*JULY 25 UPDATE: Per State Mandate masks will be required for indoor spaces such as the office/store, shower house, and game room. For more information on this requirement and its exceptions, please visit: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/facecover.html
Note: If you prefer to do a contactless check-in and check-out we can arrange that over the phone with your credit card information. Thank you.
We here at Balsam Bay take seriously the health and safety of our guests and employees. We have implemented the following preparedness plan in response to the pandemic:
CABINS:
*We have taken out all quilts, comforters, extra blankets, decorative pillows & throws. These items would be difficult to launder between each guest. Beds will be made with sheets, a light weight blanket, and pillows with vinyl pillow covers. Please bring heavier blankets/comforters as you deem necessary. If you feel uncomfortable using our pillows (they will be spray disinfected) please bring your own.
*Spare linens for a futon or sleeper sofa will need to be requested.
*Other hard to clean (shared) items have been removed such as cards, pens, magazines, etc.
*The shower curtain, hot pads, & dish soap will be changed out between guests, but you will not find scrubbies, sponges, or salt & pepper.
*As always, please bring your own bath & kitchen towels and personal soaps.
* A spray bottle of our Thieves cleaner and fresh rags will be placed under the sink, but please bring your own disinfectant spray if you wish.
*To promote hand washing we will have single wrapped bar soaps at the sinks. If you need an additional bar or two come see us. We ask that you discard all soap upon your departure.
*The cabin will be stocked with a small amount of coffee filters and (wrapped) TP; please ask for more when needed.
*Plastic linen bags (like those in hotels) are provided in each cabin and we would appreciate if you would strip the sheets before departure. The blankets can be left on the floor if they don’t fit in the bag. This will minimize our cleaner’s exposure to these items.
SHARED AREAS/AMENITIES:
*We will spray disinfect, to the best of our ability, those commonly shared items such as the playground, bicycles, paddle boats, kayaks & paddles, canoe, fish cleaning house, and life jackets at least once a day. But because it is impossible for us to do this between each use, we will have EPA approved (and environmentally safe) disinfectant spray available for guests to apply before they use them.
*We do ask all unrelated guests not to use exterior items of other cabins, Park Model or campsites (chairs, grill, picnic table, etc.) unless invited to do so by that occupant.
*Signage will be posted to remind guests about social distancing and hand washing.
*Only one cabin or fishing group should occupy the fish cleaning house at a time. A sanitizing spray for food contact surfaces will be provided.
*No more than 10 people in the game room; hand sanitizer will be available.
*We have removed all the sand toys at the playgrounds and ask families to bring their own from home.
*Showerhouse/Laundry: Use at your own risk. Hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and individual paper towel dispensers are provided.
*Rental boats/pontoons will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between use; please do not sit or stand on docked pontoons if you haven’t rented it.
*Our ‘Lending Library’, board games, movies, etc. can still be checked out from the office but they will need to be returned to a separate ‘Quarantine’ bin that we will have available.
*Outdoor games will be disinfected upon return.
OFFICE/STORE:
*Please don’t feel we are being unsociable as we practice our social distancing throughout your stay. We do have a plexi-glass barrier at the office counter and will be using disposable gloves and face masks while completing certain tasks.
*We ask that one customer (group) be in the office/store at a time. Please wait outside until prior guest leaves.
*To minimize Saturday congestion at check-in we may be sending you a registration form about a week before your arrival. If so, please have it complete upon arrival with names of all persons in cabin/campsite (ages of children), any pets, your vehicle description & license plate #, as well as any other pertinent information.
*We will waive our usual 3% convenience fee on credit/debit cards for the mutual comfort of these transactions (less handling of money).
*We ask cabin guests to settle up any incidental charges the night before departure so we may be better prepared for our turn-over day.
*Our office hours will need to be reduced in order to properly clean & disinfect resort areas: Mon, Tues, Thurs 8am-11am & 3pm-6pm; CLOSED WEDNESDAYS; Friday 8am-11am & 2pm-8pm; Saturday 9am-8pm (as needed); Sunday 8am-1pm. Any changes will be posted. Sorry for the inconvenience.
POOL:
*As of June 10th we can open our pool at 50% capacity. We have determined that to be 16 people in the pool area. Use at your own risk. We ask you to practice social distancing and be respectful of your time spent swimming so that others can enjoy this amenity as well. We will have a sign-up sheet at the office for ‘pool time’ for 1 hour maximum increments.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by these changes, but strongly believe that Balsam Bay can continue to provide an enjoyable, relaxing, and wholesome experience at the lake. It’s amazing what a campfire, some good fishing, and family time can do for one’s health and well being! We so appreciate your continued patronage and look forward to sharing some beautiful days and awesome sunsets on Big Sand Lake.
Stay safe and stay strong!