FAQ

REGISTRATION, FORMS, AND TUITION

What age children are appropriate for MusicMakers!?	MusicMakers! is open to campers ages 6-14 (in other words, students who have just completed grades K-7). After that age, children may serve as volunteer counselors (see below).
How do I register for MusicMakers!? What forms must be completed in order to attend MusicMakers!?	Complete our (which includes a medical and media release and transportation designee section), print the pages as you go, complete the City of Coral Springs release form, and take them to the Coral Springs Gymnasium, 10000 Coral Springs Drive to pay your tuition. For your convenience, paper forms are also available at the Gym; however online registration is preferred.
If my child attends Session I and really enjoys it, can he/she then register for Session II?	Yes, space permitting, children can register for Session II as late as the last day of session I. Children who register for Session II while attending Session I pay only $225 for the second session.
How much is tuition for MusicMakers!? Is there a multiple child discount?	2012 Tuition for MusicMakers! is as follows: 1 child, 1 session - $235 1 child, 2 sessions - $450 on or before April 1; $470 after April 1 2 or more children, 1 or 2 sessions - $225 per child per session
Is there a registration fee? How about optional fees? Can I pay these online?	REGISTRATION FEE - $20 per child per session, CASH ONLY, due at orientation. Fee covers 1 t-shirt per child per summer, snacks, and supplies. OPTIONAL FEES: PIZZA LUNCH is available on Fridays and must be prepaid (cash only or via PayPal) at orientation. The cost is $4 per Friday or $8 per session. This may be placed in the envelope with your child's registration fee. Registration and other optional fees for (p)recorders, CD deposits, and group guitar lessons may also be paid through PayPal online. Click to pay fees now.
Are scholarships available for MusicMakers!?	Yes. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to those in financial need. Deadline for application is April 15 annually. Applications are available on the MusicMakers! home page.
Can children attend weekly?	Due to the brief time period for each session, children are not encouraged to attend only one week of a session. In most cases it is simply too difficult to make up the missed week when preparing for the finale concert. However, weekly attendance may be approved if the child is attending 2 sessions. Call Ms. Nicole, Camp Director, at 954.868.5515 for details.
How do I sign my child up for the optional acoustic guitar class? Do I need my own guitar?	Acoustic guitar class is open to up to 6 campers per session. Class is geared toward beginners. To enroll your child, either prepay via PayPal to guarantee your spot, or come with your $25 cash to Orientation (and hope there is still space available). Guitars are not provided. At least 4 30-minute group guitar lessons per session will be offered in place of Musical Fitness & Games instruction.

LOCATION AND GENERAL CAMP OPERATION

Where is MusicMakers! Summer Camp located?	Our camp will be housed at Coral Springs Charter School in Coral Springs, located at 3205 North University Drive, 33065. We will be indoors in a safe, secure, and fully air-conditioned environment with a state-of-the-art auditorium.
What are MusicMakers! Summer Camp hours? Is extended care available?	Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30am-2:30pm. Campers may be dropped off as early as 8:15am and picked up as late as 2:45pm. We are closed July 4. Due to family obligations of our staff, extended care is not available at this time.
How are children grouped at MusicMakers!?	Campers are grouped by age and/or musical experience. Depending on enrollment, returning campers and campers with considerable musical knowledge may be placed in a more advanced age group.
Will my child get to sit with his/her friends? How do I let Ms. Nicole with whom I'd like my child to be grouped?	Absolutely! On the first day of camp, students are assigned seats in the Woodwinds Lab by age group. Children choose where they sit within a range of numbers such as 1-20. Age groups sit together. Once any group placement changes are made, some adjustments may occur so that friends stay together. Children who wish to be grouped together with other campers should indicate their preference on the registration form under "Special Considerations" at the time of registration. Last minute phone call requests will be honored if possible but can not be guaranteed.
What does a typical MusicMakers! day include?	Campers follow a daily schedule of activities, including instruction in percussion, woodwinds, keyboard, string orchestra, singing, and musical fitness & games. See the for a sample schedule.
What is MusicMakers! Restroom and general supervision policy?	Rest rooms are used at designated times except in cases of emergency, at which time camp personnel will escort your child to the restroom. Restrooms are always checked by camp personnel before campers enter. Campers are supervised at all times, and all MusicMakers! campers, staff, and volunteers are instructed to travel in trios, never alone or in pairs. Campers are not permitted in camp rooms unless appropriately supervised by at least 1 adult over the age of 18 and/or 2 volunteers.
What should my child bring to camp?	Children should bring their lunch, a recorder if they have one (if not we will provide one for camp use only, or you may purchase one onsite beginning on day 2 of each session; study books are also available), any band or string instruments they may own if they wish, and any keyboard or other solo music on which they may be working. Please do not bring games, toys, or valuables to camp. Label all personal belongings clearly with first and last name.
What is the MusicMakers! camper and volunteer cell phone policy?	We mirror the School Board of Broward County policy on cell phones. Cell phones may be brought to camp but must remain off and out of sight during camp hours.
Is lunch provided? How about a snack? Is there a snack bar?	Children need to bring their own lunches; however on Fridays, pizza lunch is available for $4 per meal or $8 per session, which must be prepaid via payPal or in cash with the registration fee by day 1. A morning snack and drink is provided daily by MusicMakers! This usually consists of cookies or crackers and punch. If your child has special dietary needs, please provide his or her snack. We also offer a Snack Bar- items range from $0.75 to $1 each.
What are MusicMakers! policies regarding instrument and recorder use? Does my child get to keep the recorder once camp is over? May instruments be taken home for practice purposes?	For insurance reasons, instruments such as violins and keyboards may not be taken home for practice purposes. Free. sterile loaner recorders are available if you elect not to purchase your own take-home instrument. High-quality Angel Soprano recorder outfits ($16, comes with case, study book, cleaning rod, grease, and free name engraving) are available for cash at orientation or by preorder via PayPal when you pay your optional fees online. Children who have just completed grades K-1 may choose a precorder outfit for $8, which is very similar to a recorder but with holes closer together, making it easier for smaller hands to play. Once purchased, these are yours to keep and may be taken home daily for practice purposes.

ILLNESS, EMERGENCIES, AND ABSENCES

If my child is ill or will be absent, how should I notify the camp?	Please call (954) 868-5515 to inform us your child will not be present, in advance if possible. When preparing for performances, this is greatly appreciated, especially when we need to arrange a substitute for your child's special part!
In case of emergency, how do I contact my camper during camp hours?	CALL CAMP PHONE: (954) 868-5515. Answering machine is left on during camp hours. LEAVE MESSAGE. Camp Administration will inform your child. If you can’t get through on the camp number, call the City of Coral Springs Parks & Recreation Department at (954) 345-2200 & they will relay your message to the Camp Director. Please do not call the school directly; they do not accept camp calls.

AUDITIONS AND COSTUMES

What are the guidelines for auditioning for vocal and instrumental solos?

Children are encouraged to audition for singing solos, narrator parts, acting spots, and instrumental solos. Every child will be given a special role of their choosing in the Act 2 finale production. Due to time constraints and in order to allow the greatest number of children to shine, children may perform only one keyboard solo per session, at either the recital or finale concert, as assigned by the Keyboard Instructor. Children may audition for spotlight solos or prelude entertainment also; however, selected acts must be of exceptional quality and are graded based on the following rubric:
5= outstanding personality, musicianship, acting, movements, & skill.
4= has potential for level 5 performance; excellent in 3 or more areas.
3= good in 3 or more areas but lacking confidence or pizzazz
2= enthusiastic but lacking skill in 1 or more area
1= thanks for trying! We appreciate your enthusiasm!

What costume items do I need to provide for my camper for MusicMakers! concerts?

What items are provided?

Campers need to acquire costumes for finale concerts by Week 2 Monday (June 25 or July 9, 2012). Specific costume needs (what we provide, what we need you to provide) are communicated through the Camp Handbook, by note, and via direct email to you during camp. COSTUME CHECK DAY IS WEEK 2 MONDAY. Please send all necessary items to camp in a bag with your child’s name on it on Costume Check Days. Items will be checked during the day & you'll receive a status note when you pick up your child. MAKE COSTUME CORRECTIONS & RESEND the next day. Thanks!

STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

Are volunteers needed? Are service hours available to high-school age volunteers? Is music experience necessary?	Yes! Adults and volunteer counselors are needed for both sessions to assist with costumes, projects, props, stage setup, parties, and other areas. To apply, mail your completed Volunteer Application, and City of Coral Springs Release Forms (both available on this website) to: Ms. Nicole Greggs, MusicMakers! Director 4324 NW 67th Way Coral Springs, FL 33067 by April 15 annually. Music experience is preferred but not required. All staff and volunteers must be fingerprinted and pass Level 2 security clearance; see www.musicmakerscamp.com < Camper/Volunteer Registration for full details.
How do I become a MusicMakers! volunteer?	Go to Counselor's Corner/Volunteer Info. to find out! All staff and volunteers must be fingerprinted and pass Level 2 security clearance.
What is the staff to camper ratio?	MusicMakers! maintains at least a 1:15 staff to camper ratio at all times. In 2011, 4 instructors and 3 adult administrative assistants and an average of 35 campers provided a ratio of 1 adult per 5 campers. With our unpaid 21 volunteers, the staff to camper ratio was better than 1:1! Each child received plenty of one-on-one attention and grew musically and socially.
What certifications, honors, and awards do camp staff hold?	Ms. Nicole Greggs, Camp Director, was the 2008 Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year and the runner-up for 2006 Broward County Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Greggs co-authored the Broward County Elementary Music Curriculum and Electronic Curriculum Planning Tool widely used in Broward County Public Schools until the most recent Next Generation Sunshine State Standards were implemented in 2012. Two of our 4 instructors (Ms. Nicole and Mr. Henschel) are National Board Certified Teachers in Early/Middle Childhood Music. Our instructors boast over 50 years experience teaching music to children. MusicMakers! was nominated for the 2010 Moretti Award for excellence in educational programming, has received multiple positive press releases since its inception, and has operated successfully in cooperation with the City of Coral Springs Parks and Recreation Department since 1998. See More ...

ORIENTATION AND FIRST DAY

How will I find the MusicMakers! camp area once I arrive at the school?	Follow the signs. MusicMakers! camp rooms will be clearly marked. Within a week before Day 1, you will receive a pre-camp letter and/or email with full details about parking, drop-off and pick-up, and location of camp rooms within Coral Springs Charter School.
When and where is Orientation? What does it entail?	Orientation for both sessions will be held Friday June 15, 2012 from 3:30-5:30pm at Coral Springs Charter School. Watch for signs and staff directing you to parking and camp tours. Ms. Nicole will give continuous tours of the camp rooms, introduce you and your child to our staff and volunteers, and answer any questions you may have.
Should I bring anything to Orientation?	Please bring your child(ren), $20 cash registration fee per child, and cash for any optional fees you may wish to purchase such as guitar class, pizza lunch, recorders, practice CD deposits, etc. You may also choose to pay these via PayPal by visiting our Registration page.