Frequently Asked Questions about Camp

ETC sets high expectations for our campers and hopes to challenge them artistically as well as to provide a fun experience. To maintain these goals of the camp, all campers must all agree to the rules of conduct. These rules and our 3 Strike Policy will be sent out in the welcome letter as well as reviewed on the first day. Rules of Conduct We at ETC set high expectations for our campers and are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with your child on discovering their own unique gifts and talents through drama. We hope to challenge them artistically as well as to provide a fun experience. To maintain these goals of the camp, we must all agree to follow certain rules of conduct. Rules of Conduct Campers are expected to follow directions given by the instructor at all times. Campers are allowed to bring personal items from home (i.e. toys, trading cards, etc.), but we ask that they keep them in a safe place until lunch when the campers are allowed some free time. Each camper agrees to be considerate towards their fellow campers. Always treat your fellow campers with respect and include them in your activities. Teasing, bullying, and fighting are never acceptable behavior and may be grounds for dismissal from the camp. 3-Strike Policy ETC maintains a 3-strike policy to keep the learning environment fun and safe. If a student is repeatedly disruptive they will be warned and after three warnings they will receive strike 1. Parents will be notified, but if bad behavior continues, parents are notified on strike 2 and a student is dismissed from camp on strike 3. Warnings disappear when campers go home but strikes stay throughout the camp session. Hopefully we’ll have a strike free camp!

Yes, you will need to sign the following documents at the time of registration. An ETC Waiver Cancellation & Refund Policy Cell Phone, WIFI and Small Electronics Camp Policy All film camp attendees must also sign the Photo & Video Release in order to attend camp.

Cell Phone, WIFI and Small Electronics Camp Policy At ETC we strive to foster an environment where kids, teenagers, and staff build a camp community that is present and engaged. We believe children need time at camp to unplug, power down and have a well-needed break from social media and electronics. This cell phone and electronic policy aligns with our mission of encouraging campers to collaborate, gain confidence and independence, learn self advocacy, grow creativity and immerse themselves in our camp community and culture. ETC campers are not allowed to use any cell phone or electronic device that has access to Wi-Fi, cell service or is able to transfer data unless required by the camp’s activities. If a camper is found with a cell phone or device, camp staff will confiscate it, keep it secure and return it at the end of the camp day. This policy encompasses Extended Day time as well. Your child’s safety is always at the forefront of our minds, therefore, in the case of an emergency, devices will be accessible. If your child needs their device for medical purposes, please notify your camp director. Please support ETC and our camp staff by communicating this policy at home before camp begins, so that we all have a great camp experience!

All campers receive an ETC T-shirt as part of their camp tuition. (You can purchase a sweatshirt or pair of sunglasses at time of registration as well.) Tuition includes the necessities to run summer camps - film equipment and software for film camps, art supplies for Creative Drama and ETC Beginnings camps, costume/props/scenery needs for longer camps. ETC remains committed to paying all staff as part of our anti-Oppression value.

Lunch and Snack - Campers in full day camps should bring their own lunch to each day. Campers eat lunch around 11:30 am or 12:00 pm. Many of the younger camps will have scheduled snack breaks, but it is also a good idea to pack snacks for older campers and anyone attending Extended Day that they can eat on their own. Water - We advise that your camper brings a full water bottle with their name on it to camp each day. Camp sites also have water fountains that are accessible to campers. Sunscreen and Bug Spray - We suggest applying sunscreen and/or bug spray to your child before camp if desired. Campers may bring their own to apply during camp if necessary. ETC staff can help with application when necessary. We are happy to remind them to re-apply before heading outside.

In our programs that combine Youth and Teens, the Teen campers are also given leadership opportunities, such as mentoring or directing the younger campers, while still making sure they have their time apart with their age groups. Leadership can take many forms, including mentoring and directing younger campers, leading peer groups within the Teen Camps, or acting as a Counselor In Training (CIT).

Immediately inform the ETC office and camp director. ETC follows the 2024 Arlington Public Schools Updated Respiratory Illness Guidance as to when campers can return for camp activities after being sick. We ask that campers wait to attend camp until their symptoms have improved overall, that they are without a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication). We appreciate your vigilance in following these guidelines as it helps us keep illnesses from spreading to other campers or staff.

The locations for many of our camps are still being determined by Arlington Public Schools, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and our private partners. Check the summer camp page for the most updated locations. We also post notices to our mailing list as locations are updated. You can sign up for our mailing list on our homepage. County locations are subject to change which is out of ETC control. If a change in location or camp time is necessary, families will be notified immediately. If the change does not work for your family, ETC will process any cancellations or transfers if necessary according to our stated policies.

Just click here: Active Login

ACTIVE Advantage is a non-ETC rewards program offered through Active Camps and Classes, ETC’s 3rd party registration system. This is not required to enroll in an ETC camp. There is a membership fee of $89.95. Upon registering for an ETC program, you will have the option to join their trial rewards program ACTIVE Advantage. If you checked the box in error, please contact the ACTIVE customer support team at ACTIVEadvantage@ACTIVE.com or by phone at 866-561-0647 to unenroll. From ACTIVE Camps and Classes “ACTIVE Advantage is a rewards program that allows registrants to sign-up for other programs and purchase gear at discounted rates. After they have registered for a program, they are offered a trial membership for ACTIVE Advantage, and if they consent to enrollment, they must cancel before the trial membership is over to avoid being charged the membership of $89.95 (annual price). If they do not enroll, they are not charged. Please note that the offer appears after registration has been completed and registrants MUST check the accept box to be added as a trial member. It is not automatic.”

For all registrations, a 25% deposit is due at the time of registration. Full payment due by - June 1, 2026 for camps beginning June 15 - July 6 July 1, 2026 for camps beginning July 13 - Aug. 10 August 1, 2026 for camps beginning Aug. 17 - 24 Payment plans are available for all camps (excluding those through the City of Falls Church). You can see payment plan details at checkout and select the plan that works best for you. Any registrations made after a scheduled payment date will have their remaining balance divided equally between any remaining payment dates. All registrations made after June 1 must pay in full at the time of registration. If your family has special circumstances that prevent you from making payments on this schedule, please contact the office as we can work with you to set up a payment plan that works for you.

Campers are able to switch weeks or camps as long as there is still space available in the program into which they plan to transfer. Transferring to a camp with a different price will alter the campers’ remaining balance accordingly. You may self-transfer a registration up to 15 days prior to the start of the session. If you wish to transfer outside of these time restraints, please contact us. Registrants may self-cancel and refund their registrations directly from their online ACTIVE account from the time of registration up until 2 weeks before the of the camp. Please note within 2 weeks of the start of the camp if you would like to cancel, families must contact the office. See the Cancellation/Refund Policy for more details.

Cancellation/Refunds We understand that plans can change. We will continue to offer flexible options for families who may need to adjust their summer schedule. For cancellations made 30 days or more before the start of camp: A full refund minus 10% to the original payment method A full refund saved as an account credit balance in Active Camps & Classes to be used by March 31, 2027 For cancellations made 14 days before of the start of camp: A 50% refund to the original payment method A full refund minus 10% saved as an account credit balance in Active Camps & Classes to be used by March 31, 2027 Camps are non-refundable if canceled within 2 weeks of the start of camp or within the camp week. We encourage you to consider donating all or part of your tuition to ETC to help fund scholarships. For special circumstances, ETC reserves the right to issue refunds at its discretion. The cancellation & refund policy applies to Extended Day as well. Extended Day is subject to being canceled if the minimum registrations number is not met. ETC will notify families at least two weeks before the start of camp so alternate arrangements can be made.

If you received a credit from a previous ETC program, it will be shown as available credit in your Active account. To redeem your credit, when selecting payment in the cart, select ‘Pay in full’ and then your credit balance will appear. You can then check the box to use your available credit balance. If your credit balance is less than your purchase, the remaining credit will stay in your account to use in the future. If your credit balance is more than your purchase, the system will deduct your credit from your cart and then you can pay for the remaining amount with your payment of choice.

To redeem an Auction Item or Scholarship, email info@educationaltheatrecompany.org with a copy of your document and which camp you'd like to register for. To apply for a scholarship, fill out our form here. (Please note: Auction Items and Scholarships are not redeemable for camps held through the City of Falls Church)

Extended Day can be selected at the time of registration or added anytime by logging into your Active account. We offer morning and afternoon Extended Day from 8am-9am & 3pm-6pm at many of our youth camps. ETC reserves the right to cancel Extended Day up until two weeks prior to the start of camp due to low registrations. A full refund for the cost of Extended Day would be issued.

When registering, Active Camp and Class Manager can provide you with a personalized referral link that you can share with family and friends. For every registration made using your link, you receive $25 credit to your account to be used by 3/31/2026.​ Every registration made using your link also receives $25 off tuition price. The Social Referral Program is valid for summer camp registrations through June 1, 2025. ​ Not sure where to find your link? Check your registration confirmation email sent when you initially registered. If you still can't find it, let us know and we'll help you out.

If a camp is full, and you’ve joined the waitlist, you will be contacted automatically by Active Camps and Classes when a spot is available. The invitation will expire in 48 hours after it has been emailed. You will be able to register directly from the waitlist email. If the spot opens up 3 days before the start of camp, ETC office staff will reach out directly. If you want to know what number your child is on the waitlist, please contact the ETC office.

A welcome email will be sent out 1 week in advance to parents and guardians containing specifics about camp details, reminders, what to expect, and other important information.

ETC partners with the City of Falls Church to offer five camps each summer. If you want to register your child for Acting 101, Shipwrecked, Musical Theatre: That's Show Business, Acting Out: Shakespeare, Improv Comedy Troupe, or Skits & Sketches, you can do so HERE. If you have any questions about payment or registration please contact the Falls Church Community Center at (703) 248-5077.

Our ETC Camp Directors are highly trained teaching professionals in the DC metro area. They specialize in the specific camp themes or topics and many are year-round ETC teaching artists. We also have a pool of professional, college, and high school camp staff that join us each summer. All of our summer camps maintain a 10:1 student to teacher ratio, except for ETC Beginnings for Preschoolers which has an 8:1 ratio.

All of our camp directors are certified in First Aid and CPR. If your child has an EpiPen for food allergies, please talk to your camp director on the first day. If you would like to leave your child’s EpiPen with the camp staff for the entire camp, please feel free to do so, or you can leave it in your child’s bag. We also keep first aid kits at all of our summer camps and will notify you at the end of the camp day if first aid was administered. If a larger injury takes place, we will contact the parents/guardians immediately. This very rarely happens. Our staff will err on the side of caution and will report all incidents.

If more information is needed about a medical concern or behavioral issue than you listed in the camp registration form, please contact the ETC office at (703) 271-0222 or info@educationaltheatrecompany.org

When registering, please list any allergies in the online registration form. The ETC office and camp directors will be monitoring this list and providing any information to camp staff. If there are campers who have allergies, the camp director will notify parents in their welcome email as to what foods are restricted.

Each camp begins with a full camp activity, normally a warm-up or getting to know you game. After that, campers rotate through different theatre activities whether it is an improvisation game, acting exercise, movement exercise, rehearsal, filming/editing, or arts and crafts. Campers will then have lunch and downtime/outdoor break. The afternoon will be filled with more of those activities or oftentimes campers will rehearse for the sharing.

All camps will have both indoor and outdoor time (weather permitting). Teens may not have scheduled outdoor time, but they will have the opportunity to go outside if desired. Film camps may film in small groups outdoors throughout camp

Each camp has its own drop off and pick up area. Specific information will be emailed out to parents in the camp welcome email a week before camp begins. Ideally drop off and pick up will be at the same location each day, but if something changes, you will be notified. Camp staff will be setting up prior to the start of camp and will begin check-in promptly at 8:55am. Camp ends promptly at 12:00 for half day ETC Beginnings preschool camps, 3:00pm for full day camps, and 6:00pm for Extended Day depending on the location. Parents/Guardians will be assessed a late fee of $1 per minute for any child not picked up within 10 minutes of the end of camp.

All camps will have a performance or sharing of activities they have been doing in camp. In the past, sharings have included informal games, stories, and scenes they have rehearsed in camp to evening performances or film screenings. Family and friends are invited to attend.