All summer programs are currently full for the Summer of 2018 and registration is now closed.
All programs run from 9am-3pm and are for ages 8+ unless otherwise specified.
Programs cost $250 per week, with full and partial scholarships available upon request. Please note that due to extremely high interest we will only be able to provide one scholarship per family.
For more information, please contact Heather at hmack@scatvsomerville.org or 617-628-8826.
Somerville Media Center Summer Program FAQ
Hello Parents! We are so excited to be kicking off another incredible summer of youth programming here at Somerville Media Center! This informational handout aims to answer common questions and offer some basic information about the summer. If you have any additional questions, please contact Heather at hmack@somervillemedia.org or 617-628-8826. Thanks!
My child got in! Now how do I pay?
Online: You may pay online by requesting a PayPal invoice.
- If you have requested financial aid and wish to pay online, please contact me so I can set up a special paypal invoice for the reduced rate.
- By check: You may send us a check directly. Please address the check to: Somerville Community Access Television 90 Union Square Somerville, MA 02143
- In the “memo” line, please indicate which camp program you are paying for, and for which child(ren), so we can keep accurate records.
- Please note: We expect payments to be made no later than June 22nd in order to keep their spot reserved, however if you need to make alternate arrangements (or want to send the check in with them on the first day), please make sure you have contacted me first 🙂
What does my child need to bring with them?
-
- A lunch or lunch money Every day we have a lunch break where we eat and run around outside at a local park from 12-1pm. We have fridge space to accommodate lunch boxes. We also can accompany your child (or if your child is old enough to walk themselves) to purchase lunch at a nearby Union Sq establishment if they bring money with them.
- No tree nuts or peanuts. We have a number of youth with severe allergies.
- Comfortable shoes and clothing. While we will spend a lot of time inside, we also make sure to do activities outside (including our mandatory hour long run around time) and youth should be prepared to be active.
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen (for outside time)
- Medication (inhaler, epi pen, etc.) Please contact me directly if your child has specific medication needs unless you have already specified this information on your registration form.
- Electronics Generally we ask youth to keep their phones or other devices turned off/on silent in their bags until lunch time, where they have the opportunity to use them if they would like. Also, while we will provide all camera equipment, if youth have their own cameras (or other equipment) they’d like to bring, they should feel free to do so at their own risk (we cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items). Of course, youth are in no way required to bring any electronic devices with them to participate.
- A positive attitude and a willingness to learn and try new things!
What do I need to know about drop off and pick up?
-
- Drop off is from 9-9:30am, and pick up is at 3:00pm every day.
- Please do not drop off your child before 9:00am as staff will be busy prepping for the day. If this will cause significant hardship please contact me ASAP for consideration on a case-by-case basis.
- If you are going to be late picking up your child, please text me directly.
- If you will be sharing drop off/pick up duties with another parent, or if anyone other than you will ever be picking up or dropping off your child, please let me know ahead of time in writing (you may send a note with your child or email me).
- If your child is 13+, I assume they have permission to walk to/from program on their own, however if they do not–or if you have a younger child you’d like to give permission to walk on their own–please also indicate this to me in writing.
What will my kid be doing all day?
-
- Hands-on curriculum: Each week we develop a unique curriculum of hands-on activities that youth will engage in, most often in collaboration with one another. We believe that the best learning is through doing, so youth will jump in right away when they arrive. We begin the week by building community through teambuilding activities, then teach individual media production skills in a scaffolded and comprehensive way, finally building towards a culminating project that we share in a community showcase at the end of the week.
- Final Projects:
- Writing, filming, and starring in an original TV show (TV Production)
- Creating an original comprehensive advertising campaign for an issue or cause of their choice (Memes, GIFs, and More)
- Filming, directing, producing, and editing an original short film (Teen Filmmaking bootcamp)
- Creating a 1-2 minute stop-motion animated short (Stop Motion Animation)
- Community Showcase: A huge element of our weekly program is the community showcase, held every Friday from 3-4pm in the Somerville Media Center Main Studio (for the 2-week filmmaking bootcamp, the showcase will be held on the second Friday). The showcase is an opportunity for youth to share what they’ve worked on during the week, and for the community to celebrate their original creations!
- Light refreshments and drinks are provided.
- All family members and friends are welcome to attend!
What happens if there’s an emergency?
- My cell phone number is xxx-xxx-xxxx (see email). Please contact me there during the hours of 9-3 as I will not be at my desk!
- In the event of a medical emergency: Youth Media Program staff are trained in First Aid and CPR and receive CORI/SORI background checks. By sending your child to camp you give SMC permission to provide basic first aid to your child and/or arrange transportation to Somerville Hospital in case of a more severe injury or issue. I will contact all parents in the event of a medical emergency immediately.
- Please provide me with at least one emergency contact number besides yourself. You may email me with this information.
What should I do if my child is sick/has an appointment/needs to leave early?
- It is very important that you contact us if your child will not be attending camp for any reason. We check in and do attendance every morning and if your child doesn’t arrive (without us knowing ahead of time) we will be worried and need to contact you!
- Please send notice of late drop offs/early pick ups/appointments/etc. directly to my cell phone.
My child has a disability/a severe allergy/a medical issue/etc.
- If you did not include detailed information about this in your online registration, please send me that information AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
- This is so we can adequately prepare accommodations and brief staff so we are all on the same page.
That’s all for now! Thank you so much for reading this information thoroughly, and again, please contact me if you need any additional information!
All the best,
Heather McCormack
Youth Media Coordinator
Somerville Media Center
617-628-8826 (work)
hmack@somervillemedia.org
