Letter from the Executive Director

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts has striven to meet the scientific benchmarks needed to help keep our community safe. No decision has been easy or perfect, but we made each one with the best information available to us at the time. Haystack is committed to making these difficult decisions in the most informed and carefully considered manner possible. With returning to many of our pre-pandemic routines and with the expiration of the federal coronavirus public health emergency declaration, Haystack will no longer require up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations for program participants and visitors as of May 1st.  

Haystack implemented our COVID-19 guidelines and policies for the health and safety of our community, including the difficult decision to close public programs in 2020 and 2021 and with the cautious reopening in 2022 under these strict vaccination and social distancing guidelines. The removal of the vaccine requirement is a difficult threshold to cross and is a step we do not take lightly or without concern. As with all of our decisions regarding the health and safety of our community, especially for that of the Haystack staff, faculty, participants, and constituents, we endeavor to make each decision under the best prevailing recommendations and guidance available to us at that time.

We understand that the expiration of Haystack’s vaccination policy comes at an inopportune time in our operational calendar. There will be some for whom this policy change comes too late to apply for our 2023 programming; there are others who may choose to reconsider their plans at Haystack knowing that the vaccination requirement has elapsed. The shifting landscape created by the pandemic deeply impacted us all, and we do recognize the frustration and questions this update in our policies may bring up for those in our community. 

While Haystack will make every effort to adhere to applicable health and safety measures, we cannot eliminate all known and unknown health risks associated with COVID-19, as well as other sources of risk, in all public spaces and at gatherings and events. We are grateful for the trust that you place in Haystack and hope you will continue to do so as we come together again for a year of creative discovery at a place that holds so much meaning and value to us all.

With appreciation,

Perry Price
Executive Director

Guidelines by Program

Haystack has implemented the following COVID-19 guidelines and policies for the health and safety of our community including  all staff, students, faculty, and campus visitors. There are known and unknown health risks associated with COVID-19, as well as other sources of risk, in all public spaces, gatherings, and events. While Haystack will make every effort to adhere to applicable health and safety measures, we cannot eliminate all risks. All policies are subject to change.

Residential Programs

Vaccination requirements  

As of May 1st, 2023, Haystack is no longer requiring all residential program participants to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccination. 

Health screening

We ask that you consider taking a precautionary test for COVID-19 before arriving for your program. Should you exhibit COVID-19 symptoms while at Haystack, we will require you take a rapid test, and if it comes back positive you will be asked to self-quarantine for 5 days if asymptomatic (or if your symptoms are resolving) and remain fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, followed by 5 days of required masking around others to minimize the risk of infection. These tests will be available at the store for you to purchase ($10 each) if you did not bring your own. 

Masking and face coverings 

Masking indoors will be at the discretion of individual participants. Given the changing advice around COVID-19, our policies are subject to change. Haystack will not be providing masks to participants, so if you do choose to mask please make sure to bring your own. 

Dining and Food Service 

All meals will be served indoors with optional outdoor seating. We encourage all participants to sanitize their hands, either by washing or by using hand sanitizer, before entering the dining hall. Masking is recommended in the food line.

If you are not feeling well, please stay home! 

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or believe you are at an elevated risk of exposure, please stay home. It is not safe to come to Haystack until at least 5 days have passed since the onset of symptoms or a positive test. Additionally, you must be asymptomatic or remain fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. 

Potential cases 

If, at any time during your stay at Haystack, you experience any symptoms associated with COVID-19, or have any other reason to suspect that you may be infected, please immediately quarantine in your cabin and notify the staff member on call. Haystack will have self-administered rapid tests available on campus for those experiencing symptoms. These will be available at the store for you to purchase ($10 each) if you did not bring your own. Individuals who test positive must self-quarantine for 5 days if asymptomatic (or if their symptoms are resolving) and remain fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, followed by 5 days of required masking around others to minimize the risk of infection.

If someone tests positives, Haystack staff will facilitate quarantining and/or coordinating leaving campus, and assessing the level of risk to others. In this event, refunds will be prorated in accordance with Haystack’s COVID-19 refund policy. In the event of any type of cancellation, Haystack is not responsible for refunding airline tickets or other travel-related costs.

Community Programs

Vaccination requirements  

Haystack is no longer requiring all participants and staff to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. 

Health screening

Should you exhibit COVID-19 symptoms at any time, we ask that you do a precautionary test for COVID-19 before arriving for your program. It is not safe to return to Haystack until at least 5 days have passed since the onset of symptoms or a positive test.

Masking and face coverings 

Masking indoors will be at the discretion of individual participants. Given the changing advice around COVID-19, our policies are subject to change. Haystack will not be providing masks to participants, so if you do choose to mask please make sure to bring your own. 

Dining and Food Service 

All meals will be served indoors with optional outdoor seating. We encourage all participants to sanitize their hands, either by washing or by using hand sanitizer, before entering the dining hall. Masking is recommended in the food line.

If you are not feeling well please stay home! 

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or believe you are at an elevated risk of exposure, please stay home. It is not safe to come to Haystack until at least 5 days have passed since the onset of symptoms or a positive test. Additionally, you must be asymptomatic or remain fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. In the event you need to cancel your participation in a program due to illness, refunds will be prorated in accordance with Haystack’s COVID-19 refund policy. In the event of any type of cancellation, Haystack is not responsible for refunding airline tickets or other travel-related costs.

General/Visiting Campus

Vaccination requirements  

Haystack is no longer requiring all visitors to campus to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations.

Health screening

Should you exhibit COVID-19 symptoms at any time, we ask that you consider a precautionary test for COVID-19 before arriving at Haystack. It is not safe to return to Haystack until at least 5 days have passed since the onset of symptoms or a positive test.

Masking and face coverings 

Masking indoors will be at the discretion of individual participants and visitors. Given the changing advice around COVID-19, our policies are subject to change. Haystack will not be providing masks to participants, so if you do choose to mask please make sure to bring your own. 

If you are not feeling well please stay home! 

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or believe you are at an elevated risk of exposure, please stay home. It is not safe to come to Haystack until at least 5 days have passed since the onset of symptoms or a positive test. Additionally, you must be asymptomatic or remain fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. In the event you need to cancel your participation in a program due to illness, refunds will be prorated in accordance with Haystack’s COVID-19 refund policy. In the event of any type of cancellation, Haystack is not responsible for refunding airline tickets or other travel-related costs.