March 31, 2020
BE OUTDOORS:
Staying close to home for now, with our collective health and wellbeing the highest priority.
In continued and evolving support of the national effort to control the spread of COVID-19, AMC encourages limiting outdoors engagement during this time to brief, local outings and backyard adventures, always keeping in compliance with state and Federal stay-at-home guidance. Popular outdoor locations and facilities have recently been overrun with visitors, defeating the purpose of international social distancing protocols meant to minimize corona virus-related health risks.
In accordance with state and local mandates due to the current health risks inherent with large gatherings, AMC has taken the following measures:
AMC LODGING
All operations (huts, lodges, camps, cabins, programs, etc.) are closed and all other AMC buildings are closed to the public through May 4, 2020. Staff presence is limited to 24-hour security detail. Updates to this plan will be communicated at least weekly.
Lodging Reservations and Trip Cancellations
- All program, lodge, and hut reservations (excluding Adventure Travel
programs) cancelled outside of 14 days of arrival may receive a credit for a transfer to a future date or full refund. - In all cases, we encourage you to consider converting all or a portion of your
lodging or trip reservation into a tax-deductible donation to AMC to support our conservation mission, which continues even under these changed circumstances. We would be most grateful for your support at this time. - If you need to adjust or have any questions about your reservation, please contact AMC Reservations, Monday-Saturday, between 9am and 5pm at 603-466-2727 or email lodging@outdoors.org.
AMC ACTIVITIES
All staff led AMC programs, trips and activities have been canceled or postponed through May 4, 2020. Volunteer led activities have been canceled through April 30. Please check the listings for updates as conditions may change.
AMC STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
All non-essential AMC travel, in-person meetings, and gatherings have been canceled through May 4, 2020. AMC staff and volunteers are holding team and cross-team interactions digitally. A mandatory work from home policy for all non-essential employees is in effect. Within all jurisdictions now subject to statewide emergency stay-at-home orders, including our Massachusetts headquarters location and New Hampshire facilities, we are rigidly enforcing the full and unqualified closure of all AMC facilities to all persons at this time.
AMC remains committed to supporting individuals and families during this challenging time, and we are dedicated to continuing our mission of protecting and enjoying the outdoors to the fullest extent possible. Please stay connected with us via outdoors.org, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for suggestions on non-destination based activities.
AMC will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation, and we urge our staff, volunteers, guests, and program participants to do the same. We will provide ongoing facility, program, and activities updates and guidelines to promote safe actions during this time. Individuals should continue to consult the CDC for ongoing guidance and transmission prevention methods.
March 27, 2020
AMC COVID-19 Reservations Clarification
We’ve heard and are responding to your feedback about an earlier communication that raised concerns about AMC lodging reservations. We apologize for the confusion. Here is what we know:
AMC Lodging
All operations (huts, lodges, camps, cabins, programs, etc.) are closed and all other AMC buildings are closed to the public through May 4, 2020. Staff presence is limited to 24-hour security detail. Updates to this plan will be communicated at least weekly.
Lodging Reservations and Trip Cancellations
- Existing program, lodge, and hut reservations (excluding Adventure Travel programs) can receive a credit for a transfer to a future date at no extra charge.
- New program, lodge, and hut reservations (excluding Adventure Travel programs) made before March 31 can be changed or canceled at no extra charge, for a full refund or credit balance.
- In all cases, we encourage you to consider converting all or a portion of your lodging or trip reservation into a tax-deductible donation to support AMC’s mission, which continues to the best of our ability. We greatly appreciate your consideration at this critical time.
If you need to adjust your reservation, please contact AMC Reservations, Monday-Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 603-466-2727 or email lodging@outdoors.org.
March 24, 2020
BE OUTDOORS in the time of COVID-19: close to home, with our collective health and wellbeing as the highest priority.
AMC is committed to supporting the evolving national effort to control the spread of COVID-19, and so we encourage and recommend limiting your time outdoors to brief, local outings and backyard adventures, always maintaining compliance with state and Federal stay-at-home guidance. Popular outdoor locations and facilities have recently been overrun with visitors, defeating the purpose of the international social distancing protocols meant to minimize corona virus-related health risks.
In accordance with state and local mandates due to the risks inherent with large gatherings, AMC has taken the following measures:
AMC Lodging
All operations (huts, lodges, camps, cabins, programs, etc.) are closed and all other AMC buildings are closed to the public until further notice. Staff presence is limited to 24-hour security detail.
AMC Activities
All AMC programs, trips, and activities have been canceled or postponed until further notice, aligning with the best interest of the greater community.
AMC Staff and Volunteers
All non-essential AMC travel, in-person meetings, and gatherings have been canceled until further notice. AMC staff and volunteers are working remotely and holding team and cross-team interactions digitally. A mandatory work from home policy for all non-essential employees is in effect. Within all jurisdictions now subject to statewide emergency stay-at-home orders, including our Massachusetts headquarters location, we are rigidly enforcing the full and unqualified closure of all AMC facilities to all persons until further notice.
Lodging Reservations and Trip Cancellations
- Existing Program and Facility Reservations (Excluding Adventure Travel programs): All reservations – even those designated as “non-refundable” – that are scheduled for arrival before March 31st, 2020, can be changed or canceled at no charge, for a full refund or credit.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours before your scheduled arrival will be issued a credit.
- New Program and Facility Reservations (Excluding Adventure Travel programs): Any reservations – even those designated as “non-refundable” –booked between today and March 31st, 2020, for any future arrival date, can be changed or canceled at no charge, for a full refund or credit balance. Cancellations made within 24 hours before your scheduled arrival will be issued a credit.
- Credit balances will be kept on file for one year.
- In all cases, we encourage you to consider converting all or a portion of your lodging or trip reservation into a tax-deductible donation to support AMC’s mission, which continues to the best of our ability. We greatly appreciate your consideration at this critical time.
If you need to adjust your reservation, please contact AMC Reservations at 603-466-2727 or email lodging@outdoors.org.
AMC remains committed to supporting individuals and families during this challenging time, and we are dedicated to continuing our mission of protecting and enjoying the outdoors to the fullest extent possible. Please stay connected with us via outdoors.org, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for suggestions on close-to-home activities.
AMC will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation, and we urge our staff, volunteers, guests, and program participants to do the same. We will provide ongoing facility, program, and activities updates and guidelines to promote safe actions during this time. Individuals should continue to consult the CDC for ongoing guidance and transmission prevention methods.
March 16, 2020
The health and wellbeing of our guests, staff, program participants, volunteers, and communities continue to be our highest priority.
In support of the national effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to minimize the risks to the most vulnerable among us, AMC will immediately begin the process of temporarily closing all lodging and foodservice facilities and suspending all in-person staff and volunteer led programming.
At this time no AMC guest, AMC-led trip participant, volunteer, or staff member has been reported as a confirmed or presumptive case of the coronavirus. However, due to the risks inherent with large gatherings, all AMC programs, trips, and activities will be canceled or postponed to align with the best interest of the greater community. We take these actions out of an abundance of caution and with concern for the capacity of local healthcare facilities should the virus continue to spread.
AMC activities will be suspended from March 17 through April 30.
Additionally, AMC staff members and volunteers have postponed all non-essential travel, meetings, and gatherings and are holding interactions internal to the organization digitally whenever possible. We have also implemented a mandatory work-from-home policy for all non-essential employees.
Lodging and Trip Cancellations
We are updating our reservation and cancellation policies given the serious nature of the current circumstances.
- Existing Program and Facility Reservations (Excluding Adventure Travel programs): All reservations – even those designated as “non-refundable” – that are scheduled for arrival before March 31, 2020, can be changed or canceled at no charge, for a full refund or credit.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours before your scheduled arrival will be issued a credit.
- New Program and Facility Reservations (Excluding Adventure Travel programs): Any reservation made – even those designated as “non-refundable” – that are booked between today and March 31, 2020, for any future arrival date, can be changed or canceled at no charge, for a full refund or credit balance. Cancellations made within 24 hours before your scheduled arrival will be issued a credit.
- Credit balances will be kept on file for one year.
- In all cases the option also exists for conversion to a tax-deductible donation to support AMC’s mission. We greatly appreciate your consideration at this critical time.
If you need to adjust your reservation, please contact AMC Reservations (Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m) at 603-466-2727 or email amclodging@outdoors.org.
What Can You Do?
While distancing yourself from others and maintaining good hygiene is the best defense for reducing the spread of communicable illness, the following practices can help us protect each other from the transmission of the virus.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Immediately practice social distancing: maintain distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
- Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- CDC disinfectant options and guidelines can be found here:
If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water before disinfection.
BE OUTDOORS: Public Health officials, along with all of us at AMC, encourage those who are able to continue enjoying nature during this challenging time. Spring is just around the corner and the health benefits of sunshine, fresh air and outdoor activity are as important now as ever.
AMC remains a resource to support your individual and family outdoor experiences during this challenging time, and we are dedicated to continuing our mission to the fullest extent possible. This multifaceted mission includes conservation, fostering a fun outdoor journey, and protecting the places we love. AMC’s purpose and priorities are integral to quality of life for people and the planet. Please stay connected with us via outdoors.org, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and for non-destination based activities.
AMC will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation, and we urge our staff, volunteers, guests, and program participants to do the same. We will provide ongoing facility, program, and activities updates and guidelines to promote safe actions during this time. Individuals should continue to consult the CDC for ongoing guidance and transmission prevention methods.
March 6, 2020
AMC is actively monitoring the development of COVID-19 virus in the United States. Based on our diverse programmatic offerings and facility locations, AMC’s response to the virus is guided by the best available expert information, including the following resources.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- The World Health Organization
- The U.S. State Department Travel Information
- Additional guidance specific to AMC locations
Current global circumstances suggest that COVID-19 is very likely to spread further before the outbreak is controlled. The situation is rapidly evolving and our risk assessment will be updated as needed.
Current risk assessment:
- For most of the American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.
- People in communities where ongoing spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at elevated, though still relatively low, risk of exposure.
- Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 are also at elevated risk of exposure.
- Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring also are at elevated risk of exposure.
AMC will continue to closely monitor the resources cited above, and we urge our staff, volunteers, guests, and program participants to do the same. Across our locations we have proactively increased our stocks of hygiene and sanitation supplies and have put in place staff procedures for responding to the potential presence of COVID-19 within our communities. In the meantime, we continue to emphasize the importance of personal and facility hygiene practices focused on reducing the spread of communicable illness. This includes:
- frequent handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizer;
- using the crook of your arm (inner elbow) to cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing or using a tissue and disposing of it;
- avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
- cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes;
- cancelling travel and/or staying away from public spaces, including workplaces, if you become sick with flu-like or respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough.
Updated information will appear in this space and on our homepage as it becomes available.