Our current COVID-19 Response

The rivers continue to flow…

What does a course or trip look like with Elements Adventure Company in the age of Covid-19?  Please read the appropriate section(s) below to learn what is expected of you and what you can expect from us.

We have now successfully run all our trips, courses and programs through the entire pandemic.  Our ability to run multi-day trips and courses during covid-times has depended a lot upon each participant’s ability to self-screen in advance, and for each participant to adhere to the procedures outlined below.  Following these simple procedures isn’t all that difficult, but it is easy to forget them and just revert back to our pre-covid way of doing things.

Please note, you may not participate in any of our trips, programs or courses if you have any of the following symptoms: fever (above 38 degrees Celsius), chills, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of sense of smell or taste, sore throat, loss of appetite, headache, body aches, extreme fatigue or tiredness, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea, OR have been notified by public health that you are a close contact  of a person confirmed to have COVID-19.

It is important to note that any last minute cancellations due to Covid-19 will be handled as any other medical cancellation, as outlined in our cancellation policy here.

REGARDING VACCINES

Vaccination is not a requirement to participate in any of our outdoor and naturally physically-distanced courses/trips/programs, nor is it a requirement for our guides or instructors to work here.

We still require that all participants follow the protocols outlined below – vaccinated or not.

And while we’re on the subject of vaccinations – please consider updating your tetanus shot before an extended wilderness expedition!

COVID-19 PROTOCOL FOR COURSES

  • We will continue to follow the Provincial guidelines for group sizes and will adjust our course sizes accordingly.
  • Participants are encouraged to drive their personal vehicle to the course location.
  • Participants are required to bring their own hand sanitizer and face mask to be used on shuttles or other situations where 2-meter distancing isn’t possible.
  • Each participant will be required to sanitize their hands and don a face mask before entering a shuttle vehicle.
  • Avoid coughing and sneezing! If you must, use your mask/ elbow pit..
  • Food will not be shared among participants.
  • No participants will be allowed to attend if they have Covid 19.  Please view our cancellation policy here.

COVID-19 PROTOCOL FOR TRIPS

  • Each participant is responsible for bringing the following items:
    1. Personal-sized hand-sanitizer
    2. Facemask
    3. 2 water bottles (min. 1L each) so that you only need to fill up twice per day
    4. Sealable container with lid (min. 700mL) and a few ziplock bags to eat out of and to carry your lunch and snacks for the day inside your day-bag
    5. Spoon, fork (or spork), and knife that ideally fit inside your eating container
  • Participants will be responsible for washing their own dishware in the 3-step dishwashing system set up by the guides (1. wash, 2. rinse, 3. bleach sanitize)
  • Opportunities to fill your two water bottles with drinking water will be provided in camp each morning and afternoon/evening.  Guides will touch the filtration system and drinking-water containers after washing and sanitizing their hands, taking care that the water bottles don’t touch the communal jug.
  • All food and drinks will be prepared and served by the guides after they’ve washed and sanitized their hands.  Even for second helpings and refills, please allow the guides to serve you, and refrain from touching any serving spoons or cooking/serving equipment. Clients are permitted to help with certain tasks in the ‘kitchen’, provided that they have washed and sanitized their hands.
  • Please resist the temptation to share food, treats, drinks and other personal snacks.  We realize it is part of our nature to want to share a bar of chocolate or a cool drink, but this only undermines all the other efforts we have put in place to operate a covid-safe trip.  If you have brought something to share, please ask the guides if they can serve it to the group in a safe way.
  • A hand-wash station will be set up in a central location in camp.  It will have a foot-pump so no one needs to touch a nozzle, soap is provided, and an additional hand-sanitizer will be there.
  • We will maintain a 2-meter distance between each other whenever possible (with the exception of families and guides).
  • Other ways in which we will limit transmission vectors:
    1. Food will be served with serving spoons and tongs
    2. A communal hand-washing station and hand sanitizer will be available in camp.
  • A covid plan for extended shuttle rides will be made on a case-by-case basis.   Participants will be required to have a face mask with them, and sanitize their hands before entering a shuttle vehicle. 
  • Mask-wearing while outdoors is left to each individual’s discretion and will be respected either way.

Please contact us if you would like more information on our Covid-19 measures.  We continue to follow the recommendations from our local health authority and in the event of developments that may impact our ability to deliver courses and trips, we will endeavor to provide registered clients with as much notice as we are able.  See our cancellation policy here for details on credits and refunds.

Important Resources: