FAQs & Policies

DA Summer employees are a combination of DA teachers, coaches, students and alumni. We also partner with select third-party organizations to provide some specialized, high-level programming.

All DA Summer employees are 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
• SafeSchools training
• Inclusion training 
• Leadership training 

• Week 1: June 9–13
  Evergreen and Summits only.
• Week 2: June 16–20
  June 19 (Juneteenth) is optional for campers.
• Week 3: June 23–27
• Closed: June 30–July 4
• Week 4: July 7–11
• Week 5: July 14–18
• Week 6: July 21–25
• Week 7: July 28–Aug. 1

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

Camp Evergreen: ages 4–13

Summits: ages 6–14

Summer Institute: ages 14–18

DA Summer camps are open to campers who turn 4 years old before DA Summer begins (campers must be 4 by June 1). All 4-year-olds who attend our camps must be fully potty-trained. 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 established partnerships with trusted organizations and businesses to provide specialized programming. A few of this year's partners include:

• Black Rocket & Jordan Driving School
• Bouncin' Baye
• Carolina Velocity Soccer
• Joara Archaeology Camp
• Spatola Basketball Camps
• Triangle Rock Club
• Woodcroft Swimming

Absolutely! We hope you will come see us this summer. We are looking forward to meeting you! 

We are delighted to partner with our neighbor Hill Learning Center!

• Campers enrolled in the Hill Center morning session are eligible for Camp Evergreen in the afternoons.
• Campers enrolled in the Hill Learning Center afternoon session are eligible for Summit camps in the mornings.

DA Summer and HLC staff supervise the transition of campers over to/from Hill. Hill families can also choose to add on DA Summer After Care until 6 p.m. following the conclusion of Hill programming each day.

Durham Academy Summer has two primary campuses, both located on Ridge Road:

• Camp Evergreen is located on the Preschool/Lower School campus (3501 Ridge Road). Campers will use the main entrance.
• DA Summer Institutes and Summits are located on the Upper School campus (3601 Ridge Road).

We will offer Before Care 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 in an email after you have registered. 

• Before Care is 7:30–8:45 a.m.
• After Care is offered from 4:30–6 p.m.

Campers are only allowed to use devices when called for by their camp's curriculum. An important part of camp is developing social skills and getting outside and into nature!

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 wish. These cabins will experience camp together and rotate through the four activities each day. We try to keep campers in the same cabin all summer long for the traditional camp bond and relationships we love. 

Drop-off begins at 8:45 a.m. for all camps (earlier if enrolled in Before Care at the Lower School Gym).

• Camp Evergreen: Drop off and pick up at the Preschool/Lower School campus
• Summits & Institutes: Drop off and pick up at the Upper School campus

Please note: Specific directions and information will be provided via email prior to your camper’s attendance.

We want our campers to have appropriate clothing and equipment to enjoy the outdoors on our 84 acres, as well as indoors. Therefore, we recommend:

• closed-toed shoes
• backpack or shoulder bag
• raincoat (when needed)
• sunscreen applied and packed for extra-sunny days
• hat and/or sunglasses
• large water bottle (labeled with camper's name)
• relevant equipment/gear for sports camp
• snacks and lunch (snacks will also be available for purchase at our camp store; lunch can also be ordered through our system of vendors)

We will provide a link for our families to sign up with our lunch provider, My Hot Lunch. Lunch items and snacks will also be available for purchase at our camp store. 

Registration for Camp Evergreen will open in mid-December 2024. Registration for Summits and Summer Institute will open in January 2025.

Camp Events and Open Houses are a time to meet with the DA Summer team and learn about camp. Feel free to ask any questions or simply connect with other camp families.

Stay tuned for links and dates! 

Fees vary, depending on the main camp and any additional options (such as Before Care, After Care or Summit Afternoon Add-Ons) selected. Specifics are available at da.org/summer/dates-rates.

Registration fee

There is a non-refundable registration fee of $75 (per family each summer), that covers registration materials, camp shirt and use of our camp system.

Cancellation fees

• Cancellation fees range from $100 to the full cost of camp, depending on when the family cancels the registration. Please see the "What is Your Refund Policy" question below for details.
• $25 for camp transfers (to another week or camp).

Camp fees may be refundable, depending on the date of the cancellation, minus the nonrefundable registration fee and a cancellation fee. If you just need to transfer to a different week or camp, we can help, if such an option is available. Transfers incur a $25 fee.

Canceling on or before March 25?

Refund minus a $100 cancellation fee.

Canceling Between March 26–May 16?

Refund minus a $150 cancellation fee.

Canceling After May 16 up until the week before camp?

Refund minus a $200 cancellation fee.

Canceling the week before camp?

Refunds are not available. (Please remember that we can help you transfer to a different week or camp — if available — for a $25 transfer fee.)

A note on minimum enrollment:

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 are committed to making DA Summer accessible to as many families as possible. Financial aid is awarded to DA and Hill Learning Center-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 require all families to submit a minimum deposit for the programs they are interested in to secure a place. On April 1, we will close this application. 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. 

Learn More About Financial Aid

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

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. If you pay with a debit card you will not pay processing fees. 

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 administration 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. 

Please contact us with transportation needs to/from Raleigh-Durham International Airport for campers traveling from out of state. Before booking flights, please contact us (summer@da.org) to ensure that our staff can accommodate the proposed itinerary.

We are pleased to partner with local eateries to provide lunch for campers this year using My Hot Lunch service. Campers can order lunches and snacks directly via My Hot Lunch, and lunches will be delivered to your child's camp, 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. 

• Durham Academy Summer is grateful to employ 2 security personnel to support us during the summer. 

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. 

Prior to camp, please connect with the Director and/or Assistant Director of Summer. During camp, Camp Coordinators are the recommended first point of contact for families. Parents may contact them directly during camp hours. The Summer Administration Team will communicate with you weekly via email regarding important camp information and updates.

Contact DA Summer:

• Email: summer@da.org
• Summer Office: 919-489-3400 (option 8)
• Nigel Cabral, Director of Summer: nigel.cabral@da.org
• Mak Pendergrass, Assistant Director of Summer: makenzie.pendergrass@da.org
• Follow us on Instagram: @summeratDA

To ensure that these campers have a positive experience, we will coordinate camp placements with peers and require TOEFL (or TOEFL Jr. for grades 4-8) or IELTS scores language proficiency for students for whom English is not the first language and who do not have qualifying scores on an accepted English language grade-level or above-grade-level achievement test. We will consider reports as well from their tutors on a case-by-case scenario. We cannot allow adults to be present at camp helping with translation and daily activities, but we will be happy to share the same parent communication we have daily with our camp families.

We will follow the latest U.S. requirements for international visitors with regard to health and safety.