Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Circumstances surrounding the virus are rapidly evolving and appropriate precautions, planning and communication are essential. This webpage is designed to aggregate resources related to COVID-19 for members of the Culver Academies community.

Our Approach
Campus Decisions

Our Approach

Through a combination of weekly testing and vigorous observation of best-practices to reduce the spread of the virus, we are confident that we can provide a meaningful boarding experience for our students. For those students who cannot join us in-person, we will continue our remote instruction model that we implemented on April 1, 2020. Please see below for more information and frequently asked questions regarding our approach to the COVID-19 pandemic

Campus Decisions

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Will there be an in-person Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020?

What is the status of Culver’s upcoming on-campus events?

What are you doing to keep my child safe while at Culver Academies?

Culver Academies is taking a layered approach to safety this school year. No single element of our plan will eliminate risk, but taken together our protocols will significantly decrease COVID-19 related risk on campus. Specifically, the school will focus on routine, weekly testing of all students, staff, and faculty for the active COVID-19 coronavirus; increase our cleaning procedures; mandate the wearing of masks at all times on campus unless in their own personal space (own dorm/barracks room) or when seated at the Dining Hall or Shack.

Academic safety guidelines can be found here.

Can I attend sporting events when our teams play off campus? What safety precautions am I expected to take when visiting with my son or daughter after a sporting event?

Yes. Most Indiana high schools are allowing fans to attend sporting events. Some are not, but most are. If you choose to attend a sporting event, we ask that you wear a mask and practice social distancing when interacting with your son or daughter after the game. We also ask that you respect the fact that this visit will be short in nature (5 to 10 minutes). Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Will food deliveries be allowed this year?

We are allowing food deliveries from restaurants to campus with certain stipulations that must be followed:

All orders and payments must be conducted online or via phone.
Delivery personnel and Culver students must be fully masked at all times (no noses out).
Delivery personnel and Culver students must remain 6 feet apart at all times.
The only authorized delivery location is Logansport Gate.
The student will say their name to the delivery person. The delivery person will place the order on the bench. The student then picks up the order once the delivery person is 6 feet away.

How often will my child be tested for the COVID-19 virus?

We have implemented weekly testing protocols for all staff, faculty, and students throughout the school year, regardless of whether they have previously tested positive. The weekly testing frequency enables Culver to monitor and remove any students and staff and faculty members who test positive for COVID-19 in order to reduce the risk of transmission across campus. Additionally, the staff will be wearing protective masks while indoors, just like the students, as we navigate COVID-19 this school year.

The test Culver will use is a peripheral swab of both nostrils, not the nasopharyngeal swab (the deep nasal probe).

Why will my child’s cell phone be collected at night?

On “school nights” (Sunday through Thursday), students’ cell phones will be collected no later than taps (11 p.m.) for secure storage overnight. The phones will be returned shortly after reveille (7:20 a.m.) the following morning. As part of our robust plan to ensure Culver can educate students in-person this school year, we are protecting our students’ sleep, their optimal health, and their ability to fight off illness. In the event of an emergency, students can be contacted 24/7 while on campus via the Security Office (574-842-4088) or Officer in Charge desk at Main Guard (574-842-8324).

Can I take my child off campus on permit, PONL, or weekend leave after the first six weeks?

Will students be eating in the Dining Hall?

Can I come to campus to visit my child or attend ceremonies and sporting events?

Based on our continued analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic, Culver Academies is adjusting some protocols to protect our students and community in the best manner possible due to the recent resurgence of COVID-19 prevalence across the United States.

In light of these conditions, events at Culver Academies will be closed to the public; there will be no spectators or visitors to campus for sporting events, commissioning, matriculation, ringing ceremony, Dean England Day Ceremony, parades, family visits, etc. We will live stream or record for later viewing as many events as possible so you can observe the great work your students are doing on campus. These protocols will be in place for the first six weeks of the school year until we have the opportunity to reassess the full scope of the situation on campus. Parents will still be allowed to take their students home for one sign-out (weekend leave, parental overnight leave, town privilege, or permit) per term starting the first weekend of October. Culver Academies will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and adjust protocols as necessary throughout the school year with the best interests of our students in mind.

What if my child tests positive for COVID-19?

The Health Center has been busy since March preparing for many different COVID-19 contingencies to enable a safe return to residential instruction. This includes establishing a COVID-only wing in the Health Center and a specific testing location. To further reduce risk, students will be required to receive the annual flu shot, which will be administered by the Health Center staff the first week of October. Students who test positive will be cared for in the Health Center until they are COVID free, which is roughly 7-14 days.

What if my child is exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19?

Students in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID, typically a roommate, will be COVID tested as soon as possible. If they test positive, they will go to the Health Center. If they test negative, they will go to a separate location for 72-96 hours and then take a second COVID test; the second negative COVID test will enable them to return to residential instruction.

Will a child who is quarantined still have class?

What if my child gets really sick?

Under what conditions will the campus be closed again?

International Students

What support is offered international students in different time zones?

I am having difficulty acquiring a visa and transportation for my student. Will online education be available for my student if they are unable to arrive to Culver?

Yes. Culver Academies’ leadership team has been working hard to ensure that we meet the educational and developmental needs of all of our students, regardless of their location. The online programming model has been upgraded significantly, taking into account the lessons learned for the final term of the 2020 school year, enabling us to deliver a hybrid learning model that will provide a robust learning experience until your student is able to join us here at Culver.

Will my student have to quarantine upon arrival to the United States?

Does my student need a stateside point of contact?

Does the insurance purchased at school cover for international students' pandemic treatment?

Will my family receive room and board reimbursement if my student is unable to start school on time based on transportation and visa challenges?

If the campus is closed again, what will the arrangements for international students look like?

What can I do if I have additional questions?

Health & Wellness

Are there any physical fitness or wellness resources available?
What Spiritual Life support will be available?

Are there any physical fitness or wellness resources available?

With the desire to remain strong and healthy -- physically, socially, spiritually, and mentally -- Culver is providing opportunities to assist students and families during this unique time. Among them are:

All students and employees/family members have free membership to the PLT4M workout software. These workouts can be done remotely for home use, and challenge all ability levels. Video demonstrations to familiarize yourself with workout language is included.

a. Download the app or website: PLT4M

b. Use Join Code: SCWILK

c. Join the group: REMOTE FITNESS

d. Follow the daily and weekly prompts to access the workouts

e. Any questions, contact Coach Sandy Orsund at Sandy.Orsund@Culver.org.

Monday through Friday, we will provide daily outdoor activity ideas to do with your family, or close circle of friends, all starting from your own yards. They will include bike rides, walks, games and a weekly Wednesday scavenger hunts. If you have outdoor activities to share with the group, email Dana.Neer@Culver.org. Stay connected by posting your pictures using #culvercomestogether and #findculver to share your activities.