COVID: Is COVID-19 vaccination required to attend Echo Lake Camp?
Echo Lake Camp requires campers that are eligible to be vaccinated to provide proof of their being fully vaccinated in accordance with CDC guidelines and encourages campers to stay up to date with their COVID 19 vaccination. For those campers who are ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccination due to age, medical, or religious reasons, proof of a negative test result for a COVID-19 PCR taken within 72 hours of arrival at camp is required.
COVID: Why is there a PCR testing option?
AMC and Echo Lake Camp believes that the outdoors belongs to everyone- including individuals ineligible for vaccination due to age, medical, or religious concerns.
COVID: So, there could still be unvaccinated people in camp?
While campers will be required to share proof of vaccination status or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, they should expect to be in the presence of both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests at Echo Lake Camp for the reasons stated above.
COVID: Echo policies for 2023
The Appalachian Mountain Club and AMC Echo Lake Camp no longer require program attendees to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccinations or negative Covid-19 tests. It is still suggested that you test prior to coming to camp if you have any symptoms.
The Maine CDC states that anyone testing positive for Covid-19 must be quarantined for a minimum of six days. AMC Echo Lake Camp expects any covid positive campers and their tent-mate(s) to leave camp and complete their quarantine offsite. Camp costs will be prorated accordingly.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this policy.
We look forward to a happy and healthy summer!
COVID: What other mitigation steps are AMC and Echo Lake Camp implementing?
As of December 2022, Echo Lake Camp is planning to maintain many of the physical changes made to camp to address COVID-19 risks. These changes include dining on the deck, added ventilation, barriers between sinks in the bathrooms, and hand sanitizing stations in camper-accessed facilities. In 2022 we returned to family style dining. If Camp finds a bus driver for 2023, we will ride a bus to and from hiking trailheads. Consult the COVID policy FAQ for the latest information of Echo's COVID policy for 2023.
COVID: I don't think AMC's policies are strict enough:
As we have all learned over the past year, we all have our own risk tolerance. While we are taking steps to mitigate some risk, there are still inherent risks involved in overnight lodging, indoor dining, and group travel. Individuals choosing to stay at Echo Lake Camp are assuming personal responsibility and accepting increased risks regarding COVID-19. If you feel uncomfortable with these risks, AMC suggests you delay or modify your adventure to when you feel comfortable joining us.
Registration Requirements: What questions does the AMC Confidential Health Questionnaire ask?
Questions that allow AMC to identify the participant and the activity to which the questionnaire applies.
Your age, height, weight, and gender.
Who to contact in an emergency, their relationship to you, and their contact information.
Whether you have experienced an asthma attack and if so if whether you will have an inhaler with you and how often you use it.
Whether you have been diagnosed with type I or type II diabetes and if so whether you have poor or reduced circulation as a result and how you will control your diabetes while participating in the activity.
Whether you have had a serious allergic reaction and if so whether you had anaphylaxis, what triggered the reaction, and whether you will be carrying epinephrine during the activity you are participating in.
Whether you have experienced or been treated for angina or had a heart attack or other heart disorder/disease and if so, whether you are able to physically exert yourself for more than 30 minutes without angina (chest pain).
Whether you have been diagnosed with or are being treated for high blood pressure and if so whether your blood pressure is currently controlled.
Whether you have had a seizure or are being treated for a seizure disorder and if so whether you are taking medication for your seizures and if you have had a seizure in the past year.
Whether you will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the start of the activity and if not whether you agree to submit proof of a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the activity.
Whether you wish to provide any additional information about your medical background.
Whether you have dietary restrictions and what they are.
Registration Requirements: Why does AMC collect the information on the Confidential Health Questionnaire?
The form provides AMC with essential information in case you have a medical emergency while participating in an AMC activity. The questionnaire also provides participant consent to accept aid, as appropriate.
Registration Requirements: How will Echo Lake Camp safeguard the information I provide on the Confidential Health Questionnaire?
AMC treats the health information participants provide as confidential. Echo Lake Camp complies with AMC policies regarding the safeguarding of participant information.
Describe the sleeping arrangements
Camp tents are mostly two-person tents, with a limited number of 3 and 5 person tents available. Photo by Sarah Hamby.
Sleeping arrangements consist of platform tents equipped with cots, mattresses, and pillows. The tents can house from two to five people depending on size. Each tent also contains a bedside table, wooden chairs, and a wastebasket for campers' convenience. For those in need of them, bed boards are available to increase the firmness of the mattresses. Linens and blankets are provided although some campers choose to bring their own sleeping bag or comforter for extra warmth on cool nights, especially early and late in the season.
Describe the shower and bathroom facilities
The camp has a large bathroom and bathing facility, "The Ritz", near the parking lot. "The Hilton" has men's and women's restrooms along Main Street. The Ritz is accessible and offers women's and men's restrooms, four private showers with changing areas, plus an accessible gender-neutral bathroom with an accessible bathtub. There is plenty of hot water available, but guests are encouraged to avoid late afternoon to minimize wait times.
Men's side of the "Ritz", one of two camp bath facilities. The Ritz has showers, while the "Hilton" just has bathroomes. . Photo by Tim Heath.
What is the cell phone coverage and internet access at camp?
Limited internet access is available close to the camp office. Photo by Tim Heath.
Echo Lake Camp provides a wonderful opportunity to unwind, disconnect from your electronics, and relax. Camp has limited Wi-Fi near the camp office.
Feel free to check your email and the weather, but the service is not sufficient for gaming or streaming movies.
For more demanding internet needs the Southwest Harbor Library (2.6 miles from camp)
has free Wi-Fi. It is left on 24/7 so it can be accessed from the library parking lot even when the library is closed. The camp has a USB charging
station in the foyer or the dining hall.
Cell phone coverage at camp is spotty. Camp is in a ravine between two mountains which limits cell phone coverage. Access up the driveway is
often better than around camp.
If you do use your cell phone or internet at camp, please be considerate of those campers who have come to be disconnected from the electronic world.
How are Tents Assigned?
View of several tents in "The Point" area. Photo by Tom Beck.
In general, the limiting factor for camp attendance is space in the dining hall, not tenting space. Getting a reservation at camp is on a first come
first served basis, but tenting assignment is only partially based on first come, first served. Families with young children are given priority for the larger 4 & 5 person tents. Based on need, some people get priority to the ADA accessible tents. People who need night time medical equipment get priority to the handful of tents with electricity. Some people request proximity to bathrooms. In appreciation to our volunteer leaders we try to give their parties their preferences. The tent assignment process is a giant puzzle where we try to meet as many
of our guests needs and desires as possible.
Tents assignments are made just a few days prior to camp to accommodate any last-minute registration changes. You will learn about your assignments when you arrive at camp.
We strive to give each solo camper their own 2-person tent. It can become a problem if a week has a large number of solo campers. In this case we may ask if any solo camper would be willing to share with another solo camper, or with other friends or family already at camp. If this situation occurs, we will contact you before finalizing your tent assignment.
How strenuous are the hikes?
Each weekly hike leader offers a hike each day except Wednesday and Saturday. Echo Lake Camp uses the AMC the rating scale for Youth (14 and under) and Family Hiking activities shown in the following table when rating the hikes:
Youth and Family Hiking Activity Level
Moving Time: Up to __ hours
Distance Up to __ miles
Elevation gain/loss Up to __ feet
Relaxed
2
2
250'
Easy
3
3
500'
Moderate
4
5
1000'
Vigorous
6
8
2000'
Strenuous
6+
10+
2000'+
Each week leaders gauge the interest of the week's campers in selecting which hikes to offer. Hikes could range from Relaxed to Strenuous, however, they typically are in the Relaxed to Moderate rating range, with hikers returning to Camp for lunch in the dining hall on most days.
In addition, on each hiking day, the week's naturalist offers a nature walk. These are slow-paced and are characterized by frequent stops to discuss the flora and fauna. The nature walks are most suitable for campers who desire shorter, flatter, more leisurely walks.
Can I bring my young children to Echo Lake Camp?
Kids on the summit of Acadia Mountain. Photo by Foss Tighe
Echo Lake Camp's location on the lake makes it unsuitable for children less than four years old. Children that are at least four years old are welcome at camp. Note that the lake borders the camp, and the waterfront does not have lifeguards. Families are solely responsible for the supervision of their children.
Are there programs specifically for children?
There is lots for children to do at Echo Lake Camp. In addition to the hikes and nature walks offered most days, swimming, paddling, and sailing are available. Echo Lake Camp also offers the National Park Service's Junior Naturalist Program which encourages children up to age twelve to learn more about Acadia and its natural environment. Children may partake in all aspects of camp life, enjoying games and activities in the rec hall, participating in the many tournaments organized by the Evening Leader, and performing in the talent show on Friday night. In addition, Acadia National Park sponsors numerous child-oriented programs (see https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/for-kids.htm).
What do we do on rainy days?
Rainy days move at a slower pace and can be a welcome respite from more vigorous camp days. There are usually hikes offered on rainy days on one or more of the island's many carriage roads or on trails through beautiful dense forests. On rainy days, the Dining Room may be made available for games and informal gatherings between meals. The rec hall and library are always available for games and quiet reading. There are often fires going in all three of these buildings' fireplaces. Mt. Desert Island has many attractions perfect for rainy weather. Camp staff can help campers find excellent activities to occupy them on the occasional rainy day.
Can I bring alcohol to camp?
Alcohol is allowed in the camp, but guests are asked to confine "happy hours" to the vicinity of their tents unless otherwise announced.
Can Echo Lake's kitchen accommodate special diets?
Echo Lake Camp meals consist of wholesome, abundant family-style food. Vegetarian alternatives are available at each meal, as is fresh fruit. Salads are included with lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, because of kitchen limitations, the camp is not able to accommodate special diets.
What are some of Echo Lake's traditions?
Echo Lake Camp has traditions that have been included in the camp experience year after year. One of these is the Banathlon, a multi-activity relay race in which a banana baton is passed between fast-walking, canoeing, and swimming team members and then eaten. Another tradition is the Friday night talent show- a chance for children and adults to strut their stuff and show the world their talents. On Tuesday evenings there is a Maine lobster bake and on Thursday evenings a mussels picnic. Each year presents the opportunity to continue past traditions and to establish new ones. Campers are encouraged to share their traditions with the camp.
What should I bring to camp?
A list of items to bring is included in your acceptance letter in the spring. The following few items may help to make your stay a little more comfortable.
Extra pillows if desired (the camp supplies one per person)
Items for talent night depending on your talent (recorded music, instruments, skit scripts)
Presentations of interesting trips or experiences to share with other campers
Metal containers to store food and snacks in (the chipmunks and red squirrels can be very persistent and have eaten through many a backpack)
Binoculars, cameras, personal hiking equipment, etc.
Folding chairs for outside your tent
Towels (both bath and beach) and washcloths
First aid supplies including insect repellant and sun block
All those books you have not had time to read during the winter
How accessible is Echo Lake Camp?
The camp is built on natural terrain that includes hills and many areas can be difficult to access. However, the camp has worked to provide some accessibility options. "The Point", which is downhill of the parking lot, is relatively flat and there are two tents with ramps to them. "The Ritz", the bathroom and shower facility on The Point, includes an accessible gender-neutral bathroom with an accessible bathtub, and both the women's and men's bathrooms have an accessible stall in them. And the dining hall, which is nearly level with the parking lot, has an accessible entrance off a stone-paved path.
