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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!
Summer 2009 General Information (Parent) Handbook is now
available for download.
For more information, see our Download Center.
General Questions:
How long has UWF offered Explore Summer Programs?
What makes Explore Summer Programs different from other camps in the community?
Is transportation provided to any of your programs?
Do you have extended hours options for all Explore Summer Programs?
Do students typically register for one or multiple weeks?
Questions to Ask the Program Director:
What is the camp's philosophy and program emphasis?
What is the Explore Summer Program director's background?
What training do counselors receive?
What is the staff to student ratio?
What are the ages of the counselors?
What are desired qualities in our instructional staff?
What percentage of the staff returned from last year?
How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled?
How does Explore Summer Program handle special needs?
Explore Summer Program Staff:
Where do you hire your instructors from?
Courses & Curriculum:
What’s new in 2009?
What are your grade requirements?
How do I enroll for a program?
How can I find out if the course I want is still open for enrollment?
What to Bring:
Does my child need sun screen or bug spray?
Do you provide lunch?
How much money will my child need for snacks?
Special Needs:
How do you handle students will allergies?
Is your summer programs equipped to handle my child who has special needs?
Do you have any programs specified to children with special needs?
Activities:
Does my child/ren have recess?
Does my child/ren watch movies during the day?
Does my child/ren ever go off of the University of West Florida’s campus?
Risk Management:
What safety measures are taken while my child/ren are in a public college building?
Can I observe a program before I register my child/ren?
Can I sit in on a course?
What is your medication policy?
Tuition:
What is the cost of your tuition?
Do you have an Early Bird Discounts?
What happens if I register more than one child, 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 week and cannot return to his/her program, do I get a refund?
Already Registered:
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 account balance for my child/ren's summer program/s?
Do you provide a carpool system?
General Questions:
How long has UWF been running Explore Summer Programs?
Summer Programs have been held on campus for many years. Since 2006, the Division of Continuing Education has offered Explore Summer Programs to 1st-12th grade students with enrichment programs covering technology, science, math, reading, writing, and art. Each year we continue to grow based on parents, students, University staff members and faculty suggestions. Back to top.
What makes Explore Summer Programs different from other camps in our community?
Using UWF faculty members and school district educators to help create and facilitate the programs has produced program experiences which are educationally sound, very motivating, and fun. Since we focus on the quality of our summer programs, we hand select our team to ensure not only the safety, but the overall experience we want our students to receive. We want to challenge them academically, while also keeping in mind that it is summer time. So, integrating fun and academics in the mix that keeps our students and parents wanting to return year after year. With a 1:12 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 programs 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 Programs?
Extended Camp options is avaliable for all programs except Marine Science Camp located at Pensacola Beach Elementary School.
Extended Camp consist of Afternoon Adventure from 3:30 PM-5:30 PM.
Check-in for all summer programs will begin no earlier than 8:30 AM. There is no early drop off prior to 8:30 AM.
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 Program Schedule for further details.
If you register for June camps by May 1st; July camps by June 1st; or August camps by July 1st, you can receive a 5% discount off your tuition rate. Back to top.
Questions to Ask the Camp Director
What is the camp’s philosophy and program emphasis?
Our mission for Explore Summer Programs 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 four years as summer camp director, she is highly qualified for this position. If you have questions for the program director email her at explorecamps@uwf.edu. Back to top.
What training do counselors receive?
All staff is 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 a staff-to-student ratio of 1:12. Some of our hands-on programs 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?
Staff must have a lot of positive energy and a passion to work with children of all ages. Our 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…summer program.rules..disciplinary approach..communication with parents…
Before you summer program begins, please feel free to ask your child's instructor what their classroom procedure is for handling behavioral problems.
Back to top.
How does Explore Summer Programs handle special needs?
If your child has special requirements, please notify the camp director to discuss individual needs. All of our camps are equipped to handle students with mild disabilities. All students must be able to verbally communicate, toilet on their own, eat on their own and work in cooperative groups. 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 student 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. Please be aware if there are food allergies within a given camp, (i.e. Peanut Butter), the instructor could request that all students respect this and do not bring this type of food to camp (i.e. Peanut Butter sandwiches). If this request is made, and the parent does not want to follow through with this, please contact the camp director to discuss your concern. Back to top.
Explore Summer Program Staff:
Where do you hire your instructors from?
At UWF’s Explore Summer Programs, 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 program is comprised of experienced returning staff along with new individuals who bring a fresh perspective to our summer programs. Our instructors are either UWF faculty and staff members highly experienced in the field of their program and/or district teachers (Elementary and Secondary Level) who are also highly experienced in the field of their program. Many of our instructors are graduates and undergraduates students from the School of Education at the University of West Florida. Some of our instructor assistants are students actively enrolled in the teacher education program, training to become a certified 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.
Courses & Curriculum
Please look at our line up for both Youth Summer Camps (1st-6th graders) and Scholar's Summer Escape (7th-12th grade). We have many new programs for the summer 2009. Regardless, if it is a returning summer program, it will have a new curriculum from summer 2008. Back to top.
What are your grade requirements?
For the majority of our programs, 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 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 at least $35.00 per program. If the program is already full when you register, you can be placed on a waiting list by calling 850-474-7468 or emailing explorecamps@uwf.edu. Once a spot opens up, you will be notified by the order you have been placed on the waiting list. .
What to Bring:
Does my child need sunscreen or bug spray during his/her summer program?
Your child/ren 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 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. Your child/ren 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.
How much money will my child need for snacks?
Since your child/ren is with us for most of the day, we provide several opportunities for breaks. If he/she would like to have a snack during this time, they may either purchase it from the vending machine or bring it from home. Snacks can be purchased 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 typical candy and chip choices. Please feel free to scout your summer program's building to verify choices and cost amounts. Back to top.
Special Needs:
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 your child's instructor has a copy of his/her medical form. It is also in the parents best interest to verbally talk with your instructor on the first day of camp to ensure this concern is brought to their attention. Back to top.
Is your program equipped to handle my child who has special needs?
Our instructors can be 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 the summer with us. 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 students with 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?
We do not have any specific summer programs geared towards students with special needs. Back to top.
Activities:
If your child is a rising 1st grader through rising 6th grader and attending a 8:30-3:30 summer program, 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.
If your child is a rising 7th-12th graders and attending a 8:30-3:30 summer program, he/she will also have breaks. Their breaks will be more age appropriate rather than "recess" outside. 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 child ever go off of the University of West Florida’s campus?
Our students do not leave campus unless previously notified. There is a required waiver that a parent is required to sign if your child will be leaving campus (i.e. Marine Research Program or Energy Camp). If their camp is located at the Main Campus, your camper will stay on campus. If your child is signed up for the Marine Science Camp at Pensacola Beach Elementary, there will be a permission slip for you to sign. This will allow your child to leave the school grounds to do "field work" on the sound side and Gulf of Mexico side of the island. Back to top.
Risk Management:
What safety measures are taken while my child/ren are in a public college building?
Our number one concern is the safety of every child that attends UWF’s Explore Summer Programs! Any time a camper 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 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 program 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 and have therefore created Friday Parent Events. On Friday events parents have 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, please notify the camp director by calling 850.474.2083 or emailing at explorecamps@uwf.edu. 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.
Tuition:
What is the cost of the camps?
The cost of tuition will vary depending upon what camp you are interested in. Explore Summer Programs offers an array of offerings 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. July Camps by June 1st; and August Camps by July 1st.
What happens if I register more than one child, 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 or call 474-2083 for a faculty/staff discount code.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please visit our cancellation policy page.
What if my child gets sick during the scheduled week and cannot return, do I get a refund?
If your child gets sick during the scheduled week of camp, you are entitled to a pro-rated refund. Please visit our cancellation policy page. Back to top.
Already Registered:
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 by email. It is recommended that all parents of registered camps visit our website for drop off and pick up locations. 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. Back to top.
What is my camp account balance?
When you register your child on the Summer Programs Online Registration System, you will receive a log-in name and password where you can access your account. If you have questions regarding your account, please feel free to contact us at 850- 474-2083 or by email at explorecamps@uwf.edu. Back to top.
Do you provide a carpool system?
We do not provide transportation for students attending any of our summer programs. 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 Programs is not responsible for the carpool system that is created between parents or guardians. Back to top.