COR Expeditions COVID-19 Policies - updated June 11, 2021

COR Expeditions is actively aware of the COVID-19 situation and is primarily concerned with the health and well-being of its participants and staff. COR leadership is monitoring the regulations and recommendations of federal, state, and local government and health departments and land management agencies; COR staff and participants are required to follow all pertinent regulations and federal land management guidelines as well as to abide by the policies of private businesses and parish or diocesan mandates as applicable. As the regulations and recommendations from these departments and agencies change, many of the COVID protocols implemented by our program are also subject to change and may become more or less stringent.

COVID-19 is extremely contagious and can lead to severe illness and death. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any place where people are present, especially when they are in close proximity to one another. While any person is at risk of potential exposure, senior citizens and anyone with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Though the risk of contracting COVID-19 cannot be eliminated, COR Expeditions seeks to mitigate this risk by:

  • Making sure staff and participants are properly informed & trained.
  • Elevating course hygiene expectations (especially hand-washing).
  • Recommending the use of masks in confined spaces (such as vehicles).
  • Taking appropriate risk management measures if any participant or staff member develops symptoms.
    • If someone develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 on a COR course:
      • A single staff person will attend to that participant. 
      • That person will be quarantined in his/her own tent/tarp.
    • Consistent with Wilderness First Responder training and COR Emergency Medical Protocols, patients will be evacuated from their trip if:
      • They are in need of advanced medical care. 
      • Their presence on the course becomes a significant risk to others – e.g. if we are unable to quarantine the symptomatic individual  or adequately care for multiple patients. 
  • Notifying participants if anyone from their trip contracts COVID-19 within 48 hours of the end of the course (according to the CDC definition of close contact).

To protect the health and safety of our participants and staff, anyone who is presenting symptoms of COVID-19 (see self-assessment guide below) at the time of their course or who has tested positive for COVID-19 (and should still be in quarantine according to CDC guidelines) at the start of their trip should not attend. COR reserves the right to send any participant home at their own expense if they are symptomatic upon arrival for their course.

Additionally, anyone with a pre-existing condition, in a vulnerable population, living with a family member who is in a vulnerable population, or simply not comfortable being in close proximity with others at this time (going to the grocery store, pumping gas, etc.) should not come on a COR course at this time.

By coming on a COR Expedition you are voluntarily assuming all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable disease. All participants make their own informed choice to come on a COR Expeditions trip or to travel at all. 100% refunds will be given for course cancellations due to COVID-19.  Refunds will be provided up until the day of the course for those who become ill or compromised directly before the course. To request a refund, contact our office at info@corexpeditions.org or 307-335-4334.

 

For courses contracted through COR by another group or organization, the trip coordinator from that group or organization has the ability to vary or change the strictness of certain COVID-19 policies based on previous group contact and other such factors. The trip coordinator must discuss any changes or specific policy concerns with the COR Director prior to the course and is responsible for communicating any policy adjustments to all their participants before the trip begins.          

 

Self-Assessment Guide

Anyone experiencing  the following symptoms (that are not definitively caused by another health condition) within 48 hours of travelling to their COR course should not attend the course and should notify the COR office.

  • Anyone with one or more of the following:
    • Fever (100.4 or higher)
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath
    • Loss of sense of taste or smell
  • Anyone with two or more of the following:

    • Chills
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea