COVID-Safe Retreats - Medomak Retreat Center

Operations plan for Summer 2021

(subject to change as conditions warrant)

Covid Safe Learning and Relaxation. That’s our goal for 2021. The public health outlook for summer 2021 appears to be trending in a hopeful direction. Taking into account guidance from the State of Maine and industry best practices, we have plans in place to allow for fun and safe Retreat Center programming.

With the safety of our customers, staff, and community paramount, we have developed a set of participant and staff practices for your time at Medomak. Safety is the responsibility of all of us who will make up the Medomak community this summer.

Why does everyone who comes to camp, or works at camp have to abide by our safety procedures?

Using examples from the summer of 2020, a set of best practices has been developed by the camp industry. It’s been shown that unless everyone takes seriously what we all need to do to stay safe, the virus can be spread inadvertently. This could result in the persistence of disease and possible serious illness or death. None of us want this to be the legacy of Medomak for the summer of 2021.

GENERAL COVID RELATED POLICIES/PROCEDURES

VACCINATION

We are optimistic that all adult participants and staff will be able to be vaccinated by summer. Though there is currently no concrete evidence that vaccination prevents the spread of the virus, we do know it prevents serious illness. It is our collective responsibility to help prevent any serious illness that arises from being at Medomak this summer. For this reason, so long as vaccination is widely available to the general public by summer, we will require all adult participants and staff to be vaccinated, prior to coming to camp.

What happens if vaccine isn’t available by summer?

If vaccinations are not available to all, we will re-evaluate our vaccination requirements in May.

I’d like to sign up now, but I’m concerned about my ability to get vaccinated by summer. What should I do?

To help you feel comfortable registering now, rather than having to wait until you have been vaccinated, we are committing to reassess the policy at a later date. Additionally, our cancellation policy ensures your tuition is fully creditable in such a situation.

If I am fully vaccinated, why insist we follow all the other protocols?

Vaccination has not definitively been shown to prevent the spread of the virus. Doing your part in maintaining Covid protocols will significantly lessen the risk to other participants, our staff, and to our local community. Whether everyone is able to receive the vaccine by summer or not, we will continue to expect all retreat participants and staff to observe all precautions outlined in our Covid practices.

TESTING

From the beginning of the pandemic, testing has proven to be an important indicator of infection. The state of Maine requires entering visitors to be vaccinated or produce a negative Covid test 72 hours prior to arrival. To address the possibility of Covid circulation on site, we reserve the right to monitor and test to confirm participants’ health status. Should a Covid positive test be confirmed all members of the affected Household will be required to quarantine in their cabin(s) until results for the entire Household can be made available.

If I am vaccinated and a household member shows symptoms, will I still need to be monitored and/or tested?

There is currently no definitive evidence that vaccinated individuals do not transmit the virus. The results of monitoring and testing of all household members will allow for Medomak staff to determine what steps must be taken to limit the chances of spread and serious illness.

If any household member tests positive, what then?

Medomak camp is not equipped to offer medical treatment for Covid disease. So, if any member of a Medomak Household tests positive, the entire Household will have to leave camp to prevent any possibility of further spread to other Households or staff.

How will vaccination levels translate into testing?

Provided we can achieve 100% vaccination in our retreat center population, the need for testing may be limited. If vaccine availability proves a challenge and we are in a situation where we cannot achieve 100% status, testing will play a greater role in monitoring.

MEDOMAK HOUSEHOLD (PODS)

The simplest Household in the retreat setting includes the people living in one cabin (maximum of 2 people). If all members of a Household are completely vaccinated, the definition of Household can be extended to two other completely vaccinated Households, for a total of up to 6 people.

What’s the significance of maintaining households?

Maintaining a household is a way to prevent or at least minimize the spread of the virus between groups of people on site and the wider community.

MASK POLICY

Wearing masks prevents the spread of the virus. With this fact in mind, masks must be worn by all adults and all children 2 years old and over, indoors, and anywhere outdoors when in contact with common use facilities and/or in the presence of others.

We don’t have to wear masks in our home state. Why do we have to at camp? What does Maine law say about masks?

In Maine, anyone 2 years and older must wear a face covering when in a public setting indoors or outdoors.

Do we need to wear masks when we’re hiking as a Household in the woods, or congregating by ourselves on the Medomak site?

So long as you are only with members of your Household, you don’t need to wear masks, either in your cabin(s) or out of doors. However, you must always keep a mask handy in case you encounter any other people. You must wear a mask when in contact with any common use facilities.

Do we need to wear a mask even while social distancing?

Yes. This extra level of protection provides safety for you and others.

My child isn’t so good at wearing a mask. Is that a problem?

We understand that children sometimes have a hard time keeping their masks on. We ask that you gently remind them when they are in social distance of other campers/children.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Camp is community. Consistent with what we’ve all been doing in our own communities since the beginning of Covid, we require that you maintain a minimum of 6 feet between members of your Household and other people. Ideally, for longer gatherings, it’s best to consider 10-12 feet separation.

Can I still talk to friends and neighbors? Can I have a drink with them in our Adirondack chairs outside of the cabins?

Yes, of course. Just maintain a distance of at least 6 feet. You can certainly socialize and have drinks or snacks. Just please remember to put your mask back on when you are not actively eating or drinking.

COVID EXPOSURE

To limit the chance of spread, Maine requires that you show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours, or show you’ve been vaccinated before coming into the State. Prior to arrival at Medomak, you will be required to produce a record of your vaccination (or in the case that the vaccination requirement has been relaxed by Medomak, a negative COVID-19 test) to comply with this State requirement. To monitor potential Covid exposure while at camp, we reserve the right monitor and test to confirm health status. Should a Covid positive test be confirmed, all members of the affected Household will be required to quarantine in their cabin(s) until results for the entire Household can be made available.

What does a confirmed positive Covid test mean for the retreat center?

Medomak is not equipped to offer medical treatment for Covid disease. So, if any member of a Medomak Household tests positive, the entire Household will have to leave Medomak for the health and safety of the others on site. We are required to report any covid exposures and track any potential spread. Once any positive test is known, there is the possibility that we might have to test everyone on site, and Medomak might be forced to close for the remainder of the summer depending on the extent of the outbreak.

LIMITS ON CAPACITY (COHORTS)

To comply with state of Maine limits on capacities, Retreat Center programs will be held to 40 participants.

What if the limits change before summer?

As is the case for all our Covid procedures, we will monitor what the State of Maine dictates. We would love to have more families and participants at Medomak, so long as it can be done safely.

MAINTAINING A BUBBLE

Travel involves a high risk of exposure and spread of the Covid virus. As such, for your relatively short stay at Medomak, we are limiting the number of retreat participants going off the retreat center site. Any necessary trips off-site will be limited to one member of your Medomak Household and all precautions must be taken for any potential contact with public areas or people off-site.

What are considered acceptable and unacceptable purposes for going offsite?

The reason we are limiting offsite excursions to one member of the Household is to limit potential exposure, with subsequent transmission to other participants or staff. Excursions should be limited to running errands, e.g. purchases at Washington General Store, or curbside service, if possible. Visiting any high-density offsite locations, e.g. tourist destinations or indoor dining establishments is not permissible.

What if me or my Household member needs medical attention off site?

Being seen by a doctor is an acceptable reason for more than one person to leave camp.

What does this policy mean for staff?

Medomak staff will also be limited in their leaving the property. They will be required to adhere to the same limitations as participants: non-guided excursions limited to one person, no visits to high-density destinations or indoor dining.

FOOD AND LODGING

ACCOMODATIONS

Cabin occupancy must be limited to members of one’s Medomak Household. Entering another Household’s cabin increases the risk of viral spread and is not permitted. Any maintenance or repairs needed during your stay will be completed without guests present, and staff will be properly masked.

HOUSEKEEPING AND CLEANING

Cabins will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to your arrival. We will be sure to be out of all cabins 18-24 hours prior to arrival of new guests.

Will you service cabins during our stay?

For the safety of our staff and the safety of our guests, we will not service cabins while the retreat is in session. Trash collection and linen exchange will be done on request.

DINING

Weather permitting, meals will be served outdoors, under the shelter of a tent. Tables will be safely spaced, and seating at tables will be limited to one’s own Medomak Household. When dining outdoors is not an option, controlled indoor dining will occur.

Aside from meals, will snacks, coffee and/or tea be available?

Medomak staff will be on duty to provide snacks and beverages between meals.

Do we need to wear masks in the dining tent or dining hall when not eating or drinking?

Yes.

What about personal food and drinks?

We will be making arrangements for you to safely store your personal food and drinks that require refrigeration.

ACTIVITIES

RETREAT CENTER PROGRAMS

Retreat Center programs and activities will be conducted to the extent that they can be done safely; social distancing and masking requirements are a necessity. Wherever possible, activities will be held outdoors or if indoors in open, well-ventilated spaces.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Maine has much to offer in terms of breathtaking coastline, great seaport villages, as well as wonderful wilderness excursions. Sadly, travel involves a high risk of viral exposure and spread. Once at Medomak, travel off site will be severely limited to minimize risk to the retreat center and surrounding community. Once your enjoyable time at Medomak is over, that would be the time to explore.

We were planning a Maine excursion prior to coming to Medomak. Not a good idea?

Exploring other public areas in Maine prior to attending our retreats represents a risk of exposure to the Medomak community. We ask that you travel directly to Medomak upon arrival in Maine, limiting potential exposure to the Medomak community.

PACKING LIST

We highly recommend you add the following items to your packing list:

- - Alcohol wipes
  - Thermometer
  - Face masks (no bandanas or neck gaiters)
  - Hand Sanitizer

Will these things be available at camp or do we need to bring our own?

Alcohol wipes and hand sanitizer will be readily available around the facility, but it can’t hurt to have your own supply, too. Of course, you’ll need your own face mask. Since we will be checking temperatures of all participants daily, we’ll have a thermometer. If you have one, you might want to bring it along.

PAYMENTS

DEPOSIT AND PAYMENTS

A non-refundable 5% deposit will be required to register your family and reserve a cabin. 50% of the remaining balance will be due May 1st, with the remaining balance due June 1st. Registration after May 1st will require 50% of the balance to register. After June 1st, payment in full will be required to register.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations within 14 days of your arrival will result in a full credit applied toward a future stay at Medomak. In the event Medomak must cancel a program, a full refund will be given.

Sorry, but Medomak cannot be responsible for nonrefundable airline tickets or other travel or indirect expenses associated with cancellations.

CASH DISCOUNT

A cash discount of 2.6% will be applied to payments made via check, or money order.

COVID WAIVER

The policies and procedures for the retreat center this summer make foremost the safety of our retreat participants and staff. It’s in everyone’s best interest to know what to expect in preparation for coming to Medomak. As an assurance, we will require as part of the registration process that each of our families or retreat participants sign a waiver agreeing to our procedures.

What happens if I or any member of my family does not comply with the provisions of the waiver I signed for myself and on behalf of members of my family?

If you or any member of your family knowingly fails to comply with Medomak Covid policies and procedures, Medomak Camp reserves the right to require that you and your family leave the camp immediately with no refund.