FAQ |
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When do we sign up for camp?
Registration for most of our summer programs begin on January 1st. Our programs fill up quickly so we highly recommend signing up as soon as possible. When a program is full, we start a waitlist. Students are accepted off the waitlist based on class availability and housing.
Student Travel Information
Click here to see student travel information and requirements.
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. We recommend that parents allow their child to work through homesickness with limited contact with home (family/friends), so it is easier to engage in the camp environment.
What is the camp cell phone policy?
Middle School Camp
High School Camp and Intensives
Can friends and family members visit students at camp?
Family and friends are welcome at the evening art share performances and the final performances.
Can my student be checked out from the campus during camp?
Students may be checked out by an authorized adult during approved check-out times. An authorized adult is a parent/guardian or “authorized grown-up,” which can be added on the student’s CampInTouch account.
Approved check-out times are:
To check a student out, an authorized adult must meet the student at the Student Support Center in Sweetland Hall, present a valid photo ID to staff, and sign the student out by recording their contact information/anticipated return time. Students must return to campus by the end of the check-out period and sign back in immediately upon their return to campus at the Student Support Center before returning to their hall check-in.
What is the dormitory like for dorm students?
Residential students are housed in dormitories on the Sitka Fine Arts Camp Campus. A shared bathroom is a short walk down the hall. Students are housed on floors by gender. Each room generally houses two students, though some rooms are larger. Lights out is at 9:30 pm for middle school camp and at 10:00 pm for high school camp and intensives.
Can students request roommates for camp?
Students may submit the name of one friend on the roommate request portion of the registration form. Sitka Fine Arts Camp makes every effort to honor roommate requests, but they are not guaranteed. Students who attend multiple camps can list one roommate request for each 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. Be sure to include any dietary restrictions and allergies on the Health History form during registration, as this allows our staff to plan for the summer. 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 counselors are students or recent graduates from various colleges and universities throughout the country. Prior to camp they participate in intensive training on supporting student health, safety, and well-being. The counseling staff are supervised by our highly experienced residential administrative team.
Do dorm students have the opportunity to do laundry at camp?
Yes, dorm students have the option to do laundry. Students should bring quarters and soap is provided. The cost is $2.50 per load which includes washing and drying.
Can my student receive mail at camp?
Yes, please address mail 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
SFAC is unable to forward camper mail that arrives after the recipient’s camp session.
What Health Services are on site?
A registered nurse is on call 24 hours a day to provide health services to students. In addition, the nurse’s office has open hours during all meals and after evening Art Shares.
How does my student take their medication at Camp?
Medication should be brought 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. Medication should be turned into the Camp nurse upon arrival and students are expected to go to the nurse’s office to receive their medication.
What is the process for assigning classes?
The class catalog is released in mid-January and students have until February 1 to submit their preferences. There are five class periods a day, and each student will select their top 5 choices for each period. Student priority for class choices is based on when students sign up for camp. Students who do not turn in required forms by February 1 will lose their priority status.
Does my student 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: percussion, drums and piano. Rock band students should bring guitars but camp will provide amplifiers. Percussionist/drummers are required to bring sticks and mallets. 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, drew@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 dark-room photography class, students will be provided with a camera.
For digital photography class, students should bring a digital camera with a memory card. Recommended: DSLR camera (Nikon D3500, Canon Rebel, or equivalent). Cell phones may not be used as cameras. A limited number of cameras are available for rental. Please contact 907-747-3085 or emma@fineartscamp.org for more information.
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’s Recommendations forms year to year.
What should I do if I cannot access my camp account or forgot my password?
Call the camp office 907-747-3085 or email emma@fineartscamp.org. Please do not create a new account.
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 expenses should an item need to be returned after the session is over.
All Lost and Found items are donated or discarded one week after each camp session ends.
What is the refund policy?
Tuition payments are non-refundable after applicable due dates (half of tuition is non-refundable after March 1 and full tuition is non-refundable after May 1). A $50 Late-Fee will be charged for late payments. Students who have an unpaid tuition balance after May 1 may forfeit their enrollment in the program.
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 (if the high school allows).
Musical Theater Camp students (in grade 9 or higher) can enroll in the University of Alaska THR S219 T01: Theater Performance, which holds 3 college-level credits. 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 907-747-7700. Registration Form
Is financial aid available?
Need-based financial aid is available. Families can submit this form for the 2020 Camp Season beginning on November 1. Priority deadline is December 10. Families who submit by the priority deadline will be notified of their status by December 17.
Applications submitted after December 10 will be considered on a rolling basis.
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 bringing warm pajamas and bedding.
Registration for most of our summer programs begin on January 1st. Our programs fill up quickly so we highly recommend signing up as soon as possible. When a program is full, we start a waitlist. Students are accepted off the waitlist based on class availability and housing.
Student Travel Information
Click here to see student travel information and requirements.
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. We recommend that parents allow their child to work through homesickness with limited contact with home (family/friends), so it is easier to engage in the camp environment.
What is the camp cell phone policy?
Middle School Camp
- Like many schools and camps around the country, Sitka Fine Arts Camp is now an electronics-free camp model for its middle school camp. An electronics-free camp allows our students to be present and engaged in their experience and allows camp staff to provide safe supervision of camp students.
- Students may bring their cell phones to camp, but they must check in their phones to counseling staff at the beginning of camp. Dorm students may check their phone out to call home for 15 minutes before lights out.*
- Day students are advised to leave their cell phones at home, unless they are needed for travel. Day students who bring their phones to camp may keep their devices in their possession, but are not permitted to use their devices during the camp day (classes, meals, passing periods, rec time, or Art Shares). They may use their cell phone to contact their parent(s)/guardian(s) before or after classes to arrange transportation plans.
- Students should leave other electronic devices at home. Devices brought to camp will be turned in to counselors at the beginning of camp and
- * Students who live on the East Coast can visit the Student Support Center during lunch to call their families.
High School Camp and Intensives
- Students are welcome to bring their cell phones to camp, but are expected to approach cell phones as would an artistic professional. Students may use their phones as required by their teacher for class and practice/outside of class work as well as during evening free time. Dorm students may use their phones to make calls from after Art Share until lights out (excluding hall meetings). Students who use phones inappropriately or outside of these parameters will receive a warning, and afterwards may be confiscated for the remainder of camp.
- Students should leave other wifi-enabled and gaming devices at home unless needed for travel. Devices brought to camp will be treated with the same policy as cell phones.
Can friends and family members visit students at camp?
Family and friends are welcome at the evening art share performances and the final performances.
Can my student be checked out from the campus during camp?
Students may be checked out by an authorized adult during approved check-out times. An authorized adult is a parent/guardian or “authorized grown-up,” which can be added on the student’s CampInTouch account.
Approved check-out times are:
- On normal camp days, from 4:00pm (MS) / 4:30pm (HS) - 6:30pm.
- On Sunday Recreation Day, from 9:00am - 6:00pm.
- On Final Performance days, from 4:00pm (MS) / 4:30pm (HS) - 6:00pm.
To check a student out, an authorized adult must meet the student at the Student Support Center in Sweetland Hall, present a valid photo ID to staff, and sign the student out by recording their contact information/anticipated return time. Students must return to campus by the end of the check-out period and sign back in immediately upon their return to campus at the Student Support Center before returning to their hall check-in.
What is the dormitory like for dorm students?
Residential students are housed in dormitories on the Sitka Fine Arts Camp Campus. A shared bathroom is a short walk down the hall. Students are housed on floors by gender. Each room generally houses two students, though some rooms are larger. Lights out is at 9:30 pm for middle school camp and at 10:00 pm for high school camp and intensives.
Can students request roommates for camp?
Students may submit the name of one friend on the roommate request portion of the registration form. Sitka Fine Arts Camp makes every effort to honor roommate requests, but they are not guaranteed. Students who attend multiple camps can list one roommate request for each 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. Be sure to include any dietary restrictions and allergies on the Health History form during registration, as this allows our staff to plan for the summer. 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 counselors are students or recent graduates from various colleges and universities throughout the country. Prior to camp they participate in intensive training on supporting student health, safety, and well-being. The counseling staff are supervised by our highly experienced residential administrative team.
Do dorm students have the opportunity to do laundry at camp?
Yes, dorm students have the option to do laundry. Students should bring quarters and soap is provided. The cost is $2.50 per load which includes washing and drying.
Can my student receive mail at camp?
Yes, please address mail 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
SFAC is unable to forward camper mail that arrives after the recipient’s camp session.
What Health Services are on site?
A registered nurse is on call 24 hours a day to provide health services to students. In addition, the nurse’s office has open hours during all meals and after evening Art Shares.
How does my student take their medication at Camp?
Medication should be brought 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. Medication should be turned into the Camp nurse upon arrival and students are expected to go to the nurse’s office to receive their medication.
What is the process for assigning classes?
The class catalog is released in mid-January and students have until February 1 to submit their preferences. There are five class periods a day, and each student will select their top 5 choices for each period. Student priority for class choices is based on when students sign up for camp. Students who do not turn in required forms by February 1 will lose their priority status.
Does my student 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: percussion, drums and piano. Rock band students should bring guitars but camp will provide amplifiers. Percussionist/drummers are required to bring sticks and mallets. 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, drew@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 dark-room photography class, students will be provided with a camera.
For digital photography class, students should bring a digital camera with a memory card. Recommended: DSLR camera (Nikon D3500, Canon Rebel, or equivalent). Cell phones may not be used as cameras. A limited number of cameras are available for rental. Please contact 907-747-3085 or emma@fineartscamp.org for more information.
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’s Recommendations forms year to year.
What should I do if I cannot access my camp account or forgot my password?
Call the camp office 907-747-3085 or email emma@fineartscamp.org. Please do not create a new account.
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 expenses should an item need to be returned after the session is over.
All Lost and Found items are donated or discarded one week after each camp session ends.
What is the refund policy?
Tuition payments are non-refundable after applicable due dates (half of tuition is non-refundable after March 1 and full tuition is non-refundable after May 1). A $50 Late-Fee will be charged for late payments. Students who have an unpaid tuition balance after May 1 may forfeit their enrollment in the program.
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 (if the high school allows).
Musical Theater Camp students (in grade 9 or higher) can enroll in the University of Alaska THR S219 T01: Theater Performance, which holds 3 college-level credits. 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 907-747-7700. Registration Form
Is financial aid available?
Need-based financial aid is available. Families can submit this form for the 2020 Camp Season beginning on November 1. Priority deadline is December 10. Families who submit by the priority deadline will be notified of their status by December 17.
Applications submitted after December 10 will be considered on a rolling basis.
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 bringing warm pajamas and bedding.
All SFAC policies stated in this FAQ are subject to change at any time as determined by SFAC staff, based on the needs of the organization to provide a safe, fun, and sustainable learning environment for our students.