COVID FAQs

Since COVID is still a reality, we imagine we will get some questions related to how to handle recruitment and how we’ll handle LT next summer. We wanted to put together a short FAQ section for you to help with any questions you might have and we will add to this section as more questions come up.

Q: What will the COVID restrictions and protections be like so LT can run safely and fruitfully?

Answer: We plan to follow the guidelines of the local authorities of where our LTs are held. That means we’ll look to the guidance of the state of Colorado and Larimer county in Estes Park and to the guidance of New York state and Warren County in Silver Bay. We’ll also submit to the expectations of our employment partners, the YMCA of the Rockies in Colorado and the Silver Bay YMCA in New York.

Q: Are there any additional precautions that LT will take beyond the CDC’s recommendations?

Answer: The YMCAs we partner with are service industry professionals. They’ve implemented industry standard safe COVID procedures. So we will lean on them regarding COVID expectations. 

Q: Do you have any recommendations for what to say to parents, students, or others who might have COVID concerns when thinking about participating in or even advertising for a summer long trip in the midst of the pandemic potentially continuing? 

Answer: First and foremost, we really care about the well-being of potential LTers. Each summer, we strive to make sure LT is a good fit for each participant. This means making sure it works from a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health perspective.

Along with the usual physical guidance, like being careful with wildlife in nature or living at elevation, we’ll offer guidance and support that a ministry can offer for you or your potential LTer with respect to COVID.

We know running a program like this could be seen in different ways by different people. Our desire throughout is to offer the best spiritual and leadership development experience we can safely offer.

Q: Do you anticipate any challenges that come with bringing people from many locations to one space?

Answer: Yes, for sure. Whether they be different regional pandemic expectations or different hotspots, we want to work wisely to be together. Our desire is to hold everyone to the same standards of the place we’re in, not the places we come from.