Prepare For Camp
Being a Summer Seminole takes some planning. Below are resources to help get you and
your family thinking about your trip to camp. It'll be summer before you know it!
You're Registered! Here Are Your Next Steps...
Fill Out Your Supplemental Camp Forms
There are some required forms that we need you to fill out and, depending on which camp you're attending, you may also be asked to fill out forms to give us other information or preferences.
We will want to know if you have any roommate requests, if you will be late to check-in, if you need computer access for an online course, and any other details that will help us provide a great camp experience.
You can fill out this information ONLINE or download the forms to PRINT and send back by mail. We ask that you provide this information as soon as possible but the deadline to submit all forms and requests is two weeks before the start of your camp.
Know Before You Go
The best way to prepare for camp is to read your camp handbook. You can also review the links and information on the bottom of this page for common topics and answers.
New For 2018 - You can sign-up for text messages so that you will be reminded of important deadlines and notified of any last minute changes right to your phone. We are using remind.com for this service. Click here to see the "class" list so you can subscribe to your camp via the app on your phone or computer.
Prepare For Your Placement Audition
Some of our camps require an audition at check-in to determine ensembles or other class assignments. Click here to find out if this applies to you and what you should prepare if it does.
Plan Your Travel
Make sure you know your camp check-in time and then make your plans to come to Tallahassee! See our Travel Resources to the right for helpful information.
Planning For The
Day-To-Day
Camp Map
Check-In Schedule
The times listed below are the start times for each check-in, but you can arrive anytime during the time block.
Campers Traveling By Themselves To Camp
Campers may travel to and from camp on their own. In these cases, we offer some resources to help with your travel planning:
CAMPERS ARRIVING BY CAR
If the camper is driving to camp there is no special parking permit needed. The camper will be able to park in the Southgate Campus Centre parking garage for no charge and will be required to turn in their keys upon check-in. Overnight campers may not use their cars once they have checked into camp.
CAMPERS ARRIVING BY BUS OR PLANE
If the camper is arriving by mass transit it is possible that they will have to arrive before or after designated check-in times. We can coordinate an early or late check-in for these campers - just give us a call to let us know.
Airline reservations for your flight home should be no earlier than 2 HOURS AFTER THE END OF THE FINAL CONCERT. (i.e. if your concert ends at 4pm, do not schedule a flight any earlier than 6pm). Please consult the performance schedule times to be sure that you are leaving ample time.
Discuss the transport of large instruments with your carrier prior to your trip. Please make sure that your camper has plenty of money for any baggage fees which might occur on the trip home. The camps cannot pay for excess baggage fees.
Campers under the age of 14 traveling alone by plane may be considered an “unaccompanied minor” by the airline. This means that he/she is required to be picked up by a designated individual. The airline may require the name, address & contact information of that person at the time you book the flight.
Shuttle Service
- the Tallahassee Regional Airport - Airport Code TLH
http://www.talgov.com/airport/ - the Greyhound Bus Station - 112 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee
- W Tennessee St & Woodward Ave (Saint Thomas More Cathedral) for the Red Coach Bus
The cost of this service is:
- $35.00 round trip for pickup/drop-off that takes place between 8:00am-10:00pm
OR - $50.00 round trip for pickup/drop-off that takes place between 10:00pm-8:00am
- There is no discounted price for one way, though you can request transport in only one direction.
How It Works
Once we have received your shuttle request and payment you will receive a Travel Voucher from us in the mail. This Travel Voucher will serve as a receipt of payment, verification that we have the correct travel information for your child prior to their arrival, and must be presented to the shuttle driver.
- For Pick-Ups: Campers will be met by a uniformed member of our staff. They will assist in baggage claim and then bring the camper directly to check-in or to the dorm depending on arrival time. This service is intended for campers traveling by themselves to and from camp. Though we can make arrangements to take parents in the shuttle as well, you may find it more economical to take a taxi. Remember to keep our housing policy in mind when making your travel arrangements. An extra night in the dorm is required if you are arriving the day before check-in, anytime between midnight and 8am on the day of check-in OR departing the day after check-out. The Extra Night of Housing Request Form can be found here.
- For Drop-Offs: While at camp, campers will work with their counselor to be packed and ready to go at the appropriate time for their return trip. We suggest that airline travel be scheduled no earlier than two hours after the end of the final concert.
How To Arrange For Shuttle Service
The deadline to schedule shuttle service is two weeks prior to the start of your camp.
Checks in the amount of $35.00 (for pickup/drop-off that take place between 8am-10:00am) or $50.00 (for pick-up/drop-off between the hours of 10:00pm-8am) should be made payable to Florida State University.
Please fill out the Shuttle Service Request Form, print it and then mail it back with payment to:
FSU Summer Music Camps, PO Box 3061180, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1180
Please allow us three weeks to process your request and send you the Travel Voucher. If you have sent in a Shuttle Service Request Form and have not received your Travel Voucher within three weeks, or if it is less then one week prior to the start of the camp, please contact our office.
HOUSING
Remember to keep our housing policy in mind when making your travel arrangements. An extra night in the dorm is required:
- if you are arriving the day before camp check-in
- if you are arriving between midnight and 8am on the day of camp check-in
- if you are departing the day after check-out.
- if you are attending multiple camps and will not be checked-out by your parents for the night in between the two camps.
Extra nights are NOT available:
- before June 10. Campers at Choral Ensemble Camp, Piano Camp, and the Piano and Organ Institute can not book an extra night before the start of camp. The earliest these campers can arrive is check-in on June 10.
- after July 14. Campers at Middle School Band Camp can not book an extra night at the end of camp. All campers must depart after the performance on July 14.
Extra nights are limited to one night before and/or one night after camp starts and ends.
The cost for an extra night of housing is $50.00/night. This includes the additional night, counselor supervision, and all extra meals.
To secure your extra night, fill out the Extra Housing Request Form and return it to us along with a check made payable to Florida State University. The deadline to request extra housing is two weeks prior to the start of your camp.
PREPARING YOUR CAMPER
Please call us and verify that all of the campers forms are complete and the the balance of camp fees has been paid in full before they come to camp. This will ensure that the camper has a smooth check-in.
Late Arrivals and Early Departures
We know that travel schedules can often be complicated, but we hope that won't prevent you from attending camp. We can arrange for late arrivals and early departures if needed. Please note that we cannot offer pro-rated camp tuition or housing based on a late arrival or early departure.
Late Arrivals
A late arrival would be considered if you know in advance that you will be arriving:
- on the same day as camp check-in but AFTER the official camp check-in time
(see your camp description page or handbook if you are not sure what that day and time is). - on a day that is after the official camp check-in day
In this case, please contact our office to notify us of your expected arrival time. We will give you instructions about where to go on campus based on the time and day you will be arriving.
Early Departures
An early departure would be if you know in advance that the camper will be leaving camp one or more days prior to the official end date of camp.
In this case, please contact our office to notify us of the expected departure date and time. We will be able to give you instructions about how and where to pick up your camper.
Attending Multiple Camps
What's better than coming to a camp at FSU? Coming to many camps at FSU!
If you are joining us for more than one camp this summer, we wanted you to know that:
- You only need to fill out your supplemental forms once.
- If your camps are consecutive, you have the option to:
1. Check-out from the first camp during regular check-out and spend the night off campus. You would then check in to your next camp during regular camp check-in the next day.
2. Stay overnight in the dorm between the two camps. You will be brought to check-in for the next camp by one of our counselors.
If you select to stay on campus for the night in-between the two camps, you will need to request an extra night of housing.
The cost for an extra night of housing is $50.00/night. This includes the additional night, counselor supervision, and all extra meals.
To secure your extra night, fill out the Extra Housing Request Form and return it to us along with a check made payable to Florida State University. The deadline to request extra housing is two weeks prior to the start of your camp.
We can not guarantee that you will remain in the same dorm room but we will do our best to make this happen if possible.
Taking Summer Classes
Do you need to do coursework for an academic class while at camp?
There is limited computer access to the internet available to camper who are enrolled in an academic course. Arrangements must be made in advance by contacting the camp office. Students must bring their own computer. Access will be provided on select evenings when the campers schedule permits.
Instruments and Instrument Storage
All campers must bring an instrument with them to camp.
The instrument that you selected during camp registration is the instrument that you must play at camp. If you are not sure which instrument you selected, or if you would like to change your instrument to a different one, please contact our office prior to the start of your camp.
Lockers
Lockers are available to some campers. Due to limited availability, some students may be asked to share lockers, and some campers including vocalists and those who play small instruments such as flute or clarinet may not receive lockers.
Lockers are located in the Housewright Music Building and have a built-in combination lock. Campers will provided with the locker combination as part of the welcome packet. Campers are responsible for any materials stored in these lockers. The lockers are managed by the College of Music, not the camps, and we cannot control who has the locker before and after you. If you leave anything behind after camp check-out we cannot guarantee that it will be returned.
Oversized Instruments
Campers who play oversized instruments will be provided with a secure room to lock up their instruments rather than a locker. This room will be in either the Housewright or Kuersteiner Music Building. This may apply to tuba, guitar (both electric & acoustic), bass (both upright and electric), drummers at Jazz Ensemble Camp who bring their own drum kit, and other large instruments. Campers who play oversized instruments will be directed to the storage location during check-in.
Unloading Drum Kits: A Special Note for Jazz Camp Drummers
Campers do not need their drum kit for the audition (we will provide one for that). Your drum kit can be unloaded by the breezeway at the Housewright Music Building after you complete your placement audition but before you go to the dorm where you will be directed to a secure location to store it.
Sending Money With Campers
Most of the items that campers spend money on are snacks, drinks, the occasional pizza delivery, and recreation activities. All of these are payable with cash only.
We encourage parents to make sure that campers have enough money for activities before they leave. It is difficult for parents to get money to campers once they have left campus. The camps are not permitted to cash checks and there are no Western Union locations near campus.
If you are concerned about your child carrying cash (there are no safes in the rooms), you might consider a pre-paid ATM card. These are available at Walmart and most convenience stores or grocery stores. Just make sure that it can be used as a debit and ATM card. There is a SunTrust ATM machine in Southgate where the camper can withdraw cash from the pre-paid card when they need it.
In the event that you need to send money to a camper after they are here, you will need to utilize the Western Union at the Publix on Ocala Road. You will need to work with your camper and counselor to determine a time that they can go to receive the transfer.
The following is a list of common expenditures: T-Shirt: $15, Optional Activities/Field Trips: $7-$15/event, Snacks/Pizza/Other Spending: $50 per week
Sending Mail To Campers
If you are planning to send mail to a camper while they are at camp, we suggest you do the following:
- Send it before they leave
Our campus mail system slows the process down by as much as four days! We often receive cards and letters for campers long after their camp has ended - especially for campers that are here for our one-week camps. By sending mail the week before your camper leaves, we will be able to hold onto it until their arrival and give it to them during the camp week. Any packages which need to be forwarded after camp has ended will be at the family’s expense.
- Send it to the camp administration office.
We encourage you to send mail to our Administration Office (FSU Summer Music Camps, PO Box 3061180, 122 N. Copeland Street, HMU 204, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1180). Mail that is sent directly to the dorm will be received by Southgate employees - not our camp staff. Sending it to the Camp Administration Office is the only way to ensure that the package will get to the right person.
- Send it via FedEx or UPS
If you are sending campers anything of value, we HIGHLY suggest sending it via FedEx or UPS. This is the only way to guarantee that your son or daughter will receive the package. If you use the US Postal Service with a tracking number you will find that once the package leaves the Tallahassee Post Office and enters the campus mail system, the tracking number will no longer work and it will seem like the package has been lost. The Post Office will not be able to help you track it down. Only FedEx and UPS will enable you to track your package all they way through delivery.
- Next Day Service doesn’t really mean next DAY.
Mail and packages are only delivered to the College of Music once per day - usually at about 3pm. Even if you pay for AM delivery, expedited overnight service or priority delivery, it won’t be delivered to our office until the late afternoon. It will then be given to the counselors who will get it to the camper at dinner time. Bottom line - if you send something on a Tuesday via overnight service, don’t expect the camper to get it until Wednesday evening at the earliest.
Adjusting to Camp Life
How you can help your camper be prepared while also preparing yourself.
Homesickness can happen to anyone. Adjusting to camp can be overwhelming for some students. Usually homesickness manifests within the first 24-36 hours, and common phrases to listen for when your child calls are: “I just don’t like camp”; “The music is too easy and I’ve already played this piece at school”; “I’m not making any friends” or “I’m bored.” Most of the time these are usually just warning signs that the student is having trouble adjusting to their new environment. Once they have the chance to overcome these anxieties, most campers don’t want to come home.
If you feel that your child might be having trouble adjusting, encourage them to hang in there and then give us a call so that we can do all we can to help them feel comfortable, involved and happy. Our staff has handled these situations before and have a variety of tools and methods at their disposal to get your child interacting with new friends and on the path to having a great time at camp.
To help your child prepare in the months before camp starts, you may wish to try the following techniques which are endorsed by the American Camp Association:
- Don’t make a “pick-up deal.” Promising “If you feel homesick, I’ll come and get you” undermines children’s confidence and dramatically intensifies homesickness. Instead, normalize their anxiety and talk positively about camp.
- Spend practice time away from home. Nothing builds confidence and teaches a child how to cope with time away from home better than…(you guessed it)…time away from home. That weekend at your folks’ house will do wonders for their adjustment.
- Double-check the check-in and check-out time for your camp. Start camp off on a smooth note by arriving on time and on the right day. Use a wall calendar in the months prior to check-in day to make an exciting count-down to the big day.
Other Troubles In Paradise...
It happens...iPods go missing, money gets lost, toilets get clogged, friends can say mean things. If your son or daughter calls you with a problem, remind them that the counselors should be their first stop for assistance - there is always someone available in the Camp Office to help. Our staff will do our best to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. But what happens when kids don’t know when to ask for help? Our counselors will always do their best to try to identify problems before they happen, but they are not mind-readers. Remind your son or daughter that they need to speak up if something isn’t right or if they are unhappy. Most importantly, they need to speak up if they aren’t feeling well. Our camp counselors are not medical professionals and can not make medical decisions on behalf of the students. If your son or daughter has an ongoing medical condition, please alert us at check-in and make sure that your child knows to alert an adult immediately if they are experiencing any signs or symptoms.
Accommodations for Campers with Disabilities
Florida State is committed to providing a quality education to all qualified students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. Please contact our office at 850-644-9934 to discuss any questions or accommodations that may need to be made for your camper at least three weeks prior to the start of camp.
Shuttle Service
- the Tallahassee Regional Airport - Airport Code TLH
http://www.talgov.com/airport/ - the Greyhound Bus Station - 112 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee
- W Tennessee St & Woodward Ave (Saint Thomas More Cathedral) for the Red Coach Bus
The cost of this service is:
- $35.00 round trip for pickup/drop-off that takes place between 8:00am-10:00pm
OR - $50.00 round trip for pickup/drop-off that takes place between 10:00pm-8:00am
- There is no discounted price for one way, though you can request transport in only one direction.
How It Works
Once we have received your shuttle request and payment you will receive a Travel Voucher from us in the mail. This Travel Voucher will serve as a receipt of payment, verification that we have the correct travel information for your child prior to their arrival, and must be presented to the shuttle driver.
- For Pick-Ups: Campers will be met by a uniformed member of our staff. They will assist in baggage claim and then bring the camper directly to check-in or to the dorm depending on arrival time. This service is intended for campers traveling by themselves to and from camp. Though we can make arrangements to take parents in the shuttle as well, you may find it more economical to take a taxi. Remember to keep our housing policy in mind when making your travel arrangements. An extra night in the dorm is required if you are arriving the day before check-in, anytime between midnight and 8am on the day of check-in OR departing the day after check-out. The Extra Night of Housing Request Form can be found here.
- For Drop-Offs: While at camp, campers will work with their counselor to be packed and ready to go at the appropriate time for their return trip. We suggest that airline travel be scheduled no earlier than two hours after the end of the final concert.
How To Arrange For Shuttle Service
The deadline to schedule shuttle service is two weeks prior to the start of your camp.
Checks in the amount of $35.00 (for pickup/drop-off that take place between 8am-10:00am) or $50.00 (for pick-up/drop-off between the hours of 10:00pm-8am) should be made payable to Florida State University.
Please fill out the Shuttle Service Request Form, print it and then mail it back with payment to:
FSU Summer Music Camps, PO Box 3061180, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1180
Please allow us three weeks to process your request and send you the Travel Voucher. If you have sent in a Shuttle Service Request Form and have not received your Travel Voucher within three weeks, or if it is less then one week prior to the start of the camp, please contact our office.
Extra Nights Of Housing
We offer extra nights of housing in the dorm to help make your travel to and from camp more flexible.
An extra night in the dorm is required:
- if you are arriving the day before camp check-in
- if you are arriving between midnight and 8am on the day of camp check-in
- if you are departing the day after check-out.
- if you are attending multiple camps and will not be checked-out by your parents for the night in between the two camps.
Extra nights are NOT available:
- before June 10. Campers at Choral Ensemble Camp, Majorette Camp, Piano Camp, and the Piano Institute can not book an extra night before the start of camp. The earliest these campers can arrive is check-in on June 10.
- after July 14. Campers at Middle School Band Camp can not book an extra night at the end of camp. All campers must depart after the performance on July 14.
Extra nights are limited to one night before and/or one night after camp starts and ends.
The cost for an extra night of housing is $50.00/night. This includes the additional night, counselor supervision, and all extra meals.
To secure your extra night, fill out the Extra Housing Request Form and return it to us along with a check made payable to Florida State University. The deadline to request extra housing is two weeks prior to the start of your camp.
Parking, Drop-Off and Pick-Up
University Lots are available for parking without a parking permit everyday AFTER 4:30pm and all day Saturday and Sunday.
DAY-CAMPER PARKING
Day-campers driving themselves to camp each day should purchase a parking permit from FSU. Visitor parking permits are available for purchase online or at the Transportation Services Office located at 104 North Woodward Avenue (located in the FSUCard Center, entrance through the FSU Bookstore. These permits are $3.25 per day. Visitor permits allow you to park in any un-gated Faculty/Staff or Student space (there is one right across from the music buildings). Call 850-644-5278 or visit their website for more information.
OVERNIGHT-CAMPER PARKING : SOUTHGATE
Overnight campers who drive themselves to camp do NOT need to purchase a parking permit. Students are not allowed to drive during camp and will need to turn in their keys to the dorm staff upon arrival. Students will receive a free parking permit for the Southgate Parking Garage where they may leave their car for the duration of camp.
DAY-CAMPER DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
For all campers EXCEPT Marching Band Leadership Camp & Elementary Camp
If you are dropping-off and picking-up a day camper each day, please do so at the breezeway on Copeland Street between the Housewight and Kuersteiner Music Buildings.
- AM Drop-Off
Counselors will be stationed at the breezeway beginning at 7:30am to meet the students. Please be prepared to stop only briefly to let you child out of the car and then continue driving down the street as to not block regular traffic on Copeland Street. - PM Pick-Up
We wont' lie - PM pick up can get a bit hectic. Especially in the rain. But we do our best to get your children out to your car as quickly and efficiently as possible. Please be patient and stay in your car. We will walk your child out to meet you.
Campers who have not been picked-up by their parents by 5:45pm will be brought over to the Southgate Dorm Camp Office. Parents will need to park at the Southgate Campus Center parking garage (off Pensacola Street) and go the second floor of the Southgate Campus Center to the Camp Office. You will be able to pick up your child there.
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MARCHING BAND LEADERSHIP CAMP
If you are dropping-off and picking-up a Marching Band Leadership camper please follow this schedule for pick-up and drop-off locations:
- Sunday: Check-in takes place at the College of Music, and pick-up after the evening activities takes place at the College of Music Breezeway.
- Monday: Drop-off at the Marching Chiefs field; pick-up at the College of Music Breezeway or (Civic Center for Color Guard).
- Tuesday: Drop-off at the Marching Chiefs field; pick-up at the College of Music Breezeway or (Civic Center for Color Guard).
- Wednesday: Drop-off at the Marching Chiefs field; pick-up at the College of Music Breezeway or (Civic Center for Color Guard).
- Thursday: Drop-off at the Marching Chiefs field; pick-up at the College of Music Breezeway or (Civic Center for Color Guard).
- Friday: Drop-off at Westcott 060; camp ends with the Pass & Review in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.
ELEMENTARY MUSIC DAY CAMP
- Drop-Off
Campers should be dropped-off Tuesday - Friday at the circular driveway on the north side of Ruby Diamond Concert Hall between 7:45-8:00am. - Pick-Up
- Park Your Car in the Palm Court Parking Lot
- Walk over the Housewright Music Buliding at your designated time:
Last Name A-K: 4:00pm
Last Name L-Z: 4:20pm
To ensure the safety and security of your child at camp, the following will be our daily check-out process:- Pick-Up Tags:
Each family will receive two pick-up tags. When picking up your camper, you will need to have this with you OR - Approved Sign-Out List:
Each family will also be asked to fill out a form which lists persons approved to pick-up your child. If any person on this form comes to pick up the child but does not have the Express Check-Out Number, they will be asked to show a valid drivers license or other ID in order to pick-up the camper.
- Pick-Up Tags:
Under no circumstance will a child be released to someone who does not have either the Express Check-Out Number or who is not on the Approved Sign-Out list. If you have a last minute change of plans that require someone to pick up your child who is not on the Approved Sign-Out List, you will be required to provide us with written authorization for that person to pick-up your child. We will accept written notification via email (musiccamps@fsu.edu). Under no circumstance will we accept a verbal or phone request for someone who is not on the Approved Sign-Out List to pick-up your child.
PRESBYTERIAN UNIVERSITY CENTER LOT
This lot, located directly across from the College of Music on Copeland Street, is privately owned and requires a parking permit at all times. They actively tow. DO NOT PARK THERE unless you receive a specific permit from us to park there.
Elementary Music Day Camp Lunches
Bagged lunches for Elementary Music Day Camp are no longer available. We apologize for any inconvenience. Parents should plan to pack lunch daily for their camper. Please see your handbook for additional information.
Supplemental Forms
Submitting Your Forms Online
The link below will take you to the online forms. The online forms system is NOT connected to the username and password that you set up to register for camp with. If you try using this username and password you won't be able to get in.
- If it is your first time coming to camp:You will need to sign up for an account.
- If you came to camp last year and submitted your forms online, or if you applied for a discount from us this year, then you probably have an account in this system. HINT: If you think you might have an account already and try to sign in using your email and then you request a password re-set but you never receive the password re-set email, then it's a sure sign that you don't have an account and should make one.
- If you are unsure whether or not you have an account, or if you are having trouble logging in, please call our office at 850-644-9934 and we can assist you.
Continue To Online Forms In January
Camp Handbook
We are currently updating the handbooks for 2018. The links below are for LAST YEAR'S 2017 handbooks and should be used for reference purposes only. Please check back in January for the official 2018 information.
Click Here To View An Online, Interactive Version of the 2017 camp handbook for ALL CAMPS EXCEPT Elementary Music Day Camp
Click Here To View An Online, Interactive Version of the 2017 camp handbook for Elementary Music Day Camp
Remind.com Class Codes
Once you have signed-up with remind.com, or if you are already a remind.com user, you will need to add your "class" in order to get the reminders that apply to you. Below are the class codes:
- Band Camp for Middle School = @2018bcms
- Band Camp for Senior High = @2018bcsh
- Choral Ensemble Camp = @2018cec
- Double Bass Workshop = @2018dbw
- Elementary Music Day Camp = @2018emdc
- Guitar Workshop = @2018gw
- Honors Chamber Winds = @2018hcw
- Jazz Ensemble Camp for Middle School = @2018jecms
- Jazz Ensemble Camp for Senior High = @2018jecsh
- Marching Band Leadership = @2018mblccg
- Piano Camp = @2018pianoc
- Piano Institute = @2018pianoi
- String Orchestra Camp = @2018string
- Tuba/Euphonium Workshop = @2018tew