On this page, we've tried to address the most frequently asked questions before and during camp. If you have a question about how to register, or manage your payments, please review the Account FAQ page. If your question isn't answered here, please contact us.
Before Camp
- How many spaces do you have left?
- My son wants to be in a group with his best friend. What's the best way to tell you that?
- When is the full tuition due?
- I'd like to apply for tuition assistance.
- My schedule changes. Can I use extended AM or PM on a drop in basis?
- Our summer plans have changed. Can we swap which session we go to?
- You're full! How do I get on that Waiting List?
- Is the deposit refundable if I’m on the Waiting List?
- If I sign up for half a day now and then my child wants to do the full day, can we change?
- If I need to withdraw, how do I do it?
- We have a family vacation booked for the last week of camp. Can you pro-rate the tuition rate so we pay for just two weeks?
- Will my 6 year old be in the same group as her 8 year old friend?
- How do I change my child's focus instrument choice?
- My daughter has allergies. How do you manage that?
- My son has behavioral challenges. Are your staff trained to work wtih children with Special Needs?
- My little one is still in diapers. Can we still enroll?
During Camp
- What’s the teacher:camper ratio?
- My child doesn't play an instrument. Does that matter?
- What instrument can my child play?
- What is Orff Class?
- Are the sessions different or do you have the same curriculum for both?
- Is there a schedule each day?
Answers
Q: How many spaces do you have left?
A: To find out how many spaces are left, just go to your chosen class e.g. VA, Session I, first grade Full Day and check the Status field. That will list the number of spaces remaining. If the class is Full, you will be invited to go on the Waiting list.
Q: My son wants to be in a group with his best friend.
A: During the online registration, we ask if would like your child to be with any particular friend. You can enter (or remove!) names there at any time before May 15. Requests to be with friends are almost always managed, except when friends are different ages and/or grades.
Q: When is the full tuition due?
A: Full tuition is due by May 15. If tuition is not paid by that time, you may automatically lose your place at camp. Please refer to the Policies for explicit details.
Q: I'd like to apply for tuition assistance.
A: Please complete and submit the application form by March 1. We will get back to you by March 14.
Q: My schedule changes. Can I use extended AM or PM on a drop in basis?
A: Yes you can use the extended AM or PM fee for a drop in fee of $16 but please let us know beforehand so we know to expect them.
Q: Our summer plans have changed. Can we swap which session we go to?
A: It all depends on whether we have space. If we do, you can move without a fee prior to May 15. After May 15, there is a $35 Change Fee. If there is no space, we can place you on the Waiting List. To make any changes, please call the camp office at 202 686 8000 x1040 or email us at
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. We will confirm that it is possible to make the change you need and will take any additional payments due.
Q: You're full! How do I get on that Waiting List?
A: If the grade and session you want is full, just continue to enroll to be placed on the Waiting List. There is no charge for joining the Waiting List and we will call you or email if a place opens up.
Q: Is the deposit refundable if I’m on the Waiting List?
A: If you are placed on the Waiting List there is no deposit. Tuition is only due if we offer you a place.
Q: If I sign up for half a day now and then my child wants to do the full day, can we change?
A: It all depends on whether we have space in the Afternoon Program. If we do, you can move without a fee prior to May 15. After May 15, there is a $35 Change Fee. Please call the camp office at 202 686 8000 x1040 or email us at
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. We will confirm that it is possible to make the change you need and will take any additional payments due.
Q: If I need to withdraw my child, how do I do it?
A: All withdrawals and changes must be done in writing (email is OK) prior to May 15. All fees will be refunded except for the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. Please read the Policies for explicit details.
Q: My daughter has allergies. How do you manage that?
A: Each family is required to submit a Medical Form which includes space to list allergies and any other health conditions we should be aware of. If you would like to discuss any concerns with us, please do not wait for the morning of the first day. We will not be able to talk with you or pay you the attention that this issue requires. Instead call or visit us before camp starts.
- We cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment but will do all we can to enforce our rule that campers do not share food.
- We cannot assign an apprentice to oversee one camper while they eat lunch.
- Afternoon snacks may contain wheat and dairy but we do not provide snacks with peanuts in them.
- We do not ask campers not to bring in peanuts.
- All health concerns MUST be detailed on the Health Form (available to registered families on the website in early June).
- We DO NOT administer medication but we can keep Epipens and inhalers in the camp office, clearly labeled with the camper's name and we are trained to use these in an emergency. And we make sure teachers and apprentices are aware of which campers have special medical needs/concerns.
Q: My son has behavioral challenges. Are your staff trained to work wtih children with Special Needs?
A: We know music can be a powerful influence in a child's life but camp does not hvae fully trained staff nor facilities to accommodate all special needs. Our camp staff, along with Levine's Music Therapy Director, Leanne Belasco, are happy to discuss with you how we can help your child through the camp experience. Any information you share about your child, from a description of behavioral challenges or anxiety around transitions to whether s/he has an IEP at school or is undergoing speech therapy, is incredibly helpful. We do require each family to submit a Medical Form and we ask that you complete that with any information that may help us place your child in the right group, with the right Teen Apprentices and teachers and campers.
Q: We have a family vacation booked for the last week of camp. Can you pro-rate the tuition rate so we pay for just two weeks?
A: Camp fills up very quickly and we prefer to offer spaces to those who can attend for the full three weeks. Leaving early or taking more than one day away disrupts the camp spirit, interrupts musical learning for the camper and rehearsals for show. We therefore do not offer a pro-rated fee schedule.
Q: Will my 6 year old be in the same group as her 8 year old friend?
A: Campers are grouped by age and grade so a 6 and an 8 year old will usually not be in the same group. For the afternoon program however, when there are fewer campers, we combine groups more widely so sometimes groups will be made up of more than one grade.
Q: My little one is still in diapers. Can we still enroll?
A: All campers need to be fully potty-trained and out of diapers by the time they come to camp. We simply do not have the staff, training or facilities to handle diaper changes.
Q: What’s the teacher:camper ratio?
A: In Pre-K and K, the teacher:camper ratio is around 4:1. There is one teacher and two apprentices per group of 10 campers. In 1st grade and above the teacher:camper ratio is 4:1. There is one teacher and two apprentices per group of 12. Summer camp instructors are drawn from our popular Levine School faculty along with experienced area elementary school music teachers and special guest teachers and artists. All are skilled in music/art/dance and experienced working with young children. They are assisted by teen apprentices who have special interest in working with children and the arts. Learn more about the Teen Apprentice program.
Q: My child doesn't play an instrument. Does that matter?
A: No! One of our aims is to introduce campers to playing instruments in our Instrument Sampler class. 1st and 2nd graders meet for small introductory lessons on five different instruments for several days each to experience the beginning stages of instrument study and appreciation. Campers in grades 3-6 concentrate on studying one instrument for the full three weeks. This way your child is introduced to a new instrument and everyone starts at the beginning level. For a camper who has never studied an instrument, this experience provides invaluable insight for you and your child into what's going to be an enjoyable and suitable instrument for them to study. Campers already studying an instrument, get the chance to try a new one! At the end of camp, you are encouraged to talk with your child's teacher about continuing study.
Q: What instrument can my child play?
A: Campers in 3rd grade and above should select a first, second and third choice of Focus Instrument. Instrument choices are: cello, guitar, violin, piano and flute. In DC, campers may also choose the harp, clarinet and saxophone. In VA, campers may also choose the trumpet or harp. In Strathmore, MD campers may also choose the clarinet. We make every effort to match each camper to their first choice but sometimes this doesn't happen. In that case, we will call or email you to tell you that your child has been given second or third choice instrument. All of our teachers are professionals and whatever instrument your child studies, they will have expert and encouraging tuition. We always check in with teachers in the first few days to ensure that campers have been placed successfully and where not, we make every effort to find a more suitable match.
Campers in 1st and 2nd grade will play each of these instruments for two or three days per session in our Instrument Sampler program. They will also be given a recorder to keep. PreK and K campers will also experience hands-on instrument introduction. An Instrument teacher will visit their classroom each day and demonstrate the instrument's sound, shape and ways to play it. Usually campers will be able to touch and sometimes try to play the instrument.
Q: What is Orff or Music+ Class?
A: Much of the Early Childhood education teaching at Levine incorporates the Orff Schulwerk philosophies and methods. Orff Schulwerk developed as a way to learn music, based on things children like to do: sing, chant, rhyme, clap, dance, and keep a beat on anything at hand. The name comes from composer Karl Orff, who worked in Germany and Austria as a composer, teacher and with other very creative dancers and musicians. It's uniqueness lies in the incorporation of the spoken word with singing, movement and instrument playing as learning and expressive tools. Children work like composers, learning to be sensitive listeners and considerate participants.
Campers experience Orff teaching especially in music and percussion classes. The special Orff melody instruments include wooden xylophones and metal glockenspiels and metalaphones that offer good sound immediately. Many other percussion instruments are used as well--drums, rattles, shakers, scrapers--adding to the sound palate. This is great preparation for band or orchestra and a wonderful complement to individual instruction.
Q: Are the sessions different or do you have the same curriculum for both?
A: The theme and core curriculum we develop for camp is used for both sessions. Teachers adapt and augment it with their own materials. A growing number of campers like to do two sessions so we try to use new songs and dances to keep it fresh for them and the teachers and teen apprentices. Also, some teachers and apprentices only do one session so campers will have the opportunity to get to know some new faces.
Q: Is there a schedule each day?
A: The program follows an established schedule and curriculum. Some classes may change every two days, so on Monday you may have Art at 11.30 and Wednesday, it’ll be Percussion.
For 1st to 6th Graders
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Morning Program
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Afternoon Program
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| The last week of camp follows a more flexible schedule as groups rehearse for the final show(s). | |
PreK and K class schedules are much more flexible.
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Morning Program
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Afternoon Program
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| The teacher sets the daily schedule which includes activities based on our theme and lots of singing and music | In the afternoon, they often develop a theme for each week, such as "At The Beach" and "Around the World". Again, the teacher designs the activities and schedule to the class interests and environment. |
All camps at each site follow the same daily schedule. Some smaller camps have only one class per grade. Read more about the different curriculum for each age group and view a generic schedule .
