Each summer since 1978, the waves of Flathead Lake and later Seeley Lake have carried the sounds of laughter, music, singing, waterfront games and the joyful expression of 200 talented MCT campers—until 2020, when those waves carry only the sounds of silence, due to COVID-19. Because of health, safety and travel concerns around COVID-19, MCT has made the difficult decision to cancel all overnight camps for the summer of 2020. These include the one-week skills camp at Seeley Lake (“East Shore”), which concludes with a non-ticketed showcase, and the two-week camps at Flathead Lake (“North” and “South” Shore), which culminate in a weekend of musical performances at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts in Missoula each August.
In an email sent to campers who had been chosen to attend in 2020, Michael McGill, and Joseph Martinez, MCT Executive Director and Artistic Director, respectively, said “After exploring every idea for modification and consulting with health experts, we have concluded that we simply can’t provide a camp experience that will be safe for everyone. We did not make this decision lightly. For over 40 years, thousands of campers and staff members have spent their summers on the shores of Flathead and Seeley Lakes. To cancel camp for the first time ever is heartbreaking for us. We know it is for you as well. All students will be invited to camp in 2021 without re-auditioning and will automatically be accepted. Senior campers, this means you, too! You may either roll your deposit forward to next year, or MCT will issue a *refund upon request. In this time of isolation and social distancing, we are all eagerly awaiting the time we can gather safely, united by our love of performing and the theatre –but only when the time is right.”
**Note that local day camps scheduled in Missoula beginning June 15 are still on schedule, but with modifications that will allow compliance with local, state and federal guidelines for group size, distancing, and other considerations. Visit www.MCTinc.org for further information.