Orientation, Policies, and Procedures

Camp Overview 

Elementary School

How do we nurture nature? How does nature nurture us?
During this 5-day camp students will explore local plants and animals through art. Each day we will experience a different medium of visual art (sculpture, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and fiber art).  Campers will have the opportunity to display, celebrate, and sell their work during our art events (July 20th & 21st) and collaborate on a large, public art project. This art-based camp will weave environmental science and arts literacy together with a flagship project everyday, free-time stations, and outside water play. 

Middle & High School

How do we nurture nature? How does nature nurture us?
During this 5-day camp students will explore local plants and animals through art. Each day we will experience a different medium of visual art (sculpture, digital art, printmaking, ceramics, and photography). We will have a special guest artist help us explore The Industrial Commons property (on Fleming Dr.) and learn how to capture riveting photos with this local photographer. Campers will have the opportunity to display, celebrate, and sell their work during our art events (July 20th & 21st) and collaborate on a large, public art project. Note that middle school meets from 9-12pm and high schoolers meet from 1-4pm.

Roles and Contact

Creative Director
Kathryn Ervin
828-448-1734
kathryn@tosstudio.org

Transportation Lead
Jeronimo Martin
828-405-3508
jeronimo@tosstudio.org

Prepare

What to Bring

  • Students may bring a water bottle or snack if desired but both will be provided by TOSS.

What to Wear 

  • Students should wear clothes that can get messy. 

  • Outside time: This summer, we will have a few refreshing water- related activities to keep us cool! Please pack a bathing suit or an extra change of clothes along with a towel for your campers. We will have sunscreen, but your camper is welcome to bring their own. If they are not interested in jumping in the water please make sure they still have clothes that are suitable for getting messy and playing outside. 

Snacks

  • TOSS will provide snacks. There will be dairy-free, gluten free, and vegan options for students.

  • Please notify us if your child has special dietary restrictions or allergies in the application.

Camp Schedule

  • Rising k-1st: June 10-14 or June 17-21 @ 9-12pm

  • Rising 2nd-3rd: June 24-28 or July 8-12 @ 9-12pm

  • Rising 4th-5th: July 22-26th or July 29-Aug 2nd @ 9-12pm

  • Rising 6-8th: July 15-19 @ 9-12pm

  • Rising 9-12th: July 15-19 @ 1-4pm

Drop Off 

  • Drop off students between 8:45-9am at TOSS: 647 Hopewell Road, Morganton, NC.

  • Parents or guardians must walk their students to our patio and sign them.

Pick Up

  • Pick up students at 12pm at TOSS: 647 Hopewell Road, Morganton, NC

  • Students are not allowed to leave the designated studio areas until a parent or guardian arrives for pick up.

  • If you plan to have another parent or guardian drop off or pick up your student(s) you must give us advance notice.

  • To ensure everyone's safety, students will only be released at the end of the day to the parent/guardian who registered them, unless you specify otherwise.

  • TOSS is only responsible for students during the hours for which they are registered: 8:45 am-12 pm

Make-up Sessions

  • Unfortunately, make-up days can not be offered

Art Festival

  • Save the Date! Campers will have the opportunity to display, celebrate, and sell their work during our art party, July 21, 4:30-6:30 (Catawba Meadows) PLUS collaborate on a large, public art project.

  • For 4-5th grade camps which occur after this party, families are still welcome to join and a Friday finale will be planned for those weeks (July 26 and Aug 2nd) from 12-1pm.

Lost and Found

  • Our Lost and Found bin will be by the front door if personal items are misplaced.

  • We will keep these items for 30 days and then donate them if not picked up.

  • TOSS is not responsible for items that are lost or stolen.

Art Projects

  • Art projects can be taken home at the end of camp unless they are part of a special exhibit.

  • Campers will select ONE piece of art to display and sell at the end during our Art Festival, July 20 & 21st (time TBD).

  • If the item is not purchased, it can be picked up at the studio the week of July 22nd from 9-4pm (TOSS: 647 Hopewell Road) - 

  • Projects left after this period will be discarded.

  • Art projects that are not completed at the end of camp must be taken home to complete.

Van Riders

  • Jeronimo will contact you to confirm the following info:

    • Confirmation of pick up and drop off locations

    • Transportation release form

  • Parents/guardians must notify us 24 hours in advance if their student should not be picked up on a given day. This prevents delays and maintains a safe environment for all students.

  • If advance notice is not given 1-2 times during camp, we will remind the parent guardian about the policy. Failure to comply a third time will require we remove the student from the pick up list.

Safety  

General Rules

  • No running is allowed in the studio.

  • Students must be escorted to the bathroom.

  • Students may not go unaccompanied into the parking lot or anywhere on the property without supervision.

  • Students will never be alone with a volunteer or TOSS employee.

  • All volunteers and TOSS employees will be vetted through the BCPS background check.

Camper Behavior and Expectations

  • All campers are expected to work cooperatively within the camp group and follow the directions of the camp staff.

  • We expect all campers to treat each other with respect and communicate with positive messages and acceptance.

  • Behavior problems are defined as behaviors that are unmanageable, disruptive to the group or endangering the welfare and safety of other campers, you or one’s self; this includes negative or hurtful communication. 

  • Under no circumstances will bullying behavior of one camper toward another be tolerated. Bullying behavior is considered harassment that may be verbal or non-verbal, written, graphic or physical that causes another child to feel unsafe or fearful of being in camp and interferes with their ability to participate in or benefit from the camp program.

Consequences of Poor Behavior

  • TOSS team members and volunteers will use behavior management techniques such as redirection, conflict resolution and positive reinforcement when needed.

  • A child with disruptive behavior will be given an opportunity to correct him/herself. If the behavior is not corrected, the child will be removed from the group for a specified time period depending on the age of the child.

  • Parents will be informed if their child’s behavior is disruptive and will be expected to work cooperatively with TOSS staff to correct the behavior.

  • If the behavior continues, the TOSS reserves the right to dismiss the camper from the program without a refund or financial credit.

Registration and Payment

Fees

  • Fees are due before camp:

    • $100 | Early Bird Registration (Feb 14th - March 31st)

    • $125 | Regular Registration (April 1st - 30th)

    • $150 | 11th Hour Registration (May 1st - 31st)

  • We accept cash, card, or digital payments.

  • Need-based scholarships are available - you must indicate in the application if you are interested. 

Cancellation Policy

  • A full refund is given if you need to cancel by May 31st.

  • A partial refund will be offered if you need to cancel 10 days or more prior to the beginning of camp.

  • Students who cancel enrollment less than 10 days of the first camp day will not receive a refund.

Consent and Assumption of Risk

Disclosure of Risks

  • Risks associated with your party’s participation in camp include health risks associated with exposure to COVID -19 or other sicknesses and possible illness, sickness, or death. 

  • Risks may result from your party’s actions, inaction, or negligence, and also from the actions, inaction, or negligence of other individuals (adults and other minors in the space).

Acknowledgment of Risks 

  • Parent/Guardian understands the risks of participation in camp, described above, as well as any other activities that result in exposure to other individuals at TOSS.

  • Parent/Guardian will completely and fully discuss any concerns regarding these risks with staff prior to signing the Waiver and Consent Agreement, and prior to Party’s commencing participation in the activity.

Consent to Participate; Limitations

  • Knowing and understanding the risks involved in participation, Parent/Guardian consents to the party's participation, upon signing the application. 

  • Consent is subject to express exceptions, which must be made known to TOSS staff members in the application process.

Assumption of Risk and Responsibility

  • Knowing and understanding the risks involved with participation in the activity described here, Parent/Guardian hereby voluntarily and willingly assumes full and complete responsibility for all losses and damages, including injury, illness, and death, resulting from party’s participation in camp.

  • Parent/Guardian agrees that Parent/Guardian is solely financially responsible for any losses and damages resulting from Minor’s participation in the activity. 

  • This Waiver and Consent Agreement is assumed when you sign the application.

Media Release

  • On the application, parents indicated whether or not their student can be filmed/photographed.

  • We photograph and film studio activities to 1) raise awareness for TOSS and its parent organization, The Industrial Commons, and 2) to document the students’ progress and accomplishments. 

  • Images and videos of our studio and students are frequently posted to Instagram, Facebook, and our website, and may be used in press releases, news articles, presentations, and other printed or digital promotions.

Evaluation/Feedback

  • At the end of each camp, parents and students are asked to go online to complete a questionnaire that will provide useful feedback to us on a consistent and immediate basis.

  • Additionally, always feel free to talk to our staff with any feedback you wish to share. We are eager to hear from you with both positive as well as constructive comments.