FAQs

Registration

  • Can you help me plan my child’s Poly Summer?

    Absolutely! Please call us at (718) 836-9800, ext. 3220 or email us at summer@polyprep.org.

  • Should I register early?

    Yes. Performing Arts Camp is a small (but mighty!) program, and to provide the best service to each camper, we limit the size of each group’s roster.

    We encourage early registration as these rosters fill quickly with new and returning campers.

    We accept registrations on a first-come, first-served basis, and once a program has filled to capacity, we open a program waitlist.

  • Can my child register for only a few weeks of a multi-week program?

    No. Campers thrive at Poly Summer because of the emphasis we place on community building, social connection, and skill building. They truly cherish being part of something special, and after five weeks, they have built friendships and developed talents that last long beyond the summer.

    At Performing Arts Camp, week five includes a showcase of performances which give proud campers the chance to show off their growth to friends and family. Campers buzz with confidence as they perform their plays, dances, songs, and instrumental creations.

  • What happens if my family’s plans change? Is my deposit refundable?

    We know that families want a secure plan for their child’s summer, but we also realize that families’ plans change. While you must provide a deposit to secure your child’s place in camp, you may request a refund of your deposit until April 29 after which your deposit will become non-refundable.

    Deposits refund requests must be made via email to summer@polyprep.org. Within 30 days, Poly Summer will refund your deposit to the credit card you used for the initial payment.

  • Do you require campers to be vaccinated against COVID-19?

    Yes. Poly Summer will require that all campers have received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines. Documentation must be uploaded in advance of June.

  • Is your program appropriate for a camper with special needs?

    Any camper who can manage in a typical school setting should thrive at Poly Summer. However, because children’s safety is paramount, some prospective campers’ physical or emotional considerations may require extra help. We expect parents to call the camp office to discuss their child’s specific needs at the time of initial registration. We will work with you to determine if our camp is an appropriate placement.

What’s Included

  • Who will be working with my child at Performing Arts Camp?

    The PAC team is comprised of dedicated and enthusiastic arts specialists who return year after year to intermingle creativity, learning, and fun at camp. Our experienced camp director, also a talented teaching artist, works collaboratively with these fun-loving educators to deliver an incredible experience to campers.

    Campers also work with a cherished team of counselors, a group of hand-picked college and high school students, who connect with campers and help them blossom into confident individuals.

  • Does my child need to bring an instrument to camp?

    No. Camp tuition includes the rental of your camper’s musical instrument.

    In advance of summer, our music specialists will share a preview of instrument options from the brass, woodwind, string, and percussion families. Your camper will let us know of their instrument choice, and their instrument will await them at camp when they arrive at camp.

  • Do you provide bus service to camp?

    Poly Summer partners with DiMino Bus Service, Inc. to provide a reliable, round-trip transportation option to campers. A family-run business, DiMino prioritizes service, comfort, and safety for its riders.

    The fee for bus transportation is charged in addition to camp tuition.  Visit our Bus Routes page for more information.

  • Do campers need to bring their own lunch?

    Yes, lunch is not provided. Each camper is required to bring their own nut/peanut free lunch to camp. We recommend packing your child’s lunch in an insulated bag with an ice pack.

    The exception is on Friday when we provide pizza and popsicles to campers; lactose and gluten-free options will be available.

    Additionally, we provide campers with a daily snack.

The Performing Arts Camp Day

  • How long is the camp day?

    All full-day programs run from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. with drop-off beginning no earlier than 8:30 A.M. and late pick-up ending at 4:00 P.M.

  • What will be my child’s typical daily schedule at PAC?

    Every day of Performing Arts Camp offers a mixture of scheduled and free-choice activities. Campers connect at the morning meeting, and then they travel with their camp groups through an exciting rotation of indoor and outdoor periods.

    Sample schedule:

    • Camp Meeting
    • Instrumental Workshop
    • Snack and Socialize
    • Drama Rehearsal/Workshop
    • Choice-Time (activities vary daily)
    • Lunch
    • Vocal Workshop
    • Recreation
    • Enrichment (Dance/Vocals/Instrumental)
    • Dance Workshop
    • Share Time

    Recreational Play includes outdoor activities such as water games,  jump rope, freeze dance, tag, obstacle courses, and visits to Prospect Park.

    Choice Time lets campers build independence by making decisions about their day. Each morning, they can select to try a new activity or to stick with an old favorite. Popular choice offerings have included bracelet making, yoga, origami, tap dancing, mandala design, Hamilton dance, frisbee, slime-making, board games, and hand lettering.

    Enrichment Periods are available to 4th-9th grade campers. These auditioned-based programs are offered to campers who seek additional instruction in dance or instrumental music.

    Share Time is a weekly activity that campers fondly anticipate! Each Friday afternoon, camp groups share the progress they’ve made toward their final performances in drama, dance, or instrumental.

  • Do you offer an early drop-off or extended-day option?

    We are unable to offer these services for summer 2023.

  • Can you place my child in a group with his friends?

    Our oldest campers frequently tell us that their reason for returning to camp year after year is to spend time with the friends that they first made at camp. We place great value on helping campers develop new friendships each summer while nurturing the old.

    We make every effort to honor a single friend request, but they are not guaranteed. A corresponding request must be made by the friend’s parent or guardian. Campers must be entering the same grade as their requested friend.

  • How will camp keep in touch with me?

    Email is the main tool we use to communicate with camp families both before and during the camp season. If an issue or concern arises that is specific to your child, a member of our camp leadership team will contact you by phone.  If you ever need to speak with the director of your child’s program, we would be happy to connect you through our main camp hotline.

  • What is your policy on cell phones and electronics?

    Performing Arts Camp (PAC) offers a creative escape from an increasingly digital world. Campers learn to collaborate, imagine, concentrate, and communicate through physical ‘facetime’ at camp. At PAC, campers connect and share the bonding experience of building an imaginary world for an audience – to tell a story.  To make this happen, we strive to provide a program free from electronics except in places where we have thoughtfully incorporated them.

    Please do not permit your child to bring cell phones or other electronics for use at camp. We understand that campers may travel with these devices, but please note that our policy includes storing them in the camp office from the start of each camp day until dismissal.

     

Still have questions? Contact us today.

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