Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sign up for camp? Registration opens at midnight AKST on January 1st at www.fineartscamp.org. Our programs fill up quickly so we highly recommend signing up as soon as possible. Registration means providing information about your student and paying a non-refundable deposit to reserve your child’s spot. Additional paperwork including the medical form, teacher recommendation, class sign up, etc. and are due throughout the spring. See you child’s program page for required paperwork and deadlines on the enrollment checklist.

What happens when a program is full? Camp registration is open on a first come, first served basis. When a program is full, we start a waitlist. Students are accepted off the waitlist based on class availability and housing at the discretion of Sitka Fine Arts Camp.

If my student has previously attended camp, does he or she still need to turn in a teacher’s recommendation form this year? Yes. We do not keep the Teacher Recommendation forms from year to year. Any educator, teacher, or adult outside the student’s family who is familiar with their academic or artistic work can complete the Teacher Recommendation. 

What should I do if I cannot access my camp account or forgot my password? First, try the password reset link on the login screen. Then call the camp office at 907-747-3085 or email office@fineartscamp.org. Please do not create a new account.

​ How do classes work? We believe it is important for elementary students to be exposed to a variety of art forms and new experiences. Each day, students attend 4 classes. A typical schedule includes music, movement, visual arts, and theater. Students do not select their own classes at the elementary camp. Instead, SFAC assigns classes and creates groups based on age and grade level. Classes increase in complexity with age.

How do group assignments work? Students are assigned to groups based on age and grade level. Sitka Fine Arts Camp does not accept requests for group placement or changes. Group assignments are sent via email the Friday before camp begins.

What is the setting like? Located in Sitka, one of Alaska’s most picturesque communities, the Camp celebrates the natural beauty of both mountains and ocean. The camp is located on the Historic Sheldon Jackson Campus. Dormitory, cafeteria, gym, and classrooms are located on site. The campus is a short walk from downtown Sitka. 

Is housing available for families from out of town? Yes, more information is available here.

​​What does a typical day look like? Each morning and afternoon, students attend classes. After class, students choose from a variety of rec time activities including sports, games, open mics, reading and writing cafes, arts activities and more, run by the counseling staff. During middle school and high school camp, each evening features an Artshare performance put on by the camp faculty. Dormitory students attend a hall meeting each night before lights out to build community and reflect on their day.

What is the setting like? Located in Sitka, one of Alaska’s most picturesque communities, the Camp celebrates the natural beauty of both mountains and ocean. Our campus includes dormitories, cafeteria, gym, classrooms, and practice areas. The campus is a short walk from downtown Sitka. The final student performances will be held in Sitka’s state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center.

How can my student get 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. Parents and guardians can prepare their child before arriving by reminding them that camp is a place to have new experiences and challenges. A big part of the camp experience is learning to have success in a new and different setting. It helps to arrive with an open mind and positive attitude. We have found that students are most successful when given space from home and cell phone/screen use so that they are able to be present in their learning and creativity.

What if my student 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. When homesick campers are able to engage with new friends and activities at camp, they discover that camp is fun and safe, providing them with a new, profound sense of independence and discovery. For more information, please refer to the parent handbook for your child's session.

​What is the dormitory like for overnight students? Residential students are housed in dormitories on the Sitka Fine Arts Camp Campus. Students are housed on floors by gender. Most rooms house two students. Lights out is at 9:30 pm for middle school camp and at 10:00 pm for high school camp. Dormitories are unheated in the summer months. Make sure your child packs a warm sleeping bag or warm bedding and extra clothing layers. Summer in Sitka can be chilly.

Can students request roommates for camp? Students may submit the name of one friend on the roommate request portion of the registration form. Students who attend multiple camps can list one roommate request for each session. Sitka Fine Arts Camp does not guarantee roommate requests. Students will find out who their roommate is when they arrive at camp.

What if my student has dietary restrictions? Our dining hall offers a variety of healthy choices at all meals. SFAC is able to accommodate most dietary restrictions. Any dietary restrictions and allergies must be noted on the Medical form during registration. If you are concerned about your child’s dietary restrictions at camp, please contact the camp office at 907-747-3085.

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 ratio is 1:10. Counselors live on student residential halls and provide supervision and guidance for students throughout camp. Students must check in twice a day with their counselor and attendance is taken for each class period.

Who are the counselors? Our counseling staff are carefully selected through a rigorous hiring process that includes recommendations, interviews, and criminal background checks. Sitka Fine Arts Camp counselors are college students and young professionals primarily involved in arts and education. They complete an intensive training covering the basics of camp operations, health and safety, emergency procedures, CPR and first aid, youth development, positive behavior support, homesickness, bullying prevention, conflict resolution, camp fun, and more! Counselors supervise students during meals, recreation, evening activities, free time, and on dormitory halls. Additionally, counselors serve as class assistants throughout the instructional day, providing support to the faculty and students within the class setting. The counseling staff work to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where campers feel at home. They are consistently available to answer questions, assist with concerns, and help make the camper’s stay safe and enjoyable. 

What is 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. Dressing in layers is recommended. The average temperature is in the 50s. Residential dormitories can be cold at night. We recommend packing warm layers and bedding. 

Do overnight students have the opportunity to do laundry at camp? Yes, overnight students have the option to do laundry. Students should bring quarters and soap is provided. The cost is $10 per load which includes washing and drying. Soap is provided

Can my student receive mail at camp? Yes, address letters to: Student Name and Session (example: Mary Smith, Middle School Camp), c/o Sitka Fine Arts Camp, 110 College Drive Suite #111, Sitka, AK 99835. Please note we are a package free camp and do not send care packages. Packages can lead to unintentional competition and disruption. If a student has forgotten a necessary item such as prescription glasses or retainer or has a birthday during the camp session, a package may be sent to the student, c/o Office Manager. We encourage family and friends to send letters to students during their camp stay. We recommend allowing at least 5 business days for mail to reach your student. Mail that arrives after a student’s session will be returned to sender. SFAC is not responsible for mail that is not addressed correctly or that cannot be returned to sender after your student’s session.

Is there a camp lost and found? Sitka Fine Arts Camp is not responsible for lost or stolen items. If an item is discovered missing after a student’s stay, please contact our main office. Items will be held at the SFAC Office for 15 days. Unclaimed items will be donated to local charities after that time.

Can friends and family members visit students at camp?  The camp schedule does not allow for visits, however, families and friends are welcome to attend any public events on campus including art shares, final performances, art show, and afternoon performances.

Can my student be checked out from the campus during camp? Because we are striving to provide a fully engaged camp experience, we no longer permit checking students out of camp. Check outs can lead to unintentional inequity among students and disruption.​ At camp, students will spend their time in various scheduled and supervised activities. Participating fully in these activities, whether instructional classes, recreational activities, evening events, or time with friends is what makes the camp experience complete. In a camp setting such as Sitka Fine Arts Camp, students have the opportunity to learn and grow as individuals, and time away from family fosters independence and individuality in a structured, educational setting. 

What is the process for assigning classes? The Middle School and High School class catalog & schedule will be posted and emailed out January 22. Students have a week after the release to consider class options and to submit their preferences. There are five class periods a day, and each student will select their top 5 choices for each period. It is important that students select 5 different class choices for each period. Student class schedules are made based on instrumentation, lottery system, and with the goal to create the best camp experience for every student. Students who have not turned in required forms by the deadline will not be placed in classes. Please note that registration order is not the primary criteria for class placement and there is no benefit for selecting classes quickly when the catalog and schedule are released as long as paperwork is submitted by February 1.​

Why does my student need to select 5 different class preferences per period? Each year a handful of classes always end up being the most popular. Common examples are ceramics and photography which have small class sizes. Many more students request these classes than there are spaces available. This means it is not unusual for students to be placed in a class that was a 4th or 5th choice if their previous preferences are already full. To be fair to all students, we use a lottery system.

I signed up my student at midnight on January 1. Why didn't they get all their first choices? Most of our students register at that time and registering early is important for securing a spot at camp. However because the bulk of our student register at that time, registration order is not the primary criteria for class placement. See #1 above to learn more about the process for assigning classes. Students should expect to see classes on their schedule that are among any of their 5 ranked choices. Occasionally, if all 5 classes are full, a student may be assigned a class outside their preferences that aligns with their interests as listed in their application.

Is it possible to change classes? If there is an error on your child's schedule, please contact our office right away. An error could look like your student being signed up for a class to play an instrument they do not play or signed up for a class where they don't meet the prerequisite. An error could also look like seeing a class listed twice on your student's schedule. If your student does not have an error on their schedule, class changes are not usually possible.

What if my student doesn't want to take a class on their schedule? Students are required to attend all of their scheduled classes. If your student is new to a subject or not excited about a particular class, we recommend learning more about the subject matter before camp, learning about the faculty member who is teaching the class, coming to the class each day with an open mind, and discussing any concerns they may have with the faculty member. Camp is all about trying new things and taking risks as well as learning how to ask for help or discuss concerns with a faculty member. 

Does my student need to bring their instrument to camp for music classes? Yes, students should bring their personal instruments to camp. Percussionists and drummers should bring a stick bag complete with the full set of sticks and drum set sticks. Rock band students should bring guitars and guitar cords. 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 rental instruments are available, office@fineartscamp.org. The cost to rent an available instrument is $75.00 per camp session.

What type of camera will my student need for photography class? ​For digital photography class, students are required to bring a digital camera with a memory card. Recommended: DSLR camera (Nikon D3500, Canon Rebel, or equivalent). Please contact 907-747-3085 or office@fineartscamp.org for more information. For dark-room photography class, students will be provided with a camera.

Can I get school credit? High School Camp students can enroll in University of Alaska Southeast ART S093, which is considered a college preparatory class. The 093 designation does not count toward a college degree, but can be applied toward high school graduation. This course would be $25 a credit hour and students should check with their high school to see if it will count on their transcripts. Musical Theater Camp students (in grade 9 or higher) can enroll in the University of Alaska THR S219 T01: Theater Performance, which is 3 credit hours. The cost for the class is $90.00. Be sure to contact UAS before the Camp session to make arrangements. Contact UAS for details at (800) 478-6653. Registration Form.

The health, safety, and well-being of our campers are a top priority. Detailed information about medical forms, medications, on-campus care, and wellness policies is available on our Health & Wellness page. Please review that page carefully prior to camp.

To help make travel to and from Sitka as smooth as possible, we’ve provided detailed guidance on our Travel page, including transportation, timing, and arrival procedures. Families are encouraged to review this information in advance.

We are committed to increasing access to camp through need-based scholarships. For full details about availability, eligibility, and how to apply, please visit our Scholarships page.

Elementary, Middle School, & High School Camp
Sitka Fine Arts Camp does not permit campers to have or use cell phones or other networked electronic devices while at camp. Your acknowledgement on your camper’s application has indicated to us that as a parent/guardian, you are able to fully support this camp policy. Please review this policy with your student. For more information for Middle and High School Camps, please refer to the Phone Communication section of the Parent Handbook

Musical Theater Camp
Students may bring their cell phone to camp, but are expected to approach cell phones with the highest level of responsibility. Students may use their phones for learning music and lines. Phones should not be out in the rehearsal, class, or during project work unless requested by faculty. All students will turn in their cell phones nightly at 7pm rehearsal and phones will be returned at breakfast time the next morning. Students who use phones inappropriately or outside of these parameters will receive a warning, and afterwards their phone may be confiscated for the remainder of camp. Students should leave other wifi-enabled and gaming devices at home. Devices brought to camp will be treated with the same policy as cell phones or may be held until the end of the camp session at the discretion of SFAC staff. Your acknowledgement on your camper’s application has indicated to us that as a parent/guardian, you are able to fully support this camp policy. Please review this policy with your student.

​​If there is an emergency at home, parents can contact their child by calling the Camp office 907-747-3085.

​​Tuition is non-refundable after the payment deadlines posted on your student's enrollment checklist. The deposit is non-refundable after registration. For Middle School, High School & Musical Theater Camps, half of tuition is non-refundable after March 1. Full tuition is non-refundable for all summer programs after May 1.

​Registration for students with incomplete payments and/or paperwork may be canceled at the discretion of Sitka Fine Arts Camp after reasonable notice to the family by email and phone.