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Camp FAQ's - The Registration Process
Registration Questions
What is the fastest way to sign up for camp?
How do I get a registration form?
How do I find out which programs are still available?
What does JV and Varsity mean?
Can I pay my balance due by May 1st online or over the phone?
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Waiting List Questions
The session I want is full. How can I get on a waiting list? How do the waiting lists work? How/when will I know if I got in?
What are the chances of getting into camp from a waiting list?
Is the deposit refundable if I don't get into camp?
How many waiting lists can I be on?
It looks like the program I want is full, and I'm not interested in being on a waiting list. How and when can I sign up for 2009?
What is the fastest way to sign up for camp?
Online registration is by far the fastest way to register. You are able to instantly reserve a space for your camper using the online registration system. Click here to register online using our secure website.
How do I get a registration form?
How do I find out which programs are still available?
Click here for the latest information on availability. This is the same information that we can see in the camp office - it is up-to-the-minute accurate.
What does JV and Varsity mean?
One-week sessions are divided into two sections by grade. The younger half is called "JV" (short for Junior Varsity), and it is made up of campers who will have finished 2nd through 5th grades by the summer of 2009. The "Varsity" section is made up of our 6th to 10th graders. All one-week campers (JV and Varsity) will eat in the same seating, but their instructional activities, electives, free time, and cabins are separate.
Can I pay my final balance due by May 1st online or over the phone?
No. You cannot pay your final balance by credit card online or verbally over the phone. We strongly prefer payment by check. If you cannot pay by check, you can print out a credit card payment form from the website to fill out and fax or mail.
Checks should be made out to Sandy Hill LLC for the “Amount Due” shown on the statement you will have received in the mail in early April, plus any additional store account money you wish to add. Please write your camper’s name and the amount of any additional store account money in the memo section of your check.
The session I want is full. How can I get on a waiting list? How do the waiting lists work? How/when will I know if I got in?
We are taking applications (both paper and online) for waiting lists for those sessions that are already full (red on the availability charts). To get on a waiting list, you must complete a paper or online application including a deposit as if you were registering for camp. We do not charge the deposit to your credit card or cash your check until you accept a space in a session. Indicate any and all sessions that you are interested in attending. We cannot take registrations or hold spots over the phone.
As spaces become available (due to cancellations), the next name on the waiting list is called and offered the space. If you are the one to receive the call, you can accept or decline the offer. If you accept, all or part of your deposit immediately becomes non-refundable (see refund and cancellation policy). You can decline the offer for any reason with no penalty. We simply call the next name on the waiting list. An additional advantage of being on the wait list in 2009 is that even if you do not get into camp, you will be in the first batch of people to receive the 2009 brochures next fall because you will be considered a "returning camper."
Your name stays on a waiting list until the day that that session begins. You can remove yourself from a waiting list by calling or emailing the office.
What are the chances of getting into camp from a waiting list?
Getting in from a waiting is based solely on cancellations. Cancellations are unknown, random, and unpredictable events that occur at any time up to and including the arrival day at camp. On average in 2007, there were 5-6 cancellations for each Varsity and two-week session per gender. There are historically only about half as many cancellations for JV campers per session. For example, in week 5 of 2007, there were 5 cancellations for Varsity girls. Because we allow people to sign up on multiple waiting lists (more weeks than they are interested in coming), the number that you are down on the waiting list is actually a little inflated. For example, you may be fifth on the week 3 Varsity female traditional camp waiting list. A spot opens in week 2 for someone who is on both the week 2 and week 3 wait lists. They accept the spot in week 2 and so their name comes off of the week 2 and week 3 lists. You are now fourth on the Varsity female traditional camp wait list even though no spots actually opened up in week 3.
SUMMARY - Our rule of thumb is...
For a Varsity or Two-week session, if you are in the top 5 on the wait list, you stand a very high probability of getting in due to cancellations. If you are in the top 10 on the wait list, it is probably about a 50/50 chance. Much beyond 10, the chances start to get pretty slim.
For a JV session, if you are in the top 2-3 on the wait list, you stand a very high probability of getting in due to cancellations. If you are in the top 5-6 on the wait list, it is probably about a 50/50 chance. Much beyond 6, the chances start to get pretty slim.
In 2007, some programs had more than 20 campers on a wait list. Because there is no risk associated with being on a waiting list, we strongly encourage you to get on as many lists as you could possibly attend. Then cross your fingers, and we'll hope to be in touch with you with some good news!
Is the deposit refundable if I don't get into camp?
Yes. If by the end of the summer (or sooner if you choose), you were never able to get into camp, we will mail your deposit back to you late in August (unless your deposit was by credit card). We don't cash your check or charge your credit card until you accept an offer to come off the waiting list. So there is no risk to being on the waiting list. If we call you and offer you a spot, you are welcome to decline the offer with no penalty. Keep in mind though, if we call you to offer a spot in camp and you accept that spot, part or all of your deposit immediately becomes non-refundable. Click here to read more about our payment, cancellation and refund policies.
How many waiting lists can I be on?
As many as you like. We want you to be able to get into camp, and if your summer schedule is flexible enough to be on multiple waiting lists, then go for it! As a courtesy to others, we do ask that if you make other plans such that you can no longer come to a session for which you are on a waiting list, please call or email the office and let us know so that we can remove you from that session's wait list.
It looks like the program I want is full, and I'm not interested in being on a waiting list.
How and when can I sign up for 2009?
If you are on a waiting list for this year or if you have attended Sandy Hill Camp in the past, you are already on the mailing list. You will be eligible for early registration for 2009. Registration for returning campers and their siblings usually begins on October 1st. If you choose not to go on a waiting list for 2009, please send us your name and address to be added to our mailing list for 2009. Being on the mailing list will ensure that you get the mailings in the fall of 2009 for summer 2009.
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