What’s Happening?

ALL PARTICIPANTSALL PARTICIPANTS

• Your instrument
• Percussionists, instruments will be provided but please bring your own sticks and mallets.
• Your music (please print ALL of your music ahead of arriving to camp. Consider bringing two copies in case you misplace or damage your first.)
• Your music stand
• Anything else that you need to play (music stand light, reeds, etc.)
• Flashlight (your phone light may not be sufficient)
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen and a good sun hat
• Water bottle!!!!

Put your name on everything!

CLOTHING (below are suggestions – bring what is best for you)

• We will be casual, so whatever is comfortable for you, shorts, jeans, chinos, tee-shirts, golf shirts, open collar shirts… Do bring a mix of warm weather and cool weather attire.
• On Tuesday we will have a "Wear your home band attire or any other musical garment" day. Obviously this is optional, but if your band has a shirt or you have a trumpet tie/scarf or a music tee-shirt, or a pair of pants covered in French horns, consider bringing it to camp.

Please bring:

• Sweatshirt/sweater/vest/jacket for potentially chilly evenings.
• Foot wear: sneakers or whatever is comfortable for your feet is fine for most days. A pair of waterproof shoes/boots is a good idea for when we have rain
• CONCERT DRESS (NEW for 2025). We are moving away from the standard black and white concert attire. Nice but not formal dresses, skirts, slacks, polo shirts etc. Nice shoes - something comfortable; no tall heels – they sink into the ground, are dangerous walking over the roots and they thump on the floor of the stage.
• Rain jacket, rain hat and/or umbrella
• Swimsuit if you plan to swim
• Don’t forget your PJs. It can get chilly at night!

ON CAMPUS FOR PROGRAMS

This is a walking campus with multiple buildings where rehearsals and classes will be taking place.

We recommend the following:

If you have a heavy instrument, explore purchasing a case with wheels or a collapsible wagon for easy transport throughout the week.

Good walking shoes for sun and rain

There is a 15 minute break in between programs which will give everyone time to walk to the next class.

STAYING ON CAMPUS

• All cabins have various sizes of coffeemakers and refrigerators. Microwaves are not guaranteed. Coffee will be available in the Lodge dining room. Bring any food, paper towels, tissues and personal items for your use
• Lodge and dorms have all shared bathrooms and showers so please be respectful and use bathrobes or cover ups in the hallways.
• NO Laundry Facilities on Campus, so plan accordingly. There is a launderette in Oakland

Please bring:

• Sheets, Pillows, Blankets (night temperatures often dip into the low 50s, upper 40s).
• Toiletries for showers and soap for sinks.
• Towels and washcloths
• Towel for waterfront activities
• Fans
• Optional: a mattress pad if you want a little more comfort. These are cabins and dormitories! All beds are the old style, thin mattress – no super thick ones (except some in the cabins – they may be thicker)

STAYING OFF CAMPUS
For everyone staying off campus, Snow Pond Center for the Arts opens at 7:00am and you are welcome to arrive when the campus opens to start your day.

GOLF CARTS
(New for 2025)We are prioritizing golf cart rides to those who have mobility needs to make sure that anyone who has challenges receives this support. Please contact by August 15 to request access to the Golf Cart service.

WEATHER
We would like to hope that we will have beautiful weather for the week, but we may get rain so bring clothing that covers the gamut of hot, humid, cold and wet! Please plan on checking the forecast before you arrive, but in the event of rain, raincoats, umbrellas and boots are highly recommended. Keep in mind that the temperature cools down in the evenings.

PARKING
At Snowpond, there is ample parking by the front entrance. For anyone who is staying on campus, they may drive to a designated area to unload and then they must park their car in the parking lot. Only a few housing accommodations include a parking space.

SPECIAL EVENTS

SOCIAL HOUR at 5PM: Throughout the week, we will be hosting a social hour open to everyone whether you are staying on campus or not. Soft drinks and water are free and cocktails, beer and wine are available for purchase. You can pay with cash or a credit/debit card.

LOBSTER DINNER: You can sign up to buy a lobster to have for your final meal on Thursday. Market price for lobster varies (last year it was $15). We will have the cost available when you sign up. CASH ONLY.

BOAT TOUR OF THE LAKE: ($27). CASH ONLY. Sign up when you arrive at camp.

SNOW POND ACTIVITIES

• We have a great swimming area and there are canoes to borrow. You may bring your own Kayak or canoe. All participants and guests who plan to swim or use a kayak or canoe must sign and submit a waterfront waiver. These will be available when you register on Saturday.
• There are tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball courts, softball diamonds and other sports on camp. Equipment is available, or you may bring your own. There is golf not too far away (off camp).

COVID GUIDELINES

To help make sure that everyone at NEAMC stays as healthy as possible during our week, we are asking that all participants take precautions ahead of their arrival on campus. If you experience any cold or flu-like symptoms the day before arriving at camp, please take a covid test. If you test positive, please stay home. If you live with someone who just tested positive and you were not recently diagnosed with covid, please stay home. The recent variant is highly contagious and we want to do our best to make sure that everyone stays healthy.