Lexi's success story
view counter
subscribe to e-newsletter
donate now
 
Peeeek!
""
Home → Services → Youth programs → Unleashed Summer Camp → Unleashed Summer Camp FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - Unleashed Summer Camp

ABOUT CAMP REGISTRATION

How will I know that my registration is complete?
When you register your child for camp, you will create an account for your family's information.  When your registration is complete, a confirmation will be sent to the e-mail address you used to create your account.  PLEASE KEEP YOUR ACCOUNT LOG-IN INFORMATION so that you can access your account at any time; YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A PAPER COPY OF YOUR CONFIRMATION unless you call us to request one. If you do not receive a confirmation message shortly after completing the registration, please check your bulk mail filter, as confirmations are sometimes delivered there by mistake.
(back to top)

What grade level should I register my child for?
Please register your child for the grade they will be entering in the fall of 2012.
(back to top)

My child is going into 4th grade, but is as old as some of his 5th grade peers.  Can I register him for the 5th grade camp? 
OR
My child would like to attend camp with her older sibling.  She's going into 4th grade, but can I register her for the 5th-7th grade camp anyway so that they can be together?
No.  Activities in our camps are tailored to the age levels of the children in the group.  Making exceptions to our grade level groupings poses challenges for campers (those who are too young to handle a particular activity, or too old to enjoy one) and for staff (who cannot always adjust their programming to accommodate a wider range of cognitive and social skills).  To maintain the best camp experience for everyone, we will not make exceptions to the camp grade levels.
(back to top)

Can I register my child for more than one week of camp?
No.  To run our camps efficiently, we repeat many activities from week to week.  In addition, many of our camps fill up, and we'd like to reach as many students as possible.  For these reasons, we limit each child to attending once each summer.
(back to top)

Can I register my child for two half-day sessions?
No.  At each grade level, there are full-day camp sessions available; families looking for full-day camp options should choose one of those sessions.  Please note that half-day camps will not include field trips due to time constraints.
(back to top)

Why don't I see half-day sessions available for my 8th grader?
Half-day sessions are available only during certain weeks.  We do not offer half-day options for all camp sessions or for students in grades 8-10.
(back to top)

All the sessions for my child's age group are full.  Will you be adding more camp sessions?
No.  Unfortunately, we do not have the available space or additional staff that would be required to offer more camp sessions.  Please call us at 763-489-2220 to be placed on a waiting list for a full camp session, or check back again next year for more availability (registration begins mid-February).
(back to top)

What's included in my child's registration fee?
Your camp registration fee includes a T-shirt, water bottle, and string backpack, as well as snacks, materials, and field trips.  Campers in full day camps are required to bring a lunch each day.  (Note: half-day camps will not include lunch periods or field trips.)
(back to top)

My child would like to attend camp with a friend.  Will they always be grouped together?
Each camp day includes activities for the full group (12-26 campers, depending on location) as well as small groups (3-6 campers).  These groups are shuffled regularly to encourage kids to interact with new people throughout the week.  Campers who attend with friends will have plenty of opportunities to be together, but we will not guarantee that they will participate in every activity together.
(back to top)

I don't have a credit card, or would prefer to pay with a check.  Can I register by mail?
Yes.  To register by mail, please download and complete the registration form and return it to us with your payment.  Please note that registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and registrations by mail require 2-3 days processing time.  Registrations will not be processed until payment is received; we cannot hold spaces without full payment. Mailed registrations will be confirmed by email or mail.
(back to top)

What is your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy is as follows:

If you cancel your registration more than 14 days prior to the start of the camp session, your registration fee will be refunded minus a $50 administrative fee ($25 for half-day camps). If you cancel your registration less than 14 days prior to the start of the camp session, no refund will be available.  If space is available, campers may transfer their registration to another camp session within the same camp season at no charge.  Canceled registrations cannot be applied to registrations for the following year.  If a camp session is canceled by AHS, all registration fees will be refunded in full.

Before registering for camp, please view our other camp policies here. 
(back to top)

Are there scholarships available for Unleashed?
Limited need-based scholarships are available; funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so families requesting assistance should contact us as soon as possible.  Scholarships are not available online; to apply for a scholarship, please contact us at 763-489-2220.  Scholarship recipients will be required to show proof of participation in TANF, MFIP, WIC, SSI/SSDI, General Assistance, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, Section 8 housing, Food Support/Food Stamps, or the free/reduced price lunch program.
UPDATE 5/9/11:  All of our scholarships available this year have now been claimed.  No additional scholarships will be available this year.
(back to top)

MORE ABOUT CAMP

What time does camp start in the morning?
Full-day camp hours run from 9AM-4PM.  Half-day sessions run from 9AM-12PM or 1PM-4PM.  We are unable to provide extended childcare options before or after the camp day.
(back to top)

Can I drop my child off early, or pick them up late after camp?
Unfortunately, AHS is not able to provide an extended childcare option.  If camp hours are a challenge for your family, invite a friend whose family would be able to provide transportation.  Or select the "I am interested in carpooling" option on the camp registration form and AHS will share your contact information with other families who are interested in carpooling.
(back to top)

Where do I bring my child for the first day of camp?
Campers should enter through the main Adoption entrance at their camp location.  Because our shelters do not open to the public until noon on weekdays, campers who arrive early will find the shelter doors locked.  Camp staff will unlock the doors and greet arriving campers shortly before 9AM.  Please note that all campers must be signed in and out by a parent or caregiver each day.

For maps/driving directions to any AHS location, please click here.
(back to top)

What does my child need to bring with when they come to camp each day?
Please click here to download a page with more information about where to go, what to bring, emergency procedures, and other information for camp participants.  This information is also provided when you complete a registration for camp.
(back to top)

What kinds of activities do campers participate in?
Please read more about Unleashed, including a description of camp activities, here.  We are still planning this year's camp activities, but a sample itinerary of 2010 activities can be found here.
(back to top)

What kinds of snacks do you provide for campers?
We do our best to provide kid-friendly and healthy snacks - you won't find any chips or cookies here!  Snacks may include things like popcorn, cheese crackers, pretzels, trail mix, applesauce, granola bars, Chex mix, etc.  If your child has food allergies, please discuss this with camp staff to make sure snacks are appropriate for your child; if you prefer, you may also send snacks from home.
(back to top)

My child attended Unleashed (or an Unleashed Express mini camp) last year.  Will this year's activities be the same as last year's?
No.  We have many children who attend camp with us year after year, so we make a point to offer a variety of new activities each time.  Some activities simply can't be changed (animal interactions, for example, are limited to certain activities for the safety of both campers and animals), and we sometimes repeat activities that were especially popular - but staff strive to plan as many new themes, games, crafts, and learning activities as possible for every camp year.
(back to top)

Will my child be working directly with shelter animals?
Each day at camp includes at least some time where kids are interacting with shelter animals, but that's only one part of the camp experience - Unleashed includes lots of other animal-related activities, too, like special guest speakers, field trips, animal-themed crafts and games, learning activities, and service projects.  Time in our adoption center is very limited and closely monitored. Students will have daily opportunities for contact with a variety of animals, including shelter animals and visiting guests, but should not expect to spend significant time with animals waiting for adoption.
(back to top)

view counter
Pet Shelters Across America

Site designed by Local Design Group and developed by Ten 7 Interactive, LLC..