Latham Springs temporarily closes after COVID-19 exposure

Latham Springs Camp and Retreat Center at Aquilla has closed for two weeks and its staff is under “house quarantine” after the camp learned about confirmed cases of COVID-19 among members of a church group from Keller.

Keystone Church, a nondenominational congregation in Keller, rented the retreat center for a July 6-10 camp that involved about 450 students, sponsors and staff.

“On the first day of camp, after the group had been here a few hours, we received a call from a parent of one of the students that a family member had tested positive” for COVID-19, a statement issued by Latham Springs read.

“We immediately isolated the student and then sent her home. Two days later, we were notified that she had tested positive for COVID-19. The church immediately isolated her age group, and then anyone that had close contact with her was sent home. The rest of that group was isolated (after parents were notified) for the remainder of the camp and then sent home with parents.”

Latham Springs was notified of one other confirmed case of COVID-19 on July 11 and was told the two individuals who had confirmed cases “had possibly been in contact before camp,” according to Latham Springs.

In contact with Health Department

Mike Wilson, chief executive officer of Latham Springs Camp and Retreat Center, said he “contacted the Health Department on that same day and had a teleconference with them that evening, and remain in contact with them.”

One Latham Springs staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on July 15 but did not believe it was related to the July 6-10 camp.

“In an abundance of caution, we have closed our gate for two weeks and are keeping our staff under ‘house quarantine’ to monitor,” Latham Springs’ statement read.

The retreat center announced it does not have any additional youth camps scheduled this summer.

Latham Springs noted all church groups using its facilities receive a copy of summer camp guidelines and protocols established by the state, as well as additional protocols the retreat center has in place.

“Any person entering the campus is required to complete a pre-screening form. All campers are temperature checked upon arrival at camp. Daily temperature checks are done on all staff and guests,” the statement from Latham Springs read.

Keystone Church did not respond directly to an email request for information from the Baptist Standard.

However, the church posted the following on its Facebook page: “Keystone Church takes seriously the physical, spiritual and emotional health of our community and those that call Keystone Church their home. Keystone Church, along with other churches and local non-profit camp organizations, held summer camp. If any camper was possibly exposed, the parents or guardians of the exposed camper were immediately notified under the guidelines of The Texas State Health Department and the CDC. Keystone Church has always and will continue to pray for, invest in and serve our community.”