What are the rules and regulations?
We have a written set of rules that all campers must abide by. The rules are given to the campers and parents. You may see the list on page 3 of this document.
Is Texas Arts Project affiliated with a certain religion?
No. Texas Arts Project is not affiliated with any religion. Our campers come from all different backgrounds and there are no religious activities at camp.
What happens if my child gets sick?
It’s kind of like being at home. For minor injuries, we have First Aid Certified staff members along with a sports trainer on campus during the day. For more severe medical issues, we have a relationship with a walk-in clinic just up the road from St. Stephen’s. For emergencies, we take campers to a nearby emergency center. Campers must have complete medical history and health forms on file prior to the start of camp.
Is there storage for valuables?
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We suggest that campers leave valuables at home.
How many staff do you have and what are their qualifications?
Staff members are a combination of local, regional and national educa- tors, college students, and professional artists. All staff members undergo
a thorough background check and must take a seminar mandated through the Episcopal Diocese titled, “Safeguarding God’s Children,” which is an educational program for preventing child sexual abuse. Many staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid.
What are the facilities like?
St. Stephen’s 300-acre campus near Austin in the beautiful Texas Hill Coun- try, offers breath-taking views and state-of-the-art facilities.
What kind of food is served?
Meals are provided 3 times daily. There is standard fare for each meal
and a featured daily dish. Standard breakfast includes scrambled eggs, a waffle station, toast, bagels, a cereal bar, oatmeal, coffee, milk and juice. Standard lunch and dinner includes a deli sandwich station, a salad bar, peanut butter and jelly and fruit. Featured dishes range from lasagna to chicken stir-fry to burgers to fajitas. Dishes are always accompanied by a vegetable and a starch side dish. There are vegetarian options available. At some meals and on the weekends, we have dorm cook-outs, order-in, pizza and a movie, pancake breakfast, etc.
Where do I send mail and packages?
SEND ANY PACKAGES OR MAIL VIA FEDEX/UPS/USPS
[CAMPER’S NAME]
C/O ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL ATTN: TEXAS ARTS PROJECT
6500 ST. STEPHEN’S DRIVE
AUSTIN, TX 78746
Do the campers have access to laundry?
There are laundry facilities either in the dorm or in a nearby dorm. Laundry does not require payment. Please send high efficiency detergent to camp and take a moment to teach your child how to do laundry. Our staff will assist.
When can I talk to my child?
We prefer that you e‑mail your campers. Many camps do not allow phone calls at all. However, if you wish to talk to your camper, feel free to leave a message on his or her phone and he or she will return the call at a designated phone time.
Does my child need spending money?
If you would like to send spending money with your camper, we suggest
no more than $100. The only times campers might have the opportunity to make purchases are at off-campus outings, the campus concession stand, and soda and snack machines.
What are the dorms like?
St. Stephen’s is a boarding high school during the school year. The summer camps are fortunate to use those dorms. The dorms are equipped with full kitchens, common areas with television and comfortable lounging and community bathrooms with separate shower stalls. The dorm rooms typically have two sets of bunk beds, accommodating four campers. Each camper has access to closet space, dressers and shelves. Some dorm rooms have a sink and a mirror. Showers are located in the bathrooms at the end of each hall.
Can my child request a roommate?
We do our best to honor all reasonable roommate requests. It is very important that ALL of the campers involved make the same requests. Requests should be made upon registration.
How do we make arrangements for travel to and from camp?
Parents have the option to bring campers to camp or send them on an airplane. At no additional cost, a staff member will pick up and drop off campers at the airport. When making flight arrangements, we ask that you do your best to fly in before camp check in and fly out after the conclusion of the camp session. All travel arrangements must be entered online.
What if my child becomes homesick?
Homesickness is a normal experience in the process of growing up, and every counselor is trained to help a homesick camper through encourage- ment, lots of activity and building new friendships. Parents can help by writing frequent letters. Refrain from making a fuss over your departure or suggesting that your child might get homesick. So long as you encourage your child to stay at camp, he or she will be in good hands and will have a wonderful experience.
How many campers attend Texas Arts Project?
Senior Camp is expected to have approximately 40 campers. Junior Camps are each expected to have approximately 20 campers.
Can my camper check and send email?
You may email campers at tapcamp@yahoo.com. Please put the camper’s first and last name in the subject line. Camper emails will be delivered at lunch or dinner, along with the snail mail. Senior campers may have access to personal email beginning the 2nd week of camp.
When can we visit during camp?
Senior and Junior 2 campers may have visitors only on the specified “visita- tion” mornings. Campers may leave campus for the designated three hours so long as the appropriate paperwork has been completed by the accom- panying parent/guardian. Please set up visits in advance by filling out the visitation information online during registration. To ensure safety, we will not release a camper unless the proper forms have been completed. There is no visitation day for week-long camps. If you need to drop off items or you need to see your child, please make arrangements through the TAP Camp staff. We will notify the security office and give you an exact location for meeting. We do not allow parents in the dorms between registration day and check out day, unless accompanied by a staff member.
Can campers use cell phones?
We realize that many of our campers are used to having cell phones. In order to maintain productivity and a healthy lifestyle during the camp weeks, we limit the use of cell phones at camp. We will allow campers to bring cell phones, but they will be collected and kept safe. Once a
day, campers may check their phones for messages. Our goal is to avoid obvious intrusion that can be caused by cell phones — talking late at night and keeping roommates awake, ring tones during classes and rehearsals, texting, focusing on old friends instead of new ones, etc.
What is the camper-to-staff ratio?
The camper to staff ratio is approximately 4:1. Our counselors are college students or adults who are experienced artists and leaders. Counselors are also around during classes and rehearsals as teaching assistants, dance captains, and stage managers. With the Residential Director, they lead activities and monitor campers during non-class times. The camper to counselor ratio is 8:1.
Do you go on trips?
Campers typically have 1 off-campus trip to see a theatrical event. Senior Campers may also go to Barton Springs pool, a movie, or a tour of a theatre or studio. When campers leave campus for theatre outings or other trips, they are either transported by St. Stephen’s driving personnel in a school bus or by a staff member in the school van. If it is a very small trip, a staff member might use his or her personal vehicle.
Can I get a video of the final showcase/films?
Yes, upon registration, you may purchase a video of the final showcase/films.
Camper Rules & Consequences
These rules apply to all Campers while on the St. Stephen’s Episcopal School campus or at any Summers @ St. Stephen’s‑sponsored off campus activity. The rules and regulations of thecamps provide the structure for the camp community and assuch merit the respect of that community. When a major rule
is broken the community is faced with behavior that threatensthe orderly, safe and principled operations of the community as a whole. Campers and parents alike should be thoroughlyfamiliar with the camp rules. Observance of these rules is offundamental importance to camp life within the community.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
All camper behavior is to be based upon respect andconsideration for the rights of others for a safe, secure experience. Violation of any of the following rules maylead to severe consequences including expulsion.
Check-In | Campers must check-in at scheduled check-in times.
Theft | Do not take anything that does not belong to you without obtaining permission.
Fighting or Bullying | Verbal threats and “put downs,”
sexual harassment, or physical assault of another person isunacceptable. There is NO reason for campers to fight, either verbally or physically. This includes foul or demeaning languageor gestures.
Personal Privacy | Do not go into another’s backpack, purse or dorm room.
Skipping Activities | Campers must attend all scheduled and mandatory classes, practices, rehearsals, games, performances and activities.
Individual Rights | Do not exhibit any behavior that seriously violates the rights of individuals.
Drugs | The use, possession, sale and/or distribution of illegal drugs or controlled substances is strictly forbidden.
Co-Ed Visitation | There is no co-ed visitation allowed in camper rooms without supervision. Campers may enter the commonarea of the other dorm.
Weapons | Use and or possession of firearms, explosives or other dangerous weapons are not allowed on campus.
Tobacco | Use, possession or distribution of tobacco is forbidden.
Gambling | No form of gambling is allowed.
Technology | St. Stephen’s computers are to be used in a legal, ethical manner.
Curfew Violations | Absence from the dorms after 11pm is prohibited.
Damage to Property | The willful damaging of St. Stephen’s property or the property of a community member is not tolerated.
Fire Hazard | Any act that creates a fire hazard is not permitted.This includes smoking in school buildings as well as the burningof candles or incense. The misuse or discharge of fire fighting equipment is not permitted.
CONSEQUENCES
Consequences for misbehavior are usually progressive and reflect the severity of the unacceptable behavior. Campers also range in age from 9 to 18, so consequences will vary dependentupon the age of the camper. Listed below is a progression ofdiscipline. Please note that discipline may not be sequential and one severe act could lead to dismissal from our programs.
• Warning
• Time Out or Loss of Privileges
• Phone call to the parent/guardian
• Removal of the camper for the day or temporary suspensionfrom the program
• Dismissal from the program
No refund will be given if a participantis dismissed from a program.
PROHIBITED DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
• Physical punishment of any type
• Withdrawal of food, rest, or bathroom opportunities
• Abusive or profane language
• Unsupervised isolation of the camper
• Any other type of punishment that is hazardous to the physical, emotional, or mental health of the camper