2021 COVID-19 Expectations
& Organizational Protocols
What we expect from our participating families and what you can expect from GOALS.
Introduction.
Since the inception of GOALS Youth River Expeditions, our number one priority has always been protecting the safety and well-being of our participants. We work hard to identify and understand the potential risks associated with every GOALS program, and mitigate those that are within our control whenever we are able to do so.
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges regarding risk management. We have monitored the scientific advancements vigilantly – taking conservative measures as we prioritize the physical health of our youth participants, GOALS leaders, professional guides, and the communities that surround the rivers we explore. At the same time, we remain focused on the mental health of the adolescent population that GOALS serves. We are aware of the negative consequences that extended isolation from peers has created, and recognize their need/desire to re-connect with their peers, wild places, and themselves through a GOALS expedition.
Our 2021 COVID-19 participant expectations & organizational protocols rely on the latest scientific research, our knowledge of expedition logistics, and an unwavering commitment to protect participant safety.
Expectations.
Prior to leaving for a GOALS expedition, every participant (youth participants and GOALS leaders) will be required to take an Abbott BinaxNow rapid COVID antigen test, available at no cost through an agreement between GOALS and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. The process for GOALS kids/families to obtain and administer these tests will look like this:
1. Acquiring Test Kits. GOALS families can use THIS LINK to order a kit of 6 free BinaxNOW rapid antigen test kits via the Abbott. The kits will typically be delivered in just 3-4 business days after they are requested, but GOALS recommends ordering them approximately 30 days before your expedition so that you are able to test multiple times.
2. Administering the test. These tests are designed to be administered at home through a guided online service. Using Abbott's NAVICA app, a tele-health proctor will guide you through the 15-minute testing process and enter the results in the NAVICA app. Since you will have multiple test kits, we recommend testing every 5-6 days, with the last test scheduled for 1 day prior to your GOALS expedition.
3. Sharing your results with GOALS. In order to participate in a 2021 GOALS expedition, every participant will be required to show proof of a negative BinaxNOW rapid antigen test taken within one day of their expedition departure and verified through the NAVICA app. To share your results, simply:
- Complete a test using the NAVICA app on the day before your expedition.
- Take a screenshot of your test result. Be sure that the screenshot includes
the participant’s name, date of the test, and test result.
- Email this test result to info@goalsonrivers.org. In the subject line, please
write “NAVICA result for PARTICIPANT NAME - EXPEDITION NAME
(i.e. “NAVICA result for Timmy Thompson, Desolation Canyon”)
Your options - for participation and to protect your investment.
Cancellation. If you are not comfortable with the GOALS 2021 COVID-19 participant expectations defined above and would like to withdraw your expedition placement, you may do so until 31 days prior to expedition launch and receive a full refund of any investment you have made. Once you are within 30 days of your expedition launch, no refunds will be available. If you intend to cancel, please communicate this decision to GOALS as soon as possible, as many expeditions have kids on wait lists that we will then make aware of the opportunity to participate.
Protecting your investment. Any participant or leader whose BinaxNOW rapid antigen test administered one day prior to expedition launch shows a positive result must be removed from their expedition team. Since we are unable to issue refunds in this instance, GOALS recommends:
Purchasing travel insurance.
Although we do not partner directly with any specific travel insurance providers, we have found squaremouth.com to be an easily navigable site that allows search filters including coronavirus cancellation. Most policies that cover the scope of a GOALS expedition (in terms of expedition length and financial investment) cost approximately $60-$100.Frequent testing prior to your expedition.
To avoid surprises, we recommend multiple tests leading up to your expedition. For those who test negative, GOALS recommends following the behavioral/lifestyle precautions suggested by medical experts aimed at reducing potential exposure leading up to your expedition.
Organizational Protocols - What you can expect from GOALS.
Even after the group has all produced negative tests, some suggested safety protocols may still be followed during the expedition. These will be based on recommendations by local health departments, established protocols set in place by our partnering commercial river outfitters, and the comfort level of our adult leaders and our professional guide teams.
These protocols may include wearing of face masks during transportation to/from expeditions, reduced ability to participate in the camp kitchen compared to GOALS standard operating procedures, increased hand washing, and assignment of personal gear to be used throughout the expedition. Ultimately, our intent is to reduce participant anxiety by creating an experience that feels as proceduraly “normal” as possible – while recognizing that we have a responsibility to each individual and to the larger society as we continue to navigate an ongoing global pandemic.
In conclusion…
Everyone associated with GOALS Youth River Expeditions is ecstatic about the opportunity to make a positive impact on every child who is currently registered for a 2021 expedition. We know how transformative the GOALS experience can be in any year - and after an extended period of isolation and uncertainty, are just as excited to connect with incredible kids in wild places as they are - something we were very limited in our ability to make happen in 2020. That said, we recognize our responsibility to one another and to society at large as we continue to fight the current pandemic. Our protocols were created after doing extensive research, and incorporate precautionary measures that we feel include the implementation of responsible testing techniques intended to protect each participant’s physical health during a time when their mental health needs must also be addressed. We are happy to discuss any questions or concerns at (720) 560-8056.