FAQ

List of 18 frequently asked questions.

• Are Berkeley Summer Programs open to the public?

  Yes! We continue to welcome campers from across the globe to join us for a summer of fun!

• What are the dates for Berkeley Summer Programs?

  June 3-July 26 (there are no camps July 1-July 5). All camps are on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability and age requirements. While many camps commence on June 3, others start later in the summer.

• How do I register for a camp or class?

  The process for registration is completely online from start to finish. Once you register your child, you will pay at the end of the online process via ACH, credit card, or debit card. All payments are due at the time of registration. There is no billing. No exceptions.
  
  Please also be advised that we do not prorate camps, before care, after care, or lunches. 

• What are camp hours?

  Most camps begin at 9:00 a.m., while other sessions begin earlier and some begin later. End times vary by camp. There are camps that run anywhere from one hour a day to six hours and span one week to three weeks.
  
  Academic classes run from three to six weeks, from two hours a day to four-and-a-half hours.

• Is early care or aftercare available?

  We offer $70/week early care (8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.) and $85/week aftercare (until 5:30 p.m.; online registration required for both early care and aftercare; limited capacity) supervised by full-time Berkeley staff.  Please note: Aftercare ends at 5:30 p.m.  An automatic late charge of $25 will be assessed for late pickups after 5:30 p.m. ($50 for pickups after 6:00 p.m.).  If you are running late to pick up your child from aftercare, please call our aftercare number at 813-885-1673 ext. 2239. 

• What is the process for the first day of camp?

  We ask that on the first day of camp (Mondays), you drop your child at the designated location for his or her first session. You are free to leave once your child has been dropped off. Pick-up will be at the same location.
  
  

  If you need to bring your child in earlier than 9:00 a.m., we have early drop-off (early care) starting at 8:00 a.m. (online registration required, $70/week) in Lower Division Room 128. Please walk your child to Room 128, sign in, and let the teacher know what camp he or she is attending. We have counselors that will escort your child to the morning camp.

• Does someone assist my child when moving between camps?

  Yes. For on-campus camps, a camp teacher or a camp counselor will transport your child between camps.

• What if my child has a large time gap between two camps?

  Please be aware of any large time gaps (from 90 minutes to 2 hours) when planning your child's schedule. For older campers, they can bring a book and catch up on summer reading. For younger campers, we suggest taking a one-hour swim lesson in between camps (for example, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) and then they can go to lunch afterwards. If they do not wish to swim, let us know please.

• Refund Policy: Effective January 1, 2024

  No refunds will be issued after May 31, 2024.
  
  Cancellation requests received 24-hours in advance via email to summerprograms@berkeleyprep.org will be honored according to the following table:
  
  January 1, 2024 - February 29, 2024 = 100% Refund
  March 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024 = 75% Refund
  April 1, 2024 - April 30, 2023 = 50% Refund
  May 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024 = 25% Refund
  
  Non-Academic Summer Programs Refund Policy
  No refunds will be issued to a child who is a “no show” (i.e. does not attend a camp that he/she is registered for and whose parent/guardian does not notify the Summer Programs Office of cancellation prior to the start of a camp). No refunds will be issued if a child stops attending a camp after the camp has already commenced. Refunds are not issued if a child is dismissed due to disciplinary action. 
  
  Refunds will only be issued if proper notice (written notification) has been received by the Summer Programs Office before camp commences. Please email summerprograms@berkeleyprep.org at least 24-hours in advance of the first day of camp to notify us of changes in your child's summer plans.
  
  There are no refunds issued due to inclement weather. 
  
  For-Credit Academic Summer Programs Refund Policy
  For academic credit classes, a full refund will be issued for a student who properly drops the course. For review classes, there are no refunds after the first three days of classes. 
  
  Berkeley Summer Programs does not prorate or offer partial refunds of any kind. 
  
  For Fall, Winter, & Spring SAT Review classes, no refunds are issued once a class has commenced. Summer SAT Review Courses utilize the same refund policy as all camps; please see the refund policy dates above. 
  
  Berkeley Preparatory School reserves the right to cancel programs or sessions based on insufficient enrollment. In this event, a full refund for the specific camp/class will be issued.  

• What about attendance policy?

  Days missed during a camp session cannot be made up at another session. This includes swim lessons. We do not prorate a camp for days missed due to vacations, illness, or other activities.
  
  

  For academic credit courses, four absences for a full-credit academic course will result in no credit being received for the course. Two absences for a half-credit course will result in no credit being received.  Students must receive permission from the Summer Programs Director to miss any classes of a three-week religion course. For Personal Fitness/Health, no absences are allowed for the activity/in-school portion of the class. Please plan your summer vacations accordingly, as summer classes have strict attendance policies. Please be aware of each course's start and end date. For non-online courses, students are required to be on campus for their final exam.

• What about inclement weather?

  In the event of an impending hurricane or tropical storm that will close our campus, refunds or make-up days will not be issued. In the event of inclement weather, camps will remain in session; however, outdoor camps will be moved indoors.

• Can a child switch to another camp after having registered for something else?

  The switching of weeks and/or programs during camp may only be approved by the Summer Programs Director; no refunds or partial refunds will be administered due to a switch and in some cases, if the cost of the new session is greater than the session being replaced, the price difference will be charged to the camper. All changes are based on availability and age requirements.  

• What is the dress code?

  For academic classes, standard Berkeley Monday-Thursday dress code applies.  For boys:  collared and sleeved shirts; regular-fit trousers or standard-length non-athletic shorts; athletic/tennis shoes, topsiders, loafers, casual shoes or sandals.  For girls:  collared and sleeved shirts; skirts, dresses, skorts, or shorts that touch the knee; capris or appropriate full-length pants; athletic/tennis shoes, topsiders, loafers, casual shoes or sandals.  Denim jeans of any kind are not acceptable. 
  
  

  For Enrichment, Fine Arts, and Summer of Excellence, please be neat, casual, and modest. When in doubt, follow the dress code for academic classes above.
  
  

  For Sports, please wear modest clothing that is appropriate to the respective sport.

• Does Summer Programs provide lunch?

  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services in the Berkeley Cafe is an add-on option for most camps.  Lunch passes are for the week and can be purchased at our online summer registration portal. Daily lunch purchases are not available.  Students can also bring their own lunch.

   

• What if my child must take a medication?  What about immunization forms?

  A Berkeley healthcare personnel team member will dispense any and all medications from the school health clinic.  Medications must be provided in their original container and enclosed in a Ziploc clearly marked with the child’s name and appropriate instructions.  This also includes over-the-counter drugs, cough medicines, etc.  Please notify our clinic if your child requires keeping certain medications on them at all times.  The number for our clinic is 813.885.1673, ext. 2311 and ext. 2341. 

• What about insurance?

  All parents/guardians are responsible for the payment of all insurance and medical bills.

• Is there a Lost & Found?

  Berkeley Summer Programs is not responsible for lost items.  While we do our best to maintain a Lost & Found during the summer, we will not hold unclaimed items indefinitely and will donate items to charity at the end of the summer programs season. Please label all of your camper's items.

• How will Summer Programs communicate with me?

  Email will be the primary form of communication between you and the Summer Programs office. If your email changes, please notify Summer Programs as soon as possible so that you can receive correspondences from camp directors.