Here you can find quick answers to most of your very important questions. However, please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions!
Quick Links to Answers Below:How long has UWF been running Explore Summer Camps?
What makes Explore Camps different from other camps in the community?
Is transportation provided to any of your camps?
Do you have extended camp options for all Explore Summer Camp Programs?
Do students typically register for one or multiple weeks?
Do you have camp on the 4th of July?
What is the camp's philosophy and program emphasis?
What is the camp director's background?
What training do counselors receive?
What are the ages of the counselors?
What are desired qualities in camp staff?
What percentage of the counselors returned from last year?
How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled?
How does the camp handle special needs?
Where do you hire your instructors from?
What’s new in 2008?
How do I enroll for a camp?
How can I find out if the course I want is still open for enrollment?
Does my child need sun screen or bug spray at camp?
Do you provide lunch?
What is pizza Friday?
How much money will my child need for snacks?
How do you handle students will allergies?
Is your camp equipped to handle my child who has special needs?
Do you have any camps specified to children with special needs?
Does my child have recess?
How much time does my child spend in the arcade during Cartoon Camp?
Does my child watch movies at summer camp?
Does the camper ever go off of the University of West Florida’s campus?
What safety measures are taken while the campers are in a public college building?
Can I observe a camp before I register my child?
Can I sit in on a course?
What is your medication policy?
What is the cost of your tuition?
Do you have an Early Bird Discounts?
What happens if I register for all three of my children, do I get a discount?
If I work at UWF, are there a Faculty and Corporate Partners Discount?
What is your cancellation policy?
What if my child gets sick during the schedule camp week and cannot return, do I get a refund?
Where do I find the drop off and pick up location for my child’s camp?
What forms do I need to fill out?
What is my camp account balance?
Do you provide a carpool system?
How long has UWF been running Explore Summer Camps?
Summer Camps have been held on campus for many years. Since 2006, the Division of Continuing Education has offered Explore Summer Camps to provide K-12th grade students with enrichment programs covering technology, science, math, reading, writing, and art. Each year we continue to grow based on parents, campers, University staff members and faculty suggestions. Back to top.
What makes Explore Camps different from other camps in the community?
Using UWF faculty members and school district educators to help create and facilitate the programs has produced camp experiences which are educationally sound, very motivating, and fun. Since we focus on the quality of our camps, we hand select our team to ensure not only the safety, but the overall experience we want our campers receive. We want to challenge them academically, while also keeping in mind that it is summer time. So, integrating fun and academics is the mix that keeps our campers and parents wanting to return year after year. With a 1:10 student-to-staff ratio, our instructors are able to tailor our curriculum to each student. All students are instructed by well qualified faculty members, district teachers or professionals in the related field.
Is transportation provided to any of your camps?
Even though some of our camps are offered off of the Univesity of West Florida, we do not provide transportation to and from camps.
Do you have extended camp options for all Explore Summer Camp Programs?
Extended Camp options is avaliable for all programs except Marine Science Camp.
Do students typically register for one or multiple weeks?
Our programs are designed so parents and their children have an array of choices throughout the summer. We have also tried to carefully balance the choices of camps for the older campers younger campers by offering at least one choice each week. See our Summer Camp Schedule on the Camps at a Glance page. If you register for June camps by May 1,2008; July camps by June 1; or August camps by July 1st, you can receive a 5% discount. Please note that whether you choose to register for one or several weeks of Explore Camps, your student will have a blast and leave camp having learned a new skill with a completed project he/she can be proud of! Back to top.
The 4th of July, Explore Summer Camps will be closed. The curriculum(s) that week will be tailored to have a finished project in four days versus five. Back to top.
What is the camp’s philosophy and program emphasis?
Our mission for Explore Summer Camps is to provide a fun and motivating cooperative learning environment. Back to top.
What is the camp director's background?
The director of the camp, Jennifer Rohman, has a bachelor’s degree in public relations, a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Special Education. She has served as the UWF summer camp director for three years. Prior to coming on board with UWF, she was the assistant director of a summer camp program for two years in Santa Rosa County. With five years of experience teaching children and three years as summer camp director, she is highly qualified for this position. Back to top.
What training do counselors receive?
All camp staff will be trained on safety regulations, emergency procedures and communication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specific procedures for supervision. Back to top. What is the instructor-to-camper ratio? The majority of our camps will have an camper-to-instructor ratio of 1:10. Some of our technology camps will have a higher ratio due to the need of one-on-one assistance. Back to top.
What are the ages of the counselors?
90% of our staff are above the age of 21. Back to top.
What are desired qualities in camp staff?
Camp staff must have a lot of positive energy and a passion to work with children of all ages. Our camp staff are also highly qualified due to their teaching experience on the elementary, middle, high or collegiate level. Back to top.
What percentage of the counselors returned from last year?
Most camps have from 40-60 percent returning staff. Back to top.
How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled?
Positive reinforcement, assertive role modeling, fair play….rules..disciplinary approach..communication with parents… Back to top.
How does the camp handle special needs?
If your child has special requirements, call the camp director to discuss individual needs. All of our camps are equipped to handle campers with mild disabilities. All campers must be able to verbally communicate, toilet on their own, eat on their own and work in cooperative groups. Summer 2008, we will have two special camps for Gifted Students. If you child has special medication needs, there are places to keep this medication. His/her instructor will be in charge of making sure the camper receives the medication at the time the parent requested (i.e. insulin, allergy medicine, ADHD medicine) If your child has allergic reactions to certain types of food, you will be able to note it in the medical forms. It also is recommended you speak directly with the instructor to reaffirm an understanding of the food allergies. Back to top.
Where do you hire your instructors from?
At UWF’s Explore Summer Camps, our Staff is hand selected to make up our Team! Each member of our Team is hired because of their experience working with students, their love of education, their high energy and enthusiasm, and their knowledge in the related field. Our goal is to ensure that every camp is comprised of experienced returning camp counselors along with new individuals who bring a fresh perspective to camp. Our instructors are either UWF faculty and staff members highly experienced in the field of their camp and/or district teachers (Elementary and Secondary Level) who are also highly experienced in the field of their camp. Many of our instructors are graduates and undergraduates students from the Teacher Education Department at the University of West Florida. Some of our instructor assistants are students actively enrolled in the teacher education department, training to become a teacher. All of our staff members undergo in-person training as well as extensive background checks at time of hire each summer. Back to top.
Technology camps just for younger campers, guys and chics; Hollywood Camp; Marine Science Camp; Gifted Camps for Elementary and Middle; Summer Scholar’s Escape Residential Program; Robotics Camp Back to top. What are your grade requirements? For the majority of our camps, we have a grade requirement to be a rising 1st grade through a rising 12th grade student. The age cut off is 17 years of age. For our Marine Science Camp, located at Pensacola Beach Elementary School, we are allowing rising Kindergarten students to enroll in a half-day camp experience. For further information on grade requirements for specific camps, visit our website uwf.edu/explorecamps. Back to top.
How can I find out if the course I want is still open for enrollment?
To avoid missing an opportunity to enroll in your desired camp, it is recommended to register early to reserve your spot. By reserving your spot, you are also required to put a down a deposit of atleast $35.00 per camp. If the camp is already full when you register, you will automatically be placed on a waiting list. Once a spot opens up, you will be notified.
Does my child need sunscreen or bug spray at camp?
Your camper will have time when he or she is outside. If you wish your child to be protected from the sun and from bugs, please send sun screen and/or bug spray to camp each day. Your child’s name should be indicated on each bottle to ensure it doesn’t get placed with the wrong child.
We do not provide lunch. The camper must come with a sack lunch that does not require heating up or refrigerating. We do not have access to a microwave or a refrigerator to heat up or store lunches. Back to top.
Every 2nd Friday of camp, we will order Pizza from Domino’s. Along with pizza (pepperoni or cheese), the camper will be provided with a choice of different chips, cookies and soft drink. We only have Coco Cola products which will mainly consist of water, sprite or lemonade. If your child does not care for those choices, you may supply him a couple dollars to retrieve a drink of his/her choice out of the vending machine. The cost for Pizza Friday is $5.00. Keep a look out at your check-in/check-out table for reminder flyers of Pizza Friday. Back to top.
How much money will my child need for snacks?
Since the camper is with us for most of the day, we provide several opportunities for breaks. If campers would like to have a snack during this time, they may either purchase it from the vending machine or bring it from home. If a camper is purchasing from the vending machine, it is suggested to bring at least $2.00 for a drink and a snack. Keep in mind that most vending machines on campus have the typical candy and chip choices. Back to top.
How do you handle students will allergies?
When parents fill out their required paper work, there is a section to list all allergies. Once this paper work is filled out, the camp director will make sure the camper’s instructor has a copy of the medical form. It is also in the camper’s best interest for the parent to verbally talk to the instructor on the first day of camp. Back to top.
Is your camp equipped to handle my child who has special needs?
While Explore Summer Camps is not specifically a special needs camp, we do have a few camps geared towards special needs. We offer two camps for student’s eligible for Gifted Services. Our instructors are trained to handle special circumstances to a limited extent. If your child is able to function without an aide at school, he/she will do very well during our camps. If your child does require an aide at school, you must ensure that an aide accompanies your child to camp. The aide must be over the age of 18 and may not be the parent, guardian or immediate family member. Any aide attending camp with a student must achieve a favorable result on a criminal background check, as well as interview with the Summer Camp Staffing Team prior to attending our camps. We have had many special needs attend our camps in the past (i.e. ADHD, HFA/aspergers, Gifted/Talented, Learning Disability) and have typically done well in our programs. However, if for some reason it is determined that camp is not his/her least restrictive environment, the total tuition for camp is non-refundable per our cancellation policy. If you have any questions, feel free to email ExploreCamps@uwf.edu and a staff member will be in touch with you. Back to top.
Do you have any camps specified to children with special needs?
2008 will be our first summer we will offer camps specified to children with individual needs. Students identified as gifted will have a choice for elementary and middle. Parents are also subject for a interview to verify this is a correct fit for the camper. To learn more about gifted camps click on the link. All staff involved with our gifted programs will be involved with a staff development workshop with a representative in the Gifted Department from a local school district. Back to top.
If your child is a rising 1st grader through rising 6th grader and attending a 9:00-3:00 camp, he/she will have breaks which will consist of playing games and being outside. Usually, our outside time will take place in the morning to avoid the heat. Since a lot of the instruction takes place inside, we like for our campers to have free time during a recess-like activity. Back to top.
How much time does my child spend in the arcade during Cartoon Camp?
If your child is attending Cartoon Camp, he/she will not spend longer than 30-minutes a day in the arcade. This time is used for a break from comic book writing, animation creating, and art engaged activities. All of our arcade games are age appropriate as we welcome parents to view the arcade room at any time. If your child wants to bring his/her electronic gaming device, please check with the instructor as each camp has different “technology gaming device” rules. During previous summers, students have brought in their own games to play on our gaming systems. Your child is the only one responsible for all software/electronics brought to camp. It is not UWF’s Explore Summer Camp’s responsibility to keep track of their software/electronics brought to camp. Back to top.
Does my child watch movies at summer camp?
Some times during lunch, a portion of a movie will play. Your child will not watch more than 30 minutes of a movie during any given day camp. In Afternoon Adventures (extended care), the coordinator might have a movie day. This will be explicitly visible on the Afternoon Adventure schedule along with “what movie they plan to watch”. Back to top. Does the camper ever go off of the University of West Florida’s campus? Our campers do not leave campus. If their camp is located at the Main Campus, your camper will stay on campus. If their camp is located off of the main campus, that is where he/she will be until camp is dismissed and he/she has been picked up. Back to top.
What safety measures are taken while the campers are in a public college building?
Our number one concern is the safety of every campers that attends UWF’s Explore Summer Camps! Any time a campers must leave his/her designated area, the buddy system is in place and a counselor escorts them. For example, if a camper needs to use the restroom, a buddy and a counselor will escort them to the nearest restroom. Leaving the classroom without an escort is inexcusable. Campers are instructed by the director of the camp and reminded daily not to leave their designated area without notifying an instructor. For check in and checkout procedures, our areas are over staffed to ensure safety measures are covered. Until an instructor knows the parent's face and name,the parent's identity will be verified. Back to top.
Can I observe a camp before I register my child?
For security purposes, we do not permit non-students (parents or unregistered students) to sit in on any course. We require all staff to undergo thorough background checks at the time of hire. We understand that parents are very interested in what their children are doing at camp and have therefore created Friday Parent Events. These Friday events allow parents the opportunity to view their student’s projects and get a feel for their child’s camp experience. If you as a parent are interested in a tour of our camps, this can be arranged through the summer camp director by calling 850.474.2914. Back to top.
What is your medication policy?
If your child will be taking medication during camp hours, you must notify the camp director. The camp director will then notify the camper's instructor of his/her medication needs to ensure medication is not skipped or missed. The medication must be in original containers that identify, in English, the prescribing physicians (if a prescription drug), the name of the medication, the dosage and the frequency of administration. The medication will be dispensed as instructed by you, the parent. Back to top.
What is the cost of the camps?
The cost of tuition will vary depending upon what camp you are interested in. Explore Summer Camps offers an array of camps with whose individual costs and material needs are reflected in the tuition and fees. Back to top.
Do you have an Early Bird Discounts?
If you pay in full by the following dates you will receive a 5% discount. June Camps by May 1st July Camps by June 1st August Camps by July 1st.
What happens if I register for all my children, do I get a discount?
If you are enrolling more than one students (of your own), your second child will receive a 10% discount on your child’s tuition. (This cannot be combined with a Faculty/Staff discount rate) Back to top.
If I work at UWF, is there a Faculty and Staff Discount?
If you employed by the University of West Florida, you will receive a 10% discount rate on your students tuition. (This cannot be combined with the discount rate if you have more than one child)You will need to email explorecamps@uwf.edu
What is your cancellation policy?
Please visiting our cancellation policy page.
What if my child gets sick during the schedule camp week and cannot return, do I get a refund?
If your child gets sick during the scheduled week of camp. Back to top.
Where do I find the drop off and pick up location for my child’s camp?
Depending on where you camp is located, will depict your drop off location. You will be notified where drop off and pick up will be. It is recommended that all parents of registered camps, attend the Summer Camp Orientation on June 7, 2008 to receive specific information relating to your campers needs. Back to top.
What forms do I need to fill out?
There are specific online forms necessary to fill out before you camper can attend summer camp. These forms will be available for online registration following March 15th through our online registration system. Back to top.
What is my camp account balance?
When you register your child on the Summer Camp Online Registration Program, you will receive a log in name and password where you can access your account. Back to top.
Do you provide a carpool system?
We do not provide transportation for students attending any our summer camps. Also, we do not provide a carpool system. In the past, parents have met at the check in and checkout tables and discussed a carpool system. UWF Explore Summer Camp is not responsible for the carpool system that is created between parents or guardians. Back to top.
