Camps on Campus FAQs

For Summer 2023, the Crown Commons dining hall will be closed for renovations. The Camps on Campus team worked diligently to provide an alternate lunch option for families including exploring other dining locations on campus and boxed lunch purchases. Unfortunately, the alternate locations were very far from our program facilities and we felt the boxed lunch options would be cost-prohibitive for the majority of our families. Due to these findings, we ask that guardians send a packed lunch with their child daily.

One exception will be for our Niner Academy participants. For the first time ever, Niner Academy participants may bring cash or card to purchase from the retail dining options on campus. This is a unique privilege to provide our high school participants with a more authentic collegiate experience.

General Lunch Information

• Campers' lunch hour will be between 11:30am - 1:00pm (noted on their individual camp agenda) and all campers will eat in the classroom or outdoors (weather permitting) unless otherwise specified.
• There will NOT be the option to purchase lunch with cash from the retail food courts unless you are a Niner Academy participant.
• Check your camper’s agenda in their Online Resources (login required) for exact times.

Packed Lunch Information

• The camper's name must be labeled on the lunch box or bag.
• Due to airborne allergies to nut products, Camps on Campus does not permit any food items to be purchased that contain any kind of nut.
• We encourage guardians to pack 1-2 snacks with their camper in addition to lunch (no nut products).
• We won't be able to refrigerate lunches, so please pack them in a small cooler with an ice pack or frozen water bottle.

I would like to be a Counselor-in-Training. What are my next steps?

Experienced campers age 13-17 and past counselors or CITs who do not meet the new minimum counselor requirements are encouraged to complete a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) application.

I would like to teach a camp or be a camp counselor, how do I apply?

Camp counselors must be at least 18 years of age according to new policies set forth by the university for supervision of minors on campus. In addition, we require that counselors are enrolled college students with significant leadership experience and experience working with children and youth. Any vacancies will be posted through UNC Charlotte Human Resources. 

How are campers grouped at Camps on Campus?

Campers are grouped according to rising grade level NOT by camper age. In order to be fair to all our valued campers and parents, we ask all families to honor this policy. Under unique circumstances we will consider an appeal. However, there is no guarantee that your appeal will be granted.

• Cool School: Rising 1st-4th grade
• 49er Minor: Rising 5th-8th grade
• Niner Academy: Rising 9th-12th grade

What academic topics are covered in your camps?

Some of our camps, such as Robotics and Electronics, focus on a specific academic discipline. The majority of our camps, however, are designed as integrated and cross-disciplinary. Our Camp Instructors, particularly for Cool School and 49er Minors are experienced K-12 licensed teachers who are skilled at integrating language arts, math, science, social studies, and other disciplines into their lessons and Camps on Campus gives them the creative freedom to adapt those lessons into hands-on, interactive activities. Our instructors are also experienced in adapting the curriculum to a wide range of grade levels and skill and ability levels.

Our advanced campers will be challenged and our novice campers will get the support they need. To best serve both new and returning campers, we try to maintain a mix of repeated camp topics AND brand new topics for our campers and their families to explore.

I am interested in athletic camps, does UNC Charlotte offer those?

Available athletic camps are currently offered through the Athletic Department. Information can be found at http://www.charlotte49ers.com.

Certain camp documents are located in your camper’s online profile to enhance security and privacy. These include:

• Camp agenda/activities/classroom locations
• Dash placard (print for camper pick-up)
• Maps to classrooms and parking
• Instructor’s Blog
• Photos from the classroom throughout the week
• And more!

To access the online documents before camp begins, log-in to your camper’s account and click on “Online Resources” underneath the camp name.

Note: If you registered your camper(s) via a Family Account, please wait for an email from us with a link to your documents. These will be sent 7 and 3 days prior to the start of your camp(s). Make sure to check your spam box!

Need to get in touch with our camp staff?

Do you have a question regarding logistics?

Camps on Campus is a mobile program meaning the staff directly supervising campers typically are not in an office during the day with a landline phone. Additionally, cell service on campus is not always reliable in all campus locations. All counselors and professional staff are equipped with 2-way radios with constant connection to our main office.

For that reason, the best way to reach camp staff is through our Registration/Customer Service office in the School of Professional Studies. Those staff members are equipped with 2-way radios that immediately reach all camp staff or individual camp staff on the main campus.

Phone: 704-687-8900
Email: summercamps@uncc.edu (multiple people monitor this email account)

Need assistance with payment or registration?

Contact our Registration/Customer Service office by phone or email during the business hours of 8:00am-5:00pm

Phone: 704-687-8900
Email: ceregistration@uncc.edu (multiple people monitor this email account)

Do you have questions that are specific to your child’s camp for the week?

Need to share a concern or important information?

We recommend contacting your instructor directly via email. You can find your instructor’s contact information in the guardian portal. Email addresses are located in the camp agenda for the week. We ask that you also copy our summer camp email at summercamps@uncc.edu to ensure our leadership staff is aware of your needs.

In the guardian portal you will also find our guardian tip sheet, directions, camp photos, camp blog, dash placard, and more!

COVID-19 Information per UNC Charlotte Emergency Management Website: Face masks are optional on UNC Charlotte’s campus. This includes classrooms and other academic spaces. ?If you are unvaccinated or at high risk for complications, you are still strongly encouraged to wear a mask. Even with this guidance, you are encouraged to wear a mask to further reduce the risk of infection to yourself and others, especially when you are in close proximity to others in confined spaces. For example, this may include in hallways, in elevators, when waiting in line in buildings or in residential community spaces.

There will also be an increase in sanitation and cleaning schedules for our classrooms, shared supplies, and frequently touched surfaces.

All medications and conditions affecting the camper (either medical or learning-based) should be documented so that we can provide the best experience for each camper.

All medicines must remain with the camper at all times. Throughout the day, the camper may be with one counselor or another and we want to ensure that no matter which adult is accompanying the camper, that they have access to the medicine. All adults assigned to a particular camp have documentation and instructions provided by the family.

If you have updates for the camper’s profile, please call (704) 687-8900 to have that updated prior to camp.

• Go over the Niner Character Promise with your camper and be sure they know expectations and consequences.
• Be on time for drop-off and pick-up.
• Communicate camp information with other designated adults/family members.
• Be accessible by phone (incoming #s from camp staff may vary).
• Communicate the needs of your camper on the camp application (call 704-687-8900 or email summercamps@uncc.edu with updates).
• Label all belongings and leave valuables not needed for camp at home.
• Be sure the camper is registered under CAMPER name; not parent name. If you registered online, some parents list their own name on the profile and that is the name that will appear on our roster. Contact us prior to camp if you are unsure.
• Remember to pay remaining balances at least two weeks (14 days) prior to each camp to retain your registration. No exceptions can be made.
• Check your Online Resources prior to each camp. If you registered via a family account, keep an eye on your email and spam box 7 and 3 days prior to camp for a link to these resources.
• View Registered Camper Information for additional resources.
• Download LiveSafe -- a free, downloadable app that provides communication channels to Police and Public Safety and links to emergency contacts and evacuation plans.
  • LiveSafe website
  • UNC Charlotte Mobile Apps

• Comfortable Clothing
• Athletic Shoes or sandals with backs
• Refillable water bottle (with name)
• Snacks (no nuts) or cash for vending
• Lunch bag (with name if your camper is bringing their lunch)
• Backpack/bag
• Umbrella/rain gear
• Change of clothes (for younger campers)
• Medications/EpiPen if applicable (remains with camper)
• Positive Attitude 

Drop-off Hours: (7:30am-8:40am) *Campers depart for classrooms promptly at 8:45AM*
Pick-up Hours: (4:15pm-5:30pm) *Starting at 5:35pm, there will be an additional supervision charge of $2.50/minute*

Cool School, 49er Minor, & Coding Camps

Science Building Address: 9029 Craver Rd, Charlotte, NC 28223
Lot 16 Address (use this for carpool time): 9305 POPLAR TERRACE DR, Charlotte NC 28223

PM Carpool Procedures

• All vehicles must display a Camps on Campus dash placard (Available in your Online Materials). Print should be large and bold enough to be easily read by our staff. Staff will call your campers name over the radio.
• If you do not have your Camps on Campus dash placard you will be asked to show your ID before being allowed to pick up your child. This process allows us to ensure that every child is going home with the right person.
• Please view our carpool drive along video located in your online materials to review our carpool procedures prior to your first day of camp.

Walk-up Check Out Procedures

• Please bring your Camps on Campus dash placard with you.
• There will be a member of staff dedicated to assisting those that choose to walk up and check out their campers. Staff will be located on the sidewalk near the Science Building.

Niner Academy Siblings

In the morning, guardians with campers needing to drop off at both the Science Building and the McEniry Building may drop off all campers at the Science building (our main location). Niner Academy participants may walk across the street from the Science building to join their camp and counselors. In the afternoon, guardians may choose to have their high schoolers perform self check out with their counselor to join any siblings at the Science Building. This will assist guardians by not having to enter both carpool lanes. Without permission to self check out, guardians (and authorized adults) must pick up at both locations.

Carpool Reminders

• Please refrain from cell phone use (including hands-free). For the safety of the students and staff members moving between and around cars, we need 100% of your attention at all times.
• Please pay attention to the carpool workers and follow their instructions. They are working to keep the carpool line moving in a safe and efficient manner. They require your participation and cooperation.
• If you arrive prior to carpool staff please enter Lot 16 and form a single line behind the stop sign. Staff will inform you when it is time to pull forward and begin loading.
• Do not pass cars in the carpool line. Doing so will disrupt the flow of the line.

If Arriving Late (after 8:45am)

Our rule of three requires guardians (or other authorized adults) to park and walk their camper to the classroom. Staff are not permitted to be one on one with campers at any time. Our staff will be en route or at the classroom location after 8:45 am. Mondays may be an exception as we try to give a 5-10 minute grace period for first time arrivals. You can find your camper's classroom location on the camp agenda shared in the online materials.

If Picking Up Early (before 4:00pm)

• Planned Early Pickups prior to 4:00pm must be at least one day in advance. Please complete the GOOGLE FORM for our staff to receive communication.
• For Same Day or Emergency early pickups, please notify us at summercamps@uncc.edu and call (704) 687-8900 prior to 4:00pm.
• Camp instructional time is from 9:00am-4:00pm. Between 4:00pm-4:15pm campers will be en route to the Science Building for Cool School, 49er Minor, and Coding camps or the McEniry Building for Niner Academy courses with their counselors.
• If picking up from the classroom, please be sure to check out no later than 3:00pm for early pick-up. Classroom and parking locations will be provided to guardians with their camper’s online resources in advance.
• Bring your dash placard as the quickest form of secure check-out. You will be asked for identification if you forget your dash placard.

Niner Academy Camps

McEniry Building Address: 9215 MARY ALEXANDER RD, Charlotte NC 28223
Lot 16A Address (use this for carpool time): 9020 CRAVER RD, Charlotte NC, 28223

PM Carpool Procedures

• All vehicles must display a Camps on Campus dash placard (Available in your Online Materials). Print should be large and bold enough to be easily read by our staff. Staff will call your campers name over the radio.
• If you do not have your Camps on Campus dash placard you will be asked to show your ID before being allowed to pick up your child. This process allows us to ensure that every child is going home with the right person.

Niner Academy Drivers

My Niner Academy student will be driving themself to campus each day. Where should they park and how do they check in?

Niner Academy campers who drive themselves to campus should pay to park at the Student Union Deck or East Deck 1 and walk to the McEniry building if arriving from 7:30AM-8:40 AM. If arriving after 8:40 AM your camper will need to walk directly to their classroom. We encourage purchasing a parking pass prior to camp online as the rates are cheaper than visitor parking rates. You can find parking options via the PATS website: https://pats.charlotte.edu/parking/parking-permits/daily-permits.

Student Union Deck Address: 8755 STUDENT UNION LN, Charlotte NC 28223
East Deck 1 Address: 9110 MARY ALEXANDER RD, Charlotte NC 28223

After checking in with the Camps on Campus staff, all minors, including our high school participants, must abide by UNC Charlotte and Campus on Campus policies until they are checked out by their guardian or after they complete self check-out if they drove to campus. At the time that students check out with program staff, they are no longer under our program supervision. Guardians may choose to allow their child to perform self check out at 4:00PM from the classroom. Please be sure to opt for this at registration.We also encourage communicating this with your child’s instructor and counselors.

Reasonable and appropriate accommodations will be made available upon request for persons with disabilities. Accommodation requests must be specifically relayed at least two weeks prior to the start of the program. 

You must notify both the Office of Continuing Education and the UNC Charlotte Office of Disability Services with accommodation requests and notify them of your status as a Continuing Education student. 

When calling the Office of Disability Services, please indicate the continuing education course you are taking.

Camps on Campus seeks to foster an inclusive, positive, learning and social environment for our campers. Through our new Niner Character Promise, and with the help of our camp families, we seek to educate our campers prior to their camp experience about the expectations we have regarding camper conduct and attitude while participating in Camps on Campus programs.
During the registration process, we will ask that families registering confirm that they will review the following Niner Character Promise with their camper prior to camp. We will also utilize and refer to the Promise during staff training and throughout the camps.

As a Camps on Campus Participant, I promise to:

1. Treat my fellow campers and staff with kindness, respect, and cooperation in my words and actions at all times and NOT use bullying words or behavior or disrupt the camp experience of others (review all information on bullying and related consequences below).
2. Seek help from camp counselors, instructors, or staff in resolving conflict especially if it is something I do not feel I can resolve on my own.
3. Respect the property of the university buildings as well as other people's property
4. Notify my camp counselor, instructor, or staff immediately if I witness a violation of this Niner Character Promise.

Bullying vs. Teasing --from the American Camp Association

What are examples of unacceptable social cruelty at Camps on Campus:

• Teasing
• Exclusion
• Bullying
• Rumoring
• Ganging Up

Is teasing ever acceptable?

We recognize that when working with young people. Teasing does not always equal bullying. Teasing may be acceptable when these elements are all present:

• Everyone gets an equal share of the teasing within the group (one person is not being ganged up on)
• People are not making fun of someone's disability, ethnicity, faith, or other characteristics beyond the person's control
• It is not repeated over and over again
• It is not meant to physically or emotionally harm in any way
• If you ask the person to stop the teasing, they will immediately
• The teasing comes from someone you are close to (close friend, family member)

How are violations of the Niner Character Promise handled?

Please refer to our behavior framework below for procedures that will be followed if a camper is observed or reported for breaking the Promise.

One of our top priorities at Camps on Campus is safety and that includes preventing communicable illnesses between campers. If your camper has a communicable illness, please keep them home. If a camper is dropped off at camp and a communicable illness is suspected (symptoms may include a fever, pink eye, vomiting, diarrhea, head lice, etc.), you will be notified to pick up your camper immediately. Camps on Campus adheres to North Carolina state recommendations for childcare facilities that guardians (or other authorized adults) must pick up their sick camper within 30 minutes of notification. Campers may return to camp with a note from a physician approving the return. No full or partial refunds are available for incidences of illness including a positive COVID test the week of camp. Please see the Niner Nation Cares website at ninernationcares.charlotte.edu as it serves as an information resource for students, faculty, staff and visitors to understand ways to stay safe on and off campus, along with health protocols in place on campus. This website is continually updated, and should be checked regularly.

In order to be fair to all our valued campers and parents, no exceptions can be made to this policy.

Payment refunds (except for the non-refundable deposit) will be made up to 14 days before the start of a camp for cancellations. After that time , no refunds can be made. When camps are full, we can put you on a waiting list. We occasionally have drops, so sometimes a space opens up in a "full" camp. Please be sure we have your current email address, so you will receive updates from us.

2023 Camp Prices:

• $275/week for All Full Day Camps on Campus camps $100 nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit which will be put towards the registration fee.
• $395/week for Black Rocket partner coding camps. $100 nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit which will be put towards the registration fee.
• $95/course for Online Niner Academy Series $50 nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit which will be put towards the registration fee.

2023 In Person Camps:

• Instructional time from 9:00am-4:00pm
• Extended supervised hours available from 7:30am - 8:45am and 4:00pm - 5:30pm

2023 Online Series:

• Instructional time from 1:00pm-2:00pm
• There will be six sessions for 1 hr each. Dates will be shared at registration.

Deposits

In order to be fair to all our valued campers and parents, no exceptions can be made to this policy.

Refunds/Cancellations

Payment refunds (except for the non-refundable and non-transferable deposit) will be made up to 14 days before the start of a camp for cancellations. After that time , no refunds can be made. When camps are full, we can put you on a waiting list. We occasionally have drops, so sometimes a space opens up in a "full" camp. Please be sure we have your current email address, so you will receive updates from us.

Scholarship Opportunities

Currently there are no designated scholarships or unit-based giving for Camps on Campus through the UNC Charlotte Foundation; however, this is something we are exploring for the future. Several community-based organizations in the Charlotte area including Communities in Schools and the Bruce Irons Foundation have sponsored individual campers in past years.

Our deposit option does allow parents to pay for camp registration in installments. Balances are not due until two weeks prior to each camp week.

Don't miss your opportunity to register before seats begin to fill for your camp of choice.

• Online Registration will open to the public on January 24, 2023.

Save Time - Fill out Camper Safety and Medical Profile in Advance!

• You can get a head start on your camper's registration by creating a family account, adding your campers, AND completing their emergency and medical information profile prior to registration. 
• When you create your camper's emergency and medical profile, you will be asked to provide required information to help us keep your child safe and healthy during their camp experience.
  • This information includes emergency parent/guardian contacts, health concerns, and food allergies if applicable, medical contact information, date of birth, and any special needs or tips our Camps on Campus staff should know in order to keep your child safe and provide an effective learning environment. Please be prepared to provide this information during the registration process, as we will be unable to register a child without this.

Registration Options:

• Register online. This is the fastest, easiest registration option - no wait times and you can complete your camper online profile and emergency medical information prior to registration opening.  Register by creating your family account and adding your campers before selecting courses.
• Register by phone by calling our Registration Center at 704-687-8900.

University Policy - for security reasons we CAN NOT accept credit card/debit payments by fax, email or mail.

You can choose to pay the entire amount now or to pay just the non-refundable deposit now. Full payment for each camp is due 14 days before the camp starts.

Waitlist Information

Participants with family accounts are not able to join a waitlist. Instead they must use the camper's individual account. Also, due to limitations in our system, we are unable to enroll waitlisted participants through a family account. It must be done through the individual participant's account. As a general rule, we provide 24 hours for participants to enroll in an open spot. Once the window passes, the spot will be given to the next participant on the waitlist. Please ensure we have updated email addresses on file in order to receive notifications from us. Please call our Registration Center at 704-687-8900 for further assistance.

Studies have shown the social development benefits that take place when campers "unplug" from technology during their camp experience.

Camps on Campus understands the need for some of our campers to carry a mobile device with them for safety and security purposes. While we do allow the use of mobile devices during specific times, we discourage campers from bringing any valuables, including mobile devices. All our camp counselors have mobile phones and contact information of all parents and guardians and we can arrange for contact with your camper at any time.

If a camper does choose to bring a mobile device, we require that all campers adhere to the following technology guidelines as part of our Niner Character Promise.

1. As with any valuable brought to camp, there is a risk assumed by the camper and their family of theft or damage to the device. In bringing a mobile device to camp, the camper and family assumes all liability.
2. The mobile device may only be used by the camper during non-classroom hours/breaks such as lunch time and at drop-off/pick-up. If a camper needs to use their mobile device to contact a parent or for another emergency during classroom time, they must notify their camp counselor.
3. If a camper is using a mobile device during classroom hours, the instructor or camp counselor has the authorization to hold the device until approved break times. Additionally, Instructors or staff have the discretion and authority to ask their campers to place devices in a centralized area in the classroom during instructional time.