Policies
Although much could change between now and this summer, Mercersburg Summer Programs has tentatively set the following expectations for this year’s camps with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- We recommend a seven- to 10-day quarantine before arrival on campus, unless the participant or staff member is vaccinated.
- We will require a negative PCR COVID-19 test within five days before arrival on campus if the participant or staff member is not fully vaccinated. Should a camper test positive within those five days, they will receive a full refund minus the deposit. If the participant or staff member is fully vaccinated (two weeks post second shot), they will need to provide proof of documentation.
- We will provide antigen rapid tests to all participants and staff upon arrival and offer additional testing if needed.
- Summer Programs participants and staff will not be required to wear a mask in one’s room, showering, eating, during outdoor sporting activities, or outside when socially distanced. Masks will be required in all other instances.
In addition to the above items, Mercersburg Summer Programs will have the following in place:
- Two participants per room in the dorms.
- Programs divided into their own cohort groups.
- Hand sanitizer and cleaning stations throughout campus.
- Additional cleaning in common spaces.
- Signage reminding everyone of best COVID-19 health and safety practices.
- Limitations for bathroom/shower use so that only roommates are using them at the same time if not wearing masks.
- A small dorm set aside for quarantine purposes (if needed).
- Grab-and-go meals from the dining hall (if needed).
- Tents for outdoor activities and eating (if needed).
These expectations are subject to change based on school policies and state and CDC guidelines.
Please note that programming, particularly off-campus programming, is subject to change based on COVID-19 restrictions.
For summer 2021, special consideration for refunds will be given for COVID-19-related cancellations. These cancellations and refund requests should be made in writing to kallinp@mercersburg.edu no more than 45 days prior to the first day of the program. Full refunds, minus the deposit, will be given within the window of 45-14 days prior to the program start date. Refunds will not be granted for requests received fewer than 14 days prior to the first day of the program.
Otherwise, payments (including deposits) are non-refundable and non-transferable. Partial refunds may be considered in the event of an emergency, which is defined at the discretion of the director of summer programs and often requires supporting evidence.
The balance for any of the sessions is due by June 1.
Should Mercersburg Academy cancel a program for any reason, full refunds will be issued to families.
Discounts must be used at the time of the original enrollment (with the exception of team discounts which require all team members to enroll before the discount is granted).
Discounts may not be stacked. Participants may not use multiple discounts (with the exception of discounts added to the early-bird pricing).
The referral discount and sibling discount may also be added to other promotional offers.
You can receive discounts toward your tuition by inviting other families to join in on the fun! For each new enrollment that Mercersburg Summer Programs receives from your referral, we will take $25 off your balance.
- Referrals must be new enrollments paid-in-full to receive the discount.
- Referrals must list you as the source of their enrollment when they register.
- Siblings and other members of a previous camper's immediate family do not qualify for the referral discount.
- Referral discounts are not valid when using a team discount.
Families with multiple children will receive $25 off each enrollment after the first. This discount will be applied automatically when enrolling online.
Team/group discounts are available for some programs. The amount of the discount may vary among programs. In order to claim the discount, the coach of the team must email summerprograms@mercersburg.edu by April 1 with a list of the team members attending the program. All team members must be enrolled in the same session.
Team discounts cannot be added to any other promotional offer, with the exception of early-bird pricing. If a participant has an existing discount smaller than the team discount, Mercersburg Summer Programs will apply the difference. If the participant has an existing discount larger than the team discount, the participant will not be eligible to receive the team discount (but will be counted toward the team totals).
Our financial assistance provides students displaying strong desire, high merit, and financial need the opportunity to attend our programs.
Download and complete the Financial Assistance Application. You should start your registration online but not complete it or pay the deposit. Contact our office via email or phone if you have any questions.
Generally, there are two participants to a room for Mercersburg Summer Programs, and a participant never has their own room. While we try to honor everyone’s roommate request, we can’t make any guarantees. Camp is about making new friends and conquering new experiences. The best way to ensure your roommate request is honored is to be sure that you’ve only requested one roommate and that the person you requested also requested you.
Please understand that we will not change anyone’s room assignment when you arrive and registration is occurring. Our staff will evaluate the situation and if a move is possible, we will help the camper move before the first lights out.
Parents: please speak with your child about the roommate policy before they arrive on campus. This will help them better understand and feel less anxious when they learn they may not be with the person they thought they’d be with.
When requested, Mercersburg Summer Programs will provide transportation to/from the following locations:
- Washington Dulles International Airport
- Baltimore Washington International Airport
- Greyhound Station (Hagerstown, MD)
- Amtrak Station/Greyhound Station (Harrisburg, PA)
Information specific to pickup will be emailed directly to participants and their families at least one week prior to their arrival or departure. This email will include the pickup or dropoff schedule and the name and other identifying information of the staff member assigned to pick up the participant. It will also include the assigned staff member’s contact information.
In the event of a change, Mercersburg Summer Programs will communicate to the participant and their family via email. If the change is the day of the pickup or dropoff, communication will be confirmed with a phone call to the provided contact information.
Should the traveler not be able to get in touch with their assigned staff member on the day of travel, the director of summer programs, Peter Kallin, can be reached by calling 717-377-3445.
Campers, staff, parents, and guests are forbidden from using or possessing drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or any drug/tobacco paraphernalia in any form on the Mercersburg Academy property or in Mercersburg Academy vehicles. The Director of Summer Programs can and will authorize the search of cabins, vehicles, bags, trunks, suitcases, and other enclosed items or areas to look for any suspected drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
This policy also applies to non-prescription drugs that are not approved by the program staff.
Campers, parents, staff, and guests are asked to park vehicles in designated areas upon arrival. Campers are not permitted to drive and leave vehicles at Mercersburg Academy during their time in a program.
Mercersburg Summer Programs are all-inclusive and provide the necessary equipment needed for camp. Campers are discouraged from bringing and using personal sports equipment, arts equipment, etc.
Campers, parents, staff, and guests are not permitted to bring any animals to Mercersburg Summer Programs, with the exception of service animals. Other animals that arrive during the drop-off or pickup times must be kept on a leash or in a vehicle.
Campers, parents, staff, and guests are forbidden from having a weapon at Mercersburg Academy.
FAQs
Directions to and around campus, hotel accommodations, and information about the area are available on our Visit Us page. Feel free to print the campus map and bring it with you to serve as your guide on a tour of our beautiful campus.
Yes—if you are unable to pay with a credit or debit card through the online portal. Please contact the Office of Summer and External Programs at 717-328-6225 to make arrangements to pay by check.
We have a quick separation of campers from parents at our opening ceremonies, so if you want to impart wisdom/warnings/goodbyes, we encourage you to do so before the opening ceremony starts.
Packing lists can be found under step two on our enrollment page following your registration. Remember to tag those clothes! Double check the packing list and let us know if you have any questions.
Campers do not need to bring money to camp and we do not have a camp store or camp bank. Since many parents feel the need to put $10 in their camper’s pocket, we allow that much—$10 per session. We supply all snacks and refreshments, and a little money to spend at amusement parks and baseball games. In addition, if toothpaste, SPF 30, bug spray, or other essentials run low, we will provide those items.
Remember that campers do not make or receive phone calls, except in emergencies/urgent situations. This helps us create the unique Adventure Camp atmosphere and foster independence. Besides, with the pace of our schedule, they won’t have much time to call you anyway. Telephone calls to (or from) home tend to distract campers from the camp program and break the momentum of camp, and they can spur major episodes of homesickness.
Instead, counselors do call you after the start of camp to give you an update on your camper. Your camper will also write a letter; we scan it and send it to the email address you provided. Further, you are welcome to:
- Send a postcard before camp starts so that your camper receives something the first or second day of camp. We also suggest sending pre-addressed postcards with your camper, so that all they have to do is write and send.
- Send mail to your camper (with their name and the name of their camp) to 100 Academy Drive, Mercersburg, PA 17236.
- Send an email to your camper (with their name in the subject line) to mac@mercersburg.edu. We will deliver hard copies of your correspondence.
During camp, we want you to have access to our office and to the directors of each program. You will receive all the important contact information prior to your arrival. The main office line, 717-328-6225, is monitored 24 hours a day when summer programs are in session.
Please do not hesitate to call (day or night) if you need anything or if there is an urgent message you need to get to us or to a camper. We want parents to feel relaxed and at ease, and if a call to us can ever alleviate any anxiety you might be battling, pick up the phone.
We have an ambitious slate set for every program—one designed for fun and enrichment—as well as one that fosters self-direction independence, and responsibility. As part of our emphasis on individual attention and development, counselors will be focused on the participants and will not be available to take phone calls directly. You can leave messages for them through the main office line, 717-328-6225.
We have no visiting days other than the opening and closing days of each session. In addition to safety concerns and state law requirements, we believe these policies also create a more cohesive camp community and will enhance your child's experience at Mercersburg.
Multiple session campers may choose to stay on campus between sessions with a few of our counselors. Cost for stayovers this summer is $200. The charge covers laundry expenses, on-campus activities, special events on Saturdays (movie theatre, roller skating, etc.), and meals. Campers will not need money of their own unless they wish to purchase personal items.
No, we prefer that families plan to arrive on the first day of camp. The stayover weekend is for those individuals who are staying for more than one session. If you have specific questions regarding arrival, please contact our office at summerprograms@mercersburg.edu.
Campers may not bring any outside food or beverages to campus. Participants get plenty of food, snacks, and beverages, and since exposed food and drinks in dorms can mean unwelcome visitors, we minimize opportunities for our four-legged friends.
Our dining hall supplies tasty snacks as needed, and we ask that parents (and others) not send food or candy as part of a care package. We do not distribute food packages to campers, nor do we take responsibility for storing any such packages and returning them to campers upon their departure.
If you plan to be at a location with contact information different than what is listed on the enrollment form and medical form, we need to know. So, if you will be away on vacation or business, please provide your contact information on the transportation sheet or forward the dates and the contact information to the Summer Programs email address (summerprograms@mercersburg.edu). We would like to have this information before registration if possible.
Registrations vary from program to program and will be sent to enrollees closer to the start of camp.