We take safety seriously

COVID is an ever-changing reality and we are committed to reviewing, adapting, and communicating our policies to ensure the best practices for this summer. This means our policies are subject to change as we get closer to camp. We follow recommendations from the CDC, Maine Summer Camps, American Camp Association, and the Association of Camp Nurses.

COVID FAQs

Do you reqiure Vaccinations?

We require all campers to be vaccinated, and we strongly encourage them to be up to date with boosters*

For staff, we require everyone to be vaccinated AND fully updated on boosters. We appreciate your understanding!

*If your camper has a religious or medical exemption, they may submit a waiver application. These waivers will be reviewed by our administrative team upon receipt. To request a waiver, please email cara@encorecoda.com

What are the 2024 COVID Policies/Procedures?

Current Plans for Summer 2024:

Since the COVID landscape is ever changing we will continue to monitor the situation and update our policies as appropriate. 

(Updated 6/5/24)

  • We will treat Covid and any other respiratory illnesses accordingly at Camp, following the advice of our on-camp medical team and local public health officials. Families will be notified if their camper tests positive for Covid or develops any kind of illness that prevents them from participating in activities.
  • We are requiring Covid and other Vaccinations to keep our campers and staff healthy and safe.
  • Religious and Medical Exemptions applications will be reviewed and granted on a case-by-case basis.
  • We encourage campers to wear a mask if they are feeling very ill during camp. For this reason, we suggest packing a small supply of masks.
Who is on the Health Care Team?

In addition to the head staff which meets daily during camp to discuss all matters of camp including COVID protocols, we have a wonderful team of Registered Nurses! Our Nurses are committed to monitoring the health and safety of all of our campers. They communicate with the Bridgton Family Practice and are up to date with protocols suggested by the Alliance of Camp Health (ACH) and the American Camp Association (ACA). With their expertise and our experiences during the 2021-2023 seasons, we will approach 2024 with thoughtful preparation and skillful solutions.

Archived 2023 Policy

Current Plans for Summer 2023:

Since the COVID landscape is ever changing we will continue to monitor the situation and update our policies as appropriate. These plans apply to BOTH the 1st and 2nd session.

(Updated 4/26/23)

  • We are requiring Covid and other Vaccinations to keep our campers and staff healthy and safe.
  • We will require campers and staff to take a rapid test the morning that they depart for camp. We will ask to see a picture of the negative test. If the test is positive, please call us to discuss next steps.
  • We will test campers and staff upon arrival to camp using rapid tests (reminder that we are asking all campers and staff to bring 4 rapid tests to camp, which are available for free until May 11th). Please have a rapid test accessible upon arrival to camp.
  • We will test all campers and staff 3 days into camp using rapid tests, and will test symptomatic people throughout the summer.
  • Everyone should bring a supply of masks to camp- we will use them during the first 3 days for large indoor gatherings (i.e. concerts).
  • Campers will arrive throughout the afternoon at different times, depending on age group (see the “how will drop-off work this summer?” tab for more information)
  • We WILL be having Trip Days this summer
  • We WILL be having Family & Friends Day during both sessions, as long as all goes well during our sessions!
    • We will ask all guests to take a rapid test the morning of Parents Day 
    • During 1st session Friends & Family Day, we may ask all guests to wear masks while indoors on camp, (excluding meals).
Archived 2022 Covid Policy

Current Plans for Summer 2022:

Since the COVID landscape is ever changing we will continue to monitor the situation and update our policies as appropriate.

(Updated 6/10/22)

  • As mentioned before, we require vaccinations.
  • We will require campers and staff to take a rapid test the day before they arrive to camp (24 hours).
  • We will test campers and staff upon arrival to camp using rapid tests
  • We will test campers and staff 5 days into camp using rapid tests, and will test symptomatic people throughout the summer, in addition to anyone who is exposed.
  • Everyone should bring a supply of masks – we will use them during the first 5 days for large indoor gatherings.
  • We will have the same drive-thru and staggered drop-off times. If parents wish to enter cabins, they need to wear masks.
  • We will not be taking campers off camp for trips
  • We are HAVING Parents Day for both sessions, as long as all goes well during our sessions!
    • We will ask all guests to take a rapid test the morning of Parents Day (we suggest taking a test 1 day before and the day of if possible).
    • We will ask all guests to wear masks while on camp, except while eating.
Archived 2021 Covid Policy

Before Camp:

  • Asked all campers and staff to limit activity for 2 weeks prior to arriving on camp (no indoor dining, no large gatherings, etc.)
  • Asked all campers and staff to complete a 10 day symptom checker to be turned in on Drop-off Day
  • All campers and staff had to be PCR tested within 72 hours of coming to camp with results turned in to camp (we worked with an outside testing company–Heed Health)

Drop-off Day:

  • All family members were asked to stay in their vehicles and wear masks when interacting with staff
  • We had a drive-through health screening with our camp nurses where we took temps, collected the symptom checker and confirmed the PCR test status. Anyone with a high temperature was given a rapid test
  • Anyone who was flying in was given a rapid test

First 5 Days of Camp:

  • We structured our camp around cohorts, which started as individual cabin cohorts. When you were with just your cohort, you were allowed to be unmasked. Any cross-cohorting required masking and distance.
  • On the 5th day we retested the entire camp with PCR tests
  • We got the test results back and each session they all came back negative!

During Camp:

  • Once we had negative test results, we expanded the cohorts to upper camp and lower camp.
  • All meals were eaten outdoors when weather permitted
  • We rehearsed outdoors in tents as much as possible
  • We asked all wind and brass musicians to have playing masks and bell covers
  • Singers wore masks when singing
  • Concerts were often staged differently to maintain distance requirements
  • During indoor All-Camp activities audience wore masks
  • Staff were allowed to leave camp but were required to stay away from groups of people (i.e. a large line or outdoor dining area)
  • Campers adjusted to this ‘new normal’ easily and we had a great time!

Pick-up Day:

  • We did not have our usual Parents Day performances, but the campers performed for each other! Those performances were recorded and shared with families in the fall.
  • Pick-up procedures were the same as drop-off.