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Q: On the summer schedule,
do I choose a time slot and both classes listed are
part of one session, or do I pick one of the 2 classes
per session?
A: You pick one of the 2 classes offered in the morning
or afternoon. We are offering 2 different classes each
time period. You choose one.
Q: Why do your camps
cost more then other camps in the area?
A: Be certain that you are comparing the number
of hours of instruction. Our camps last for 3 1/2 hours
a day, 5 days per week--many other camps last for 2
to 3 hours and some have abbreviated Friday hours.
We have raised our prices for the first
time since 2003. Other computer camps have been raising
prices every year.
We have high quality instructors. We hire
teachers and technology people.
WE TEACH! Many camps don't do much teaching
or use tutorials. We teach live, both group and individual
lessons.
Compare apples to apples. Be sure to compare
our prices to other camps offering the same kind of
instruction. Our prices are lower then similar camps
in the area, such as ID Tech Camp and Cybercamps.
Our equipment is expensive--we use new
computers, the latest software, and the best robotics
kit on the market, LEGO Mindstorms. We have enough for
one computer and robot kit per child.
We provide fun, creative learning all year
long. This kind of learning shouldn't just happen for
a week or two in the summer.
We are not taxpayer supported. Some technology
camps in the area are affiliated with the University
and therefore can keep their expenses lower.
Q: If my child is at
Bits, Bytes & Bots for the whole day (camp or vacation
days) what do they do for lunch?
A: BBB does not provide food. Children with us for the
entire day should bring their lunch with them. Refrigeration
is not available. We suggest all students bring a snack.
Water will be available. The children will be supervised
the entire time they are with us, including the lunch
break.
Q: Can I keep the robots
I build at Bits, Bytes & Bots? Can you save the
robot I make?
A: Unfortunately, the robots are too expensive for you
to keep. We also cannot save robots as the demand is
too high.
Q: I see that most
summer camps are for 8-14 year olds. Why can my 7 year
old participate in school year activities but can only
sign up for Bits, Bytes & Beyond for summer camp?
When is the cut off? Do you make exceptions?
A: The cut off is August 31 of that year--your child must turn
8 by that date. We require this because our summer classes
are more instructionally 'dense' and kids need to have
the ability to sit through the class. We find 8 is a
good age for our summer offerings for this reason, and
therefore, we won't be making exceptions this year.
We know some kids are fast learners and have good attention
spans but we already take this into account with our
current age requirement. We do offer Bits, Bytes &
Beyond for children 6-7 years old.
Q: Do I need to reserve
ahead of time for events, or can I just show up?
A: You must sign up ahead of time for most events, including
birthday parties, after school classes, and summer camps.
Q: What are
your staff's qualifications?
A: We are proud of our staff and receive lots of positive
feedback about our wonderful teachers. We hire experienced
teachers and technologists. All of our staff have experience
teaching children. Some have advanced technical skills
from working in the software and hardware industry.
Our staff love to work with children and enjoy working
with technology. They teach with enthusiasm. All staff
go through extensive training in the topics they will
teach. We then give them experience teaching while being
supervised by more experienced staff. All staff have
undergone one of the most extensive background checks
available, which provides a national (not just state)
records search and monthly updates (Memphis staff have undergone a background check by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation).
Q: What is the
student to staff ratio for your camps?
A: We maintain a ratio of 8 students to 1 staff
for our summer camps. We open up a second section of
any class over 8, with a second teacher. This ratio
allows us to do plenty of one-on-one teaching, in addition
to group instruction.
Q: Should my child
bring anything with him to camp? Is a snack provided?
A: We provide everything your child needs except
for food. We do not provide snacks or lunch and recommend
all children come with a snack. Full day students should
bring lunch. Water is always available. If your child
is in movie making, they can bring items to put in their
movie.
Q: I want to
sign up for a full day--is that possible?
A: Yes. To attend camp for a full day, pick one class
from the morning and one class from the afternoon. We
find the children learn much better by dividing our
classes into half days. Working on a fresh topic in
the afternoon, rather than one topic all day, keeps
them excited all day long. Your child will be supervised
by adults at all times. See the next question for information
about lunch.
Q: What does
my child do for lunch if they are there all day?
A: Children are supervised by an adult at all times.
Children in camp for a full day should bring a lunch
that does not need refrigeration. Water fountains are
available.
Q: Some of the
summer camps sound similar to the vacation day classes--are
they the same?
A: No. The vacation day classes are brief introductions
to topics compared to the in-depth examination conducted
during a full week of classes. Children who have taken
the vacation day classes will learn lots of new material
in the full week camps.
Q: I want my
child to be in a class with a friend--how can we arrange
this?
A: If they are registered for the same class time, they
can be in the same class. We can make arrangements Monday
morning to make sure the children can be in the same
classroom. Make sure to let us know when dropping the
kids off Monday morning that they wish to be in the
same class as another child.
Q: Do I need
to pay a deposit to register for camps? Is the deposit
refundable if we decide not to come?
A: A $150 deposit is required before your space is reserved.
The deposit is not refundable. After May 21 customers
can receive a refund on the price of the class minus
the deposit only if the space is filled by another child
on the waiting list. For more information, see our reservation
and refund policies.
Q: I've already
registered but I need to change to a different session
of camp--how do I do this? Is there a change fee?
A: All changes require a $25 change fee. In addition,
if you change from a class after May 21 and we are not
able to fill your spot with another child, a $150 deposit
for that class will be charged.
Q: What are the
requirements for advanced classes?
A: Usually, you need to take the introductory class
first (such as Game Creation before taking Advanced
Game Maker). In some circumstances, a students knowledge/skill
level is such that they can take the advanced class
without having taken the introductory class. This usually
comes from having been in our after school groups or
in some way gaining the knowledge needed to do well
in the advanced classes. If you aren't sure, please
discuss your child's needs with us.
Q:
My child has asperbergers/autism spectrum disorders
or other special needs, are your programs appropriate
for her/him?
A: Many children
with special needs do very well in our classes. We believe
in treating children as the individuals they are. Therefore,
we deal with special needs cases on an individual basis.We
do this to make sure we are able to provide an appropriate
environment for your child and the other children in
the class. Calls are directed to the area Director for
further discussion. The area Director will have the
child and parent visit an area class, meet our staff,
and perhaps attend with an aide or when we have smaller
class sizes if parents and the director agree that the
class is appropriate for their child.
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