NEMC Covid-19 Safety & Protocols

• Please check this page for updates to NEMC's Covid-19 response. Each update will be dated.

5/17/23 NEMC Covid Update

2023 NEMCA COVID-19 Camper, Staff & Faculty Policy

As New England Music Camp Association prepares for our 2023 season, we are closely following all recommendations from the Maine CDC, The American Camp Association, and the Maine Summer Camps Organization.

Following recommendations from both the national and Maine CDC, NEMCA will require full vaccination for all campers, staff, and faculty for the 2023 season. Full vaccination will require all who are eligible to receive a booster shot in addition to the initial vaccine prior to 2 weeks of arrival at camp. Due to the at-risk nature of our camp with wind instruments and vocalists, this will enable us to run camp as safely and 'normally' as possible.

Campers are required to submit a rapid antigen test administered within 24 hours of arrival at camp during registration. Failure to submit such a test will require a test to be administered on site at a cost of $20. (Please see the additional testing requirement for anyone meeting higher risk as noted below.)

On recommendation of the Maine CDC and the Maine Summer Camp Organization and their medical professionals, we will be administering rapid antigen testing to everyone in the camp community on days 2 and 5 of the first week of camp. Anyone testing positive during either of these administrations will be evaluated by the health center staff, and a determination will be made about treatment. Depending on symptoms, or lack thereof, the person may be placed in isolation, required to wear an approved mask, or monitored for symptoms. Families will be notified of any positive results.

Medical and religious exemption waivers will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a committee of medical professionals and camp administrators. The waiver is available by request, and must be submitted with both a statement from the camper/parent and a note from your treating physician or religious leader. All campers who are not vaccinated and are approved for the waiver will need to submit a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival at camp.