Effective March 24, 2020, AMC has issued the following guidance to its members and the general public:
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.
Stay Safe,
John Judge
CEO
Appalachian Mountain Club