 
What do Residential Camp and Non-Residential Camp mean? |
The key difference between these two camps is that Residential campers stay overnight at Challenger, and Non-Residential campers go home each night. It has nothing to do with whether a camper is a resident of the state of Alaska. |
What kind of training does camp staff receive? |
We take camp staff training very seriously. All camp staff are required to participate in a one week training session prior to the start of camp. During this training, staffers learn our policies, procedures, camper management techniques, bullying prevention, health and safety protocols (including CPR/First Aid certification), and camper interaction methods. Additionally, all staff are required to pass a national background check including sex offender registries. Please know, that many of our summer camp staff return over several years. |
Why do you need a copy of my child’s health exam? |
Challenger Learning Center of Alaska has earned American Camp Association Accreditation. This accreditation was earned by demonstrating compliance of over 300 health, safety, and programming standards. The health exam is ACA’s requirement. |
Why does a doctor need to sign my child’s Medical Release? |
Challenger Learning Center of Alaska has earned American Camp Association Accreditation. This accreditation was earned by demonstrating compliance of over 300 health, safety, and programming standards. The doctor’s signature is ACA’s requirement. |
Do you accept homeschool allotments? |
We love to have homeschool campers! We do accept several homeschool program allotments. We are willing to make payment accommodations so that the camp funds can be paid following the July allotments families receive. It is important to know that most homeschool programs only cover the educational portion of camps, and the room/board fees must be covered by the families. Please contact Spring for additional information regarding specific homeschool program questions. |
Do you offer camp scholarships? |
We often are able to offer scholarships, but may not know until right before the start of camp. We have included an option on our registration packet for families to contribute to our scholarship program. In the event you are in need of a scholarship, please complete a packet and in the payment information section, please state that you are in need of a scholarship. We will make every attempt to get every camper to our camps, but cannot make any guarantees until just prior to the start of camp. |
Do you offer shuttle service to/from Anchorage? |
We no longer offer the shuttle service; however, we will facilitate a carpool database. In the event you are needing or willing to carpool campers to/from Anchorage, we’ll collect contact information. Approximately one week before camp starts, we’ll email out all names and numbers of those who are interested. It will be each family’s responsibility to arrange the carpool rides. |
My child will be flying to Kenai. How does air travel work? |
Due to ACA accreditation standards, we are not able to transport campers in our personal vehicles. However, we recommend a cab service that will transport your camper from the airport to our camp, and return them to the airport at the end of camp. Our camp is approximately one mile from the airport, and one way cab fare is approximately $5. We require families provide us the travel itinerary for their camper and we continuously monitor the flight status. |
We have friends/family in the Kenai area and they'd like to pick my chid up for dinner one night; is this okay? |
We have no problem with campers leaving on a limited basis to visit with local friends/family. Two things are required for this to work. First, we must know ahead of time so that night staff can be informed. Second, the person picking your child up must be listed on the emergency contact paperwork. If their name is not listed, we will not release your child. |
Who needs to complete the PADI paperwork? |
Only campers who are participating in the Co-Ed Shuttle Pilot camp and who are at least 12 years old need to complete the PADI paperwork. This paperwork needs mailed in one week prior to camp. A faxed or emailed copy will not be accepted. We need the ORIGINAL paperwork. All questions need answered by writing out the words “yes” or “no.” Abbreviations will not be accepted. Any “yes” response will require a written doctor’s release for your child to participate in the scuba portion of camp. |
My child has special dietary needs; do you provide alternative meal options? |
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We understand that some children have special medically-necessary dietary restrictions, some of which may be life threatening. Our policy is that we will accommodate as best we can with foods we offer; however families are welcome to provide special food items to supplement and/or replace items on our menu that are of concern. We reccomend matching our menu as much as possible. A menu will be sent in the Confirmation Packet. Please note, we do not make accommodations only because a child is a "picky eater" and they would prefer special snacks/meals; this creates issues when the other campers see another child having preferred snacks/meals. We limit the ammount of sugar campers consume; snacks from home interfere with this policy. However, medical needs are certainly accommodated. |
My child is a picky eater, can he/she bring snacks from home? |
As many of our campers have various food allergies, some of which can be life threatening, our camp policy is that campers leave all snacks at home. Your child will be offered three full meals and two healthy snacks per day. We have found that meal schedule is more than adequate. Additionally, our chef works to limit the ammount sugar your camper will consume. However, we do accommodate special dietary needs that are medicinally necessary. |
What should my camper pack for camp? |
We include a Suggested Packing List in the Confirmation Packet you will receive a few weeks before camp starts. This packet will have a range of information regarding what to expect during a week of camp at CLCA. |
Can my camper bring electronic items from home? |
As a center educating youth about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, we certainly understand the role technology and electronics play in everyday life. With that said, we also understand that these same items can create distractions and disruptions to various environments. If your child will be bringing a cell phone, it will be collected at the start of camp. We understand many kids will feel lost without their cell phone, but reassure them, they will survive. Your child will be given an opportunity to call home if he/she requests it in the evening. Part of summer camp is having an opportunity to grow and develop in a safe environment away from home; constant access to a cell phone and texting inhibits this growth.
Additionally, we have to be aware of cell phone cameras in the dorm environment. Kids often have picture/video messaging capabilities and this opens the door to inappropriate behaviors. What may seem like a silly prank may have significant, permanent consequences that young people do not immediately recognize. Finally, we have WiFi throughout our building; many devices are able to access the internet which we do not want kids doing this unsupervised. iPods, iPads, mp3 players, laptops, and/or video game devices should be left at home. Finally, your camper will be having so much fun, they won’t need these to keep themselves entertained!
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Do you have a gift shop? How much money should I send with my camper? |
We have our Galactic Gift Shop, and campers will be given an opportunity to visit the gift shop on the last day of camp. We have a wide range of items with prices starting at less than $1 and as high as $100. Campers are fully responsible for the money they bring to camp. |
My child is part of the gifted program as his/her school. Can I enroll them in a camp geared towards older kids? |
We love to have campers of all abilities attend our summer camps. We have designed our camps for a range of grades (so kids with summer birthdays aren’t excluded) and are very firm as to which camps kids attend. Our camps aren’t only academic camps; camp is also a time of social development, and we have found that keeping kids grouped with their social peers to be the most efficient and allow the best camping experience for all involved. |