Canal camps are going to look a little bit different this year (but hopefully they will still be as muddy and fun as always!). This year we are working to 4 key principles:

• Increased personal space
• Good hygiene facilities
• Good ventilation of shared indoor spaces
• Improved welfare facilities on site

These principles will be backed up with risk assessments including a project plan, risk assessment and method statements, along with camp specific COVID risk assessments. In some shared spaces – such as walking around the accommodation and in the minibuses – you will also be required to wear a mask. Our leadership teams will also undergo additional training to ensure we can deliver an enjoyable experience and that all volunteers observe safeguarding measures.

Please note our COVID Staying Safe measures could be subject to change due to new variants and/or restrictions.

On top of the usual personal protective equipment we provide (hard hats, face masks, gloves ear defenders and safety glasses), volunteers will be given a pre-packed additional kit. This will include spare disposable surgical face masks, 2 x personal hand gel, a personal pack of anti-bacterial wipes and a COVID symptoms card.

We will not be asking volunteers to declare if they have been vaccinated, we are instead we are asking volunteers to take the following steps:

• Take a lateral flow test: On sign up, volunteers will be asked to agree to take a lateral flow test on the morning of departure to the Canal Camp. If the test is positive, you must not travel to the camp and instead inform the leader. Volunteers will also be required to undertake one further test during the camp (mid-week and prior to departure home).
• Review your own personal situation: Every year we ask volunteers to take responsibility for their own safety, and the safety of others around them on site. This year we are also asking all volunteers to consider their own personal safety before signing up to attend the camp by undertaking a personal risk review. Understanding your own personal risk in relation to COVID-19 is important and helps you make decisions about returning to WRG activities and interacting with other volunteers in shared spaces.
• Sign up to our Covid Code of Conduct: As a volunteer, you are an integral and valued part of WRG, and we will do our best to ensure your experience is safe, enjoyable and rewarding. In return we ask that all volunteers agree to appropriate standards of personal conduct in regards to Covid-19, as we do with site based health & safety. Everyone will be asked to sign up to our Covid Code of Conduct.

If you have been on a Canal Camp before you will know we use village halls or similar with volunteers sleeping in one large communal space. This has meant we have had to undertake a thorough review of each accommodation before agreeing to use it.

We have made the following changes:

• We have reduced numbers on camp from 18 to a maximum of 12 volunteers.
• Each volunteer will have a clearly marked out personal zone around their sleeping area with a 2 metre gap from the next volunteer.
• We will operate separate eating and sleeping zones. Please note some halls will have meals in a marquee.
• We will install hand cleaning stations at key areas (front doors/ toilets/showers).
• All of our accommodation will have good ventilation – windows will be kept open to allow for the free flow of air. This means you may need to pack a few extra covers or a warm sleeping bag!
• Some Canal Camps will be able to offer camping areas next to the main accommodation for volunteers who do not want to sleep in a shared space.

See an example layout (pdf, 453KB) of sleeping arrangements in a hall.

Yes – we will be using our 9 seater minibuses but we will be limiting use to 6 volunteers – the driver plus 5 passengers to allow for social distancing.

Minibuses will be regularly cleaned and disinfected as part of our new hygiene regime – with hand gel stations at the doors.

Yes you will still be provided with 3 meals and cake by our wonderful Canal Camp Cooks. WRG has reviewed its Food Safety Management System and has made the following adjustments:

• The cooking team will serve food. There will be no self-service.
• You will also be asked to wash your hands on arrival using the new sanitising stations.

The risk of transmission in outdoor spaces is relatively low. Despite this, we must be confident the site is COVID secure to our standards, following our site specific risk assessment. Where possible work will also be planned to ensure volunteers do not work too closely together. Training and supervision will continue to be provided as usual, but may require additional risk assessments.

We will also be providing additional welfare areas for break times and extra hand cleaning stations

Rules around social activities will be dependent on COVID restrictions at the time but we hope to run a programme of social events in the evenings.