(adapted from a MYCA announcement) The bill that the Maine Youth Camping Association (MYCA) submitted to clarify that camp meals are not subject to 7% sales tax has passed and was signed into law by Governor Baldacci. It is Public Law 529. The law clarifies: "This bill amends the definition of 'prepared food' under the sales tax law to exclude food and drinks served by a youth camp licensed under the Department of Health and Human Services." So Pilgrim Lodge and other Maine camps will have no further worries about a sales tax on meals. Jack Erler & Steve Sudduth did a fantastic job of making the connections needed for passage of this bill. As you know, its been a 3 year effort. Thanks to every camp that made a contact (or many) on this bill, and to private camps under the Children's Camp Alliance of Maine for contributions and activity on this measure. This is a great example of the power of camps being united and of having a superior governmental relations liaison (that's Jack!) who knows how to get complicated negotiations like this done. Everyone should feel great about this outcome!!

New Pilgrim Lodge Registration Guides are now available.  You need to read one of these before registering for camp.  For those who choose to register off-line, these guides also contain the registration forms:

Leaving early / arriving late policy – Pilgrim Lodge desires to create a community with all of its participants.  Arriving late and leaving early creates gaps in that community that affect all participants.  Therefore we expect campers to arrive at the designated time and to stay for the duration of the program.  If you cannot make this commitment please cancel or reschedule your camp experience by calling the Maine Conference office. Deposits are non-refundable. A camper will be released for their own medical health or on the death or imminent death of a family member.

Counselorship Policy – As a thank you we will reduce the camper fee for one household member or dependent in grades 3 - 12 by $75 for a week long camp.  Scholarships are available as well for campers in need.

Interpretation and reasoning:  

Leaving early /arriving late policy - In recent years we have seen an increase of campers arriving late after the group has begun forming, the guidelines laid out ,and expectations explained. We tried to accommodate parents by pushing the acceptable drop off time as late as noon on Monday.  We've also seen a marked increase in parents wanting to pick children up on Friday night or before breakfast on Saturday which breaks the flow of the event for the whole group and in particular the child's cabin group. A third issue involves parents picking children up for appointments and sporting events then returning them to camp.  We understand that there are many activities and choices for children and families: family vacations, routine doctors visits and team sporting events are common reasons for missing part of camp.  We know that making a choice is difficult but to protect the integrity of the PL program we are insisting that a choice be made. We will return any payments beyond the deposit and we can work to get the camper switched to a different session in his or her age range if possible.  Parents are asked to avoid conflicts with routine doctor and dentist appointments as well.

Counselorship Policy: This was originally designed to be only used for one's children.  While we appreciate everyone's volunteer efforts has been widely interpreted in recent years to include payment for oneself, grandchildren and other relatives.  The program was never designed to be used this widely and the financial implication for PL has been significant.  This renewed policy returns the counsellorship to its original intent.

Pilgrim Lodge apparel is sweat-shop free!