Summer Academy at UGA

FAQs

FAQs for students:

What is a day at Summer Academy like?

Do I need a lot of experience in the subject area to sign up?

How do I know which specialty camp to sign up for?

Who will my instructors be?

What are the other students like?

Will this be like school?

What about lunch?

Is there a dress code?

FAQs for parents:

Is this program appropriate for my child?

What is the daily schedule?

How will your program benefit my child?

What if I can't pick my child up at 3:30pm?

Why is the Legion Pool option more expensive this year?

Are meals included at Summer Academy?

How much does an Academy session cost?

What kinds of discounts are available?

Do you offer financial assistance or scholarships?

When is my payment due?

What is your refund policy?

FAQs answers for students:

What is a day at Summer Academy like?

The typical full-day schedule looks like this:

8-8:30am

Arrive at the Georgia Center

8:30-11:30am

Morning activities & lessons
AM Break around 10am

11:30am-12:30pm

Lunch

12:30-3:30pm

Afternoon activities & lessons
PM Break around 2pm

3:30pm

Picked up from the Georgia Center OR
Walk to Legion Pool with Academy Staff

5:30pm

Picked up from Legion Pool

Half-day Digital Arts students (Website Design, Graphics & Animation, and Graphic Design) are in the computer lab until noon, with a few breaks throughout the morning.

Do I need a lot of experience to sign up?
No. All you need is an interest in the specialty subject. Beginners are always welcome, because our programs are designed to let you to work at your own pace and get individual attention from the instructors and staff. There are only two exceptions to this rule:
Advanced Film School: You should know how to work a video recorder and basic computer editing programs (like Windows Movie Maker or iMovie).
Half-Day Digital Arts Programs: You should be very comfortable using a computer, and know how to use the basic software packages.

How do I know which specialty camp to sign up for?
You should sign up for the programs that really interest you. You don't need a lot of experience, but make sure you are excited about the topic, because you'll spend almost the entire day talking about it. Don't worry if you're new to the subject matter, because our instructors will be happy to help you work at your own pace.

Who will my instructors be?
Most of our instructors are UGA teachers and graduate students, or local professionals in their field. They have all decided to teach at Summer Academy because they are excited about sharing their knowledge and passion with students like you.

What are the other students like?
Probably a lot like you. Everyone who signs up is interested in the chosen specialty, so you'll already have something in common with them. One of the nicest things about Summer Academy, though, is how it brings together different types of students from the surrounding areas. You'll meet students from different cities and different schools, and hopefully form friendships that will last throughout the school year.

Will this be like school?
No. Summer Academy @ UGA offers a very different learning environment than your school does. For one thing, our classrooms are much more relaxed. We do have lessons, but they will be hands-on activities that are designed to be fun and exciting. Some of your time will also be spent working independently or as part of a small group. Many of our programs will take you out of the classroom and across campus, into local businesses and even out of town!

What about lunch?
We usually eat lunch around 11:30am in the Courtyard. Many students bring their own lunches, but some buy sandwiches or a hot lunch from the cafe. The gift shop has officially closed now, so it won't be available for candy purchases (sorry!).

Is there a dress code?
Sort of. We do have rules about what you can't wear to camp (halter tops, short-shorts, bare midriffs, flip-flops) but we don't have uniforms or anything. Just keep in mind that we may be walking around campus a lot (sometimes running!) and you should wear sturdy, comfortable shoes.

FAQs answers for parents:

Is this program appropriate for my child?
You are the best judge of what your child is capable of. As long as you keep the age guidelines in mind, we trust that you will help your child choose an appropriate program. It should be something that can hold their interest for the entire day (because bored students are always unhappy students!). Aside from Advanced Filmmaking, our programs are designed to let students work at their own pace, so even beginners will get something valuable out of the week.

What is the daily schedule?

The typical full-day schedule looks like this:

8-8:30am

Arrive at the Georgia Center

8:30-11:30am

Morning activities & lessons
AM Break around 10am

11:30am-12:30pm

Lunch

12:30-3:30pm

Afternoon activities & lessons
PM Break around 2pm

3:30pm

Picked up from the Georgia Center OR
Walk to Legion Pool with Academy Staff

5:30pm

Picked up from Legion Pool

Half-day Digital Arts students (Website Design, Graphics & Animation, and Graphic Design) are in the computer lab until noon, with a few breaks throughout the morning.

How will your program benefit my child?
We can help your child in several ways. First, we can help identify and develop your child's talent in their chosen subject. Second, we will put your child in contact with other students and teachers in the area who share their interests and talents. Third, we will encourage your child to start thinking about their education and future in a new and exciting way. Special Note: For those students ready to embark upon a college career, Summer Academy is an excellent extracurricular activity to include on your college applications.

What if I can't pick my child up at 3:30pm?
For those parents who cannot pick their children up until the evening, we offer the Legion Pool option. When programs end at 3:30pm, a Summer Academy staff member will walk students to the Legion Pool on Lumpkin Street, where they will spend the afternoon swimming. Parents then pick their children up at the pool no later than 5:30pm. Space is limited in this program, and preregistration is required. For more information on the Legion Pool option, click here.

Why is the Legion Pool option more expensive this year?
The cost of admission to the Legion Pool has gone up, and we had to increase the price to keep the program in operation.

Are meals included at Summer Academy?
Meals are NOT included in the price of Summer Academy. Normally, students and staff eat lunch in the Georgia Center Courtyard around 11:30am. Many students bring their lunches, but some prefer to buy a hot lunch or sandwich from the cafe. The typical cost of a cafe lunch ranges from $4 for a salad to $8 for a sandwich, chips and drink. Note: Students who previously bought candy and soda at the gift shop may be disappointed to learn it has been turned into a coffee shop this year.

How much does an Academy session cost?
The price of an Academy session is based on the cost of equipment, supplies, and included field trips, as well as room rental and the expertise of the instructors. Our sessions range in price from $289/week to $369/week. We also have several half-day programs for $199/week and an Advanced film course that costs $679 for two weeks.

What kinds of discounts are available?
We offer an Early Registration discount of $15 off the registration fee when you register by April 24, 2009. We also offer a discount for children of UGA Faculty & Staff, and an Additional Child discount when you register two or more children for one Summer Academy program. For more information on the available discounts, click here.

Do you offer financial assistance or scholarships?
We rely on the generosity of local businesses and organizations for the majority of our scholarship money, so availability of these funds varies from year to year. If you are interested in a scholarship, please contact the Summer Academy Program Coordinator at (706) 542-7255.

When is my payment due?
Payment is due when you register. If you choose to split your payment in two, 50% is due when you register, and the remaining balance is due 10 days before your camp session begins. For more information on payments, click here.

What is your refund policy? There is a $25 cancellation fee whenever you cancel an Academy session. If you cancel with more than two weeks notice, you will receive a refund of any monies paid minus the cancellation fee. There are no refunds given with less than two weeks notice. For more information on our cancellation, transfer and refund policies, click here.

URL: http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/ppd/summer_academy/faqs.phtml