General Information:

Evenings

Every evening at Camp we have planned activities for all students. Many of these activities are performances and faculty presentation that are also open to the public.

Student Performances

There are a variety of opportunities for students to perform and/or present their work at Camp. The final three days of camp are dedicated to final performances and presentations.

Outdoor Day

Students will have the opportunity to participate in hiking excursions on the Sunday falling in the middle of Camp. Students are also welcome to make arrangements to attend worship services on this day.

Nametags

Your nametag serves as your ID for meals at the cafeteria and all campus activities. There is a $5 fee to replace a lost nametag.

Health Services

There is a registered nurse on call 24 hours a day to provide health services to students. Students who take prescription medications should bring their medicine to camp in its original packaging inside a ziplock bag labeled with the student’s name, medication name, dosage directions, and the name and phone number of the prescribing physician. Students are required to turn in all medication to the camp nurse on the first day of camp and are expected to go to the nurse’s office as needed to receive their medication. Medication will be returned to students on the last day of camp. Sitka Fine Arts Camp operates under the Centers for Disease Control guidelines regarding H1N1.

College Credit

UAS offers college credit for high school students. To be eligible, students must attend all classes and evening performances. Be sure to contact UAS before the camp session to set up college credit. Contact UAS for details at 907-747-6653.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if my child is homesick?

It is not unusual for students of all ages to miss home and family in the first few days of camp, especially if it is a student’s first extended time away from home. Camp staff are trained to recognize homesickness and work especially hard to keep students busy and engaged in the camp atmosphere.

Can my student receive mail at camp?

Yes, please address mail to:
Student Name
c/o Sitka Fine Arts Camp
PO Box 3086
Sitka, AK 99835

SFAC is unable to forward camper mail that arrives after the recipient’s camp session.

What kind of adult supervision do students have?

The primary responsibility of all camp staff is the safety and well-being of each student. The counselor to camper ration is 1:10. Students must check in twice a day with their counselor and attendance is taken for each class period. During rec time, students occasionally have the opportunity to go downtown. Middle school students must be accompanied by a counselor. High school students may go downtown in groups of 3 or more without a counselor.

Who are the counselors?

The counseling staff consists of a diverse group of talented people whose primary objective is helping students get the most out of the SFAC experience. The majority of our counselors are art students or graduates from various colleges and universities throughout the country.

What suggestions do counselors have for getting the most out of camp?

The single most important aspect in getting the most out of camp is to attend classes well rested and healthy. Students should get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and make healthy eating decisions.

What’s the weather like?

In Sitka it can rain for days on end or be sunny for the entire camp. Be prepared for both extremes. Summer temperatures can range from 40-80 degrees.

What is the dormitory like for residential students?

Students are housed in the Mt. Edgecumbe High School dormitory and share a room with 2-5 other students. Rooms are equipped with bunk beds and desks. A shared bathroom is a short walk down the hall. Dorm rooms lock and each student has a key to his or her room. Each student is responsible for keeping his or her room locked and for holding on to the key. There is a $20 fee for lost keys. Boys and girls are separated by dormitory floors and are only permitted on their respective floors. Students may submit the name of one friend on the roommate request portion of the registration form. Lights out is at 10 pm for Middle School Students and at 10:30 for High School Students.

Do residential students have an opportunity to do laundry at camp?

Yes, residential students have the option to do laundry on the Sunday in the middle of the two-week session. Students should bring change for laundry but counselors will provide soap.

What is the camp cell phone policy?

Students who come to camp with a cell phone may call their family to let them know they arrived safely, but are expected to turn it off and store it in their room for the remainder of camp. Most students find their camp experience more enjoyable without the distraction of a cell phone. Cell phones used during classes, performances, or after lights-out will be confiscated until camp is over. If there is an emergency at home, parents can contact their child by calling the camp office 907-747-3085.

Is there a camp lost and found?

The counseling staff does its best to reconnect students with their missing items during camp. Families are responsible for the shipping and handling should and item need to be returned after the camp session.

My student has already attended camp does he or she still need to turn in a teacher's recommendation form for this year?

Yes. We do not keep the Teacher's Recomendations forms year to year. In addition our staff changes and your student changes.

Is it ok to book the 6am flight for my child’s departure on the final day of camp?

Absolutely! In fact, the majority of our campers leave on the 6 am flight.

There are no travel options to get my child to Sitka by 3 pm on the first day of camp. Is it better to have my child arrive late on the first day or to come a day early?

It is better for students to arrive later on the first day of camp. Your child’s counselor will make sure he or she is caught up with orientation and that any auditions are rescheduled. If it is not possible to arrive on the first day of camp and your child must come a day early, please be sure to indicate the arrival day and time on the travel form as well as email the office at office(at)fineartscamp.org. There is a $50 fee for students who arrive a day early.

How does my child get from the airport or ferry terminal to camp?

SFAC provides complimentary shuttle service for the following Alaska Airline flights: arrival on flights 62, 63, and 67 and departure on flights 62, 68, and 73. Please make sure you fill out the Travel form to let the camp office know when and how your student is arriving. It is your responsibility to provide SFAC with this information. For students arriving at other times, please contact our office for information on shuttle and taxi services.

My child is traveling is traveling to camp as an unaccompanied
minor. Whose name and contact information should I provide to the
airline for the person meeting my child at the airport in Sitka?

Roger Schmidt (Camp Director), 907-747-3085, office(at)fineartscamp.org

Does my child need to bring his or her instrument to camp for music classes?

Yes, students should bring their personal instruments to camp with the exception of: drums and piano. Rock band students should bring guitars but Camp will provide amplifiers. If your student plays an instrument that is difficult to transport to camp, contact the camp office during registration to see if any loaner instruments are available, office(at)fineartscamp.org.

Can my child begin music lessons on a new instrument at camp?

The two-week intensive camp experience is best suited for students with some prior experience/instruction on their instrument. There are plenty of exploratory opportunities in other disciplines such as theater, writing, and the visual arts.

My student is signed up for a photography class. What kind of camera is needed?

Students need manual SLR cameras. The camp has a limited number of loaner cameras available for students who don’t have personal cameras to bring. To use a loaner camera, email office(at)fineartscamp.org to arrange rental before camp begins.

Can my student leave campus during camp?

Students can be checked out through the counseling office by a parent/guardian or a pre-approved adult, 18 years of age or older. Counselors must know when the student is expected back and have a contact phone number for the adult. It is best to call the office the day before to alert the Head Counselor.

Can friends and family members visit students at camp?

Family and friends are welcome at the evening artshare performances and the final performances, as well as for short visits on the main campus. Visitors must check in with the counseling office upon arrival. Please keep in mind that students are busy and frequent or lengthy visits can make it difficult for students to fully engage in the camp experience.

Is financial aid available?

Limited need-based financial aid is available for qualifying students. Contact the Camp Office for more information: 907-747-3085.

What should I do if I cannot access my camp account or forgot my password?

Call the camp office 907-747-3085 or email office(at)fineartscamp.org, please do not create a new account.