Campers

Thank you for another wonderful summer at E/C. I keep saying that each year gets better, and it sounds cliché, but I think it is because of the friends I make, and the general welcoming community you foster at camp. This year was no different…Thanks again for another wonderful summer!

-camper from Washington, DC

…I don’t think there has been any definitive experience more profound in my life than my years as a camper, counselor, faculty member…the time I have been involved with you and camp. The experiences I had have helped me as a musician, communicator, teacher and organizer/leader.

-camper, counselor and faculty alum from Missoula, MT

…it’s so important to have a kind and welcoming staff, and everyone at E/C has always been so nice and caring to everyone…camp has made me into the musician I am today and I am so grateful for that. I learned to love music through camp…

-camper from Tampa, FL

Thank you for making camp so great this year!..Thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn & grow as musicians…This camp has been so good for me both as a musician & as a person, so you have my gratitude for making such a good place to develop.

-Camper from Mansfield, CT

Thank you so much for camp. I had so much fun!

-camper from Tamworth, NH​

Thank you so much for running camp Encore-Coda! I had an amazing time at camp…I can’t wait to come back next year…

-camper from Boulder, CO

I just want to say thank you for giving me a chance to experience Camp Encore/Coda. It was my first sleepaway camp for that long of a period, but I was able to make new friends, and got to learn a lot about music…I really enjoyed my time at camp and hope to come back again…

-camper from Weston, MA​​

I had a great time at camp Encore/Coda! My favorite thing at camp was that I got to meet new friends and amazing counselors…I hope to come back next year!

-camper from Weston, MA

Parents

Thank you so much for making this very special and enriching experience possible! My guys have grown so much individually; they’ve also formed a special bond at camp… which is priceless.

-parent from Princeton, NJ

Our son John had an amazing first Camp Encore/Coda experience…He grew as a musician, but also as a person. I was amazed at how his playing abilities changed in only 3 weeks…I think you all did a great job keeping the kids safe and healthy with the way things were organized! We loved the blog and scrolling through to find a smiling John amongst all the campers. He came home with new friends and fond memories! Thanks to you and the entire staff for a wonderful 3 weeks! John really wants to return next year!

-parent from Chatham, NH

Thank you for the music evaluations for the kids this summer. The teachers always provide positive feedback and constructive criticism – two things that are truly appreciated…I couldn’t have been happier to hear from Zoe and Adam each week…They absolutely love camp. And I love that you provide, essentially, the same camp experience to my children as I received when I went to E/C. We love to compare our experiences…Thanks again for a great summer.

-parent from New Haven, CT

We want to thank you for a memorable fun camp this summer; my daughter had so much fun, met new friends, and met supportive teachers and faculty members…Elishia tells me all the time how much fun she had in camp…she said that all the teachers, staff, and classmates created a fun and encouraging environment. We genuinely appreciate everything that all the faculty and counselors did to care for her…Thank you very much.

-parent from Honolulu, HI

Thank you so much for sending the evaluations. Leo had such a wonderful time at camp this year. I think jazz was his favorite but he’s also talked glowingly about senior orchestra. Sounds like socially he had an amazing time as well. We are so grateful that he could go this year and have nothing but wonderful things to say about Encore/Coda.

-parent from Somerville, MA

If one were to invent the ideal path for a young person to ramp down from the purgatory of the last 18 months, your camp would be very, very hard to beat…months ago when I asked around the dinner table “Where would you be if you could get there safely and be safe?” Graham answered without hesitation, “In my cabin at camp.”…What you guys have accomplished over decades is remarkable in and of itself. To navigate these last months and to deliver, without drama, a reopened camp is huge. I am confident that all of you worked impossibly hard in order to make it appear well under control…Congratulations to all of you in marshaling your experience, talent and love to create such a sanctuary!

-parent from Washington, DC

Bill and I would like to thank you so much for the amazing opportunity that Quinn experienced this summer. He has spoken so highly of the camp, the staff, counselors and the other campers. For a kid to experience 3 weeks at overnight camp for the first time, and have such a great time it shows what a strong commitment to the kids and the program you all have. He can’t say enough about it…When we picked him up on his final day and he was hugging kids and yelling goodbye to everyone it was beautiful, so wonderful to see him so engaged with the group…Overall it was more than we could ask for. Thank you again for a great summer experience for Quinn.

-parent from Center Conway, NH

…I just wanted to give you a very big THANK YOU for taking care of Nathan for 7 weeks this summer! He had a fantastic time, really loved every minute of camp. Thank you for recruiting such a great staff and counselor team and for giving Nathan the opportunity to stretch in advanced bands…All the very best to you. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I’m so grateful we discovered Encore Coda!

-parent from Cambridge, MA

…Erica had an absolutely wonderful experience at Encore Coda this summer. She had never before played and heard so much music in such a short period of time, and she enjoyed every minute of it. And she really connected with the other campers and staff. She sobbed as we drove out the camp road. 🙂

-parent from Hoboken, NJ

…it’s so important to have a kind and welcoming staff, and everyone at E/C has always been so nice and caring to everyone…camp has made me into the musician I am today and I am so grateful for that. I learned to love music through camp…

-camper from Tampa, FL

Encore/Coda has been such a special place for both Becca and Sophie and we are incredibly grateful for the amazing environment you have created and continue to foster.

-parent from S. Portland, ME

Our family values Encore-Coda so deeply. It means so much for Lucas to have the rare and beautiful opportunity to be himself, make many new friends and to deepen his study of music in a healthy environment.

-parent from Tamworth, NH

Thank you very much for giving our daughter, Catherine such a great music camp experience. She was in tears leaving the camp and stated that she wished she could stay longer…she is happy to practice the piano, feels more confident with the guitar and got lots of new friends…We are extremely pleased and thanks again…Looks like we will be back next summer.

-parent from New York City

Thank you both SO MUCH for making the summer so wonderful for Bode and Desmond. I got an earful on the drive out about how much fun they had! I can’t wait to hear more about it! Please send my thanks to their counselors as well.

-parent from Los Angeles, CA

Thank you for another amazing summer camp experience for Sarah! It’s been wonderful to look at the photos with her and hear all about camp.

-parent from Arlington, VA

I just wanted to thank you for making Serena’s camp experience this year so wonderful!…She had such a great time at camp—it has renewed her confidence!…I can’t thank you enough…The sparkle has returned to her eyes!…Would you please thank everyone at camp for us—I am so grateful.

-parent from Fryeburg, ME

I just wanted to let you know that Auden had an amazing time at camp. Thank you so much!! She especially liked her cello teacher…..She really misses eating there as well. She is very disappointed with breakfast in Houston compared to breakfast in Maine…I really appreciate that the camp is tech-free and has a wholesome vibe in a natural setting. I think that really helps children!!! Tech is a ball and chain on mental health…I want to thank you, Ellen, and all of the staff for such an amazing summer…Best wishes for a great second session!

-parent from Houston, TX

Thank you for all you did to make Shon’s experience in Maine so wonderful.

-parent from Montrose, CO

Alex had a fantastic time at camp. He came home so excited about music and about his experience…He was very homesick for camp for the next few weeks after 1st session ended and is determined to stay all summer next year….Marina also had a blast as did all of Alex’s friends from home. Thank you for everything!!!

-parent from Princeton, NJ

Just letting you know Rachel had an absolutely great time at camp. She loved her bunkmates; and she was pretty fired up about Crimson. Crimson-type band was a completely new experience for her and she enjoyed that challenge…She is already plotting her return for 2022, and telling anyone who will listen about why they should go to Encore/Coda……

-parent from Boulder, CO

Thank you so much to all of you!!!!! We are so very happy for this amazing experience for Daniel and Sebastian, thanks to all of you!!!

-parent from Brookline, MA

We have a happy camper back safe! She had an amazing time and we are thrilled with all the opportunities she had in such a short time. You, Ellen and your staff deserve kudos for running such a great camp.

-parent from Bethesda, MD

We cannot thank you enough for this summer. Penelope and I just got home, and honestly I cannot believe how much she has grown as a person. It was extraordinary to get to talk with her (for 4 hours!) in the car and hear about everything. I hadn’t quite put together how much this would matter, how much it would influence her. And how much she would love it. We spent considerable time dissecting whether she would come first or second session next year…I know how hard this period must have been, and how many new challenges the summer must have brought. So, really, thank you.

-parent from Providence, RI

…I’m writing because I don’t know how to thank you for all the help you gave Kenry and Shelcy…Kenry came home with a lot of energy wanting to learn more…he has always gone to camp but it is the first time he returns with so much motivation…he told me that James told him that he did very well and that he should continue practicing and putting all his effort and he will be successful, and the first thing he told me is that he wants to be successful when he is an adult…for me as a mother he fills me with excitement because it is what we long for from our children. Thank you again and I hope to see my children attend Encore/Coda again next year.

-parent from Leominster, MA
I just wanted to drop you a quick ‘thank you’ note… Sebastian enjoyed music camp very much and is actively making plans with his cabin mates to go back next year. He’s made several meaningful friendships and has grown so much as a musician in 3 weeks! He’s now enthusiastic about playing, he developed a routine to practice on his own without any reminder…Thank you so much for the wonderful experience!

-parent from Princeton, NJ

Faculty Comments

…What you have done for these kids at camp this summer is just amazing!!…Wow!!…I just think it’s really fantastic! Of course I’m not surprised…Anyways, huge congrats!!

-faculty alum from Providence, RI

I had such a wonderful time working on the piano faculty this summer. I felt that the atmosphere around camp was very friendly and welcoming and that this attitude transferred well to the campers. I felt that camp was well-run and that the kids had a lot of fun…Overall, I had such a great summer at Encore Coda and would love to return next year…

-faculty member from Chicago, IL

I have to say I am HUGELY impressed with the success of camp this summer! As both a parent and faculty member, I could not be more pleased with the seriousness and care regarding all things COVID exhibited by Camp E/C. I was very nervous going in about exposing my daughters to potential dangers, but my concerns were quickly and consistently allayed. Thank you so much for that!…

-faculty member from Jackson, MS

Overall, I am simply so grateful to have been able to be back to camp this summer. It was wonderful to be able to reconnect with campers, make new faculty connections and teach/learn so much in such a beautiful place. Thank you for everything!

-faculty member and counselor alum from Auburn, ME

Counselors

…this camp has reaffirmed my desire and confidence in working with kids and teaching music…this camp is special – thanks for all you do for E/C and enabling this experience for all!

– Counselor from Gainesville, FL

Camp is a wonderful, special place and I am really proud and honored to be a part of it. I am so glad I was able to come back this summer and grateful that you had me back.

-counselor from Walnut Creek, CA

Campers Turned Counselors

…It felt like such a privilege to be a part of the camp community this summer, and I am so glad to have been a counselor…I hope I am back at Encore/Coda really soon, and once again, thank you so much for everything that you did for me this summer. I appreciate this experience so much, and it feels like a real gift to have been part of the community this summer.

-counselor and camper alum from New York City

It’s nearly impossible to describe how much Encore/Coda has meant to me, but I’m going to do my best…I’ve always felt that I belonged here in a special way that I’ve never really felt in high school or college…I’ve learned a great deal about music here, but even that pales in comparison to what I’ve learned as a person…This camp has given me some of the fondest memories I’ve ever had, and it all goes back to the culture that you’ve created here…It’s been the greatest of honors being your camper, working for you, and sharing music with you…

​- Counselor and Camper alum from Concord, MA

When I first went to Camp Encore/Coda, I was a shy, insecure 13 year old. I didn’t think I had any special talent and I certainly didn’t think I was among the “gifted”…However, something happened on Stearns Pond…All of a sudden I was around people like me: kids who loved playing music and kids who thought being a good musician was more important than anything else. I made friends. I started to talk more. I gained confidence. I was accepted. I was encouraged to explore all kinds of musical activities…So, many years later, I want to say thank you to the entire Saltman family. Everything I learned at camp has had a profound impact on my life and I am forever grateful.

-camper & counselor alum from Vienna, VA