The leadership of Pilgrim Lodge and the Maine Conference United Church of Christ seeks to uphold the health and safety of the camp community and consistently evaluates the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the 2023 camping season, Pilgrim Lodge will align with CDC Guidance for COVID-19 vaccination and strongly recommend being up-to-date* for COVID-19 vaccination prior to attending camp or participating in a program at Pilgrim Lodge. Leadership will continue to monitor conditions of the pandemic and reserves the right to change this standard at any time as warranted to uphold health and safety.

*Centers for Disease Control Definition of “up-to-date” for vaccination: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html

Pilgrim Lodge COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocols – 2023

Information for Campers, Families, and Volunteers

Pilgrim Lodge provides programming built on a foundation of safety as a top priority. As we enter the 2023 camp season, we seek to uphold safety practices in order to have the best outcomes during each camp program possible. Pilgrim Lodge leadership incorporates education from Maine Summer Camps, clinical support, and upholds CDC recommendations in its protocols. COVID-19 vaccines are not required; however, we strongly urge anyone who is eligible to receive vaccination prior to attending camp.

We appreciate your cooperation and flexibility with the following expectations. Being stewards of our individual health supports of the overall health of the camp community.   

Before Camp

Pre-Arrival Testing: All participants will be required to show proof of a negative covid-19 test within 48 hours prior to arriving at camp. Both PCR and antigen tests are allowable. Results from at-home test kits will be accepted with a photograph of the test with a label of the camper’s name, date of birth, date and time of test visible within the photograph. Test results can be submitted through email to info@pilgrimlodge.org or via text to 207-446-8303.

If you need support finding a testing option or submitting results, please call the camp office at 207-724-3200.

If a participant tests positive for covid-19 before coming to camp and, therefore, is unable to attend, the Office Administrator will provide a refund for their payment minus the amount of the deposit. Alternately, registration funds can be applied to a future session.

Limit Exposure and take precautions: It is requested that participants limit their risk of exposure to covid-19 in the days prior to camp for the best possible health outcomes for themselves and the camp community including limiting contact with many different people and masking indoors if in a crowded, large group.

If you have significant exposure to someone with covid-19 in the days prior to camp, we may ask that you stay home depending on the timing of the exposure. We will follow CDC recommendations for exposures to make this determination with you. Please reach out to Liz at echarles@pilgrimlodge.org or 207-724-3200 if you have had an exposure prior to camp. If you are unable to attend, the Office Administrator will provide a refund for the camper’s payment minus the amount of the deposit. Alternately, registration funds can be applied to a future session.

Plan ahead: If a participant tests positive while at camp, they will need to leave camp no more than 6 hours after the positive test (or 12 hours if the test is completed after 6 PM). Parents and guardians must have a plan for designated people who are able to pick-up a camper with covid-19. All designated people allowed to pick up a camper with covid-19 should be listed on the “Sign-Out” sheet that is completed with the counselor at the time of drop off.

Arriving at camp 

Participant Screening: Camp staff will ask participants if they have symptoms of covid-19. If there are any symptoms, the staff will complete a rapid antigen test with the participant to check for covid-19.  If there is a positive result, participants will not be permitted to stay for the session. 

Families: In the cabins, only one family unit will be allowed indoors at a time and should limit their time in the cabin to 5-10 minutes. People who are dropping off participants spend time with campers outdoors until it is time to depart. If any member of a family or group dropping off a camper has symptoms, they should wear a mask indoors.  

Release: Parents/guardians will be required to sign a Consent to Test form when dropping off minor-aged campers, allowing the camp staff to provide a rapid antigen test if a participant becomes symptomatic. If a parent/guardian will not be dropping off the camper, they should submit the form prior to the arrival of the camper (please contact the camp office at 207-724-3200).

While at Camp

Precautions: Participants will be allowed to participate in camp programming without masks as long as no positive cases are identified while at camp. If cases are identified in the camp setting, all camp participants will be required to wear masks while indoors (with the exception of during meals or within cabins).

Symptoms: If a participant shows symptoms of covid-19 while at camp, they will be evaluated by the camp nurse / health provider. (In the case of an adult-only camp that is not staffed by a nurse, the participant shall notify the Assistant Director or Director of their symptoms.) Camp staff will test the participants with a rapid antigen test. In the case of a minor, the parent/guardian will be notified if a positive case is identified. If a camper tests positive, they will need to leave camp as soon as possible, but no more than 6 hours after the test is conducted (or 12 hours if the test is completed after 6 PM).  

Please see the Parent and Camper Guide for general policies related to Payment and Refunds that will apply in the case of covid-19 illness identified at camp or the need to cancel a program.

Exposure at camp: If a positive case is identified at camp, other participants will be able to remain at camp as long as they remain without symptoms. The camp nurse will perform symptom checks with campers and perform a test if symptoms develop. 

Communication: If a participant tests positive for covid-19 while at camp, an email communication will go to the Primary Contact of minor-aged campers while they are at camp. The specific names of participants will not be utilized in any communication. Pilgrim Lodge will follow reporting requirements to notify the state Department of Health and Human services of positive test results administered at camp.  

For questions, please contact us at 207-724-3200 or echarles@pilgrimlodge.org