For Students and Parents

ARRIVAL DAY: SATURDAY, JUNE 20

Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. at the Main House. If a student is unable to arrive on Saturday, they should plan to arrive by 1 pm on Sunday, June 21 in time for orientation activities scheduled for the afternoon and evening. The campus life orientation and tour takes place in the afternoon. The artistic and faculty welcome takes place in the evening.

The dining room will be open for dinner starting Saturday evening, June 20.  Classes begin on Monday, June 22. We are not able to accommodate arrivals earlier than June 20.

Arrivals after opening day are subject to the Artistic Director’s approval. Requests for late arrival must be received no later than four weeks in advance by May 22. Anyone who does not arrive by June 21, will be considered a no show.

DEPARTURE DAY: FRIDAY, AUGUST 7

Departure is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7. If a student is unable to leave on Friday they may remain on campus until 1 pm on Saturday, August 8. Lunch is the last meal served on Saturday. Students under 18 remaining on campus on Friday night may be assigned to another dorm to ensure appropriate supervision.

Early departures are subject to the Artistic Director’s approval. Requests for early departure must be received no later than four weeks prior to the program start date by May 22. We understand there may be an unexpected reason to leave Meadowmount early, and so we ask that this request is submitted to the Main Office as soon as possible in order for the Artistic Director to consider.

STUDENTS ARRIVING BY CAR

Meadowmount is 275 miles north of New York City, 130 miles north of Albany and 100 miles south of Montreal on Interstate I-87.

Address: 1424 County Route 10, Westport, NY 12993

Approximate driving times to Meadowmount:
From NYC – 5 hours north
From Albany, NY – 2 hours north
From Boston, MA – 5 hours west
From Burlington, VT – 1-1/2 hours southwest
From Montreal, Canada – 1-1/2 hours south

Driving Directions from Interstate I-87:

Take Exit 32 and head west on Stowersville Rd.
In 700 yards, turn left at truck stop (Redmond Road) and continue 1 mile to the stop sign (County Route 10).
Turn left and immediately bear right.
The Concert Hall is the first driveway on the right and the Main House entrance is the second driveway on right. Please enter here to check-in. There will be signs to indicate the entrance.

STUDENTS ARRIVING BY TRAIN

Amtrak trains travel from New York, NY and Montreal, Canada. Find more ticket information on the Amtrack website (www.amtrak.com).

Amtrak train service is available to Westport, NY (WSP) and Burlington, VT (BTN).

Anyone arriving in Westport, NY will be met by Meadowmount staff.

If arriving in Burlington, VT, students must take a taxi or rideshare to the ferry terminal at 2901 Ferry Road, Charlotte, VT 05445 and make arrangements with Campus Life staff to arrange for a ride from the Essex Ferry to Meadowmount. Please note that there are no taxis or rideshare options available from Essex. [See Ferry details below.]

STUDENTS ARRIVING BY AIR

Airports: Students arriving by air should fly into the Burlington, Vermont airport (BTV) or Plattsburgh, New York airport (PBG).

Ground Transportation:

For students arriving by air on arrival day: Meadowmount will make best efforts to meet arriving flights into Burlington (BTV) and Plattsburgh (PBG) on Arrival Day (Saturday, June 20). Once Campus Life staff review travel plans for arrival day, Meadowmount will send out ground transportation schedules to confirm how students will travel from the airport to Meadowmount on arrival day.

For students arriving by air after arrival day:

• For flights into Burlington (BTV), please make arrangements to take a taxi/rideshare to the Charlotte Ferry Terminal at 2901 Ferry Rd, Charlotte, VT 05445 and make arrangements with Campus Life staff to arrange for a ride from the Essex Ferry to Meadowmount. Please note that there are no taxis or rideshare options available from Essex.
• For flights into Plattsburgh (PBG), please make arrangements to take a taxi/rideshare directly to Meadowmount at 1424 County Route 10, Westport, NY 12993.

Burlington Flight Booking Note: Please schedule your arrival into the Burlington airport before 6:30 p.m. in order to allow enough time to make the final ferry in Charlotte, VT at 8 p.m.

For your return trip home, you must schedule your departing flight after 10:30 a.m. The first ferry to Vermont does not allow enough time to arrive at the airport for an earlier flight.

CHARLOTTE-ESSEX FERRY

Ferries (www.ferries.com) depart from Charlotte, VT every every hour from 6 – 9 a.m., every half hour from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and again every hour from 6 – 8 p.m. Crossing time is about half an hour and the fare is $5.50 for a walk on. The Essex, NY ferry landing, about a 20 minute drive from campus.

OVERVIEW

For 82 years, Meadowmount has offered a unique environment for world class music training within a supportive, focused community where music becomes not only the language, but the lifestyle. Each summer, 180+ students, ages 13 to 30, come from across the golbe to live and study at Meadowmount. Students are housed according to age and gender in cabins, houses, and dormitories on our 245 acre campus. Students under 13 are able to attend, but are required to live off-campus with a parent or guardian.

Meadowmount operates under two permits issued by the New York Department of Health, a summer camp permit for students under 18 and a residential permit for students 18 and over. Students (ages 13-17) are supervised by live-in counselors at a ratio of 1 counselor to 7-10 students. Resident Assistants are responsible for life in the 18+ dorms and cottages.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT, POLICIES & RULES

All students are asked to carefully review and sign the standards of conduct, policies & rules upon acceptance to Meadowmount.

THE MEADOWMOUNT SCHEDULE

Each student is required to adhere to a basic daily and weekly schedule. The core Meadowmount schedule is as follows: 

Solo Morning Practice – 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Monday to Saturday
50 minutes of practice / 10 minute break per hour

Solo Afternoon Practice – 5:00 – 6:00 pm Monday to Friday
60 minutes of practice

Studio Time – Weekly individual lesson and studio class 

Chamber Practice – Regular group practice

Chamber Studio – Weekly individual chamber coaching and chamber studio class

Concert Attendance – Regular Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings and some Thursday evenings

Masterclasses & Special Programming – as scheduled, attendance required

Performance opportunities – as programmed by the Artistic Director (on and off-campus)

View a sample of a weekly door schedule.

FACILITIES

The campus has a 400 seat concert hall, a 70 seat performance space, and chamber music rehearsal cabins. The dining room, canteen, student common area, music library, mailboxes, and health center are all located in the Main House. The Main Office is a standalone cabin located in the center of campus.

WI-FI

There is wi-fi available throughout the campus.

DINING

Three meals are provided each day including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. Bottled spring water dispensers are available in each dorm and in the dining room. Our kitchen staff is notified of food allergies and the food is labeled if these ingredients are present. Please note that due to the large volume of food preparation, the kitchen is unable to prepare special foods for individual dietary needs, but works with students to have a range of food available to meet dietary needs.

RECREATION

On-campus recreation includes tennis, badminton, basketball, and soccer. The Sally Thomas Recreation Center hosts indoor table tennis, pool table, board games and card game areas. The Common Room in the Main House has a reading library, board games, card games and puzzles.

LOCAL TRIPS AND FIELD TRIPS

During the week, small local walks and trips to town are offered in the afternoon. Off-campus recreational activities are offered on the weekend. They include hiking, shopping excursions, and sightseeing trips. The majority of these trips are cost-free. These are typically small trips, and cannot accommodate the entire campus. We do our best to ensure that each student is able to go on at least one field trip during the summer, but we cannot guarantee a spot for each student on each trip. Trips are scheduled in advance and are reserved by sign-up on a first come, first serve basis. Activities with a fee are communicated in advance and fees may be paid at the Canteen.

LEAVING CAMPUS

Students under age 18 are not allowed to leave campus without parental, staff, or counselor supervision. They may leave campus to participate in campus life activities and field trips. Students under 18 are not permitted to walk on or cross County Route 10 without supervision.

Students under age 18 may leave campus with an adult visitor authorized by a parent, only if there is a Visitor Release Form signed by the parent, naming the adult, date and time of the visit on file in the Meadowmount Office. Visiting adults must register in the office prior to leaving campus with the student.

Students aged 18 and older may leave the campus at any time. If a student over 18 leaves overnight, they are required to inform their RA of their plans.

COUNTY ROUTE 10

County Route 10 is the main road which runs the length of the campus and that students must cross for activities scheduled in the Rose Music Center.

Student safety around County Route 10 is a priority concern. As we look ahead to Summer 2026, here are rules specific to be on the road and cross the road.

1. Students under 18 are not permitted to walk on or cross County Route 10 without supervision.
2. Students over 18 can walk, run, and bike off campus but should wear bright colored, reflective clothing and walk and run in the lane opposite traffic in order to be able see approaching cars and trucks.
3. Students under 18 can join organized walks and runs. Any Meadowmount outing on County Route 10 will require a safety vest for every 2 to 5 students.

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING

For students aged 13 and older: Students are housed according to age and gender. Each room has a regular-sized twin bed, pillow, hangers, dresser, desk or table and a chair. Most room assignments are for a single room. Double rooms are assigned by request, upon availability. Students sharing a double room are assigned a practice cabin during Meadowmount practice hours. Each dormitory and cottage has shared single-sex bathrooms. Please see the bottom of this section for information on housekeeping and laundry.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING

Please see ‘Off-Campus Students’.

HOUSEKEEPING

Meadowmount Housekeeping staff are dedicated to keeping living spaces clean and supporting students throughout the summer. Students are asked to be respectful of Housekeeping staff and their responsibilities, and to demonstrate appreciation. To ensure Housekeeping staff can provide clean spaces more easily, students are asked to remove items from the floor and surfaces to support with cleaning each week. Counselors will support by creating cleaning task assignments within each dormitory. 

LAUNDRY

A weekly laundry service is provided. Meadowmount provides a laundry bag for each student. There are no hampers in the student rooms. Clothing does not need to be labeled as each student’s laundry is washed separately. However, labels are certainly helpful in the event items are mixed or lost.

Do: remove item from pockets

Do not: include items that are labeled ‘dry clean’ or ‘hand wash only’ or handwash clothing in the bathrooms as clothing is slow to dry in the high humidity environment of the Adirondacks. 

Students wanting to do laundry separate from the weekly laundry service must coordinate Laundry Room access with their Counselor or Resident Assistant.

CLOTHING

During the summer, students may experience the extremes of an Adirondack Mountain summer with temperatures ranging from 35-100°F. Please plan clothing for hot and sunny days as well as cold and rainy days.

The Dress Code is found in the Meadowmount Policies and Rules for Students document and here. Generally, student dress casual for everyday activity and more formally for concert attendance.

When attending concerts–whether as a performer or audience member–students are expected to dress in a way that reflects respect for the performers and the concert experience. As the summer progresses, students often choose to dress more formally in celebration of their peers’ achievements–this is part of the Meadowmount tradition, and Meadowmount sparkles!

A sturdy pair of hiking boots or shoes with ankle support, wool socks, long hiking pants, clothing that provides protection from the sun-hats and sunshirts, and rain jacket is recommended for anyone planning to participate in hikes. Some hikes will require hiking boots or shoes with sufficient ankle support, and students will not be allowed on the hike without. If you anticipate going for local runs or walks, please pack bright-colored, reflective clothing for high visibility. Meadowmount merchandise like t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and water bottles can be purchased at the canteen.

ITEMS TO BRING:

• Regular, twin-size bed sheets and pillowcases, (1 pillow is provided)
• Blankets or sleeping bag
• Towels
• Scale and Etude books
• Performance pieces and piano parts for pianists
• Metronome, tuner, and recording device
• Extra sets of strings
• Music stand
• Pencils and tape
• Stationery
• Alarm clock and flashlight
• Plastic drinking cup or mug and/or water bottle
• Eating utensils such as cup, bowl, and spoon/fork/knife that you may anticipate needing in the dorm room; removing eating utensils from the dining area is not permitted
• Toiletries & shower caddy
• Small reading light
• Extra pair of glasses or contacts
• Electrical power strip (NO extension cords)
• Hard-sided food storage containers with a secure lid for snacks
• Medication (for under 18, these items must be labeled and kept in the Health Center)
• Sunscreen (for under 18, these items must be labeled and kept in the Health Center)
• Bug spray (for under 18, these items must be labeled and kept in the Health Center)
• Cash for snack on campus (note: there is no ATM on campus)
• Cell phone with charger
• iPad and/or laptop and power cord

OPTIONAL

• Fan
• Tennis racket
• Books
• Board games, playing cards, chess set
• Rainy day project eg. knitting
• Day pack

ITEMS NOT TO BRING:

Meadowmount has simple accommodations that cannot handle the electrical load required by many appliances and electronics. Extension cords are not allowed. One surge protector/power strip is permitted.

The following are examples of items that are not allowed. If a student brings any of these, the items will be confiscated and returned at the time of departure. Air Conditioners/dehumidifiers, cooking equipment, coffee makers, water boilers, rice cookers, refrigerators, candles, matches, fireworks, incense, weapons of any kind (pocket knives, guns), desktop computers, furniture, and gym equipment such as bar bells or treadmills (small hand weights allowed).

LUGGAGE & PARCEL SHIPPING ADDRESS

Luggage and parcel deliveries will be accepted from one week prior to the program start date through its end, addressed as follows:

[Student Name]
Meadowmount School of Music
1424 County Route 10
Westport, NY 12993

Items are not permitted to be stored between summers.

OVERVIEW

Cell phone and electronic device use by students under the age of 18 is limited so as not to interfere with studies, practice, sleep, and campus life. However, cell phones are also a primary communication tool for sharing program updates, important notices, field trip sign ups, and staying touch with family and friends.

QUIET HOURS

The Meadowmount campus respects the following quiet hours. In addition to students not having access to cell phones and electronic devices, Meadowmount will limit communications during quiet hours. Any announcements during Quiet Hours time will be shared via Counselors and Resident Assistants.

Sunday to Saturday: 10:00 pm to 12:30 pm
Monday to Friday: 5:00 to 6:00 pm
During Concerts and Masterclass/Guest Artist Events

MEADOWMOUNT APP AND BULLETIN BOARD

Meadowmount uses the MyCampApp to share an overview schedule, daily bulletins, important notices, photos, and contact information. MyCampApp will be available closer to the start of the program when instructions on how to download and use the app will be given. The Meadowmount bulletin board shares studio and chamber music schedules.

WHAT HAPPENS TO PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING QUIET HOURS?

Students under 18 are asked to give their phones and electronic devices to their assigned Counselor. Counselors keep them together in a backpack in their dorm room or with them at concerts. If a student needs their phone to make an important call or send a time-sensitive message, Counselors will make sure they can have access to their phone.

HOW DO I REACH A STUDENT DURING QUIET HOURS? 

Please see ‘To Contact Students’

OVERVIEW

• Students under the age of 13 are required to live off campus with a parent/guardian and others may opt to live off-campus with family – or – independently if they are 18+.
• The primary practice room for off-campus students will be off-campus at their housing location.
• Off-campus students may request a practice room through the Main Office when their schedule requires them to remain on campus between activities or for chamber music rehearsals.
• Off-campus students are asked to create a weekly schedule to share with the Main Office and the Off-Campus Student Liaison.
• Off-campus students under 18 may not leave campus with anyone other than their parents/guardian or participate in field trips without written parental approval.
• Off-campus students under 18 must be supervised at all times. The primary supervisor for students under 18 is the parent or guardian. This means that parents and guardians must be within sight or earshot of the student – except when the student is being supervised in lessons, chamber coachings, master classes, during studio classes or with the Off-Campus Liaison during concerts, activities, field trips, and practice time when previously arranged.

OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT LIAISON

The Off-Campus Student Liaison supports under 18 off-campus students. This position brings together off-campus students and seeks to build community, ensures good communication with off-campus students, supervises students as described above.

DINING ROOM MEALS

Off-campus students may arrange to eat meals in the Dining Room and pay for meals on a per-Summer or weekly basis. Breakfast $12, Lunch $15, Dinner $18.

DRIVING ON CAMPUS

Parents/guardians are reminded to not drive between activities on campus but to use County Route 10 and are only allowed to park in designated parking areas on campus.

MEDICAL POLICY

The Meadowmount School of Music is required to obtain a permit to operate from the New York State Department of Health. We are required to follow state regulations and are subject to their inspections.

Upon arrival, students must check-in with the campus nurse who reviews all health forms.

No on-campus or off-campus student will be registered without a fully completed health form including documentation of immunizations. A physical exam is not required.

In compliance with the New York State Department of Health, students under the age of 18 may not have medication of any kind in their room, on their person, hidden on campus or in the dormitory at any time; including prescription and non-prescription medication, sunscreen, bugspray, vitamins, nutritional supplements, OTC pain relievers, sleeping aids, topical lotions, cough drops, lozenges, etc. All must be given to the campus nurse during check-in time upon arrival.

MEDICATIONS

Medications must be supplied in the original properly labeled pharmacy container and not expire before August 9, 2026. All other Nursing orders (i.e. cast care, dressing changes, heat/cold therapy, etc.) are to be listed below. Please note that our nurses cannot administer allergy shots.

Students are asked not to bring standard non-prescription OTC medications that are kept stocked in the Meadowmount infirmary. This list is included on the medical form.

If a parent needs to send medication to a student, it must be mailed directly to our Campus Nurse. Be sure to label the package to Meadowmount Campus Nurse and enclose the student’s name in the contents.

More information is available in the enrollment medical forms.

Further Health & Medical Info

LOCAL TRIPS

During the week, Meadowmount arranges trips to town and brief outings. A listing of Meadowmount trips will be posted closer to the start of the program.

Meadowmount is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant students. Below is information and resources to help with this process.

• Meadowmount accepts students with an F-1 Visa from another American institution.
• Meadowmount works with international students to support applications for an M-1 visa, providing a letter of invitation, I-20 certificate, and confirmation of funds.
• Admitted International Students will be sent the I-20 Certificate. Your Letter of Invitation is your Meadowmount acceptance email.
• After receipt of your I-20, you will need to pay the SEVIS Fee online for your M-1 visa, and call the American Consulate to make an appointment to apply for your visa.

Recommended Resources:

• International Student Life Cycle of documentation and actions.
• Further detail for International Students is found here.

Canadian Students:

Canadian Students do not need a Visa. You will need the I-20 and Letter of Invitation to present at the border along with proof of the SEVIS fee payment. You will need to pay the SEVIS fee prior to entry in the U.S. To pay the fee click here.

Visit Meadowmount’s webpage for International Students here.

LUTHIER SERVICES

Meadowmount arranges for a highly trained and skilled luthier to be on campus each summer. The luthier works throughout the summer to provide minor repairs, instrument adjustments, and bow rehairs. The luthier also sets up a shop with strings and supplies and are able to provide most services and items that students might need during the summer. The cost of purchases and luthier services is invoiced directly to students.

ABOUT JAMES BANICKI

James Banicki graduated with Distinction in Craftsmanship from the Chicago School of Violin Making in May of 1985. Shortly after, he became Head Luthier of the prestigious shop of Kenneth Warren and Son in Chicago, where he remained for over 15 years. In 2005, he moved with his family to the beautiful state of Vermont and was the Head Luthier at Vermont Violins until 2019, when he opened his lutherie workshop. James Banicki Violins offers unparalleled one-on-one expert and personal service to string players of all ages and abilities. Email: jamesbanickiviolins@gmail.com 

HIGH HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENT

The Adirondacks is a high humidity environment. Bowhair is extremely sensitive to humidity changes and will stretch or tighten dramatically as it moves from one climate to another. Bowhairs behave differently to the environment, and on occasion need to be redone within a few days of arrival to the Adirondacks. It is recommended that students have their bows rehaired for high humidity prior to arrival.

CONCERTS

Family and friends are welcome to attend Meadowmount concerts throughout the summer. Please visit the Meadowmount Events page for information on upcoming performances on and off-campus.

VISITING CAMPUS

All visitors must sign in at the Main Office when visiting Meadowmount. Visitors are welcome to attend events open to the public but may not enter dormitory buildings after arrival day and may only enter teaching studios at the invitation of a faculty member. Parent/Visitor cooperation with this policy allows us to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all students, faculty, and staff.

TAKING A STUDENT OFF CAMPUS (Minor)

Students aged 17 and under must sign out in the office before leaving campus. Students must have a signed Student Release Form on file in the office to depart with anyone other than their parent. Visitors must show identification and be listed on the Visitor Permission/Release Form or the student may not depart our campus. These precautions are in place to ensure the safety of all our young students.

Students may leave campus after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, but must return and check-in with their Counselor by 4 p.m. on Sunday in order to attend the 5 p.m. concert on Sunday evening.

SECURING VALUABLES

The Meadowmount Office has a safe where students can bank money, passports, tickets, or other items of value in the office for safekeeping. There is no ATM on campus and students may wish to have cash for snacks and field trips. If you are sending your student with a envelope of cash for the summer, we recommend keeping this in the Meadowmount safe. Students can visit the office to request cash from the safe during office hours. The Main Office is staffed 7-days a week. 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday to Friday and 8:00 am – 4:30 pm on Sunday.

BY PHONE

If you cannot reach your child directly, call the Meadowmount main number:
(518) 962-2400. 

The Main Office is staffed 7-days a week. 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday and 8:00 am – 4:30 pm on Sunday.

Outside of office hours, the main number is forwarded to the on-call staff member. Please avoid calling overnight except when there is an urgent need.

BY MAIL

You may send letters or packages to students via USPS, FedEx, UPS, or another courier. Label letters or packages as follows:

Student Name
Meadowmount School of Music
1424 County Route 10
Westport, New York USA 12993

ACCOMMODATIONS

Elizabethtown
The Deer’s Head Inn (518) 873-6514
The Halfway House (917) 741-9039
Namaste Inn (518) 873-2332
Old Mill B&B (518) 873-2294
Park Motor Inn (518) 873-2233

Westport
Barber Homestead Park (518) 962-8989
DaCy Meadow Farm (518) 524-4241                                               The Gables Inn (716) 923-3314                                                   Hilltop Motel (518) 962-4401
The Inn In Westport (518) 335-1966
Westport Lakeside Motel (518) 962-4501

Essex
The Cupola House (518) 963-7494
Essex Inn (518)-963-4400
Champlain Vistas B&B (518) 963-8029

Lewis
Magic Pines Camp Grounds (518) 873 2288

Websites with Several Local Listings
Adirondack “By Owner”
Visit Adirondacks
Airbnb
VRBO

RESTAURANTS

Elizabethtown
Pleasantvalleycafe.com (518) 795-8297
The Deer’s Head Inn (518) 873-6514
The Halfway House (518) 873-2198

Westport
DaCy Meadow Farm (518) 524-4241
Portside at the Westport Marina (518) 962-4899
JAMBS on Main (518) 637-8921
Westport Yacht Club (518) 962-8777
Mountain Dog Restaurant & Pub (518) 962 2901
Winton’s 1898 Tavern (518) 962 4470
Cafe Trigo (518) 302-1828
The Knock – Adirondack Speakeasy

Lewis
Denton’s Bear Necessities (518) 873-1101

Wadhams
Dogwood Bread Company (518) 962-2280

Keene
The AuSable Inn (518) 576-9584                                                      The ADK Cafe and Market 518 576 9111
Baxter Mountain Tavern (518) 576-9990
Cedar Run Bakery and Market (518) 576-9929

Willsboro
Turtle Island Café (518) 963-7417
The Old Orchard Place 518 837 2323
Willsboro Diner 518 963 8399

Essex
Essex Ice Cream Cafe (917) 848-5000
Essex Inn (518) 963-4400
Old Dock House and Marina (518) 963-4232
Pink Pig Cafe (518) 962 8833
Barn Door Tavern (802) 222 6110

RECREATION

The Adirondack Region offers hiking, swimming, sightseeing, music, plays, museums, shopping, golfing, bicycling, and more. Campus is an hour’s travel via car (and ferry) to Burlington, Vermont; 45 minutes to Lake Placid; and 90 minutes to Montreal, Canada.

TRAVEL

Lake Champlain Ferries
Burlington International Airport
Plattsburgh Airport
Amtrak Adirondack Train
Amtrak Westport Train Station

MORE INFORMATION

Lake Champlain Region
Visit Adirondacks
I LOVE NY
Essex County
Elizabethtown/Lewis Chamber of Commerce
Westport Chamber of Commerce
The Town of Elizabethtown
The Town of Lewis
Elizabethtown Community Hospital