All Sports Camp - Academy Camps FAQs Answered

General

How can I communicate with my kid while they are at camp?

Families of campers that stay for more than one session will have one ten-minute phone call at the halfway point of the session - Friday or Saturday Night. Phone calls will be scheduled through our Phone Reservation System.

Additionally, family and friends can send emails through our camp platform that we print out each day and give to our campers to read. They, in turn, can write back via traditional mail.

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How co-ed is the camp?

With a strong emphasis on instruction and participation, sports-specific training is a combination of gender-specific and co-ed activities. All dorms are gender-specific while mealtimes, electives, evening programs and special events allow for co-ed interaction.

What age campers do you enroll in your programs?

Our program is intentionally designed to serve athletes that have completed 4th - 9th grade. This results in an age range of 10-16 years old.

Registration

What happens if we cancel? Can we get a refund?

The Camper Refund Plan protects parents against the forfeiture of Deposit and Tuition if their camper is withdrawn from the camp, provided that the process is initiated by March 15th. After that date, no refunds will be made. Payment for the Refund Plan must be included with the deposit, and this fee is non-refundable.

Can I request a roommate?

Yes. We work very hard to honor these requests. We place 2 campers per room with a limited opportunity to place 3 campers per room. We do NOT bunk more than 3 campers per room.

For those campers coming alone, we will be sure to pair you up with a great new friend. We have a specific form where parents and campers can let us know what will make for a good roommate match - e.g. an early riser, enjoys reading before bed, a little on the messy sid , from a different part of the country, etc. The more information provided the better.

Roommates will not be finalized until the start of each session. We have the flexibility to make changes a week out to arrival day, so if you have a request, please submit it using the Roommate Request form in CampInTouch

What forms do I need to submit?

There is a good deal of information is required prior to your child’s arrival at camp, and we are here to help during that process. Once registered, you will receive a login to your myAcademyCamps account. Here you will find all required forms and be able to update your contact information should anything change.

Can sessions be combined?

All sessions can be combined using our Bridge Weekend option to create a multi-week experience that fits your needs. When attending multiple sessions, your athlete can continue to train in the same sport or shift their focus to a different sport with each new session. Tuition for an additional session is offered at a reduced price of $2,000. In addition to spending quality time on our campuses with our staff and other AC campers, there will be an exciting day-trip offered during on those “bridge” days. The cost of the “Bridge Weekend” is $500 per day.

Daily Life

What about the food?

Our Food Service Team takes special pride in their approach and presentation. And it shows! We believe a key to healthy eating is taking advantage of the variety of choices that are available in our dining halls.

We are fastidious in our ability to offer good carbs, low-fat proteins, limited saturated fats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and plenty of choices for calcium. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives are also provided. Allergens are accommodated.

Afternoon and evening snacks are also available at the AC Snack Shack.

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Can you handle food allergies?

We understand the commonality and incredible danger that food allergies pose to many members of our community, both in and out of camp. Our dining facility can handle all common food allergies and provides dairy-free, gluten-free (including those that suffer from celiac disorder), and vegan food options at every meal.

What is your technology policy?

Our technology policy is simple: we are phone and “screen” free.

Camp is all about human interaction and being a part of an active and healthy program. One of the great benefits of camp is that it’s a place to unplug. Because of this policy we know our campers will be more engaged and physically active than ever before.

While we understand the need and dependency for electronics throughout the year and at school, we strongly believe their presence at camp is unnecessary. We believe an important life skill learned at camp is the ability to navigate minor challenges with support from caring adults other than a camper’s parents. Having an immediate “life line” to home with a mobile phone can sometimes stifle the ability for a child to learn to advocate for themselves and find their voice to communicate their feelings.

If your child chooses to bring music to camp, please send them with a basic MP3 player without video capability (Campfire Player, SanDisk, iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, etc). These relatively inexpensive items will allow your child(ren) to enjoy music at camp while still respecting our policies.

Other than one of these devices, no other electronic items are allowed. This includes, but is not limited to laptops, tablets, game consoles, iPod Touches, and smart watches that connect to the internet (i.e. Apple Watch).

What is the staff-to-camper ratio?

Our staff-to-camper ratio is 1 staff member to every 3 campers. All of our staff undergo an intensive week of staff training prior to the start of camp.

Where do campers live?

Campers live in modern dorm residences throughout cmapus with 1 or 2 roommates. There are approximately 10-15 campers per floor with 2 counselors who also reside on the same floor. These counselors, who are also members of our coaching staff, are there to mentor and guide your athlete during their time at camp.

What about clothing? What's in the AC Gear Pack?

Dress is athletic and casual.

We provide a comprehensive packing list and each camper receives an AC Gear Pack that includes 2 Academy Camps Performance T-Shirts, a Maize & Blue Reversible Pinnie, AC Sweatpants, water bottle, and an AC backpack.

Athletes can purchase additional AC gear at our online Merch Store.

Health + Safety

How close is the nearest hospital?

Academy Camps will refer, as needed, to local medical clinics & area hospitals. All are within 2-30 minutes from our campus:
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Suffield Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 230 Mountain Rd, Suffield, CT (2 minutes)
Physician One Urgent Care, 55 Hazard Ave, Enfield, CT (13 minutes)
Connecticut Children’s Hospital, 242 Washington Ave, Hartford, CT (29 minutes)
Shriner’s Children’s New England, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA (21 minutes)

What if my child get sick?

Outside of minor medical matters (cuts/scrapes/tummy aches, etc.), a Nurse or Administrator will always contact you if your child has to spend the night in the health center, go to the ER, require an x-ray or be treated for any other serious medical matter. We will keep you informed every step of the way.

Transportation

How do the campers get to/from camp?

We have chaperoned buses to and from the greater New York, Philadelphia, Connecticut, and Boston areas. For those flying, airport pickup is available from Logan Airport and Bradley Airport (we do not pick up from JFK, LGA, or Newark airports). Campers may also be picked up and dropped off at camp by parents or guardians.