2026 COVID-19 Safety Policy

We continue to approach our programming with caution and care and our 2026 Summer Retreat will again include COVID-19 protocols designed to keep our community safe.

All participants, faculty, and staff are expected to respect the guidelines listed below and to support each other in their health and safety needs. Remember, your needs around safety may not be the same as the person next to you.

Self-Care and Community Care

  • While enjoying the festival atmosphere at KlezKanada’s Summer Retreat, it is easy to forget to take care of ourselves. The temperature can also vary wildly during the day and week. Even before the pandemic, it was common for participants to get mildly sick during the week due to factors such as lack of sleep and not dressing warmly enough. We ask that you take care to keep yourself and those around you healthy. Please make sure to eat, hydrate, get enough sleep, and dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Monitor your health carefully, and at the first sign of anything unusual, take a COVID-19 test and let a KlezKanada staff person know.
  • Remember, your needs around safety may not be the same as the person next to you. Please check in with each other before hugging, holding hands in a line of dancers, etc.

Vaccination

We highly encourage that everyone who is able to be vaccinated be vaccinated. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect your community and reduce your own risk.

Testing

  • All participants, faculty, and staff are REQUIRED to take a COVID TEST no more than 24 hours before arrival. You must test negative and be symptom-free to enter camp. Participants must provide their own tests, and may use rapid antigen tests. If using self-tests, we recommend testing at least twice: three days before camp as well as on the morning or afternoon of Monday, August 17 before arrival. Self-testing is most useful when tests are taken frequently.
  • Before arrival, please take extra precautions to limit exposure including masking in public settings.
    If you are symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19, do not come to the Retreat
  • We RECOMMEND that all participants, faculty, and staff take an additional COVID TEST on the Friday during the retreat.
  • Anyone experiencing symptoms during the retreat is REQUIRED to take a test immediately and report to the Info Desk.
  • Off-site Registrants, Day Pass Registrants, and Guests are REQUIRED to take a COVID before entering the retreat site for the first time. You must be symptom-free to enter camp each day. Participants must provide their own tests, and may use rapid antigen tests.
  • We RECOMMEND that all participants, faculty, and staff do rapid self-tests daily during the retreat before coming to breakfast and morning programming. Participants are required to bring their own tests.

Air Filtration

  • KlezKanada will place air filters in all indoor programming spaces.
  • KlezKanada does not provide air filters for accommodation. However, some participants choose to bring a small air purifier for their shared rooms.

Masking

  • Masks are ENCOURAGED in public indoor spaces. This includes indoor classrooms, indoor performance spaces, tents with closed walls, and hallways.
  • We RECOMMEND well-fitting masks with high filtration that are FFP2 grade or higher, such as KN95 or N95 masks.

Outdoors

  • We will keep windows in social spaces open to increase airflow. Please dress warmly!
  • We ENCOURAGE participants to jam, dance, and socialize outside as much as possible. Please bring warm clothes.
  • An uncovered outdoor dining area will be available.
  • We will have limited quarantine housing available for participants that may test positive for COVID-19 or become symptomatic to keep them isolated and everyone as safe as possible. We will also have additional medical staff available onsite and may be able to provide informal recommendations for further care or other accommodations offsite, if necessary. P’tit Bonheur is located approximately 10 minutes away by car from Hôpital Laurentien (Ste-Agathe Hospital). Participants who test positive or exhibit severe symptoms may also be asked to leave the campsite.
  • All participants are ultimately responsible for their own travel and accommodation after the retreat ends.
  • We strongly recommend that you have sufficient medical insurance coverage for the entirety of your time at the retreat.
  • KlezKanada is not a public health or medical organization, and is unable to provide formal health care or medical advice. Decisions about your health are ultimately your responsibility.