Youth Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the specific question below for an answer, or scroll down and read through all the questions and answers.

Where do I live?
Who supervises me?
Who are the instructors?
What if I arrive at the residential dorm outside the designated check-in times?
What if I am flying as an unaccompanied minor?
What if I do not have room to pack my bed linens?
What if someone wants to visit me?
What if my parents need to contact me?
What if I want to bring a laptop?
What if my parents want to send me money?
What if I need medical attention?
What if I do not have health insurance?
What if I lost my registration forms?
What if I need to cancel?
What if I need financial assistance?
What if someone wants to send me something in the mail?
What will I eat?
What if I lose my meal card?
What if I am unable to attend class?
What if I am having difficulty retrieving my medical records?
What if my travel arrangements change?
What happens on the weekend?
What if I need directions?


Where do I live?
Participants in the Young Writers' Camp live in Randolph Residence Hall on East Campus.  All other camp participants are housed in Bell Tower Residence Hall on East Campus.

Who supervises me?
Our Residential Staff is made up of undergraduate and graduate students. The Residential Coordinator(s) is usually a graduate student with experience in counseling and/or residential life. They supervise the undergraduate counseling staff. Each counselor has a living group of 10-12 students. These staff members are on or near campus 24 hours a day and supervise the students in the evening. The program administrator and the program counselor are on call 24 hours a day.

Who are the instructors?
The instructional staff is comprised of professional educators, talented artists, and published writers.  They are committed to inspiring and challenging their students. 

What if I arrive at the residential dorm outside the designated check-in times?
If your travel arrangements result in you arriving before the designated check-in time, please call the Duke Youth Programs office at (919) 684-2827 as soon as possible.   
Because residential staff is not required to be present until the start of registration, there is no guarantee that you will have access to the dorm if you arrive before the designated check-in time.  As an alternative to waiting for the staff to arrive, consider driving to the local store to get last minute supplies or take a tour of Duke's West Campus. 
If you arrive after the designated check-in time, call the Duke Youth Programs office at (919) 684-2827 and provide an estimated time of arrival.  The office will then contact the residential staff and put them on notice. 
 
What if I am flying as an unaccompanied minor?
Please contact the Duke Youth Programs office at (919) 684-2827 or email youth@duke.edu so we can document your child as an unaccompanied minor.  Airlines require the name, address and telephone number of the person(s)who will meet the student who is traveling as an unaccompanied minor.  We cannot provide that information to you at this time.  A staff member of the Youth Programs will contact you 2 or 3 days before the departure date to notify you of the name(s) of the staff members (wearing Duke Youth Program staff T-shirts) who will meet your child at the arrival gate. 

What if I do not have room to pack his or her bed linens?
Bed linens can be mailed to our office prior to the start of camp.  Participants can also purchase linens at the local store. 

What if someone wants to visit me?
Any leave of absence must be arranged in advance with the camper's residential counselor.  Residential counselors can be contacted by calling the residential office (this number will be available at check-in).  Campers must be picked up at and returned to the residence hall at the pre-arranged times. 
Since our schedule is filled with recreational and instructional activities, we discourage long periods of time away from the program.  These informal interaction times serve an important role in building community among peers and counselors.

What if my parents need to contact me?
Each residence hall will have an office where parents may call and leave messages for campers during the camp session.  This phone number will be available at the program check-in.  The residence hall office phone will have an answering machine if no one is present in the office to take the call.  Messages will be checked regularly throughout the day.  In the case of an emergency, an emergency pager number will be provided on the residential office answering machine.  You may also call the main Youth Programs office at (919) 684-2827, Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:00pm. 

What if I want to bring a laptop?
Though not a requirement, participants in CWW are encouraged to bring a laptop. However, the camp will not be responsible for loss or damage to the computer and equipment. Campers will have access to computer labs.

What if my parents want to send me money?
Parents should contact the residential office and leave a message with the residential director to discuss money-wiring options. 

What if I need medical attention?
Parents will be called for advice and recommendations if the problem does not require immediate medical attention.  If the problem is serious, the staff member will arrange for medical treatment at the Duke Student Clinic, Duke Hospital, or other nearby medical facility.  When possible, staff members will contact parent(s)/guardian(s) before seeking treatment.
You will receive an email from Youth Programs with information about the Health Form, which will need to be completed and returned to the Duke Youth Programs office. It is imperative that all parts of the form are thoroughly and legibly completed.  Youth Programs staff will refer to this form for contact information in the event of a medical emergency.  Medical personnel will refer to this form whenever medical treatment is necessary; this form is the only guide a health care provider will have in case of an emergency.

What if I do not have health insurance?
Duke University requires all Youth Programs' participants to have health insurance. If you do not have health insurance you may purchase temporary health insurance through a local insurance agency. Please feel free to contact us for suggestions.

What if I lose my registration forms?
Please contact the Duke Youth Programs office at (919) 684-2827.

What if I need to cancel?
All cancellation requests must be made in writing by sending a fax to (919) 681-8235 or emailing us a youth@duke.edu.  If the participant cancels for any reason 30 or more days prior to the first day of the program, Duke Youth Programs will refund all paid tuition less the $300 non-refundable deposit.

 What if I need financial assistance?
Duke Youth Programs sponsors a limited number of need-based partial scholarships. Please download the Financial Assistance Application or call the Youth Programs Office to request an application at (919) 684-2827 or email youth@duke.edu. Completed applications, along with all requested supplemental documents, must be received by March 11, 2010. Incomplete packets will not be considered. Applicants will be notified about award decisions by April 13, 2010.

What if someone wants to send me something in the mail?
Mail should be sent to participants in care of our administrative office in the Bishop's House. The mailing address is:

Program Name
Camper's Name
Duke Continuing Studies
Bishop's House Room 205
Box 90700
Durham, NC 27708-0700

Please understand that mail delivery to participants will take at least 2 extra days, as the mail must travel from the US Postal Service to the Duke Postal Service to the Duke Youth Programs office and then to the participant. Also, Duke mail does not deliver on Saturdays.

What will I eat?
All program participants eat in the campus dining halls. Campers in all programs except Duke ACTION and Duke Biosciences and Engineering Camp will have all meals in the East Campus Marketplace. Duke ACTION and Duke Biosciences and Engineering campers will eat breakfast and dinner in the East Campus Marketplace and lunch on West Campus. Participants can choose from a variety of vegetarian and meat entrees, vegetables, breads, sandwiches, salad bar, drinks and desserts.

What if I lose my meal card?
If either the card or the key is lost or misplaced, the participant should notify his/her counselor immediately so a replacement may be issued and the lost card key deactivated to ensure the safety of residents.  Participants are responsible for the replacement cost of each lost or damaged card key ($15) or room key ($50).

What if I am unable to attend class?
If your child will be absent for the day, please notify the Duke Youth Programs Office so we can inform his/her instructor.

What if I am having difficulty retrieving my medical records?
Please contact the Duke Youth Programs office for assistance in getting medical records

What if my travel arrangements have changed?
Please contact the Duke Youth Programs office at (919) 684-2827 as soon as possible regarding any travel changes.

What happens on the weekend?
Residential campers will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that are organized by the residential counseling staff.

What if I need directions?
Maps and directions are available here.