COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Updated May 2nd, 2022

Dear FUEL Community,

State and local guidance inform FUEL’s response to COVID-19. This response develops as the constraints of the pandemic continue to change. True to FUEL’s ethics, we rely on judgment and data to make informed decisions about our learners’ and staff's health. We believe that transformative education in nature can continue to thrive through the year 2022 and beyond. We have adopted the following protocols for our weeklong voyages, active for 2022:

SHIP:

Shenandoah is an inclusive environment that requires human-to-human interconnectivity. Everyone aboard is integral to the fabric of the experience, and all hands must participate in certain group tasks like raising sails. As a result of this necessary proximity, our primary method for combating COVID-19 ensures that every individual is COVID-free before each cohort joins. Once aboard, learners enjoy the freedom of being mask-free within six feet of one another.

While our ship is inevitably close-quarters, our learners and staff spend most of their time out in the open air. Aside from sleeping, most meals and activities happen above deck. Additional hand-washing, cleaning, and sanitizing protocols have been adopted to maintain the health of everyone aboard.

PRE-VOYAGE:

  • All participants must be tested for Covid-19 prior to arrival regardless of vaccination status. This can be either a PCR test taken within 3 days of arrival or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of arrival. Upon arrival to FUEL, participants must present (bring paper or electronic documentation) or have uploaded (to your FUEL web portal) proof of negative test results.

  • All participants must complete a COVID-19 screening questionnaire on the FUEL portal. This screening questionnaire will also be administered by FUEL staff upon your arrival.

  • We additionally encourage learners and families to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

VOYAGE:

  • We stage all gatherings at the start and end of the voyage to take place outdoors to maintain distance between families and staff.

  • We carry at-home COVID-19 testing kits aboard the vessel and we test any staff or student that is experiencing symptoms.

  • We evacuate students or staff aboard the ship who show severe symptoms of COVID-19 or who test positive aboard the vessel. We have reserved a designated space aboard the ship for quarantine of symptomatic students or staff awaiting evacuation.

  • We require that all passengers bring cloth face masks with them and are prepared to wear them in the event of illness or possible COVID exposure during a program.

  • These protocols will be reviewed weekly and modified as necessary following CDC, Massachusetts, and federal recommendations and regulations.

FUEL STAFF:

  • 100% of FUEL’s shipboard and office staff are fully vaccinated.

  • All staff undergo health screening before the start of each voyage.

We believe that the best way to confront these challenges is with the presence of a supportive and responsible community. If we are resilient and diligent, we will overcome the hardships presented in the current moment. We will continue to take all necessary precautions and stay up to date on recommendations from our public health officials and our community as we move through these unprecedented times.

With hope and perseverance,

Ian Ridgeway & Casey Blum
FUEL Cofounders