At Dataw Island, the word “community” describes far more than the neighborhood. Community on Dataw Island can be described as an inclusive friendliness - a neighborhood in the truest sense.  As a community of residents who enjoy an active lifestyle, “social distancing” was a new concept for us here. Staff and members accepted the challenge wholeheartedly, finding creative ways to stay engaged while staying safe.

Members are spending time in the Community Garden, on the greens and courts, and keeping our minds & bodies active through various creative ventures. Here is a sampling of ways Dataw Island has stayed socially close while physically distant:

• Golfing has not been stopped; instead, we removed bunker rakes, have had members ride single, and do not remove the flag
• Tennis has also continued, with players asked to serve/contact only with their own balls
• Pickleball has observed similar protocols
• National Croquet Day was held with distance
• Putt-putt golf course was set up for all members to enjoy
• Scavenger hunt was held on Oak Island over the course of a few days
• A weekly series called “Let Us Entertain You” emails members a host of at-home and socially-distant activities that range each week from virtual museum tours, online lessons, great new podcasts, game ideas, and more
• Food and beverage operations shifted to curbside pickup (and even include such sundries as bottled water and toilet paper!)
•  Pop-up produce stands
• Club-hosted burger grill-outs
• Online Bingo nights and other games
• Kayak trips
• Our clubs remain active, with such volunteer work and fundraising, such as a Parkinson’s walk and $16,000+ being raised to fight cancer, and food being delivered to local food pantries
• Outdoor quilt exhibition (all 99 handmade quilts were donated to a local preschool)
• Speaker Series Forum held by video
• Visual Arts Club is hosting challenges such as “Art in the Time of Containment”
• Rolling openings include reservations systems and frequent sanitation of facilities.

Members’ safety is paramount. When entering buildings, you are required to wear a mask.

Management has instituted rigorous sanitation procedures, is controlling the number of people in each building and offering reservations for access to some of the more popular spaces, such as the Fitness Room, Pub, and swimming pools, assuring that members won’t have to wait in crowded spaces and can maintain normal routines.

Members are also contributing by observing a 7-day wait period after travel or hosting out-of-town guests before returning to normal club activity. This applies to ALL visitors to the island, including real estate visitors. A 7-day LOCAL self-isolation or a LOCAL negative Covid-19 test must be presented in order for guests to fully use the facilities. (Prior to this period, guests may play golf or tennis alone and may dine outside; they may not interact with members or enter facilities. Real estate activity may occur while wearing masks.)

We are physically distant, yet still socially close. Thank you for your help in keeping Dataw Island a fantastic place to live!