Bread Loaf Writers' Conferences Covid-19 Protocols 2025
Updated on 05 05 25
In this document “Attendees” includes all participants, faculty and faculty families, summer administrative staff, and guests taking part in the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences.
As we plan to welcome Attendees to the Bread Loaf campus this summer, the health and safety of our entire community is our highest priority. During summer 2024 we experienced zero reported Covid-19 cases during both the June and August conferences. During summer 2023 we experienced zero cases during June and an outbreak of 29 cases during the August conference.
We encourage you to consider the likelihood that Covid-19 will be present on campus before traveling to the conference. We also encourage you to come prepared with ways to care for yourself, as described below.
Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences wants to be especially forthright about what we’re able (or unable) to provide and also what we’re asking Bread Loafers to consider and accept before they arrive. This document is a list of protocols that acknowledges the shared responsibility towards keeping the Bread Loaf campus a safe and healthy community.
Attendees are responsible for reading and following the protocols described here.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Shot Requirements
We strongly recommend that Bread Loaf Attendees be up to date in their vaccines, which includes the most recently available booster shots when eligible.
Self-monitoring, Masks, and Testing at the Conference
-Attendees agree to self-administer an antigen test at home before travel to the conference.
-Attendees agree not to travel to Bread Loaf if they test positive. Attendees unable to attend due to a positive test result will receive a full refund for any fees paid to the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences. (Please note that Bread Loaf is unable to reimburse travel expenses.)
-If Attendees are using public transportation (plane, train, bus, taxi), we encourage that they mask during travel to increase the likelihood that they arrive COVID-free.
-Once on campus, Attendees agree to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms during the conference. Any attendee who experiences any symptoms at all (sniffles, slight cough, etc.) should immediately take an antigen test. See more in the Testing section below. We’re asking Attendees to bring an antigen test from home; antigen tests will also be available on the Bread Loaf campus.
Masks
The Bread Loaf campus is mask friendly and mask optional. We ask that all members of our community respect the choices of others about whether to wear masks.
An Attendee immediately begins to mask, however, should they experience COVID-19 symptoms (sniffles, slight cough, etc.). The Attendee begins to mask and self-administers an antigen test. Attendees are expected to take the test immediately and not to wait until the following day. See more in the Testing section below.
We are asking Attendees to bring their own masks from home; masks will also be available on the Bread Loaf campus.
Outdoor Programming
Please plan to pack layers so you will be able to bundle up should your workshop, craft class, or meeting with an agent or editor take place outside (or inside with the windows and doors open). While the weather on the mountain at this time of year can feel like early summer, mornings and evenings can still be quite chilly.
Meals During the Conference
Meals are buffet style and self-served. Seating is available in the Dining Room, and Attendees who wish to eat outdoors are invited to use the picnic tables, Adirondack chairs on the Bread Loaf lawns, or a selection of picnic blankets. We invite those driving from home to bring along camping chairs. In case of rain, those who wish to have space to spread out are invited to eat on one of the building porches or in the rooms and classrooms on campus.
Participant Housing
Participant student housing rooms are mostly doubles. Baths in student housing are shared by floor.
In the time leading up to the conferences staff will be in touch with a brief housing questionnaire in an effort to address special housing needs as we can. Please note that it may not be possible to accommodate all requests.
Participants who would like the guarantee of a single or other special housing request may make arrangements to stay off campus and let Bread Loaf staff know.
A list of hotels and other accommodations can be found at the Addison County Chamber of Commerce. Other resources include Craigslist, AirBnB, and VRBO. Please be aware that any off-campus lodging will require a vehicle in order to commute to the Bread Loaf campus in Ripton. (Note: The closest off-campus lodging is available at the Chipman Inn, about 3 miles from the Bread Loaf campus. The Chipman offers special rates to conference attendees as well as transportation options; contact the Chipman staff for details.)
Testing
Attendees will pack an antigen test to bring with them to the Bread Loaf campus for use should they become symptomatic. In addition, some antigen tests will be available at the Bread Loaf Inn Front Desk during the conference.
Any Attendee experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (sniffles, slight cough, etc.) should immediately begin to mask and self-administer an antigen test. Attendees are expected to take the test immediately and not to wait until the following day.
If the test result is negative and symptoms persist, Attendees pledge to continue to wear a mask at all times and test again 24 hours later to confirm the initial antigen test result. If the symptoms continue, the Attendee pledges to continue wearing a mask at all times, and to take antigen tests daily (even if previous results are negative) until symptoms clear.
If the antigen test result is positive, see the Instructions for Those Who Test Positive below.
Specific Instructions for Those Who Test Positive Using an Antigen Test
1. Attendees who experience symptoms of COVID-19 and have a positive antigen test result will immediately begin to wear a mask and to self-isolate in their room. They also must contact the Bread Loaf Inn Front Desk (802-443-2700) or the Back Office (802-443-5286 or blt@middlebury.edu/ble@middlebury.edu) to inform staff of the positive test result.
2. After notifying Bread Loaf staff of the positive antigen test result, the Attendee will continue to self-isolate in their room while Bread Loaf staff make arrangements for the attendee to move to isolation housing on campus. (See the COVID-19-Positive On-Campus Isolation section below for more details.)
3. Bread Loaf staff will arrange for the Attendee to join remotely any workshops that take place during the time of their isolation and will provide the Zoom link. We encourage Attendees to bring their own laptop to the conference to do so; for those without a laptop, a loaner laptop will be made available. Any agent/editor meetings scheduled to take the period of isolation will also be moved from in-person to remote via Zoom.
4. Bread Loaf staff will communicate to the Attendee’s workshop group and to any guests the Attendee is meeting with that the Attendee is moving from in-person to remote meetings. We ask those who test positive to identify and notify any other individuals with whom they have been in close contact during the infectious period.
COVID-19 Positive On-campus Isolation
Isolation housing will be available for Attendees who test positive for Covid-19 during the conference.
While in isolation individuals are asked not to attend public events and to remain primarily in their room except for picking up meals from the dining hall. We also will require they wear a mask when leaving their room.
During the time of isolation Attendees participate in any workshops and agent/editor meetings via Zoom. (See Zoom details included in section above.)
Attendees who test positive during the conference must remain in isolation and take part in meetings remotely until at least 24 hours after both their symptoms are getting better overall and they have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Following this period of isolation, Attendees continue to mask indoors for five days as they return to normal in-person activities on campus.
Changes in Policy
New variants or a surge in cases could make the policies currently outlined here insufficient. Should that happen, Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences will make any necessary changes in COVID-19 protocols and notify attendees.