Frequently Asked Questions

The three core values of Artistree’s programming for children are: Respect, Safety, Have Fun. Please review these with your child before attending a program, particularly in regard to their behaviors that apply.

Behavior and Discipline procedures are in place to ensure participant safety and allow for healthy learning environments, providing participants with the best experiences.

Artistree educators strive to make every attempt to be proactive regarding participant behavior. We provide engaging, thoughtful activities, and use best judgment and appropriate action when handling common disruptive behavior.

The following unwanted behaviors may result in the temporary or permanent removal of a participant from their Artistree class:

• Endangering the health (mental and physical) and safety of children and/or staff

• Use of profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity (hostile or offensive language)

• Refusing to follow behavior guidelines or camp rules; disrupting a program or running away from the group; failure to respect the physical boundaries of others

• Destruction or theft of Artistree or personal property belonging to others

If a participant does not follow the behavior guidelines, we will take the following action steps as behavior problems progress:

• Staff will redirect the camper to more appropriate behavior.

• If unwanted behavior continues, the participant will be reminded of behavior guidelines and rules and create an action plan on how to correct the behavior. Staff will follow up with the caregiver at pick-up time if necessary.

• If a child’s behavior still affects the safety or experience of other participants, at this time the participant will be given a short time out to reflect on their actions. A telephone call to parents will also be made at this time.

• If inappropriate behavior continues, as a final action step the participant may be dismissed from camp.

These guidelines are applicable to all Artistree participants . Participant fees are non-refundable if a participant is sent home for disciplinary reasons. Physical violence or bullying toward another participant or staff member can result in immediate dismissal from the program.

If you have any questions or concerns not addressed here regarding program operations, please feel free to contact: Sheena Solitaire at 802-457-3500 ext 128 or programming@artistreevt.org.

Yes, you will receive a confirmation email from Sawyer upon registering for a camp. Artistree will also send you an email the week before camp. Please check your spam folder and inbox for the email confirmation.

Camps are refundable up to two weeks before the camp start date minus the non-refundable registration fee per camp. Week-long half day camps registration fee is $50. Two week-long half day camps registration fee is $65. Two week full day camps registration fee is $75. Three week-long full day camps registration fee is $100. Camps cancelled within 2 weeks of the start of camp are non-refundable. If the camp you are registered for is canceled by Artistree, you will be refunded your tuition in full.

Camps are transferable only if there is room in the camp you would like to be moved into. If there is a price difference in the camps, you will be expected to pay the difference at the time of the transfer to hold your spot.

Yes. All campers must be in the age range of the camp by the first day of camp. For example, your child must be 5, 6, or 7 years old by the first day of camp to be in a 5-7 camp. They cannot be 8 or older. Our camps are specifically designed for the age ranges associated with them, so we thank you for your understanding. If there is a developmental delay that necessitates a different level of curriculum, please contact us. If a child is accidentally registered in a camp that they are not in the correct age range, Artistree staff will contact you and proceed as needed.

Yes. We require all children to be potty-trained (no Pull-Ups). As with all camps, we ask you to send a change of clothes. We reserve the right to remove campers who are not potty-trained without a refund. If a child arrives in Pull-Ups, please expect a phone call as Pull-Ups, for our purposes, are considered diapers. Artistree is not a licensed day care facility and therefore is not able to change diapers.

Artistree camps are thoughtfully designed to be drop-off programs. If a child requires additional assistance due to developmental needs, please contact Artistree staff to arrange accommodations. Having parents or caregivers present during the camp can be distracting for other campers so we please ask that you plan to drop-off and pick-up your child at the designated times.

Most direct communication for camp will be through email or office telephone. Please make sure that when you register your child, you include the email and phone number for the person who will be the main contact for the camper during their time at Artistree. Additional communication will be shared at pick-up, over the phone, or via email. Please feel free to reach out to our camp staff with other questions via email or phone.

In the camp registration, you can choose if your child has permission to be photographed or recorded. We will respect your choice. If there is additional photography taking place (e.g., marketing, news segment, etc.) you will receive communication via email or phone.

However, the theatre camps require a photo/video release to be signed as we will be recording our performances.

Please have all personal items labeled with the child’s name. Although we do our best to encourage each camper to keep their belongings together, Artistree is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please make sure you bring ONLY what your child needs each day. This includes:

• Change of clothes
• Reusable water bottle
• Morning snack (e.g., small bag of pretzels; packet of apple sauce)
• Lunch (for campers that are enrolled in afternoon camps as well)
• Additional snacks as needed
• Light jacket or sweatshirt

The following items will not be permitted:

• Personal electronics and/or valuable items
  Mobile phone use during camp is NOT permitted - if you need to reach your child during camp for an emergency, please call the Artistree office at 802-457-3500.
• Toys
• Any valuable or cherished items (camp can be an exciting day, so items might be accidentally misplaced and forgotten!)

Camps run from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 - 4:00 PM. Please review our camp hours below:

• 8:45 - 9:00 am - Morning Camp drop-off
• 9:00 am - Camp day begins
• 12:00 pm - 12:15 pm - Pick-up for Morning Camps
• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Lunch and outdoor play for all day campers
• 12:45 pm - 1:00 pm - Afternoon Camp drop-off
• 4:00 - 4:15 pm - Pick-up for Afternoon Camps

Campers should wear clothes that they do not mind getting dirty! Sneakers are best for playing at Artistree. Sandals are not recommended. It might be a good idea to bring a light jacket or sweater, in case your camper gets chilly. We also recommend sunscreen; if you would like your child to wear sunscreen/bug spray, please apply before dropping off your camper in the morning.

Drop-off occurs from 8:45-9:00 am or 12:45 - 1:00 pm at the covered pavilion. Park in the main parking lot at Artistree and walk your child to the covered pavilion. Parents should sign in and sign out their child each day. On Mondays, camp instructors will be available to meet and greet families. After signing in each day, your child’s camp counselor will escort them to the playground for free play until the camp morning begins.

PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY IN THE PARKING LOT AND DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO WALK UNESCORTED IN THE PARKING LOT.

We understand that occasionally caregivers will be late due to situations outside of your control. If you are running late, please contact our staff to let us know or call the office at 802.457.3500.

If your child has an accident and has a change of clothing, our instructors will make sure your child is ok and make sure that your child changes into clean clothes. If your child forgot a change of clothes, we will send them home in Artistree clothing that will need to be washed and returned by the end of the week. You will receive a note home and, if the situation necessitates, a phone call.

Cell phones, video games, and other personal electronic devices can easily become distractions at camp, so we ask that you please keep these items at home. If your child does bring a cell phone to camp, they will not be permitted to use it during the camp day. If there is an emergency and you need to reach your child, please contact the camp staff. If your child is attending a camp where technology is requested (ex: Digital Music) we will let you know in advance.

Please clearly label all lunch boxes, water bottles, jackets, changes of clothing, and anything else your child may be bringing to camp. Lost and found items will be stored in the lobby of Artistree.

In order to protect the health of all campers and staff, Artistree asks that you monitor your child’s temperature and health symptoms before attending camp.

Children must be kept at home when showing signs of the beginning of an illness or contagious disease, or when feeling too ill to participate in an educational setting.

We expect caregivers to communicate with us regarding any communicable illness or infection so that we may notify all caregivers of our campers. These conditions include but are not limited to: pink eye; chicken pox; measles; mumps; strep throat; or lice. If a child develops a fever of 100.0°F or higher, vomits, or has two loose stools while at camp, the caregiver will be called to pick them up.

These policies are in place to ensure the child’s well-being along with the well-being of the other children at camp and their families. If a child is sent home for illness during the camp week, a refund will not be issued.

**Please understand that these plans might change if new guidelines are released by the town, state or school district before summer 2023.**

As of January 2023, Artistree no longer requires campers to wear a mask during classroom activities. Masks will be optional for indoor and outdoor play. We are adhering the WCSU district COVID-19 guidelines as well as the State of Vermont guidelines and will continue to adapt these guidelines as the local and state guidelines are updated.

While we strongly recommend vaccinations, we will not be requiring vaccination or proof of vaccination for campers.

No. It is the policy of Artistree to not issue full or partial refunds based on the health of a child. By visiting Artistree, you voluntarily assume all risks related to any potential infectious or contagious disease, including but not limited to COVID-19.

If a child takes a daily medication, the caregiver is expected to administer it before or after camp. If absolutely necessary, please discuss the options with an Artistree staff member.

If your child has an Epi pen, please notify staff at drop off and indicate this on the camper’s Sawyer profile. Epi pens will be stored with camp instructors and counselors and will be given only if necessary. If a mild allergic reaction occurs, Artistree staff will call the child’s emergency contact for approval before administering Benadryl.

We do NOT provide lunch for campers; please send a packed lunch with your camper(s) who are attending full day camps. Lunch should not require refrigeration or microwaving. Please send your camper with snacks to enjoy throughout the camp day.

We expect caregivers to alert Artistree staff of any allergies and accommodate on a case by case basis. Please make sure to fill out your child’s Sawyer profile with all information about their allergy and feel free to reach out to Sheena Solitaire (programming@artsitreevt.org) with any questions or concerns.

We welcome all types of learners at Artistree and believe that the creative arts can benefit all children. With that in mind, knowing more about your child is helpful to our instructors, as we have to get to know the campers quickly in a one week session! Please fill out your child’s profile in Sawyer fully at the time of registration. Any information you include will be shared only with their instructors and camp counselors for the purpose of creating the best learning experience possible. If you prefer to have a conversation, please email Sheena Solitaire at programming@artistreevt.org.

If a minor injury occurs at camp (cut, scrap, etc.), an Incident Form will be filled out and the appropriate action will be taken by camp staff. When necessary, a phone call will be made to the caregiver. If a non-life threatening injury or illness needs more immediate care, Artistree staff will contact the caregiver and make arrangements for next steps. For more severe injuries, Artistree will call 9-1-1 emergency services. In the event of any head injury Artistree staff will contact the caregiver.

Our first priority is the safety of our campers. Behavior and Discipline procedures are in place to ensure camper safety and allow for healthy learning environments, providing campers with the best camp experiences.

Artistree educators strive to make every attempt to be proactive regarding camper behavior. We provide engaging, thoughtful activities, and use best judgement and appropriate action when handling common disruptive behavior.

The following unwanted behaviors may result in the temporary or permanent removal of a camper from their Artistree camp:

• Endangering the health (mental and physical) and safety of children and/or staff
• Use of profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity (hostile or offensive language)
• Refusing to follow behavior guidelines or camp rules; disrupting a program or running away from the group
• Destruction or theft of Artistree or personal property belonging to others

If a camper does not follow the behavior guidelines, we will take the following action steps as behavior problems progress:

• Staff will redirect the camper to more appropriate behavior.
• If unwanted behavior continues, the camper will be reminded of behavior guidelines and camp rules and create an action plan on how to correct the behavior. Camp staff will follow up with caregiver at pick-up time if necessary.
• If a child’s behavior still affects the safety or experience of other campers, at this time the camper will be given a short time out to reflect on their actions. A telephone call to parents will also be made at this time.
• If inappropriate behavior continues, as a final action step the camper may be dismissed from camp.

These guidelines are applicable to all Artistree campers. Camper fees are non-refundable if a camper is sent home for disciplinary reasons. Physical violence or bullying toward another camper or staff member can result in immediate dismissal from the camp.

If you have any questions or concerns not addressed here regarding camp registration or operation, please feel free to contact: Sheena Solitaire at 802-457-3500 ext 128 or programming@artistreevt.org.