Drop-off and Pick-up Information

First Day of Camp

You will park in the gravel lot adjacent to the Challenger Learning Center.  You will then walk your child into the center through the Palmetto Drive entrance.  Once inside, you will be welcomed by camp staff, complete any outstanding paperwork you may have, and get a peek inside where your camper will be spending the next 5 days.

Drop Off and Pick-Up

Camp begins at 9:00 and we will begin allowing campers in the doors at 8:45a.m. each day. There will be a drop-off line for the remainder of the week.  We will have a tent set up at the entrance, as indicated in the image to the right.  If the line extends the gravel, we ask that you utilized the gravel parking lot to loop the line through in order to keep the pick-up running smoothly.

Pick-up each day will run similarly to drop-off.  We will ask that the authorized person picking up the camper have their ID ready to be verified.  We will call for your camper over the radio and they will be walked out to you.  Camp ends at 4:00p.m. each day.  We will begin calling campers at approximately 3:55p.m. each day.

What if I need to pick up my child(ren) early?

Please let staff know the morning of, if possible.  If an emergency should arise, please call 423-425-4126 before you arrive so that we can have your camper ready upon your arrival. 

Food

NUT POLICY

In an effort to ensure a safe camp environment for all campers, we ask that you do not send any type of nut or nut product.  We encourage our parents and campers to be aware that we do have campers who have attended camps and will attend future camps with serious allergies.  

Will lunch be provided?

For those attending Peas in a Pod Cooking Camp:  No,  all campers will need to bring their lunch each day, Monday through Thursday.  Friday we will have a Pizza Party!  There will be vegetarian options available.
For those attending My Bright Ideas Camp:  No,  all campers will need to bring their lunch each day, Monday through Friday.  

My child has food allergies and/or sensitivities.  Has staff considered this when developing the cooking camp?

Absolutely!  The content creators, those at the Challenger Center and our partners at the College of Engineering & Computer Science, for Peas in a Pod considered every camper's safety while developing the week's activities.  Here you can find a full list of ingredients that will be used throughout the week.  Please, alert camp staff if your child has any food allergies/sensitivities that are listed or not.

 

Are there any special days for food considerations

For those attending Peas in a Pod Cooking Camp:  Friday we will have a Pizza Party!  There will be vegetarian options available.
For those attending My Bright Ideas Camp:  Friday we will have a Popsicle Party!

Medications

Prescription Medications

My child takes prescription medication.  What should I do?
It is important that all medications campers may need be under the supervision of staff. If your child needs medication during the course of the day, or if we need to have medication available for use, please bring it on Monday. The medications will be returned to parents on Friday at the end of camp.

Swimming

Will the campers be swimming?

Yes!  The campers will go to the UTC Campus Recreation's Aquatic and Recreation Center's (ARC)  pool one day each week of camp.  

Are there lifeguards on duty at the ARC?

Yes.  There are, also, lifejackets available for those who need them.

What should my child(ren) bring for swim day?

•  We suggest your child(ren) wear sandals with backs or water shoes
•  A towel
•  Wear an appropriate swimsuit to camp on Swim Day. 
    HELPFUL SUGGESTION:  Boys can wear their trunks and girls can under their regular clothes to camp. This will limit the number of times the campers will need to change clothes. Once they return from the ARC, they will have the option to change into dry clothes in the restroom. If you wish for your camper to change clothes, please send a change of clothes and a plastic bag for their wet swimsuit and towel.

Parent Involvement

Are we, the parents, able to see what our child(ren) has been working on during camp?

For those attending Peas in a Pod Cooking Camp:  Yes!  Join us for the showcase Friday at 3pm to learn more about what your child has created at camp.
The showcase will consist of student presentations and an art gallery exhibit showcasing the recipes the campers learned.
For those attending My Bright Ideas Camp:  Yes!   Join us for a presentation Friday at 3pm where campers will illuminate the projects they have been planning all week.  The goal is to offer answers to a question: How can “light” form connections between theatre and science?  
If possible, have them wear or bring dark clothing for their presentation.