FAQ
Camp – General FAQ
Girls in Engineering’s summer camp is a non-residential day camp on the University of California, Berkeley campus.
This summer, camp will be held at the Seeley G. Mudd Hall Building on the Pacific School of Religion Campus, at 1798 Scenic Avenue, Berkeley, CA, 94709. While Mudd Hall will be our “home base”, daily activities will take place at various locations around campus.
In the event we are unable to safely bring participants to campus, we may choose to offer programming virtually.
Students interested in attending a Girls in Engineering camp must submit an application. The application process is competitive and only a limited number of students will be selected for each camp session or program offering. Typically, 1 out of 2 applicants are accepted. Summer applications open in mid to late-January.
Admissions decisions are emailed out on or about April 17 and shortly thereafter, a Welcome Packet with Registration information and payment instructions, will be emailed to admitted candidates.
Campers:
Students of all gender identities are eligible to apply if they fulfill the following criteria at the time of the application:
• they live in the San Francisco Bay Area
• they will be entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade (or homeschool equivalent) in the fall
Join our mailing list to be notified when the camper application opens.
Counselors in Training:
Students of all gender identities are eligible to apply if they fulfill the following criteria at the time of the application:
- they live in the San Francisco Bay Area
- they will be entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the fall
Join our mailing list to be notified when the camper application opens.
No, only students who live in the San Francisco Bay Area are eligible to apply.
In the event that we offer camp virtually, we may choose to open the application to students outside the San Francisco Bay Area.
Unfortunately, only San Francisco Bay Area residents are eligible to apply. Students must be actively enrolled in a Bay Area middle school.
Yes, if students have participated in the past, they may apply again to the program.
The fee for our 2023 camps will be $600. However, participants whose families demonstrate financial need will attend camp for free. Please see the Scholarship tab on the Be a Camper page for more information.
Accepted students are expected to attend the entire week-long session for which they are selected. Beyond that, participants are expected to bring excitement to learn, an open mind, a great attitude, and a desire to make new friends!
At this time, we do not run programs for high school students, but look forward to offering events and opportunities for high school students soon. In the meantime, students currently in 9th, 10th, 11th (rising 10th, 11th, and 12th) grade can apply to be volunteers for the Girls in Engineering camps. (There is no camp fee for volunteers.)
Bay Area Teen Science (BATS) and the STAR database are great resources for finding other K-12 programs and opportunities.
Join our mailing list to stay informed about new programs and volunteer opportunities.
Please see the Contact page of this website for more information on how to connect with Girls in Engineering.
Camp – Application Process FAQ
Students interested in attending a Girls in Engineering camp must submit an application. The application process is competitive and only a limited number of students will be selected for each camp session or program offering. Typically, 1 out of 2 applicants are accepted. Summer applications open in mid or late- January.
Admissions decisions are emailed out on or about April 17 and shortly thereafter, a Welcome Packet with Registration information and payment instructions, will be emailed to admitted candidates.
Admission decisions will be made by April 17 and you will be notified by email.
On the application, your child may request to be placed in the same session as their friend. Because there are many criteria affecting session placement, we cannot guarantee that we can grant the request but we do take it under advisement.
However, we do attempt to place siblings into the same camp session, if preferred.
Camp fills up quickly. We do our very best to assign campers to their first or second preferred choice for camp sessions. As a small team, we have limited bandwidth to field session change requests. If you have extenuating circumstances, please email gie@berkeley.edu to see if a change is possible.
The fee for the 2023 camps is $600, but if your family demonstrates financial need, camp will be free. Please see the Scholarship tab on the Be a Camper page for more information.
No, we do not ask for proof when your child is applying. You only need to indicate your financial need when responding to the camp fee question in the application. However, we reserve the right to request this documentation at a later date.
No, there is no application fee.
If your child is admitted into a session that they can no longer attend, you can request that they be placed on the waitlist for another session (or multiple other sessions). If a spot opens up in a session your child is waitlisted for, we will email you.
Yes, we think they will! Our camp participants generally come from at least 60 different schools, so most campers will not know anyone in their session. As a result, most participants are very excited to make new friends. Additionally, we integrate a number of ice breaker activities and games into our program to help the campers feel comfortable and have fun with their campmates. Our high school volunteers are also a wonderful asset, as they help to organize games and encourage participation.
Camp – Registration Process FAQ (Admitted Students ONLY)
Admission decisions will be sent via email by April 17, 2023. The email will list the camp session to which your child has been admitted and any scholarship awards, as well as next steps.
Registering Your Child(ren)
On April 17, 2023, the parent/guardian listed on the child’s application will receive an email from CampDoc, our online registration portal, with registration instructions and a coupon code allowing them to register for a specific camp session. You must register your child and complete their profile by the May 15, 2023, including:
- Participant(s) information
- Health record(s)
- Session registration + add-ons
- Dismissal options
- Waivers, consents, and releases
Any campers who have been admitted to camp but do not register by May 15, 2023 will forfeit their spot at camp.
Extended Care Option (Add-on)
Extended morning care (drop-off as early as 8:30am) and afternoon care (pick-up as late as 5:00pm) and activities. The cost is $75.
- AM Extended Care 8:30am – 9:00am
- PM Extended Care 4:00pm – 5:00pm
You can register for extended care at any time through the first day of a camp session.
Scholarship Awards
Scholarship recipients will be provided with a coupon code that they can use at checkout. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email gie@berkeley.edu.
Families may sign up for a Payment Plan in CampDoc at the time of registration. All payment plans require an initial 50% payment of the camp fees upfront (non-refundable deposit) and remaining balance of 50% at a later date. Deadline to take advantage of the Camp Payment Plan is Monday, May 15, 2023. Payment plan cancellations are subject to the Camp Withdrawal policy.
Payment Plans are non-transferable from one camp registration to another.
For questions about Payment Plans, please email us at gie@berkeley.edu. We’re here to help you.
Camp Cancellations
- Camp sessions may be canceled due to public health epidemics or pandemics, natural disasters, public safety restrictions, and other unforeseen circumstances. Full refund available.
- Camp sessions may be canceled if minimum enrollment is not met. Full refund available.
- If a camp day or session is canceled due to weather and no make-up class is offered, a refund will be provided. No refunds are offered for weather-related concerns if the program is running as scheduled.
Other than providing the refunds described, Girls in Engineering is not responsible or liable for any losses arising out of such cancellation of Summer Camps and will not provide any other compensation.
Refunds will be made directly to the credit card or original form of payment that was used in the purchase; there is no action needed by the customer to receive a refund. All refunds will be completed within 15 days of the customer being notified.
Camp Withdrawals and Refunds
Please request a withdrawal through our registration software, CampDoc, or by emailing gie@berkeley.edu
Refunds will be processed as detailed below and may be offered in the original form of payment (credit applied to CampDoc account).
- 90 – 61 days prior to the first day of the camp session – Withdrawal requests received 90 – 61 days prior to the first day of the camp session for any camp purchases (camp session, extended care) are subject to a 25% withdrawal fee (percent of program price, per person, per item), regardless of the initial purchase date.
- 60 – 31 days prior to the first day of the camp session – Withdrawal requests received 60 – 31 days prior to the first day of the camp session for any camp purchases (camp session, extended care) are subject to a 50% withdrawal fee (percent of program price, per person, per item), regardless of the initial purchase date.
- 30 – 0 days prior to the first day of the camp session – Withdrawal requests received 30 – 0 days prior to the first day of the camp session for any camp purchases (camp session, extended care) will not be eligible for refund or credit.
Questions? Email us at gie@berkeley.edu.
Medical Refunds
Requests for refunds, credits, or transfers in cases of illness or injury are considered up to the first day of camp only when accompanied with a doctor’s note and letter from the parent/guardian requesting the exception.
Session Transfers
Customers may request to transfer their camp registration from one session to another. All transfers will be subject to a $35 processing fee per camp transfer, per session, per individual and based on availability. Transfer requests will not be accepted less than 30 days from the first day of the sessions.
Payment plan registrations are not eligible for camp transfers. All camp transfers that result in a fee credit, will remain on the customer’s CampDoc account for one (1) year and will be applied to future purchases.
To request a Session Transfer, please email gie@berkeley.edu.
Vaccine Requirements
All admitted students must be up-to-date with their immunizations in accordance with the below-listed immunization schedule in order to attend Girls in Engineering Summer Camp. Admitted students who do not meet this requirement will have their registration voided. Refunds will be subject to GiE’s Withdrawal policies. GiE requires that updated immunization records be uploaded into your child(ren)’s CampDoc profile at the time of registration.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements
In accordance with University of California Policy, all youth program and camp participants (K-12 student age) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination (vaccination card, photo copy of vaccination card, or electronic vaccination card) will be required at the time of registration/program enrollment. Proof of vaccination may be requested on the first day of a youth program or camp for admission to a facility where youth programs and camps operate.
An approved exception to COVID-19 vaccination may be made based on a Medical Exemption, Disability, or Religious Exemption*.
*These exceptions to COVID-19 vaccination are defined in the University of California COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.
How do you show proof of vaccination?
Any one of the following documentation accompanied by photo ID will be accepted documentation:
- A Vaccination Card issued by the CDC or a foreign governmental jurisdiction which includes the name of the person vaccinated, the type of vaccine provided, and the date(s) the dose or doses were administered;
- A photo or copy of a Vaccination Card either as a hardcopy or stored on a phone or electronic device; or
- A personal digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California and available by going to https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/ or similar documentation issued by another state, local, or foreign governmental jurisdiction
Immunization Schedule
For a complete overview and further details, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
| Vaccine | Prior to Age 4 | Ages 4-6 | Ages 7-12 | Ages 13-17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) | Dose #1 at 2 months of age Dose #2 at 4 months of age Dose #3 at 6 months of age Dose #4 at 15 to 18 months of age | Dose #5 at 4-6 years of age | Age 11 or 12 is recommended age for single dose | Catch-up vaccination if not vaccinated at age 11-12 |
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella | Dose #1 at age 12 months of age | Dose #2 at 4-6 years of age | None unless they have not had two prior doses | None unless they have not had two prior doses |
| Varicella (Chicken Pox) | Dose #1 at age 12 months of age | Dose #2 at 4-6 years of age | None unless they have not had two prior doses | None unless they have not had two prior doses |
| MMRV (alternative to separate MMR/Varicella dosing) | Dose #1 at age 12-15 months of age | Dose #2 at 4-6 years of age | None unless they have not had two prior doses | None unless they have not had two prior doses |
| Hepatitis B | Dose #1 at birth Dose #2 1-2 months Dose #3 6-18 months(Alternative schedules exist) | Additional doses not needed if immunized with 3-4 doses appropriately spaced as an infant | Additional doses not needed if immunized with 3-4 doses as an infant. If not immunized as an infant, alternative dosing schedule age 11-15 two doses Recombivax 4-6 months apart | Additional doses not needed if immunized with 3-4 doses as an infant or had two dose adolescent series at ages 11-15. |
| Polio | Dose #1 2 months Dose #2 4 months Dose #3 6-18 months | Dose #4 at age 4 Note: If dose #3 given after 4th birthday and at least 6 months from dose #2 may omit dose#4 | Needed only if not immunized previously or foreign travel to designated destinations | Needed only if not immunized previously or foreign travel to designated destinations |
The policy will allow for narrow medical exemptions consistent with CDC guidance and manufacturer labeling on contraindications and precautions. As with other policies and, in accordance with relevant federal and California law, faculty, staff, and students will also be eligible to request exceptions based on a sincerely-held religious belief.
- To request a Medical Exemption/Disability/Deferral, please complete and submit the following Medical Exemption/Disability/Deferral form to gie@berkeley.edu.
- To request a Religious Belief Objection, please complete and submit the following Religious Objection form to gie@berkeley.edu.
- Requests will be reviewed and it may take a few days for your compliance status to be updated. You will be contacted if additional information is needed.
In the event an exemption request is not approved, you will receive a refund for any camp tuition that you paid at least one week prior to the start of the session. No refund will be given if you received a scholarship/full tuition support.
COVID-19 Guidelines, Protocols, and Policies (updated 5/2022)
The health and safety of our staff, participants, and volunteers is our utmost priority. As such, our programs will adhere to the policies, protocols, and guidelines outlined by the Berkeley Public Health Department, Alameda County Public Health, CDC, Cal/OSHA, the American Camp Association, and the University of California, Berkeley. We have worked diligently to adapt our camp experience to meet or exceed these safety recommendations.
While we take proactive measures to prevent exposure to COVID-19, UC Berkeley makes no promises or guarantees as to the exposure of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. We strongly recommend that everyone get vaccinated and boosted, if eligible, wear a mask indoors, practice proper hygiene, and stay home if sick.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements
In accordance with University of California Policy, all youth program and camp participants (K-12 student age) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination (vaccination card, photo copy of vaccination card, or electronic vaccination card) will be required at the time of registration/program enrollment. Proof of vaccination may be requested on the first day of a youth program or camp for admission to a facility where youth programs and camps operate.
An approved exception to COVID-19 vaccination may be made based on a Medical Exemption, Disability, or Religious Exemption*. See above.
*These exceptions to COVID-19 vaccination are defined in the University of California COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.
Mask Requirements
- Masks are strongly recommended, but not required, indoors — regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
- (Masks are required during flu season if not vaccinated for flu.)
- Outdoors, masks are optional for everyone.
We will have masks available should a participant want a mask but not have one.
Physical Distancing
Staff, campers, and approved visitors will be encouraged to physically distance, when possible, by at least 3 feet while participating in indoor activities and while eating and drinking. In the case where physical markers are not present, staff, participants, and approved visitors are asked to distance themselves from other participants by at least 3 feet.
Required Hand Washing & Access to Hand Sanitizer
Regular hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is required of all staff while at work. Hand washing with soap and water is expected by participants while participating in programs. Hand sanitizer will be readily available for staff, participants, volunteers, and approved visitors.
Daily Cleaning
Staff will clean spaces and surfaces throughout the day including between activities. This includes cleaning tables, chairs, and other materials before and after each event, class, or program. Materials that are used for programs will be set aside to be cleaned for use. Staff will clean the bathroom throughout the day.
Stable Groups for Classes and Camps
Camp will use stable groups of participants. Groups will remain stable with a consistent camp counselor for the program period.
Modified Program Spaces
Program spaces will be modified to help campers physically distance when participating in programs. This includes designated spaces for campers indoors, adjusted spaces between seats, and or other modifications as needed. Whenever possible, windows and doors will be open to allow fresh air into program spaces.
At this time, there are no travel policies in place to participate in our programs.
If your child is feeling ill, has been diagnosed with, or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and follow health guidelines. Please notify us immediately at (510) 643-0694 or at gie@berkeley.edu.
First, if you have symptoms, STAY HOME and self-isolate, and get tested now and again 3-5 days from your exposure.
- You should get tested as soon as possible
- Stay home until you have tested negative with TWO home antigen tests (separated by 24 hours) OR a single PCR test, unless an alternate diagnosis is found
You do not need to test if you had COVID within the past 90 days, unless you develop symptoms.
A “potential exposure to COVID-19” is different from being identified as a close contact with a COVID-19 positive case. You are likely to be at LOWER risk than an identified contact, and no more than, for example, visiting a supermarket, however this alert should prompt you to take the following actions:
- Monitor for symptoms and if you develop symptoms, get tested and self-isolate pending results.
- Schedule a surveillance test, preferably at 3-5 days from the potential exposure
- You do not have to do a COVID test, unless you develop symptoms.
Please note: an exposure notification through the CalNotify App is equivalent to a close contact notice, not to a “potential exposure.”
Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (both those who are sick with COVID-19 and those without symptoms) from people who are not infected. Isolation for COVID-19 generally lasts for no more than 10 days, requiring in addition that you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours and have improvement in any symptoms. Exceptions may apply when someone is seriously ill or has serious underlying medical conditions.
“This camp was super fun. We did a lot of hands on activities and I learned a lot about different types of engineering.”
Sophia, 2022 Camper