Camp Information and Policies

Welcome to the Bay Area Writing Project Camps!

We are excited to share the world of creative writing with your child this summer. Below you will find information on key topics that you and your child should review together and acknowledge before your child begins his/her camp experience.

Camp Information

  • COVID Policy Updates (as of February 2022)
    • UC Berkeley In-Person Policies
    • Park Day School In-Person Policies
  • Required Documents
    • Remote Program Required Documents
    • In-Person Program Required Documents
  • Staff
  • Scholarships
  • Cancellations and Withdrawals
  • Prorated Camp Fees
  • Transfers
  • Wait list
  • Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting

COVID Policy Updates

Applicants should be aware that we are reserving the option to move on-site course offerings to a remote online format at any time and only if we deem it necessary.

UC Berkeley In-Person Policies: UC BERKELEY COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

Staff, campers, and approved visitors are required to wear protective face coverings when entering our facilities and / or participating in programs. Face coverings are to be worn for the entire time while patrons and participants are in a facility and / or participating in a program. Individuals that choose not to wear a mask will not be allowed to enter our facility or participate in our program.

Face Coverings

Staff – All staff will be required to wear a face covering every day when leading indoor activities with youth or sharing another indoor space with a coworker.

Campers – Youth Participants are required to wear a face covering while participating in an indoor program or camp. The Bay Area Writing Project will follow public health authority requirements and campus policy on face coverings, which are subject to change. 

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 strongly encouraged by participants and patrons while participating in our facilities or participating in programs. Hand sanitizer will be readily available for staff, campers, and approved visitors in our facilities.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements

In accordance with University of California Policy, all youth program and camp participants (K-12 student age) who are eligible for vaccination outside of clinical trials are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We reserve the right to request proof of vaccination (vaccination card, photo copy of vaccination card, or electronic vaccination card) on the first day of a program or camp for admission to the program. Not complying with this requirement will result in removal from the program. 

An approved exception to COVID-19 vaccination may be made based on a Medical Exemption, Disability, or Religious Exemption*.

Thursday, June 2, 2022 – 8:30 p.m.
Alameda County has issued a new public health order requiring that masks be worn in most indoor locations beginning Friday, June 3. Because the city of Berkeley has its own public health jurisdiction, this order does not apply to the city of Berkeley and the UC Berkeley campus. In accordance with CDC and city recommendations, UC Berkeley continues to strongly recommend that masks be worn indoors.

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. 

What if my camper or I have traveled before camp?

There are no travel policies in place to participate in our programs.

Procedures for Potential COVID-19 Exposure

In the case of potential COVID-19 exposure in a Youth Program, BAWP will send an email notification to all youth participants and staff members that may have had close contact with the affected individual. After a potential exposure, individuals should comply with current health orders and guidance including the City of Berkeley Public Health Orders for Isolation, and California Department of Public Health Guidance for Isolation and Quarantine. Isolation and quarantine requirements vary based on vaccination status.

Park Day School In-Person Policies: PARK DAY SCHOOL COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN

As a guest on the Park Day School’s campus, we plan to follow the safety plan laid out by their campus. Their guiding principles continue to be the health, safety, and well-being of their community. Their policies and practices follow guidance from the California and Alameda County Departments of Health, the Alameda County Office of Education, and the CDC.  Guidelines and practices are updated as needed to keep the community safe.  

We ask our students, families, and employees to share the responsibility of keeping the Park Day campus community healthy and safe, to follow CDPH guidance on campus as well as at home, and to be alert for symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, lost of taste/smell, runny nose or other symptoms of COVID-19 and if feeling unwell in any way, to stay home.

Required Documents

Remote Program Required Documents

BAWP Youth Programs Online Code of Conduct and Policies

In-Person Program Required Documents

  • Emergency Contact Form (pdf)
  • Walking Field Trip Permission Form (pdf)
  • Internet Use Form (pdf)
  • Approved Pick-up/Drop-off Permission Form (pdf)
  • Photo Release Form (pdf)
  • Waiver of Liability Form (pdf)

Staff

All of our camp leaders are experienced teachers who have participated in the Bay Area Writing Project’s competitive Summer Institute here at UC Berkeley. 

Scholarships

We offer a limited number of partial scholarships. In order for your child to be considered for this award, please complete the application and submit it to bawp@berkeley.edu by Sunday, May 1, 2022. Applicants will be notified by Friday, May 20, 2022. Please email the office with any questions – bawp@berkeley.edu.

Young Writers Camp Scholarship Application (Grades 3- 8)

High School Writing Course Application (Grades 9 – 12)

Scholarship applicants, please get your applications in as soon as possible so ensure you save a spot in camp. Teacher recommendations can arrive after the initial application. Fees, if any, will not be charged or due until after notification of your scholarship funds for the summer. Please email the office with any questions – bawp@berkeley.edu.

Cancellations and Withdrawals

  • Camp sessions may be cancelled due to public health epidemic or pandemic, natural disaster, public safety restrictions, and other unforeseen circumstances. Full refund available. 
  • Camp sessions may be canceled if minimum enrollment is not met. Full refund available. 

Other than providing the refunds described, the Bay Area Writing Project (BAWP) is not responsible or liable for any losses arising out of such cancellation of BAWP Young Writers 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.

Camp Withdrawals

If you wish to withdraw, please submit a notification to our office at bawp@berkeley.edu. An email must be submitted by the individual who initially completed the purchase. Refunds will be processed as detailed below and may be offered in the original form of payment. Please note, all check payments require the completion of the UC Berkeley vendor application. You can review the vendor application HERE.

  • Withdrawal requests received by May 15, 2022 will be processed with a $50.00 cancellation fee.
  • Withdrawal requests received after May 15, 2022 will be processed with a $100.00 cancellation fee.
  • No refunds will be issued on or after the Friday before the start of camp. (Example: If camp begins on 6/13 refunds will not be available for any cancellations made after 11:59pm on Thursday, 6/9).
  • Withdrawal refunds are for the cost of camp only and do not include any course fees.
  • Please feel free to contact the office with questions at any point during this process – bawp@berkeley.edu

Prorated Camp Fees

We do not offer prorated fees for any missed camp days. This includes vacation days, sick days, starting camp late or leaving camp early.

Transfers

Transfers to a different Bay Area Writing Project camp are granted on an availability basis. Any difference in fees will be due or refunded upon being granted a transfer. Contact the office to find out if your intended change is a possibility. bawp@berkeley.edu

Wait List 

Once a camp is full, a camper can be placed on the waiting list. Deposits are not required. You will be contacted only if space becomes available. Contact the office if you would like to be added to a wait list. bawp@berkeley.edu

Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting

The state requires that any suspected incidents of child abuse be immediately reported to the Department of Social Services for further investigation. All employees are mandated child abuse reporters.