2022 FAQs |
| Q: | Registration Information / COVID-19 Requirements |
| A: | To register, please have the following information ready. All contact information for the primary parent/guardian, the child's name, gender, age at the time of camp and grade entering in September, name of school entering in the fall, the name of the program(s) the participant will attend, the exact name of the primary instrument or voice part (for music camps), roommate preference (optional) and optional questions and comments.
Due to the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic, all campers will be required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination as defined by the Maine Center for Disease Control. Verified medical or religious exemptions may be allowed. Therefore, no commuter spots will be available for resident camps in the summer of 2022.
A $100 deposit will be required once your registration for theatre or primary instrument is confirmed. Waiting lists are kept and open filled in order automatically.
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| Q: | Can the these camps accommodate issues of food or other sensitivities, or other disabilities? |
| A: | Yes. On the first day of each overnight camp, campers are welcome to meet the kitchen staff before the first meal to find out how to navigate the food choices.
In the case of severe food allergies, please follow the disability accommodation request process and be prepared to provide medical documentation. Once received, dining hall personnel will meet to discuss your camper’s individual needs and discuss a plan. Please contact us to make early arrangements.
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| Q: | Disability-based Accommodations |
| A: | If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters,materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Lori Arsenault, camp coordinator, 207-780-5142 (message line), or by email, loria@maine.edu, TTY 711 (Maine Relay). Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.
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| Q: | How Are Medications Handled? |
| A: | We have a head counselor for each camp who will be willing to carry out the parents' instructions regarding administration of medications, and you will have an opportunity at check-in to speak privately with the head counselor regarding any medical issues. We also rely on completed parental consent forms to let us know in advance of any particular health concerns. We do not have a nurse on staff. The University Police Department is our 911, and the nearest medical facility is just a few miles away.
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| Q: | Scholarship Information |
| A: | Scholarship Information - While the University does not offer scholarships for our summer camps, we are most grateful for the many middle and high school music booster clubs that do provide them. Supporting your local clubs throughout the year can help many students come to a variety of summer camps. Inquire with your local boosters to see what might be available for your camper. Thank you for supporting your local school's music and arts boosters clubs as they have already helped many students attend summer camps.
Also, from time to time we are notified of a scholarship opportunity that we are happy to post here.
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NEW - The Quincy (Massachusetts) Band Boosters is accepting applications for a $300 scholarship for any QPS band/music student, incoming grades 8 - 12, for either Southern Maine Music Academy or Southern Maine Junior Music Academy. Find the information and application here:
https://quincybandboosters.com/summer-camp-scholarship
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2022 4-H Summer Camp Campership Applications Now Available - Camp scholarships are available to both 4-H & non-4-H youth. If you would like to apply for financial assistance to a summer camp (either a 4-H camp or non-4-H camp) you must return the application by Friday, April 8th, 2022! Please email applications to sara.conant@maine.edu. You may also mail applications or drop off at UMaine Cooperative Extension, 75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, Maine 04105. Learn more and download the application at: https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/4h/events/camperships/
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The Sean O'Blenis Memorial Scholarship was created to assist two students from York or Cumberland Counties to attend summer camp at USM, one for Junior Music Academy and one for Music Academy. Applicants should already be accepted to camp. To apply, please request an application from the donor at: seanoblenisscholarship@gmail.com.
Be between 11 and 15 years old, as of April 30, 2022.
Be a full time Maine resident.
Submit a completed application form (and all supporting documents) by April 30, 2022.
Show a financial need for the scholarship; total family income may not exceed $100,000.
Have submitted an application to attend the camp and notified them that you are applying for a campership through our program.
Payment is made directly to the camp by the Maine Community Foundation once campers have been chosen by the selection committee and all paperwork has been submitted.
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The Uncle Al Fund was founded in memory of a Sugarloaf area musician. A scholarship from this fund could be awarded to one of our campers if they reside in Somerset or Franklin county in Maine. The Uncle Al Fund and Scholarship is an endowed, component fund of the Maine Community Foundation. More information and the application for a scholarship award can be found at:
https://www.Mainecf.org/find-a-scholarship/available-scholarships/aspirational-nontraditional-camp
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| Q: | When sections are filling up, will I find out immediately if there is an opening? |
| A: | Yes, in Ultracamp, Theatre Academy will be confirmed automatically if there is an opening. If Theatre Academy is filled, you must sign up for the waiting list in order to be considered for a position.
For the music camps, Ultracamp will confirm your registration immediately, but you must sign up for an available instrument to be fully confirmed. Ultracamp is not able to handle that distinction. Therefore, you must sign up for an instrument to be fully confirmed. And you must sign up for an instrument in the waiting list in order to be considered for any positions that open later. Important, do not make any payments if you are on a waiting list. You will automatically be placed into a position if a spot opens up, and an email will be sent to you indicating that.
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| Q: | Can I bring the final payment and consent forms to check-in on the first day? |
| A: | No, these are due 30-60 days prior to the start of camp. The reason that we must have your forms and payments in advance is first, so that I can prepare the camp directors and head counselors for who they will have in their sections, who has any special dietary or medical needs, AND who doesn't.
When there are forms and payments still outstanding, we have to make many revisions to the rosters and staff books in order to keep track of your children. Some children get turned away because of spots taken by those who decided not to come.
The amount of time that is spent by staff on collecting outstanding forms and payments is time better spent preparing for camp. There are many weeks of work that takes place before camp begins. In order for check-in to be smooth and pleasant, and to be assured that sections are all filled and campers and staff have what they need on the first day of camp, we absolutely must have your materials well in advance.
Thank you for your kind cooperation. All forms and consents this year are conveniently available to you in Ultracamp. Thank you for completing these tasks in a timely manner!
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| Q: | Why are deposits non-refundable? |
| A: | The USM Summer Youth Music and Theatre camps are very popular. Some sections fill on the first day and potential campers are placed on a waiting list. But some of them don't stay there and make other plans. Those who respond quickly and take a space on the roster and then change their plans are having an effect on the planning of others. In addition, we do incur expense for every registration, even the ones that are cancelled. We must do all that we can to assure that those on the roster are fully intending to attend camp, and that no additional resources are spent on cancellations. Likewise, once a camper is at camp, the full registration fee will not be refunded.
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| Q: | What should my camper pack? |
| A: | That is different for each camp and it will be listed in each of the "Parent/Camper Letters" that will be issued in the spring.
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| Q: | Housing for Overnight Campers |
| A: | The overnight camps in 2022 will be housed in Upton Hastings Hall this year. This is the building across the drive from Corthell Hall on the way to the Dining Hall. More information will be provided here to help you choose your roommates. We will do our best to accommodate requests.
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| Q: | Check-in - Where do we check in on the first day of camp this year? |
| A: | Each camp is different, but you'll find that information in the parent letter for your camp. When all of the parent letters are ready to mail, that information will also be included here.
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| Q: | What should I prepare for my audition? |
| A: | Right after registration, participants in Music Academy, Choral Music Academy and Junior Music Academy will perform an audition for seating assignments. Each camp has different requirements. Please go back to each camp's page for this information.
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| Q: | Should percussionists bring any instruments? |
| A: | Yes, percussionists should bring drumsticks! The University provides everything else they will need for rehearsals and performance.
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| Q: | Where can I send a care package to my camper? |
| A: | Send to:
Camper's Name (add SMTA, SMYBDC, SoMMA, SMCMA or SMJMA)
c/o USM School of Music
USM Summer Youth Music and Theatre Camps
37 College Avenue
Gorham, ME 04038.
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| Q: | Can the campers bring an iPhone? |
| A: | Yes, campers can bring iPhones, but they will be expected to use them appropriately. They can not use them during rehearsals, and should primarily use them for contact with family, and as alarm clocks and metronomes for practicing. They can be used in a limited way to stay in touch with friends, but campers should primarily be socializing with their new friends at camp. Any kind of inappropriate communication while at camp, such as cyberbullying, is cause for immediate dismissal.
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| Q: | How can I give feedback? |
| A: | We'd love to have feedback about your registration and summer camp experience at USM. Send questions, comments, concerns and helpful suggestions to me, Lori Arsenault, loria@maine.edu, to the School of Music director, Alan Kaschub, kaschub@maine.edu, or to any of the camp directors. Their contact information will be in the camp letters. We're working very hard to give your children the best musical and theatrical experience possible, and your feedback will be very helpful and appreciated.
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