Policies

Participants will only be permitted to attend camp if all Summer Program payment, health forms, paperwork, and rules agreements are in order, even for participants who are current GDS students. These forms are to be completed as part of the online application. If a child does not have all forms completed by the first day of camp, they will not be allowed to participate and you will be subject to a $25 late fee.

Some students may be asked to use technology for their class. If a student is unable to use the device appropriately and responsibly they will lose access to that device and may be suspended from the program.

Cell Phones: cell phones are to be put away and silent during the program. The teacher reserves the right to hold a student’s phone for safe-keeping if a student becomes distracted.

Early Drop Off: Students may not be dropped off earlier than 8:30am. Fees may apply.

Late Pick Up: If students are not schedule to participate in our Extended Day Program and are not picked up by 4:00pm for afternoon and full day programs they will automatically be enrolled in our Extended Day Program and charged a drop in fee of $30. If students who are participating in a morning program are not picked up by 12:30pm, they will be charged $5 per minute starting at 12:40pm.

Extended Day: Students in PK-8th grade who are participating in an afternoon or full day camp can participate in our Extended Day program. Extended day goes until 6pm. Please see our Extended Day page for more information.

We do not accept registrations on the same day that program starts. You may register online up until the Monday before program starts. Please note that purchasing lunch from the school is not an option if you register less than 2 weeks from the start date of the program.

Some of our programs are two-week long programs. We do not allow students to start the program during week two. If you would like to participate in just the first week you may, but we do not offer a pro-rated cost

Program registrations received prior to May 1 may be paid in installments. Full and final program payments are due by June 1 unless alternate arrangements are made at the time of registration. If your payment is not made in full by June 1, we reserve the right to cancel your child’s registrations, with no funds returned.

When you register, you will be asked to pay $100 fee per session as a deposit. This deposit is non-refundable. Should you decide to cancel your registration before May 1, GDS will reimburse funds paid in excess of the deposit (anything paid over $100). You must request this cancellation in writing before May 1. After May 1, no refunds will be given and full payment is due. Tuition payments lost due to withdrawal or removal from a program may not be transferred to a sibling or applied to a program offered outside of the current summer season. The same rules apply to all families, including GDS employees.

*GDS and GDS Auxiliary Programs reserves the right to cancel or change any program based on enrollment or other circumstances. Should GDS cancel a program in which your child is enrolled, you will be offered a 100% refund or credit to another camp or program.

Balances received after the due date and checks returned for insufficient funds will be subject to a $25 fee.

Session changes may be requested at no charge until May 1. Any changes made in May will be subject to a $25 fee per participant per change. Changes made on or after June 1 will be subject to a $50 fee per participant per change.

Geometry: This course is a credit class, which means attendance will be recorded. If a student misses more than 3 class periods or a total of 9 hours, they will receive an incomplete and will need to make arrangements with the department chair on how to complete the course. If a student misses any tests, quizzes, or other important material the teacher reserves the right to schedule time outside of class for the student to catch up on what was missed.

All other camps and classes: If your child’s program is going on a field trip you must arrive by the time of departure. If you arrive late and miss the departure time you will not be allowed to stay as there is no child care provided. Notice and information about field trip dates and times will be emailed home at least one week prior.

While we are happy to welcome students from outside of the United States there are some requirements you must meet before attending our programs. Our policies are listed below:

• We do NOT accept groups of any kind. If we find that a group has signed up for our program, we will cancel your registration and no refunds will be provided.
• All students must be fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine.
• A legal parent or guardian must register their child and complete all of the required paperwork. The parent or guardian must also be present in the U.S. in case of emergency.
• Students must arrive to the U.S. at least 7 days prior to the camp start date.
• All required medical forms must be translated in English and signed by a doctor. You must also upload a copy of each child’s passport on our website when registering.
• Travel restrictions imposed by the CDC or DC DOH must be followed. No refunds will be provided if travel is interrupted.
• Send most recent report on each child’s English speaking ability. If a camper cannot communicate, or cannot participate meaningfully in the camp day and activities appropriate with their age/grade, they will not be permitted to continue with camp. Removals will not result in refund.
• Student’s must start on Monday and not mid-week.
• Food cannot be delivered for them in the middle of the day