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NEMC Update 5/10/20
The NEMC administrative team has been meeting since early March to plan for our 2020 summer season. We have been following the Covid-19 situation in Maine and the rest of the country, and unfortunately have made the decision not to open for our regular camp season this summer. The restrictions in place in the state, as well as the health and safety risks of travel for so many of our camp family led us to feel this is the wisest decision for everyone.
We understand this is disappointing news for all of us; many tears have been shed over the past few weeks. But we are very excited to tell you that with the help of our amazing faculty and counseling staff, we have developed a program that will be meaningful and provide a means for the NEMC family to remain connected. During the month of July, we will hold a virtual NEMC camp, complete with private lessons, group classes, social activities, and many additional special additions to our program. We presented this program in more detail during a Zoom call with all of our current NEMC campers on Sunday evening, and we hope many of them will join us in July for this exciting program.
Since 1937, campers, staff, and faculty have shared magical musical experiences along the shores of Messalonskee, bringing the magic of NEMC to thousands of aspiring musicians around the world. We have operated through World War II, following 9/11, and through multiple recessions. While the summer of 2020 will not allow us all to gather together in the grove around the campfire, or around the flagpole for flag each morning and evening, we are very excited to bring some of that magic to our virtual camp experience. We look forward to an incredible summer of music making, and cannot wait to welcome you all back to the NEMC campus for our 85th anniversary summer celebration in 2021.
For information on the NEMC virtual program CLICK HERE.
Current Campers- further instructions are in your online accounts. To login CLICK HERE
NEMC Statement - 4/15/20
Greetings from NEMC!
We hope this finds all of our camp family safe and healthy during this period of social distancing and quarantining. We continue to stay hunkered down on the NEMC campus, feeling very fortunate that we have this beautiful space to enjoy (when it is not snowing!!). There are some early signs of spring as the daffodils and tulips start to poke out of the ground, and small red and green buds are appearing on the trees. Hopefully some warmer weather will begin to grace us as well. In the midst of all this, we are staying on top of the almost daily updates and changes to both the national and state of Maine recommendations and restrictions relative to Covid-19. We are committing absolute transparency to all of you as we navigate these challenging times, and wanted to share with you our current planning and response as we continue to hope to be able to have some sort of camp season this summer.
You should have all received the Covid-19 information form we sent with the spring forms mailing last week, which details our current plans for screening all campers and staff both prior to and upon arrival at camp this summer. These plans were developed in conjunction with the American Camp Association, the Maine Summer Camps organization, public health authorities, and our head nurse, Terry Shipps. While we have not made any changes to those plans at this time, they will remain fluid as more information and data is provided about the virus. Additionally, we are updating the NEMC communicable disease plan to assure we have a system in place to maintain effective protocols for the identification and treatment of any illnesses that may occur at camp. We will continue to update you as any new information becomes available.
Many of you have asked when we will make a final decision about the camp program for this summer. We have decided that we will do that by Memorial Day, May 25th. We believe this will still give us time to meet all of our obligations to have the facility ready for campers at the end of June, while also allowing time for any changes in travel plans for our staff and campers that may need to be made. Additionally, we are in the process of developing some optional schedules for the camp season, which might permit us to have a shorter camp season that starts later in July. All of this, of course, is contingent on the directives from the state of Maine, and our own discussions with our boards and camp administration. Our prevailing and guiding principle in these decisions in to assure that we can provide a safe and healthy environment for all of our campers and staff who choose to come to NEMC. We all know that this magical place will offer the best opportunity to begin to recover some normalcy in our lives, but only if it is safe to do so!
We must also take the time to thank all of you who have communicated with us over the past few weeks, sharing your hopes and dreams that we will be able to have another special summer at NEMC. Your support and encouragement during these trying and challenging times means more than we can ever express. Please take great care to stay safe and healthy, and follow the directives of your local and state governments. And please know we are very eager to welcome all of you to NEMC as soon as it is possible!
We hope this finds all of our camp family safe and healthy during this period of social distancing and quarantining. We continue to stay hunkered down on the NEMC campus, feeling very fortunate that we have this beautiful space to enjoy (when it is not snowing!!). There are some early signs of spring as the daffodils and tulips start to poke out of the ground, and small red and green buds are appearing on the trees. Hopefully some warmer weather will begin to grace us as well. In the midst of all this, we are staying on top of the almost daily updates and changes to both the national and state of Maine recommendations and restrictions relative to Covid-19. We are committing absolute transparency to all of you as we navigate these challenging times, and wanted to share with you our current planning and response as we continue to hope to be able to have some sort of camp season this summer.
You should have all received the Covid-19 information form we sent with the spring forms mailing last week, which details our current plans for screening all campers and staff both prior to and upon arrival at camp this summer. These plans were developed in conjunction with the American Camp Association, the Maine Summer Camps organization, public health authorities, and our head nurse, Terry Shipps. While we have not made any changes to those plans at this time, they will remain fluid as more information and data is provided about the virus. Additionally, we are updating the NEMC communicable disease plan to assure we have a system in place to maintain effective protocols for the identification and treatment of any illnesses that may occur at camp. We will continue to update you as any new information becomes available.
Many of you have asked when we will make a final decision about the camp program for this summer. We have decided that we will do that by Memorial Day, May 25th. We believe this will still give us time to meet all of our obligations to have the facility ready for campers at the end of June, while also allowing time for any changes in travel plans for our staff and campers that may need to be made. Additionally, we are in the process of developing some optional schedules for the camp season, which might permit us to have a shorter camp season that starts later in July. All of this, of course, is contingent on the directives from the state of Maine, and our own discussions with our boards and camp administration. Our prevailing and guiding principle in these decisions in to assure that we can provide a safe and healthy environment for all of our campers and staff who choose to come to NEMC. We all know that this magical place will offer the best opportunity to begin to recover some normalcy in our lives, but only if it is safe to do so!
We must also take the time to thank all of you who have communicated with us over the past few weeks, sharing your hopes and dreams that we will be able to have another special summer at NEMC. Your support and encouragement during these trying and challenging times means more than we can ever express. Please take great care to stay safe and healthy, and follow the directives of your local and state governments. And please know we are very eager to welcome all of you to NEMC as soon as it is possible!
Warmly,
Kim and Matthew Wiggin, Directors
NEMC Statement - 3/26/20
Greetings!
We have just finished attending a Webinar sponsored by the American Camp Association and the Association of Camp Nursing, addressing current questions about the COVID-19 virus. We are still very hopeful that we will be able to open camp at the end of June, and have another magical summer at NEMC. But we need your help to do that! Please read the following information about what you and your family can do now in preparation for coming to camp this summer.
- Follow specific recommendations from your local health and government authorities for COVID-19 management and prevention. This may include: washing hands with warm
water and soap for at least 20 seconds; cleaning all contact surfaces with anti-bacterial cleanser or wipes; cough and sneeze into an elbow or tissue, discarding the tissue after use; practicing social distancing when necessary to be in public spaces; self or mandatory quarantine.
- Contact your physician or local health authority if anyone in your household is displaying any symptoms of COVID-19: this may include but is not exclusive of fever, sore throat, runny nose, body aches.
- Maintain healthy practices at home. This may include: getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, remaining physically, socially, and mentally active.
We have just finished attending a Webinar sponsored by the American Camp Association and the Association of Camp Nursing, addressing current questions about the COVID-19 virus. We are still very hopeful that we will be able to open camp at the end of June, and have another magical summer at NEMC. But we need your help to do that! Please read the following information about what you and your family can do now in preparation for coming to camp this summer.
- Follow specific recommendations from your local health and government authorities for COVID-19 management and prevention. This may include: washing hands with warm
water and soap for at least 20 seconds; cleaning all contact surfaces with anti-bacterial cleanser or wipes; cough and sneeze into an elbow or tissue, discarding the tissue after use; practicing social distancing when necessary to be in public spaces; self or mandatory quarantine.
- Contact your physician or local health authority if anyone in your household is displaying any symptoms of COVID-19: this may include but is not exclusive of fever, sore throat, runny nose, body aches.
- Maintain healthy practices at home. This may include: getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, remaining physically, socially, and mentally active.
We will be broadcasting live again tomorrow on our Facebook page. Watch for details about the time! We will be meeting this weekend for our annual Spring Planning Meeting and will have lots of exciting updates afterwards. Look out for the Camper/Parent Information Packet next week!
Please stay healthy!!
NEMC Statement - 3/19/20
Greetings from Maine,
We continue to keep current events related to the Coronavirus outbreak at the front of our minds, as we know it is for your families as well. As of today New England Music Camp will operate as scheduled, June 27-August 10. We are closely monitoring developments, and continue to look to the state of Maine Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control for updates, recommendations, and guidance. Additionally, we are in communication with Maine Summer Camps and the American Camp Association, who are working tirelessly to assure that all camps in Maine and New England will provide a safe and healthy environment for campers this summer.
We want to remind everyone that for many of you the final payment for the NEMC program is due on April 1, 2020. We appreciate that current circumstances are challenging, and ask that anyone who believes they cannot meet that deadline communicate with one of us directly (see below). As we have already stated, we have amended our refund policy to assure that should we not be able to operate camp this summer, everyone will receive a full refund or may roll the tuition over to 2021. We have again attached the detailed refund policy at the end of this letter.
Please know that all of us at New England Music send our warmest wishes for you and your families to remain safe and healthy during these challenging times.
Updated refund policy:
Should New England Music Camp not be able to operate its programs for the 2020 season due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all campers registered for the 2020 season will have two options: 1) Apply all paid funds to registration for the 2021 camp season, 2) Receive a full refund, inclusive of the registration fee, of all paid funds. The refund will be paid following the settlement of funds from our insurance company. 3) Tuition can be transferred to an acknowledged donation which you will be able to use for tax-reporting purposes*.
Additionally, any registered camper who is required to attend school during the camp season as a result of schools rescheduling due to the Coronavirus will have three options: 1) Transfer registration from the first session of camp to the second session of the 2020 season if NEMC is operating and there is space available, 2) Apply all paid funds to registration for the 2021 camp season, 3) Receive a full refund, inclusive of the registration fee, of all paid funds. The refund will be paid following the settlement of funds from our insurance company, 4)Tuition can be transferred to an acknowledged donation which you will be able to use for tax-reporting purposes*.
Should New England Music Camp not be able to operate its programs for the 2020 season due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all campers registered for the 2020 season will have two options: 1) Apply all paid funds to registration for the 2021 camp season, 2) Receive a full refund, inclusive of the registration fee, of all paid funds. The refund will be paid following the settlement of funds from our insurance company. 3) Tuition can be transferred to an acknowledged donation which you will be able to use for tax-reporting purposes*.
Additionally, any registered camper who is required to attend school during the camp season as a result of schools rescheduling due to the Coronavirus will have three options: 1) Transfer registration from the first session of camp to the second session of the 2020 season if NEMC is operating and there is space available, 2) Apply all paid funds to registration for the 2021 camp season, 3) Receive a full refund, inclusive of the registration fee, of all paid funds. The refund will be paid following the settlement of funds from our insurance company, 4)Tuition can be transferred to an acknowledged donation which you will be able to use for tax-reporting purposes*.
*Converting your tuition to a donation supports NEMC's future in this very uncertain and unsettling time. If you are able, please consider making a contribution in support of our not-for-profit mission.
NEMC Statement - 3/12/20
Hello,
In light of the recent and ever-changing situation around the world with the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we wanted to share with you New England Music Camp's position and planning regarding this and any impact it may have on the summer at camp. We are focused on three guiding principles: assuring the health and safety of our community, preserving our ability to continue our exceptional camp programs, and doing our best to maintain the unique and magical experience that NEMC has been delivering for over 80 years.
Currently, there are no reported cases of the virus in Maine, and the Maine department of health is working with the Governor and the federal government to both monitor the situation and plan for any possible diagnoses. In addition, we are in contact with the American Camp Association and the Maine Summer Camps organization, who will be continuing to share their guidelines over the next few weeks and months. We have also been in contact with the administrators at Maine General Health, who have been our partners in health care for many years. As we get closer to the summer and the opening of camp, we will solidify our plans to make sure everyone at NEMC is safe and healthy, both upon arrival at camp, and while they are here. We are committed to maintaining regular communication with you during that time, through email and posts on our social media pages when appropriate.
We know there have been many questions about refunds should we not be able to operate camp this summer. Everyone would have a full refund of all monies paid, inclusive of the deposit. As I am sure you can appreciate, we are in new territory here, having never faced a pandemic that might affect our season to this extent. Yet we also appreciate the challenge this presents to the families hoping to send their children to this wonderful place. But all of us at NEMC remain confident that we will be able to open camp in June as planned, while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone who joins us. We will move forward to assure the summer programs are exciting, challenging, and filled with fun!
In the meantime, please follow the directives of the health care professionals: cough or sneeze into a tissue and dispose of the tissue, wash your hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds, and use hand sanitizer containing alcohol after being in public places. Additionally, do your best to keep your hands away from your face, as the virus finds its way into our lungs through our mouth, nose, or eyes. And certainly, if you are feeling sick, stay home and communicate with your health professional.
We look forward to a very happy and healthy summer at NEMC. We promise to keep you updated with any new information.
Kim and Matthew Wiggin, Directors
Updated Refund Policy:
Should New England Music Camp not be able to operate its programs for the 2020 season due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all campers registered for the 2020 season will have two options:
1) Apply all paid funds to registration for the 2021 camp season.
2) Receive a full refund, inclusive of the registration fee, of all paid funds. The refund will be paid following the settlement of funds from our insurance company.
Additionally, any registered camper who is required to attend school during the camp season as a result of schools rescheduling due to the Coronavirus will have three options:
1) Transfer registration from the first session of camp to the second session of the 2020 season if NEMC is operating and if there is space available.
2) Apply all paid funds to registration for the 2021 camp season.
3) Receive a full refund, inclusive of the registration fee, of all paid funds. The refund will be paid following the settlement of funds from our insurance company.
News & Updates
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