FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are "Juniors" and "Seniors"?
A: Juniors are elementary school age kids (in TIC-MD, rising 2nd through 6th graders;at TIC-DC and TIC-VA, 2nd through 5th graders).Seniors are secondary age kids (in TIC-MD, rising 7th through 11th graders; at TIC-DC and TIC-VA, rising 6th graders and up).
For campers "on the cusp," we will change their
groups to keep friends together.
The group designation is more important in sports than in technology. Because of our individualized instruction, campers will learn what they are ready for and proceed at their own pace in either Junior or Senior technology. In sports, it is important to play with other kids the same age and size.
Q: Why can't my preschooler or kindergartner come to camp?
A: Our program is appropriate only if campers know how to read, at least on a minimal level. Also, having been to first grade gives them the added socialization skills that are necessary for collaboration in the computer lab and teamwork on the field.
Q: What is TIC's tax ID#?
A: TIC's tax ID# is 54-1484846. It is printed on every statement we send you.
Q: Is it possible to go half days or for only one week in a session?
A: Not unless you are willing to pay for the whole session and only attend part. We don't recommend this, because you only experience our real "product" if you attend the full two weeks.
Q: Can I get a refund if my child decides not to come?
A: Yes, until May 1, 2010, except for the non-refundable deposit of $200 per camper per session. There are no tuition refunds after that date.
Q: Why can't my child play only basketball in the athletic half of the day?
A: TIC is not a specialty sports camp. Our athletic program has always offered a variety of active sports, to exercise the body as well as the mind, and the wide choice of activities has always been very popular. For seniors campers, basketball (or another favorite sport) can be a daily one-hour "focus."
Q: Can I choose more than one tech option per session?
A: No. We don't believe in superficial learning. Campers don't just get a "taste" of each technology. They learn to master one skill at a time by following through on a project of their own design.
Campers may choose to do a different option in each TIC session they attend, or deepen their skills if they repeat a tech option in another session. Since the instruction is individualized, there is never any repetition— they learn only what they want or need at any point.
Our advanced web designers who have taken many of our different tech options, may learn to do true multimedia, combining different media in a web-based project.
Q: Why should my child take programming?
A: We believe that programming is an essential part of learning to do anything really powerful and creative on the computer. The benefits are explained here. Many kids come to camp wanting to design "video games." That's what programming teaches! (Of course, game design is not the only thing one can do in programming).
Q: Why must my child take programming before taking animation or robotics?
A: Kids who take animation without any knowledge of programming are totally dependent on the software to suggest what can be done. If they've had programming, it's as if they've broken through a wall. They feel empowered and have many more creative options. In robotics, campers need some programming background to succeed.
Q: Why—unlike other activities during sports—do tennis and drama cost extra?
A: There are extra rentals involved in providing these options, and our capacities are limited.
Q: Why can't my child take more than one extra cost option in the same session?
A: Drama and tennis may conflict with each other in the schedule.
Q: How does TIC deal with bullying?
A: Bullying is not tolerated at TIC. Our staff are trained to be alert to any evidence of bullying. A camper who bullies other campers is sent to the office and parents are called. Depending on the severity of the incidents, the camper may be asked to leave camp, with no refund of tuition.
