1. How qualified is the Camp Intrepid staff?

Very! All of our instructors are professional artists and educators with expertise in their fields and extensive experience working with young people.  Most of our instructors are also teaching artists in our acclaimed Shakespeare School Tour Program, Shakespeare For A New Generation.  This education program tours Shakespeare plays and teaches workshops to elementary, middle and high school students in public and private schools all over Southern California.

All staff members undergo a careful interview process, including background checks and classroom observation.

2. What measures are in place to ensure the safety of my child?

We thank you for entrusting your child with us, and his/her safety is our priority.  First, in the interest of preventing emergencies, we maintain a high level of supervision: each student is assigned to a class based on their age.  They move through their day with their assigned class as they go from one teaching artist’s class to the next.  Lunch and outdoor theatre games has a minimum of two teaching artists supervising the students at all times.  Attendance is taken both at drop-off and at the beginning of each class.  Students must get a pass to go to the restrooms and are forbidden to roam the grounds unsupervised. We have procedures in place for any type of emergency and all staff members are trained in these procedures.  If your child is in need of medical attention, staff members are trained in CPR and First Aid.  We are also located two minutes from Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas.  Should camp be closed due to unforeseen circumstances or should an emergency arise, parents and guardians will be contacted.  A detailed message will also be available by calling (760) 295-7541 and on Intrepid’s website.

3.  What is the procedure for regular drop-off and pick-up?

Campers may begin to arrive at 8:45am (unless they are enrolled in the early drop-off program).  At 9:00am, everyone meets in the theatre for Theatre Circle Warm-Up and roll call (where attendance is taken). The campers then go to their first activity with their counselor.  Pick-up begins at 2:50pm and must be complete by 3:15pm (unless the campers are pre-enrolled in the extended day program).  Campers will only be released to persons authorized by their parent/guardian and cannot leave camp grounds without being signed out.  Campers with parent/guardian permission are dismissed at 2:50pm to walk off the grounds and catch public transportation.

4.  What is the cost and procedure for early drop-off/extended day?

Early drop-off and/or extended day are only available for the Young Actors theatre camp.   You may pay in person by cash or check on the first day of camp but you must pre-register for these extra services.  Campers may be dropped off as early as 8:00am and must by picked up by 5:00pm.  During their extra time at camp, all campers will be supervised and led in fun activities by camp staff.  We consider these times an extension of our camp day.  In the morning, there are arts and crafts activities for the campers.  In the afternoon “extended day” program, the campers are invited to participate in choosing the activity and at the end of the day, they all get to vote on what the next day’s activity will be.  Activities include: dance party, soccer, karaoke, jewelry making, juggling, theatre games, clowning, and creative playwriting.

5.  What about lunch?

Due to special diets, allergies, cost and general pickiness, Camp Intrepid does not provide lunch.  Each camper is to bring a well-marked lunch and water bottle to camp each day.  Each lunch should also include a mid-morning snack.  If the camper is enrolled in the extended day program, please include an additional snack for the afternoon

6.  Where do the campers eat?

Mostly we’ll eat outside.  The campus of San Dieguito Acadey has nice lawns and a beautiful amphitheatre and courtyard.  If it’s raining or beastly hot, we’ll eat inside.  At the beginning, we eat in our small groups so people can get to know one another, but as camp goes on, campers can eat with any of their friends.

7.  My child has severe food allergies. Is Camp Intrepid peanut-free?

Camp Intrepid is not a peanut-free environment.  Please contact us to discuss any food allergies your child may have.

8.   What if my child has special needs?

Please call us at (760) 295-7541 and we can talk about how to make sure your child has the best possible experience at Camp Intrepid.  We are able to make adaptations!  We cannot, however, provide one-on-one aides to individual campers.

9.  Will the campers have a chance to perform?  Will the parents get to watch the performance?

At the end of the each camp program, there is a performance.  At the end of the Young Actors theatre camp, the campers will present a performance of the projects they’ve worked on throughout the week.  At the end of the musical theatre camp, the campers will perform  the musical The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee.  At the end of the Shakespeare camp, the campers will perform Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  All performances will take place on the final day of camp (Friday) at 5:00pm and are open to family and friends.  This final day is an extended camp day for all campers and is a mandatory part of the program.

10.  Who are those little kids? Who are those older kids?

The age range for the Young Actors theatre camp is 8 to 15.  Activities are usually grouped by ages 8-12 or 12-15.   Small groups are made up of campers entering the same grade.  We make sure that the classes and activities are meant for each age – we do our best to make sure each camper doesn’t feel too old or too young to be at camp.  Each camper will be challenged and will also have fun.

11.  Are there scholarships available?

Yes, there are a limited number of need-based scholarships available.  To apply for a scholarship, please contact Director of Education Sean Cox at seancox@intrepidshakespeare.com

12.  What is Camp Intrepid’s policy on cell phones?

Campers are not permitted to have cell phones at camp.  They are a distraction and easily lost.  Plus, an important part of art is being present and in the moment.  Cell phones, i-pods, and other electronics keeps campers from being fully present.  We are happy to discuss any extenuating circumstances that would necessitate your child having a cell phone while at camp.  During camp hours, you can reach your child by calling the camp office.

13.  How can I contact Camp Intrepid?

If you have questions, before the start of camp, please call (760) 295-7541.  You can also e-mail Sean Cox, Director of Education, at seancox@intrepidshakespeare.com.

14.  What if my child is too old to be a camper?

Camp Intrepid will provide a small number of internships for the summer camp programs.  Ideal candidates for these positions should be mature, responsible, energetic, and have arts interests and experience working with young people.  Interns will undergo staff training and, during the camp session, assist in activities and serve as group leaders. Interns must be over the age of 18.  Interested students should e-mail a letter of interest/introduction and resume to Director of Eduction Sean Cox at seancox@intrepidshakespeare.com.