Community Health
SAFETY AT CAMP
At MTC, we recognize that none of the "good" stuff, the positive outcomes we hope for, can happen unless campers and staff are safe. As such, safety is the foundation of every aspect of the MTC experience.
We define safety in multiple ways, and ensure safety with a broad range of strategies and protocols.
So whether it is ensuring a
- safe waterfront by having certified and well-trained staff, by having correctly fitting safety equipment, strict operating protocols, or monitoring ongoing water and weather conditions
- safe camp culture by providing clear boundaries and behavioral expectations, strong and multi-layered supervision, fostering a climate of respect and care, or being consistent and fair in enforcing rules
- safe and supportive environment in which to take risks and try new things through supportive staff, graduated instruction, amply opportunities for practice and failure, leading up to successful mastery
MTC is committed to making sure every camper feels safe, supported, and understands the expectations placed on them, their peers, and their staff.
Fun happens when everyone feels comfortable and relaxed.
COVID NOTES (pre-2025)
We aim to keep families informed as we progress toward the summer. In 2021, we successfully implemented layered COVID protocols with no outbreaks and no positive cases within our community. In 2022 and 2023, we ran safe and healthy camp sessions, with 2023 being a very "normal" summer. As we plan for 2024 and summers ahead, we will change and adapt as needed to keep everyone safe.
NOTES FOR SUMMER 2024 (Current as of May 1st, 2024)
As noted in Sept 2023, MTC will not require COVID vaccinations for campers or staff.
We will continue to follow all communicable disease recommendations and requirements from the Maine CDC and the ACA.
ABOUT CAMP
Keeping Safe at Camp
Healthcare at Camp
Our health center at camp is staffed by a full team of nurses and EMT personnel. We work with local clinics in Kezar Falls and Cornish should any member of our community need further care. We have an advising physician on staff, available for consultation with our staff about treatment plans. We operate our health center in accordance with our standing orders that are reviewed annually. Our policies and procedures are reviewed in collaboration with our entire team.
Ticks in Maine
We focus also on tick bite prevention, reminding our community of routine “tick checks” and proper application of tick and mosquito prevention products. We have high standards of care of our facility, keeping grassy areas short and well maintained, and regularly pre-treat our grounds prior to the season. We talk frequently with our campers and staff about tick prevention and identification.
ACA Accreditation
We are an accredited camp by the American Camp Association; we have regular standards visits, and certifications. We operate with care and caution always, and with attention to our ACA standards every summer. We are constant risk assessors, who take care to evaluate our entire facility and program to keep your campers safe. We consult annually with our insurance company and state inspectors to meet and achieve high standards of care for our community. Furthermore, we are a licensed youth camp regulated by the State of Maine DHHS/HIP program.
Mental Health & Wellness
We have strong emphasis on the importance of mental and emotional health at camp. Our day is organized to keep campers active all day and encourage healthy social interactions. We have a sleep schedule that works for teenagers, allowing for 9 hours of rest each night. We take time to work with our Food Service Manager to provide a selection of healthy food choices that provide meals for every camper. We have two licensed professional counselors on staff, one exclusively for access to our busy staff. We make every effort to keep our community physically and emotionally well, focusing on the development of beneficial habits that campers can carry with them for life.
Staffing
We interview, reference check, and background check all newly hired staff. Annually, we perform the same background verification on all staff. We have a 10 day staff training prior to the summer for all staff and continuously provide feedback and evaluations of staff in specialized areas. We hire more staff than we need, retaining only the best people to work with your campers. We have many staff who hold expertise and certifications in outdoor education, teaching and instruction, have healthcare degrees, and membership to other professional organizations. Staff must be at least 21 to drive our camp vehicles and are driver tested for safety. We keep high staff ratios to make supervision of our upmost importance.
Emergency Preparedness
Each summer our "crisis team" evaluate and assess, and practice emergency procedures with rigorous drills for possibility of extreme weather events or events that would threaten the health and security of our community. We host an Emergency Preparedness Consultant, who trains our staff on situational awareness and risk assessment. We review our procedures and policies annually to keep up to date on changing conditions in our own community, but also in the larger community outside of camp. Our healthcare “standing orders” are reviewed each year by our local health center physician, and our policies and procedures are reviewed by a consulting team of physicians.
