gatherings will take place with extra precautions. |
Masks will be required in all public indoor spaces. Surveillance testing may be initiated. As many events as possible will be moved outdoors. Physical distancing requirements may be instituted in the dining hall. |
| Green: New Normal | Yellow: Moderate Risk | Red: High Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary Interaction Levels | ||
| What does it mean? | ||
| There is a low probability that a camper would contract Covid-19 from a person outside of camp due to a low level of cases on campus and in the surrounding area. This enables free interactions between people at camp and people outside of camp. | There is a moderate chance that an interaction with a person outside of camp may result in a camper contracting Covid-19. Enhanced precautions during interactions (preferring outdoor interactions, masking indoors) may be required. | There is a high likelihood of Covid-19 exposure in interactions with people outside of camp. Some activities will be prohibited. |
| What to expect: | ||
| There are no restrictions on interactions with people outside of camp in small groups. | Interactions with people outside of camp will be limited. Wearing masks will be mandatory when interacting indoors with people outside of camp. | Interactions with people outside of camp will be reduced to a minimum. We will make arrangements for Mathcamp to have exlusive access to shared spaces (e.g. the dining hall) for limited windows of time. |
| Example: Going off-campus | ||
| There are no restrictions on off-campus interactions in small groups. | Mathcamp participants can be in off-campus indoor spaces only while wearing N95 (or equivalent) masks for the entire time indoors, including in taxi or ride-share transportation. | Participants may not have any indoor interactions off campus with the exception of staff doing tasks required for camp operations, in which case they will wear N95 (or equivalent) masks for the entire time indoors. |
| Example: Field Trips | ||
| Field trips will be run similarly to a normal year, but with mild extra caution, e.g. emphasis on limiting interactions with non-Mathcamp people. | We will choose field trips which limit potential exposures to Covid-19. We will focus on outdoor activities (e.g. hiking, berry picking, etc.) for off-campus trips, with indoor on-campus alternatives. | We will choose field trips which limit potential exposures to Covid-19. We will focus on outdoor activities (e.g. hiking, berry picking, etc.) for off-campus trips, with indoor on-campus alternatives. |
Our goal is to make the educational and social experience of camp as normal as possible. To that end, we expect to operate at Yellow in week 1 for both internal and boundary interactions, and to consider a transition to Green for internal interactions after week 1 if we are reasonably confident that there is no Covid-19 among Mathcamp participants. We expect to keep boundary interactions at Yellow throughout the summer unless circumstances indicate a switch to Green or to Red.
For more details, download the Mathcamp 2022 Covid-19 Plan (our policies and procedures document).
