FAQs & Policies

After running summer 2020 so well, we feel confident as a team we will be able to deliver an incredible summer for our families again in 2021.

• We will continue to follow health professionals' guidance on how to run camps safely and will update parents as needed with any changes. 
• We will run all-day programming to keep campers cohorting in groups, much like cabins. Only a few Summits will be offered as specialty add-ons for camp if families are inclined to do so.
• Camp groups will eat, rotate and travel around the 84 acres to the different activities together. We also picked this all-day "cabinized" model to take requests for similar-aged siblings and friends to cohort in the same group while maintaining a great group of campers to expand their networks.  
• To enforce social distancing, all on-campus camps will be capped as recommended so that students can remain in cohorts with the same group of students throughout the day.

• Campers and staff will wash hands as advised by the CDC every two hours and as needed.

• Staff will strive to maintain six feet of distance between campers during activities.

• High-contact surfaces will be continually cleaned.  

• All campers and summer team members will be asked to wear masks. Upon arrival, they will have their temperatures checked and parents surveyed before being admitted to any facilities.

• All staff will receive extensive training and practice procedures.

• Classes and clinics will be limited in their size according to 6-foot distancing. 

• All health forms and an updated COVID-19 camper waiver will need to be updated and submitted by families to be allowed to attend camp, which will be reviewed by our Health and Safety Coordinator. This is all in your Camp Brain account as required paperwork.

Learn More About DA's COVID-19 Protocols

We will offer three types of camps: 

• Camp Evergreen for campers ages 11 and under.
  • Camps and classes specifically for early learners with a flexible schedule for those ages 3–4 who still might require the afternoon formal rest time. This camp is from 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and is a great introduction to camp. 
  • Camp Evergreen offers an all-inclusive blend each week of: STEM/humanities, languages, technology, outdoors, athletics, community engagement, wellness and a blend of the arts.
  • Camp Evergreen will offer a few Summit Series options for campers who want a deeper dive in one subject area. 
• DA Summer Institute for campers ages 12 and up.
  • Deep dives in learning and skills such as: Driver's Education, Wellness, Healthy Cooking, PSAT, SAT/ACT, PSAT, Writing, Spanish, Geometry, French, Chinese, Algebra I, Algebra II, Personal Narratives, Upper School Science, Shakespeare, Comprehension and Reading, Grammar and Vocabulary, DARC SIDE engineering, Intro to High School Literature, Writing a College Level Essay and more. 
• Night Camps for ages 10–14.
  • An all-inclusive dinner camp from Monday through Thursday 5 p.m.–8:30/9 p.m. (flexible pick-up for parents) 
  • Examples: DJ Night Beats Camp, Athletic Camps, Theater Camps, Jam Band, Artist Gallery, Speech Camp, Social Etiquette Camp and much more!

Create a CampBrain account to view the current listing of Summer at DA 2021 camps. There is no charge for creating an online account!

DA Summer employees are a combination of DA students, DA graduates and DA teachers. We are partnering with local universities to help develop the best cutting-edge programs. If other professionals are included, they will all be interviewed, background-checked and screened. Most DA Summer camps are taught by DA's own in-house faculty and staff. The mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm creates a dynamic and positive atmosphere for all

All DA Summer employees are required to complete a background check. Safety training is mandatory for all DA Summer employees. 
Training includes, but is not limited to:

• First Aid
• EpiPen administration
• DA safety procedures
• Online training videos from SafeSchools
• Inclusion training 
• Leadership training 

Dec. 14, 2020 is the tentative open registration date for all families! We will be adding more Summit offerings and Night and Institute offerings up until Jan. 1, 2021. 

Summer 2021

Week 1: June 14–19
Week 2: June 21–26
Week 3: June 28–July 2
Week 4: July 5–9
Week 5: July 12–16
Week 6: July 19–23
Week 7: July 26–30
Week 8: Aug. 2–6
 

Camp eligibility are determined by your child's age by June 1.

Camp Evergreen Sprouts: ages 3–4, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Camp Evergreen: ages 4–11, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Night Camps: ages 10–14, 5 p.m.–8:30/9 p.m. (flexible pick-up for parents!)

Summer Institute: ages 12–18, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

DA Summer camps are open to campers who turn 3 years old before DA Summer begins (campers must be 3 by June 1). All 3-year-olds who attend our camps must be fully potty-trained, as we do not have changing tables on site. Children should be able to use the restroom with minimal assistance (our Preschool bathrooms have lowered sinks and toilets). Please plan to send an extra pair of clothes just in case an accident occurs.  

As you can see, we have camps for all ages — all the way up to a rising 12th-grader! We utilize our 84 acres so each age group has their own age-appropriate environment to learn and discover. 

We have exciting new partnerships to appeal to campers of all ages! Camps offered by third parties this summer include:

• I Drive Hand over Hand Driver's Education
• Bouncing Bulldogs
• Durham Bulls
• Girls Make Games
• Local universities 
• Mid-South Fencers’ Club
• Basketball camps 
• Triangle Rock Club
• YMCA Swimming
• Young Founders Institute 

Absolutely! The majority of our campers (traditionally 70%) do not attend Durham Academy during the school year. We hope you will come see us this summer. We are looking forward to meeting you! 

This year, DA Summer will have two primary campuses:

• Camp Evergreen (ages 11 and under) is located on the Lower School campus (3501 Ridge Road).
• DA Summer Institute and Night Camps are located on the Upper School campus (3601 Ridge Road).

The Preschool/Lower School and Upper School campuses are connected on 84 acres in the heart of Durham, North Carolina.

Rising pre-k through fourth-grade camps will be held in DA's Preschool/Lower School building, and campers will use the main entrance. 

Middle and Upper School camps will be held in the Upper School's Hock Center, Learning Commons and state-of-the-art STEM & Humanities Center. Both Middle and Upper School campers will also use the Upper School's fine arts facilities. 

We will not be using the Middle School campus located on 3116 Academy Rd, Durham, NC 27707.  

We will offer before and after care in different locations this summer depending on ages of campers. More details and instructions will be available closer to the start of camp. We will have a pick-up and drop-off system that will help parents make transition to and from camp easier than ever! 

Camp Evergreen: Drop-off and pick-up for all camps will be in the car line in the front of the Preschool/Lower School (3501 Ridge Road). As you pull into the Preschool/Lower School entrance, simply drive straight and go around our carpool loop until you reach the front of the building. DA Summer staff will greet you, help your child out of the car and will conduct any screening if necessary. Our team will then escort campers to their camp depending on their age and comfort level. We encourage parents to let us do the transition. 

DA Summer Institute: Pick-up and drop-off occurs easily at the Upper School entrance (3601 Ridge Road). Simply pull into the Upper School entrance. Middle School camps will be held in the Upper School's Hock Building and Learning Commons. Middle School and Upper School camps will all be held in our state-of-the-art STEM & Humanities Center. Both Upper School and Middle School camps will also use our fine arts facilities. 

The DA Summer team will be present to help car line transitions and welcome campers. See the map below to help you smoothly navigate our two car lines. 

Drop Off/Pick Up Schedule

• Drop-off for Camp Evergreen Before Care begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Lower School gym.

• Drop-off for Camp Evergreen is from 8:15–8:30 a.m. 

• Pick-up from Early Learners Camp Evergreen (ages 3–4) will be at 1:30 p.m.

• Pick-up from Camp Evergreen begins at 3:15 p.m.

• Pick-up from Camp Evergreen After Care is by 5:30 p.m. in the Lower School gym

We want our campers to have the right clothing and equipment to enjoy our the outdoors on our 84 acres, as well as in the classroom. Therefore, we ask for:

• closed-toed shoes
• backpack or shoulder bag, raincoat (if needed) (one available at the camp store)
• sunscreen applied and packed for extra sunny days (available at the camp store)
• hat (one available at the camp store)
• large water bottle (one available at the camp store)
• and for some sports camps may request a reversible jersey (one available at the camp store)

If campers are bringing their own snacks and lunch, we want to make sure snacks are in a separate snack bag. We have all equipment available in our camp store, in case that makes your life easier. 

All campers should have sunscreen applied prior to arriving at camp and bring a water bottle, snacks and lunch or an ordered lunch and snack plan 24 hours in advance! 

We will provide lunch and snacks for our families to purchase. Each day, we order from local vendors, and you are free to also include a morning and afternoon snack with your order. Each meal comes with chips, a drink, and a cookie! You can order 24 hours before each day you need help or sign up for a full week.   

Campers can also take advantage of our camp store for healthy snacks and an occasional treat! 

We are delighted to partner with Hill Learning Center! We provide transportation/supervision for the transfer from Hill Learning Center to Durham Academy (either on a minibus or a supervised walk) for students joining our camps from Hill. Hill families are the only partners that can join for a half-day programming cost. We will provide all Hill families the steps to reserve a spot in our camp for the time they are not at Hill. 

Hill Learning Center Families are able to select a half day option for Camp Evergreen during the weeks that Hill is in session.  

We also include free lunch supervision to help ease the transition for our campers. Please pack a lunch and snacks for your child or take advantage of ordering a lunch through our system 24 hours before the camp day. 

Our Summer Institute courses are designed to help campers from all schools remain academically engaged and enriched over the summer. Most of these are not for course credits. The only “for credit” class currently is Wellness, which is for Durham Academy students only. Driver's Education requires the student to have their current school's registrar sign the completed paperwork. 

Durham Academy has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished camp for innovation, leadership and excellence. Campers will explore the use of various drawing tools in their illustrations. DA facilities are equipped with iMac computers. Campers also use a variety of programs that teach pre-keyboarding, keyboarding, general computer readiness, digital citizenship and digital literacy, 3D printing, game design, coding, programming and much more. 

We believe it is important to use technology in the appropriate way and do not allow campers to be on their devices unless it is part of the curriculum. An important part of camp is developing social skills and getting outside and into nature!

Families interested in athletic camps have several options for their children based on their level of skill and interest.

Beginner camps

Many of our athletic camps have beginner options that help campers develop their skills — and most importantly, develop a love of the game! 

Intermediate to Advanced Camps

Campers ages 10 and up have the option to experience more advanced instruction and use those developed skills in DA's athletic facilities. These programs are led by DA coaches and alumni.

Night Camp

Night Camp campers participate in a combination of intermediate to advanced clinics and specialized skill instruction led by DA varsity coaches and players. Campers then scrimmage under the lights to showcase local athletic talent! It's fun for the whole family. Dinner is included, and a keynote speaker will deliver a motivating message while the players are digesting. We will update parents if we will have an option to watch the scrimmages.

Summer Institute

Cabins are a special way we group our Camp Evergreen campers in order to help campers bond with their counselors and make friends with campers their age. Campers can request a friend for their cabin if they feel inclined to do so. These cabins will experience camp together and rotate through the four activities each day. 

Dec. 14 is the open registration date for all families!

SUMMER AT DA 2021 DATES

Week 1 June 14-19

Week 2 June 21-26

Week 3 June 28-2

Week 4 July 5-9

Week 5 July 12-16

Week 6 July 19-23

Week 7 July 26-30

Week 8 August 2-6

• Fireside Chats are a time to connect from the comforts of home to meet with the DA Summer team and learn about the exciting changes to camp. Feel free to ask any questions or simply connect with other camp families.

Passcode: DASummer

Sunday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.

• Spring Event Fundraiser Outdoor Movie Night and Outdoor Games: March 26, TBA 
   
• Summer Kick-Off Open House: TBA
   

A nonrefundable $50 registration fee, charged yearly per-camper, is charged to cover fees, registration materials, camp shirt and use of our camp system.

Yes! We have a payment options. DA Summer has partnered with CampBrain to offer the option of either paying the full camp fee up front, or reserving a camp via a $50 deposit for each week of camp. There is also an option to spread out camp payments. 

Payment plan payment dates: Jan. 25, Feb. 25, March 25 

Pay in full: March 26 and after

*DA Summer will work with families on transfers to another 2021 summer camp week as needed if flexibility is available. We are happy to help if we have space available. 

We are committed to making DA Summer accessible to as many families as possible. Financial aid is awarded to DA and Hill-affiliated families first, and then made available to the larger community. Please fill out this financial aid form as a first step, and submit one form per child. We hope to raise funds in the community to match our $20,000 financial aid budget. 

We require all families to submit a minimum deposit for the programs they are interested in. Financial assistance is awarded by April 15. If you do not receive the level of financial assistance needed, DA Summer will refund your deposit at no cost. 

Apply for Financial Aid

*DA Summer will work with families on transfers to another 2021 summer camp week as needed if possible. We are happy to help if we have space available. 

DA Summer requires a minimum enrollment of 10 campers for most camps. Registered families will be notified at least one week prior to the camp starting date in the event of a cancellation. Program fees are fully refundable when a camp is cancelled by DA Summer, and we will assist you in transferring your camper into another offering.

We use Bambora to process all credit cards and debit cards. Bambora provides us with our online payment processing. We hope your payment experience is seamless and always reach out to us if you need any help! Bambora also provides different payment plans for camps. 

Please contact summer@da.org if you have any questions.  

Yes. Please indicate all authorized pick-up persons during online registration. We do allow campers to carpool with other camp families, but we ask that you update your online account to reflect approved drivers. The DA Summer Office must be given notice prior to a drop-off or pick-up change involving a person who is not among the list of approved drivers or caregivers. It is essential that we receive this information. If there is a change, or someone new will be picking up your child, please send the name(s) in writing to summer@da.org before this person picks up your child.

Our goal is to make sure campers are safe and secure in every way, especially in their transitions. Uber and Lyft programs are becoming popular and their policies are ever-changing and unclear as a suitable option for camper transportation. Uber and Lyft both have stated policies that will not authorize any student under the age of 18 to use these services. 

Uber’s policy: You must be 18 years or older to have an Uber account. This means that you must be at least 18 years old to ride on a bike or scooter or unaccompanied in a car. Adults cannot request a ride for someone under the age of 18 or allow children to ride alone—they must be accompanied by an adult. When ordering food, children are also not allowed to use an adult’s Uber Eats account by themselves.

Lyft’s policy: Unaccompanied minors are prohibited from traveling with most carriers, including TNCs. A passenger must be 18 to sign up for a Lyft account, but if a driver believes a passenger might be underage, the driver may ask the passenger to confirm their age. The driver may also let a passenger know that the driver will have to cancel the trip if the passenger is indeed under 18.

All DA Summer drivers are over the age of 25 and trained to operate our school vehicles. 

The North Carolina car seat law states that a child less than 8 years of age and less than 80 pounds in weight must be properly secured in a child passenger restraint system. This means that parents of children covered by this requirement must send a car seat when their children are participating in a camp that involves trips.   

Instructors will provide parents in advance with trip information. 

We are pleased to again partner with local eateries to provide lunch for campers again this year. Campers can order lunches and snacks directly via a form 24 hours in advance, and lunches will be delivered to your child's location, fresh and ready to eat!

Learn more about DA Summer's lunch service

Snacks are not provided, but at our new camp store, campers can use their store account (with parent permission) to purchase healthy snacks and occasional treats — say, a cold Gatorade on a hot day or an ice cream sandwich.

It is important to note that we are not nut-free. While we dedicate allergy tables and have a Health and Safety Coordinator on site, we encourage families to partner with us and pack nut-free meals. With partnership and providing safe environments and training for our staff, we are proactive in keeping lunch safe. We will be reaching out individually to families needing an action plan for allergies.

Please contact DA Summer with any questions or concerns at summer@da.org.

All mandatory medical information is captured through the online application.

If your child requires medication or has allergy concerns, please provide these details in advance on DA Summer health forms so we may inform instructors and form a team approach to support your camper. The Summer Health and Safety Coordinator will require a written note or email explaining medical concerns prior to the first day of the class or clinic your camper is attending. You can contact us at summer@da.org (attention Summer Health and Safety Coordinator.) 

Our staff cannot dispense medication to any camper unless parents bring their child's medication to to the Summer Health and Safety Coordinator in the original container with written permission and directions for administering the medications. 

If your child is sensitive to sun exposure, please send them to camp with sunscreen already applied and provide additional sunscreen in their backpack. Due to potential allergies, camp staff will not apply sunscreen for campers unless you provide permission for sunscreen application through a medical form. 

It is essential that each camper brings a water bottle to camp. Water stations will be provided at recess and during play.

A hat may be useful during outdoor activities.

On days of extreme heat and/or humidity, our Summer Health and Safety Coordinator will determine the appropriate amount of time spent outside to ensure the safety of all campers.

All serious injuries or health concerns are directed immediately to the Summer Health and Safety Coordinator, who is on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If necessary, the Summer Health and Safety Coordinator will arrange for emergency transportation, and parents (or emergency contacts) will be notified as soon as possible using the contact information on file.

Our Before Care and After Care directors are first aid and CPR trained. Instructors of camp programs that travel off campus, as well as many of our other assistant instructors, are trained in CPR and first aid. Instructors taking campers off-campus are also trained in the use of EpiPens. Please note that if your child may require an EpiPen, you must supply the medication to the Summer Health and Safety Coordinator. 

If a child develops a fever or presents with an illness during camp hours, parents or guardians will be contacted and asked to pick up the camper as soon as possible. Children need to be fever-free or illness-free for 24 hours before returning to camp.

Head lice may be spread anywhere there are children. They do not represent a disease or infection and can be readily treated, but, if not treated, head lice can have a strong impact in the camp setting. Since lice are transmittable, any child the camp suspects of having head lice will be sent home for treatment right away. If lice or nits are found, parents will be asked to hold the child out of camp for 24 hours so that treatment can be properly administered. Students with active lice or nits will not be allowed on any Durham Academy campus. This policy applies to all camp activities as well. Students with active lice or nits will not be permitted to participate in camp activities until 24 hours after the treatment has been applied. Should there be cause to suspect an emerging problem, Durham Academy will enlist the help of the Summer Health and Safety Coordinator or another professional to perform head lice checks on children at camp.  

In the event of camp closing or schedule change due to inclement weather or a camp emergency, Durham Academy will communicate this information to families in a number of ways. 

• An email and text message will be sent to all Instructors, staff and parents or guardians based on information listed in the CampBrain database. Please make sure the contact information in your profile is current and correct.

• A pop-up announcement will be posted to the homepage of the Durham Academy website (www.da.org).

• Camp closings or changes will also be announced on the camp’s primary social media accounts (Twitter @summeratDA and Instagram @summeratDA)

• For delayed openings, camp directors will follow the initial delay announcement with an email further outlining arrival/dismissal times, the day’s schedule and any after care cancellations.

• You may call or email the DA Summer office (summer@da.org or 919-489-3400) and choose the appropriate extension with any questions. We will try to reply as soon as possible. 

DA Summer camps draw from a large geographical area. In the event of an early dismissal due to inclement weather, DA Summer staff will keep campers safe and secure and remain in close communication with parents or guardians. 

Just as we nurture and encourage campers’ academic and physical growth, we also strive to support our campers’ character growth. We promote and model kind and respectful treatment of children and adults, and we value the acceptance, appreciation and inclusion of others. 

Campers whose actions and/or statements demonstrate a pattern of disrespect or indifference to the school’s mission, values and program may be considered out of sympathy with Durham Academy and separated from the community.

After a class or clinic has begun, if DA Summer staff becomes aware of specific medical, behavioral or emotional needs that cannot be accommodated by our staff, or if the camper is uncooperative with instructors or is a detriment to other students, DA Summer reserves the right to remove the camper from any current or future camp, class or clinic that they may be registered to attend without refund.
 

Camp Rules and Expectations

Each camp is governed by a lead instructor and an assistant instructor with rules and expectations. While there are minor differences from camp to camp, each instructor emphasizes the same values: making good choices and treating others and their belongings with respect.

While we actively promote the positive behaviors we value, there are behaviors that we actively discourage. Instructors and administrators seek to intervene effectively in instances where misbehavior has occurred, poor choices have been made, or students have been unkind or unhelpful to each other.

We have identified several behaviors that have a particularly high potential to harm others and are specifically disallowed:

• Punching, kicking or jabbing

• Spitting, biting, pushing, shoving or slapping

• Name-calling based on personal or family characteristics (disability, race or ethnicity, religion, income, ability, appearance, gender, etc.)

• Threatening physical harm or violence

• Threatening others with words or actions
   

Campers who display these behaviors will be subject to discipline, and the incident will be reported to the camp office. Consequences will be determined based on the nature of the offense and the camper’s age/history, and parents or guardians will be informed.

Consequences may include the following:

• Verbal warnings or explanations

• Acts of apology

• Written reflections

• Parent phone calls and/or meetings

• Conversations with administrators

• Temporary removal from the camp setting

• Removal for the summer 
   

Fighting cannot and will not be tolerated. 

Students may not possess — on or near camp property, on a camp trip or during a camp-related activity — any weapon, including but not limited to: knives, weapons or explosives, or any facsimile of a firearm. The possession of juuling/vaping paraphernalia, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or illegal substances is strictly forbidden. No one is permitted to carry any kind of firearm on Durham Academy's campus unless they are licensed and working within their jurisdiction. North Carolina law prohibits weapons of any kind, even firearms that are registered and licensed, on DA or other school campuses, unless they are carried by a security officer qualified to carry a weapon under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 and applicable state law.

In keeping with North Carolina state law, the camp reserves the right to search a student’s property including car, locker or person if there is reasonable suspicion that the student is in possession of any item that violates camp policy. Anything found that is in violation of the rules of the camp, poses a danger to the community or breaks the law will be confiscated, and that student will be subject to the camp’s disciplinary procedures and will be asked to leave the campus.

All members of the Durham Academy community have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. Sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment violate DA’s fundamental commitment to according each member of the camp community the fullest measure of dignity and respect to which they are entitled as a human being. Diverse religious, socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations and different learning styles are represented within the campers  and instructors. The camp values the healthy and dynamic environment this diversity provides. 


Durham Academy believes in providing an atmosphere conducive to personal, social, intellectual and academic growth. DA believes there is no justification for, and will not tolerate, bullying, harassment or intimidation on any grounds whatsoever, including but not limited to sexual orientation, gender, religious belief, race, ethnic or cultural heritage or learning style. DA faculty, staff and campers  are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe on the rights or dignity of others. Acts of sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment occurring among DA faculty, staff and campers are not tolerated by Durham Academy, whether they occur on or off campus.

Any camper who believes they have been the target of bullying or harassment from any member of the camp community should contact an instructor, DA Summer Health and Safety Coordinator, camp coordinator or the Director of DA Summer. 

Lead instructors are the recommended first contact for parents. Parents may contact them directly at any time. Instructors are happy to answer any questions before, during or after camp. Lead instructors are also expected to send a welcome email to campers and their parents or guardians with details for the upcoming camp. Lead instructors will also update families via email during the week and will welcome parents to demonstrations at the end of camp sessions if those are offered.

Contact DA Summer:

• Katie Kantz, Director of DA Summer: 919-489-3400 (ext. 6114)
• Whitney Sandor, Director of DA Summer Business and Enrollment: 919-489-3400 (ext. 6357)
• Summer Main Office: 919-489-3400 (option 8) 
• Email: summer@da.org
• Follow us on Twitter @summeratDA, and on Instagram @summeratDA