Frequently Asked Questions

ESF’s 40+ years of operational excellence have prepared us to adapt to changing conditions, ensuring a safe, fun-filled experience for your child. We’ve organized the questions that we have received to date into a Q&A format. We will update this page to anticipate any questions you may have in the months to come.

1I just enrolled - what's next?

Refer to your confirmation email to review your camper’s checklist which includes reminders about required supplemental forms. Please use the email address used at the time or registration to log into your parent portal (online account) to access required forms.  If you didn’t upload your child’s medical forms and pick up permissions (2 separate forms), please do so as soon as possible, or by May 1st.   If you are registering after May 1st, please upload all required forms as soon as possible for your child’s name to be placed on our rosters. Safety is our #1 priority, to ensure a safe and healthy camp community for our campers, staff, and families.  If your camper has emergency medications that will be used at camp (inhalers or epi-pens), please know that it is your responsibility to provide these medications along with the doctor’s written orders on the first day of camp.  All prescription medication must be in the original container with your physician’s written orders. Questions? Contact us at 1-800-529-CAMP anytime, and we will be happy to help you.

2If I register and decide to cancel, what is your cancellation policy?

We know plans change so we have you covered with our cancellation policy for 2024.

3Can my child be grouped with their friends?

Yes! Due to limited enrollment, we do our best to accommodate at least one friend request per camper. You can make the request at the time of registration until May 1, 2024. Please enter the full name of your child’s friend request (first and last name). Any requests made after May 1, 2024, cannot be guaranteed. As a reminder, enrollment will be limited, and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note: Your child’s grouping will not be completed until all health form requirements are received. All grouping assignments are done by same rising grade level, program type and camp week(s).

4Can we sign up for just one week of camp?

Yes, no minimum weeks are required; however, the more weeks you enroll, the more you save with our multi-week savings promotion. Please note, enrollment will be limited and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

5Once I’m enrolled, can I add more weeks?

Yes! More camp weeks means more fun! You can add more weeks at any time, based on availability. Additional weeks are subject to the current published tuition rate at checkout. (For example: if you add more weeks after any promotion, you will be adding weeks at the current published rate.)

6How does the Multi-Week Discount work?

Enroll for 5 weeks to get an EXTRA 4% savings per child. Enroll for 6 or more weeks to get an EXTRA 5% savings per child.

Please Note: Should you need to make any adjustments that impact the number of your weeks your camper is enrolled; this will impact your multi-week discount. (For example: Originally enrolled for 5 weeks, and you received a 4% multi-week discount; when you cancel one week and are now at 4 weeks, your multi-week savings is no longer valid and will have to pay that balance due for full price tuition for 4 weeks. Multi-week discounts are per camper – not per family).

7Once I’m enrolled, can I make changes?

Yes! However, starting on May 1, 2024 (or later), changes in enrollment are based on availability, and that do not involve a reduction in weeks are subject to a $50 transfer fee per child for each request. (Applicable only to camp programming changes. For example: changing from Day Camp to UA Multi-Sports Lab.)

8Do you offer an Optional Lunch Program?

Yes, we offer a weekly lunch program which can be purchased at time of initial registration, or closer to the start of camp. Lunch menus are confirmed in the Spring and shared with registered camp families through our website. Campers with documented food allergies are unable to participate in the optional lunch program.

9What is your age requirement for Mini Camp?

Campers MUST be 3 years old by June 1, 2024, except for campers in Maryland, where the state requires campers to be 3.5 years old to participate in camp. Campers must be potty-trained in order to attend.

10How does after-camp swim enrichment work?

Our Aquatics Supplemental Form for after-camp swim enrichment (private lessons) will be available to parents at the time of initial registration and as it gets closer to the start of camp. Once camp starts, a camp office team member will call to create a schedule for your camper and answer any questions. Please note: Lessons are based on availability and first-come, first-served.

11How do you supervise campers and maintain safety?

We maintain one of the lowest camper-to-staff ratios in the camp industry. Campers are never alone – even trips to the restroom. Our staff is trained to perform head counts throughout the day and during transition periods. Safety, health, and well-being are a priority and we’ve put protocols and mandates into place to ensure every summer is a great and safe one! From carline and security to handling special allergies or other needs, you can rest assured that your child is in the best of care.

12Are camp nurses on site?

Yes, we have Registered Nurses on campus, at all times, as part of our health and safety protocols. We also have a Camp Doctor on-call and available to our Camp Staff. Our medical staff reviews all health and safety requirements and medical clearances prior to your child’s first day at camp. All medical clearances are due by May 1, 2024 regardless of when your child’s first day of camp.

13What level of medical care are you able to accommodate for my camper?

Chronic medical conditions like diabetes can typically be supported at camp. For more serious or specialized conditions, please email us at customersupport@esfcamps.com.

 

14How do you handle allergies at camp?

We take allergies very seriously. As part of the enrollment process, you’ll complete a detailed registration form with any information we should know about your camper’s allergies (seasonal, food, and/or life threatening).  Before camp begins, we welcome you to contact us to speak with our Camp Nurse with any questions or to talk through any concerns or specific instructions you, or your physician, may have.

We designate nut-free tables during snack and lunchtime and enforce a strict hand-washing policy. Our staff members are trained in how to recognize the signs of anaphylactic shock and administer an EpiPen, if needed. Parents are responsible for making sure their child’s EpiPen is not expired. EpiPens brought to camp will always remain with your camper’s counselor with written orders from your child’s physician.

15What happens if my camper gets sick during the camp week and misses a day(s)?

Participants who do not attend their registered camp session due to any illness, will not receive a refund or a credit for days or weeks missed. We also do not offer make-up days. Please refer to our cancellation policy for full details related to illness.

16Will my camper switch groups during the week?

No. For safety reasons, we do our best to keep campers in a consistent group all week with the same campers and staff.

17Do you offer before and after care services?

Yes, we will continue offering before care and aftercare, our Club OT services. You may select this service during camp registration or as it gets closer to the start of camp. Pre-registration is requireddrop-in service is unavailable. 

18What if I have an outstanding balance from a prior camp year?

If you have an outstanding balance due from a prior camp year, you have been notified multiple times regarding payment. If you enroll for Summer 2024, your enrollment stands the risk of cancellation until your outstanding balance payment is received.

Should you enroll for Summer 2024, ESF reserves the right to apply your 25% deposit and subsequent payments towards your outstanding balance until it is completely paid.

19What is your Tipping Policy?

Over the years, many of our parents ask how they can show their appreciation to various staff members. While tipping is not required, it is certainly an appropriate way to reward those staff members who have contributed toward the success of your child’s experience. We leave the amount of the tip up to the discretion of our camp parents.

20Can I receive a financial statement?

Yes, please email customersupport@esfcamps.com  to request a financial statement once your camp season has been completed. The statement will include ESF’s tax ID number.

21What is ESF's tax ID number?

Our Tax ID number is #23-2664898