COVID-19 Policy

Masking Policy: Revised May 11, 2022

Touchstone’s general masking policy is mandatory masking for unvaccinated individuals and masking optional but highly encouraged for those vaccinated. Instructor will determine studio masking policy for individual workshops. This will override Touchstone’s general masking policy. If instructor policy differs from our general policy, registered participants will be notified in advance.

2022 Vaccination Requirement

The Touchstone staff and board of directors have continued to monitor and assess the ongoing outcomes and evolving best practices of the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of an abundance of caution, we are instituting a requirement to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all team members, instructors, and participants prior to arriving on campus for the 2022 season.

Proof of vaccination should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than two weeks prior to your scheduled workshop. Proof of vaccinations can be submitted in one of four ways:

• Email to info@touchstonecrafts.org. Use the subject line ‘Confidential – Jane Doe’ (use your name).
• Fax to (724) 329-1371, Attn: Student Affairs Coordinator and make sure your name is clearly typed/written along with your email address for confirmation our staff has received your document(s).
• Mail to Touchstone, Attn: Student Affairs Coordinator, 1049 Wharton Furnace Road, Farmington, PA 15437. Make sure your name is clearly typed/written along with your email address for confirmation our staff has received your document(s).
• Log into your ACTIVE registration account and upload your document(s) to the supplemental forms section.

For those individuals with medical and religious exemptions, a negative COVID-19 test not more than 72 hours old should be submitted ahead of your workshop/stay on campus prior to check-in. We ask that you provide us with notice that you will be submitting this rather than proof of vaccination so that we know only to follow up closer to your scheduled workshop(s). It will be necessary for you to make your own arrangements for testing. Test results should be submitted by email to info@touchstonecrafts.org with the subject line ‘Confidential – Jane Doe’ (use your name) or faxed to (724) 329-1371, Attn: Student Affairs Coordinator.

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All submissions are strictly confidential. You will receive an email confirmation that we have received your proof of vaccination/test result. If you do not receive your email confirmation within 2 business days for proof of vaccination (or by the end of the business day for test results), please follow up with a call/email regarding resubmitting.

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Participants who do not submit the required document(s) BEFORE their scheduled workshops will not be permitted to take part in any 2022 workshop or stay on campus – no exceptions.

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Research to date has demonstrated that the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines are an effective combatant against the virus. Widespread vaccination represents a critical step in mitigating the pandemic and the mutations of the virus.

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We intend to carry on our commitment to keep each of you as safe as we can. Thank you for helping us to protect and promote health and safety across our campus and our community. For any questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine requirement, please email info@touchstonecrafts.org.

2022 Touchstone COVID-19 Guidelines, Precautions, and Procedures*

Revised May 11, 2022

Although we know that the world is ever-changing due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to work diligently to ensure the safety of all on our campus. These efforts take countless hours, as running a residential craft school has many logistics aspects to be examined from studio use and workshops to dining services to lodging. We look forward to welcoming our instructors and participants back to campus!

General Precautions and Procedures

• Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within two weeks prior to arrival, cannot attend a workshop at Touchstone.
• All participants and instructors are required to review and sign a COVID-19 liability waiver before or upon arrival to Touchstone’s campus.
• Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been exposed to someone with symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19 cannot attend a Touchstone workshop.
• Be respectful of everyone’s personal space and follow all sanitation procedures.
• If any staff, instructor, or participant is possibly exposed or showing symptoms of COVID-19 during a workshop, they will be sent home immediately and the surfaces in their workspace will be cleaned and disinfected.
• Regularly scheduled cleaning and disinfecting practices will be implemented in all studios and communal spaces throughout each day
• To help maintain social distancing practices, Touchstone will be limiting workshop capacities in each studio

Workshops

To help keep everyone safe, our studios remain altered to meet CDC guidelines and to assure everyone is able to maintain 6ft between participants.

• To help maintain social distancing practices, Touchstone will continue limiting class sizes to a reduced capacity
• Participants are encouraged to bring their own tools if they have them
• Whenever possible, tools are not to be shared amongst participants
• At the end of each workshop, all tools will be cleaned and disinfected for the next workshop
• No eating or drinking in the studios
• All shared equipment must be cleaned and disinfected after every use
• Hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap will be available in all studios
• Antibacterial wipes and cleaning supplies will be available with instructions for wiping down equipment and spaces

Housing

One of the best parts of the Touchstone Experience is being able to stay on campus and enjoy uninterrupted class/studio time. To help maintain the health and safety of everyone on our campus we continue to use precautions in booking and cleaning procedures.

• All dorm rooms and cabins will be single occupancy only
  • Families or groups traveling together may call Touchstone to arrange for double occupancy housing
• All rooms will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before arrival
• For safety, guests are encouraged to bring their own linens, including sheets, pillowcases, blanket, pillow, and towels. Note: It does tend to get cold at night on Touchstone’s campus and many participants often like more than one blanket.
  • Touchstone can provide a linen rental package for an additional $50 fee if needed

Dining

It is often said that some of the best conversations that happen during a workshop are during mealtimes. We will continue to adhere to the following guidelines within our dining hall during meal services to ensure the safety of everyone on our campus.

• Outdoor tables and seating will be provided
• If weather dictates that everyone will be eating inside, mealtimes may be staggered
• Hand sanitation stations available throughout the Dining Hall and Annex
• Dining hall and all dining areas will be cleaned and sanitized after every meal
• Touchstone will still provide vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan options for meals when advance notice is given
• Touchstone’s chef and kitchen staff will be taking every precaution to make sure each participant and instructor receives safe and fresh meals daily

*Subject to change based on COVID-19 regulations and guidelines. Policies and procedures instituted will be enforced, and anyone not abiding by these policies may be asked to leave campus without refund.