In 2024, with a push for fiscal responsibility, we are changing the way we allocate tuition assistance for Summer Camps by providing tuition at the full price, an access rate (which is subsidized 20%), and an assistance rate (where families can apply for up to 75% off their tuition). Overall, we are planning to give out more tuition assistance this year than we did in 2023 and these changes will simplify our internal processes in determining who gets tuition assistance and how much they receive, as well as clarify how money is allocated across our organization.

We are continuing to hold a weighted lottery for full-day camps. Families have from January 19th to January 28th to indicate their interest in the full summer (June 10th – Aug 23rd), one of the 3-week sessions, and/or the last week of camp. The weighted lottery randomly selects registrants with additional entries given to students who have been historically underserved and underrepresented. Families not selected in the lottery will automatically be waitlisted. Once notified of selection, families will have the option to register for camps.

Why did you change registration to be this way?

• We felt and received feedback that our previous registration process was becoming too competitive, making it inequitable and stressful for families.
• We believe moving to a lottery system will help us become more equitable and inclusive. As summer camp slots have continued to fill more quickly each year, this new process will allow families to register at a more reasonable time and pace.
• The lottery will take more coordination up-front on our end which will require some patience from registrants, but we believe this will give more families in our community an opportunity to experience summer camp at ALNC.

How does the lottery work?

• Each child needs to have a lottery form filled out.
• In support of our inclusion initiatives, our enrollment form includes some weighted questions, which will help us identify campers who may have been historically underserved and underrepresented. These families will be given more entries in the lottery.
• We will randomly select registrants for the summer camp sessions from families who sign up during the 10-day registration period.
• Once we have selected campers, we will contact families who can either accept or decline a spot at camp.
  • If they decline, we will randomly select another camper.
  • If they accept, we will put the remaining families on the waiting list.

How do I know which price to choose?

• ALNC has two (2) pricing options for families to choose from, a full price option and an access price option. The access price reflects a subsidy of 20% off the full price and is intended for families at the 300% FPL or below. Please see the ALNC Summer Camp Price guidelines for 2024 for an idea of where your family’s income falls on the scale. The scale is meant to be a guideline, based on 2023 income, and doesn’t cover all situations.

How do siblings factor into the lottery?

• Siblings will be paired together for the lottery. If one child is chosen for a session, their sibling gets chosen for that same session as well (with each put into their appropriate age group).
• If siblings want to attend different sessions, you will need to fill out a separate lottery form for each child.

Can I sign up for just one week of camp?

• The only option for a 1-week full-day camp is Session #4 (August 19-23).
• If you’re seeking a more flexible summer camp experience, we do have separate afternoon camp sessions from 1-3pm M-F that you will be able to register for 1 week at a time. This registration will begin on Tuesday, February 20th at noon and will not be a lottery.

If sessions are three weeks, can I sign up for three different weeks that aren’t in a row?

• No, the sessions are preplanned.
  • Session #1: June 10-28
  • Session #2: July 8-26
  • Session #3: July 29-August 16
  • Session #4: August 19-23 (1 week only)

Can I sign up for more than one session?

• To increase access, children who do not enroll in the full summer session may attend one three-week session AND/OR the final week of summer camp.

When will I be notified and how?

• All registrants will receive an email by February 9th notifying you whether your child got into a camp session or was placed on the waitlist.
• Once a family makes their deposit payment during the acceptance period, we will send additional enrollment materials and information.

How long do I have to accept?

• You will have 48 hours to accept the camp session your child got into. You will need to confirm your acceptance and make a non-refundable deposit during this time period in order to reserve your spot. Please let us know if this amount is prohibitive for you and we can discuss an alternative amount.

Can I get on a waitlist?

• Once the lottery is finished and all families have been notified and accepted, we will create waitlists for remaining families for each session option.
• We will keep in touch periodically with families on waitlists to let them know of their status.
• If you miss the January registration lottery window, you can still be added to the waitlist after the fact in the event an opening becomes available.
• There is no deposit required to be/remain on the waitlist.

Can I make a buddy request for my camper?

• Once your child gets into a camp session, there will be forms to fill out and you can put a buddy request on those forms.

Do I have to pay or make a deposit to enter the lottery?

• No, you do not need to make a deposit or payment to enter the lottery. You will only need to fill out the lottery enrollment forms during the registration window from January 20-29.
• Once you are notified that your name has been selected through the lottery, you will need to make a non-refundable deposit.

Do I have to pay all at once? How does payment work?

• Families who are accepted into sessions will need to make a non-refundable deposit to reserve their spots. Please note: Explorers camps add $10/week to totals below because of 1/week offsite trips. Payment plans will differ.
• The following payment plans are available for each session:
  • Full Summer: June 10-August 23
    • Full Price: $3,760 | $175 deposit required to reserve spot; $1,195 due June 1; $1,195 due July 1; $1,195 due August 1.
    • Access Price: $3,000 | $150 deposit required to reserve spot; $950 due June 1; $950 due July 1; $950 due August 1.
  • Session #1: June 10-28
    • Full Price: $1,125 | $200 deposit required to reserve spot; 50% of balance ($462.50) due May 1; remaining balance ($462.50) due June 1.
    • Access Price: $900 | $100 deposit required to reserve spot; 50% of balance ($400) due May 1; remaining balance ($400) due June 1.
  • Session #2: July 8-26
    • Full Price: $1,125 | $200 deposit required to reserve spot; 50% of balance ($462.50) due June 1; remaining balance ($462.50) due July 1.
    • Access Price: $900 | $100 deposit required to reserve spot; 50% of balance ($400) due June 1; remaining balance ($400) due July 1.
  • Session #3: July 29-Aug 16
    • Full Price: $1,125 | $200 deposit required to reserve spot; 50% of balance ($462.50) due July 1; remaining balance ($462.50) due August 1.
    • Access Price: $900 | $100 deposit required to reserve spot; 50% of balance ($400) due July 1; remaining balance ($400) due August 1.
  • Session #4: August 19-23
    • Full Price: $375 | $200 deposit required to reserve spot; remaining balance ($175) due August 1.
    • Access Price: $300 | $150 deposit required to reserve spot; remaining balance ($150) due August 1.
  • Adventurers
    • Session 1 (June 10-14): $450 | $200 deposit required to reserve spot; remaining balance ($250) due May 1.
    • Session 2 (June 24-28): $450 | $200 deposit required to reserve spot; remaining balance ($250) due June 1.
    • Session 3 (July 15-19): $450 | $200 deposit required to reserve spot; remaining balance ($250) due July 1.
  • WI Shares payments are accepted. Families are responsible for any remaining balance not covered by WI Shares. If you need tuition assistance from ALNC to cover this amount, please indicate this in your lottery enrollment form. Tuition assistance requests are not guaranteed; we also lottery these fund in order to equitably distribute them.

  How does tuition assistance work?

  • If you have financial need for assistance, you will have an opportunity to indicate this on the lottery form. If your name is selected in the lottery, we will work with you on tuition assistance and financial needs as indicated on your form.
  • ALNC may provide up to 75 % off the full price of camp.

  Are there themes for each week?

  • Yes, there are still unique and engaging themes for each week. They are listed on our summer camp brochure.

  Are you offering overnight trips this summer?

  • Yes! We are offering three 1 week Adventurer camps for ages 11-13 years old. The weeks will consist of daily offsite activities with a 1 night overnight (Thursday-Friday)
  • The dates and topics for those weeks are:
    • Geology Rocks: June 10-14
    • Wonders of Water: June 24-28
    • Summer on the Ice Age: July 15-19
  • Cost: $450/week
  • These camps will be included in the lottery registration.
  • You can enter the lottery for all three weeks.

  We already know we will be missing days or weeks during the sessions we’d like to register for – will we be able to receive refunds for these?

  • No. To account for our new more accessible enrollment process, the sessions must be used as a full block, and we’re not able to make exceptions for absences. However, the sessions are priced in bulk rates to account for this. You can still sign up for a session even if you cannot attend all of the days.

  Whom do I contact with questions?

  • Contact Lauren Mordini, Camps Manager, with any questions.
    • Email: camps@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
    • Phone: 608-216-9374