FAQ

List of 9 items.

• General Program

  Who will be teaching and staffing summer programming? What are their credentials? 
  All academic courses are taught by certified teachers. Teachers have relevant experience for the particular course area in which they are teaching.
  
  

  LCS Summer Academy Staff have or are working towards a relevant undergraduate degree or post-secondary diploma, have experience in a residential camp, boarding school, or coaching environment, are certified in First Aid and CPR/AED, and have relevant certifications to their assigned area (e.g. waterfront will have their NLS certification). 
  
  

  What is the average class size?
  Campers at Lakefield College School benefit from an overall student-to-staff ratio of 8:1. We are pleased to offer small class sizes so students and staff have the opportunity to connect on a deeper level.
  
  

  Do your programs require minimum English proficiency?
  Yes. Any camper who is not currently enrolled at LCS, for whom English is not their first language, will be required to complete an online English proficiency assessment prior to admission. This helps to ensure that the student will be able to function safely and successfully in LCS Summer Academy. We will send you the web-based assessment when we acknowledge your application. If you have an alternate recent English Language Proficiency test you would like to use, please connect with us to further discuss.  
   
  Do you offer both day and overnight options? If so, how do you ensure day and overnight participants build community in your on-campus programs?
  Yes.We offer both day and overnight options for most of our on-campus programs. There are community gatherings daily, including morning and lunch outdoor meetings. These shared experiences offer time for reflection, check-ins, and community building.
  
  

  Campers will have ample opportunity to engage with each other during program time. Collaboration and authentic learning are prominent parts of each program. 
  
  

  A couple of the programs mention camping. Do campers need to bring camping equipment or will this be provided? 
  General camping equipment (e.g. tents, paddles, canoes, and stoves) will be provided, but individual camping items may be required (e.g. headlamp, biodegradable soap, sleeping bag etc.). These individual items will be on the program-specific packing list we’ll send before the start of the program.
  
  

  When can I expect to receive more detailed information about my program and how to prepare?
  We will be sending a welcome letter in the coming months. You can expect to receive more detailed information and answers closer to the program start date. In the interim, we hope that our FAQ will help answer some of the questions you might have. If uncertain, please feel free to contact us.
  
  

  Will a packing list be provided? 
  Yes. A link to your program-specific packing list will be shared closer to the program start.

• Schedule and Attendance

  What does a typical day look like on campus?
  A sample Monday through Friday schedule for overnight and day students in on-campus courses, enrichment programs, and Junior Day Camp will follow a similar pattern to the respective schedules below. 
   
  Our Learning Languages Outdoors programs and intensive programs (e.g. LCS Dance Intensive) each have unique program-focussed schedules.
  
  Sample Schedule for Academic On-Campus Courses:

  8:00 - 8:25 am	Breakfast
  8:20 - 8:25 am	Day Camper Drop-Off
  8:30 - 8:45 am	Outdoor Gathering
  8:50 - 12:30 pm	Class Time
  12:30 - 1:00 pm	Lunch
  1:00 - 1:45 pm	Free Time
  1:45 - 4:30 pm	Camp Activities
  4:30 pm	Day Camper Pick-Up
  4:30 - 5:45 pm	Free Time
  6:00 - 6:45 pm	Dinner
  6:45 - 7:45 pm	Evening Programming
  7:45 - 9:45 pm	Study
  9:45 - 10:15 pm	Snack, Reflection and Technology Collection
  10:30 pm	Lights Out

  
  Sample Schedule for Enrichment Programs:

  8:00 - 8:25 am	Breakfast
  8:20 - 8:25 am	Day Camper Drop-Off
  8:30 - 8:45 am	Outdoor Gathering
  8:50 - 12:30 pm	Academic/Activity Rotations
  12:30 - 1:00 pm	Lunch
  1:00-1:45 pm	Free Time
  1:45 - 4:30 pm	Academic/Activity Rotations
  4:30 pm	Day Camper Pick-Up
  4:30 - 5:45 pm	Free Time
  6:00 - 6:45 pm	Dinner
  6:45 - 8:45 pm	Evening Programming
  8:45 - 10:00pm	Free time including snack and reflections
  9:00 -10:30pm	Technology Collection and Lights Out*
  	*Lights out timing is program dependent

  
  Sample Schedule for Junior Day Camp:

  8:15 - 8:30 am	Day Camper Drop-Off - Red Door
  8:30 - 9:05 am	Outdoor Gathering and Group of the day assignments
  9:15 - 10:05 am	Period 1 (e.g. Arts & Crafts)
  10:05 - 10:25 am	Snack
  10:30-11:05 am	Period 2 (e.g. Exploring Nature)
  11:15 - 12:05 am	Period 3 (e.g. Canoeing Games)
  12:05 - 12:30 pm	Supervised Free Play Time
  4:30 - 5:45 pm	Free Time
  12:30 - 1:00 pm	Lunch
  1:15 - 2:05 pm	Period 4 (e.g. Field Sports)
  2:15 - 3:15 pm	Facilitated Free Swim at the Beach
  3:15 - 4:15 pm	Snack and Group Games
  4:15 - 4:45 pm	Camper Pick-Up - Red Door

  
  Are all programs Monday - Friday?
  The Learning English Outdoors programs run seven days per week, although students will have quiet time in their schedules to take time for themselves.
  
  Our on-campus learning courses have scheduled classes Monday through Friday for the in-person portion of the course. Day students will therefore be on campus Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Overnight students will be with us for the full three weeks and be asked to arrive at a specified time the day before the on-campus portion of their program begins. All students will depart on the final Friday of their program at their specified time. There will be additional activities on the weekends for overnight students (optional add-on programs for day students).
  
  Our enrichment programs are five-day experiences, offered from Monday through Friday, unless otherwise indicated. Overnight students will be asked to arrive at a specified time on a Sunday before their program begins and will depart Friday at their specified time.
   
  Our Junior Day Camp programs are all five days long unless otherwise noted.
   
  Online courses will have a minimum of two synchronous hours of class per week (Monday through Friday), combined with asynchronous work and course-specific due dates.
  
  

  Will attendance be taken?
  Attendance at all classes and scheduled activities is compulsory (including afternoon programming, excursions, and camping trips). For online classes, attendance at synchronous sessions is compulsory. Should a student need to miss class time or activity time for a personal or medical reason, their parent/guardian should follow the Summer Academy Student Guide policies for missing class. Any unreported absence from classes or scheduled program activities will result in an Unexcused Absence, and parents will be informed. 

  
  My program takes place over a holiday. Am I expected to be present for my program? 
  As these are condensed programs, the expectation is that students will be present if no break in the program is indicated (both online and on-campus programs). 

• General Academic Credit Courses

  My child is going to school in a different province or country. Are they eligible for the LCS Summer Academy credit courses?
  Any student is welcome to apply for LCS Academy and Summer programs and, if applicable, earn an Ontario Secondary School credit. The student should consult with the guidance department at their school to determine whether the credit can be given equivalency in their home province/country. Equivalency will vary from province to province, country to country and from course to course.
  
  

  I'm not sure which courses would be the best choice. Who should I talk to? 
  It is always a good idea to check with a guidance counsellor at your school about any credit course selection. The guidance counsellor can check prerequisites and offer academic counselling. For students in Grade 8, we strongly recommend contacting the guidance department of their future high school.

  
  My child is interested in a course that is meant for a different grade level. Are they able to sign up? 
  The courses designated Grade 9, 10, and 11 are usually open to students who are at or above that grade level (meaning a Grade 11 student can take Grade 10 Science if they don't already have this credit and have the correct prerequisites). Some courses are open to any grade level, such as Expressions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Cultures (NAC1O), LCS Summer Academy Leaders in Training Program (GWL3O), and Seed to Table: Adventures in Eco-Farming (IDC3O). Please check with a guidance counsellor about what might be right for you.
  
  

  What is the time expectation for on-campus courses while students are working remotely or for online courses?
  Students should anticipate working approximately four to five hours per weekday on their course while learning remotely. Teachers will arrange approximately two hours of live (synchronous) meetings with students per week, and there will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous work. 
   
  What if a student needs to miss a block of time?
  Summer Academy credit courses are condensed and move very quickly. A student may be able to catch up from missing one or two days of classes, but more than that would make it very difficult to complete the course successfully.
  
  

  Are there exams or culminating projects for all credit course programs? 
  All credit course programs will have either a culminating project or a final exam. There will be numerous assessments, large and small, throughout the course.  
  
  

  How will student progress be reported? 
  All students in credit courses will receive a midterm and final report card, with a numeric grade, comment, and learning skills. These reports will be available electronically. For external students, a copy of their final grades will be submitted for their Ontario Student Record (OSR), if applicable. 
  
  

  I have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) at my current school. Will this apply during my course with LCS Summer Academy?
  If you require any course accommodations, please contact us and include a copy of your Psychoeducational Assessment and Diagnostic Letter. You are welcome to include your current IEP as well. LCS students who have Course Provisions will be contacted by our Learning Strategies team to discuss accommodations for the summer programs.
   

• Online Courses

  What is the expectation for time spent online for courses?
  All Ontario credit courses require 110 hours of instruction. For online courses, students should anticipate at least 4-5 hours per day of time devoted to the course throughout its duration—in independent studying, collaborating with other students, and virtual synchronous classes.
   
  Teachers will arrange times to meet with their class that accommodate the various time zones of their students, and students can anticipate at least two live (synchronous) meetings per week. Teachers will also have hours available for individual check-ins with students. 
   
  Are the online portions of courses taught live or pre-recorded?
  A combination of live (synchronous instruction) and pre-recorded (asynchronous) sessions will be offered within a course. Teachers will arrange times to meet synchronously with their students at least twice weekly.
   
  How will students joining from a different time zone access the online courses?
  Our faculty are experienced with teaching across multiple time zones. Students will be able to access the course (24 hours per day) from wherever they are as long as they have reliable access to high-speed internet. Within one week before the start of the course, taking into consideration the various time zones, the teacher will arrange to meet with all of the students.
   
  What are the attendance requirements for online programs?
  Students are required to attend all synchronous meetings, and missing these meetings will be documented as an unexcused absence (and parents will be notified). 
   
  What constitutes “attendance” for online courses?
  For all online courses, students are required to attend scheduled synchronous meetings (attendance will be taken), log into their course regularly, submit assessments on time, and track their learning progress in a learning log to show time spent on asynchronous work. 
   
  Are there midterm and final exams? Group projects?
  All credit course programs will have either a culminating project or a final exam. There will be numerous assessments, large and small, throughout the course. LCS places a high value on collaboration, so students can expect some group work.
   

• Overnight Programming

  Many of your programs for campers ages 11 - 14 are five day programs. Is is possible for a student to take multiple and stay on campus during the weekend between?

  Yes! For most weekends in July and August, starting on July 14, this is a great option for students, especially those who are looking to spend more time on our beautiful campus. At an additional cost students can join for weekend programming to bridge the gap between two or more 5-day programs.

  
  What will weekend programming look like for overnight campers on days when there are no classes?
  Campers will have some time allotted to study, some to recreation/free time, and some off-campus excursions to local attractions such as Canada’s Wonderland.
  
  

  When should we pick up our child from LCS Summer Academy if they are part of the overnight program?
  Campers should be picked up at their scheduled time (approximately 4:30 p.m.) on the last day of programming.
   
  If travelling by plane, when should flights be booked? 
  We request that all students who are travelling by plane share their travel plans with Jen Horrigan (Coordinator of International Students and Travel) before booking their flights as there may be additional protocols that could impact travel dates. 

  
  Do you offer airport transfers? 
  Please contact Jen Horrigan (Coordinator of International Students and Travel) directly to arrange airport pickups (at an additional cost).

  
  Where do students sleep?
  Students will stay in a single, double, or triple room in one of our air-conditioned houses on our beautiful waterfront campus. Room assignments are dependent on the program, student age, and gender. 
  
  

  Live-in residential staff provide supervision and support 24/7. 
  
  

  Do you accept and honour rooming requests?
  We accept rooming requests and do our best to accommodate them if possible. 
   
  Where will students eat?
  Our overnight campers will enjoy breakfast in their houses or Winder Smith Dining Hall, and lunch and dinner in the dining hall or outdoors. Our day students will join us for a delicious lunch in the dining hall or outdoors. There is always a variety of options for meals and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Hot entrees range from classic Canadian dishes to world cuisine, and there's always something delicious for everyone. 
   
  Will LCS students be placed in the same room that will be assigned to them in the fall?
  No. However, for students in the Learning English Outdoors, Credit Course or the Outdoors Adventures Prep program, we will support the transfer of belongings when the program ends.
   
  What about laundry?
  Laundry services are available to overnight campers. Coin-operated (pay) machines are available for camper use in the house and free machines are available in the main academic block. Multi-week programs will have specified times to sign up for laundry time slots. 

• Logistics and Policies

  Are students required to have their own computer? What technology is required?
  For all programs where there is a credit course involved, students should plan to bring a laptop. Our Information Systems department will support students in accessing the school network and any relevant software programs. 
  
  

  Campers in our Junior Day Camp, Grove Prep, Outdoor Adventures, and intensive programs do not need a laptop. If campers would like to bring a tablet or cell phone for personal use, they can do so but need to follow LCS’s Technology Responsible Use Agreement, Personal Device User Agreement Policy, and LCS Summer Academy Life Guide. 
   
  What is the LCS Summer Academy’s policy on the use of mobile phones? Are campers allowed to use them while at the Summer Academy? 
  LCS will provide the guidelines for mobile phone use. At certain times (during class, when on camping trips, after lights out, during meals, or during morning gatherings), campers will not be permitted to have access to their phones.
  
  

  To encourage healthy sleeping habits, all LCS Summer Academy and Program campers are required to turn in their technology to the residential staff on duty prior to lights out. 
  
  

  In case of an emergency and/or if you need to get a hold of your child, we will provide our emergency phone number closer to the program start. 
   
  Is there bussing for day students?
  Currently, no bussing is available for summer day students. If the number of day students makes it viable, we would consider providing bussing from a central pick-up in Peterborough at an additional cost. 
  
  

  What is the dress code while on campus?
  No uniform is required for our Summer Academy, but during the academic portion of the schedule and at all meals, campers should be in clean casual dress, and during the activity portion, they should dress for the specific activity in which they are participating. More information can be found in the LCS Summer Academy Life Guide.
   

• Health and Safety

  Is the Summer Academy Ontario Camping Association (OCA) regulated? 
  LCS Summer Academy and Programs adheres to all the health and safety policies applicable to operating an independent, primarily boarding school. Our safety policies and procedures are accredited by CAIS (Canadian Association of Independent Schools). Although we are not OCA certified (as we operate as a school, not a summer camp), we are very familiar with their policies and meet or exceed their expectations routinely.
  
  

  We also follow Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (ORCKA) and Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) regulations for waterfront and physical activities as well as all local public health guidelines.
  
  

  Can you accommodate dietary restrictions? 
  Our dining hall services, provided by Aramark, routinely accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. Families will be asked about dietary restrictions when completing their health forms. Once we are aware of a student’s needs, we will do our best to work with dining hall services to accommodate them.
  
  

  Can campers with severe allergies attend LCS summer programming? 
  We are accustomed to having a number of students on campus each year who have anaphylactic reactions. For any allergy, it is essential that its existence and severity are documented on our medical information forms. Campers who do not have health information on record prior to arriving on campus for their session will not be allowed to take part in the summer program.
  
  

  Campers who have anaphylactic reactions will also be required to bring two EpiPens (one to carry with them, and one available for our Health Centre staff). Our First Aid Kits, at all program stations, are also equipped with EpiPens.  
  
  

  How far is the nearest hospital? 
  The nearest hospital is the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, which is 20 minutes away.
  
  

  COVID Procedures and Protocols
  Lakefield College School has worked closely with the local public health unit and a team of health experts to keep both our day and boarding students safe and healthy since the pandemic began. Our general safety procedures, which we will follow for the duration of the Summer Academy, can be found online.
  
  

  All of our work and every decision we make is focused on two essential priorities: 1) ensuring that we uphold the highest standard of community health and wellbeing; and 2) fulfilling the promise of our mission as a school uniquely committed to challenging and enabling students to reach their individual potential in mind, body and spirit through authentic learning, being outdoors every day and a powerful and embracing sense of community.

   

  LCS has made an ongoing commitment to prioritize the health and wellbeing of our school community. One hundred percent of our on-campus faculty and staff are fully vaccinated and all incoming, new and eligible LCS Summer Academy students ages 11+ must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a Health Canada approved vaccination prior to their arrival to campus (unless they have filed a valid medical exemption request). Our comprehensive Safety First: People, Place and Program Lakefield College School's Learning Recovery & Renewal Plan, outlining all of our health and safety protocols designed to mitigate the transmission of the virus while maximizing the impact of in-person learning, was endorsed by public health and approved by the Ministry of Ontario. 

   

  We are committed and prepared to see all of our summer students on our amazing campus for daily in-person learning, health guidelines permitting.

   
  Does Lakefield have a Vaccination Policy? 
  LCS has made an ongoing commitment to prioritize the safety of the school community. All campers 11 years old and above are expected to be fully vaccinated (two or more doses) with a Health Canada approved vaccine before arrival on campus, unless they have filed a valid medical exemption on or before Tuesday, May 31, 2023.
   
  The school strongly recommends that students who are eligible in the under 11 age group are vaccinated.
   

• Payment and Registration

  How long will external student applications take until the decision is received?
  The LCS Summer Academy committee meets weekly to review applications. Students external to LCS are required to submit program specific supporting documents, such as a reference letter, a recent report card, and/or an English language proficiency assessment (if English is not the student’s first language). Applications cannot be reviewed until all documentation has been received, so be sure to encourage your referee to complete the form at their earliest convenience. Once we have received all the necessary supporting documents, the application will be reviewed and an enrolment decision will be communicated. 
  
  

  Is there a registration deadline for any of the programs? 
  Registration will close approximately two weeks prior to the program start date or when the program is full. We suggest that you register as early as possible in order to secure your choice of sessions. 
  
  

  Can LCS students pay for summer programming at the same time as paying for their 2023/24 academic year tuition? 
  No. The billing process for summer programs is separate from that of the school year.
  
  

  What forms of payment are accepted? 
  Payment can be made through our LCS Summer Academy registration website by credit card, and we accept Visa, MasterCard, and AMEX. 
  
  

  Is tax included in the program costs?
  Yes.
  
  

  Are there additional costs that we can plan for that are not included in the program fee? 
  Program fees for overnight students include three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) plus snacks, programming, field trips (if applicable), course credit (if applicable), a shared room space, plus shared camping equipment (if applicable), such as tents, cooking stoves, etc. 
  
  

  Program fees for day students include lunch, programming, weekday program-specific field trips (if applicable), and course credit (if applicable).
  
  

  Program fees do not include airport transfers or taxi services (if applicable), additional excursions (e.g. if a student decides to stop at a Tim Horton’s on a walk into town), additional tutoring/training, or personal items, including laptops, textbooks (if applicable) and notebooks. Items that campers will be expected to bring will be included in the packing list.
  
  

  It is a good idea for students to have access to a nominal amount of pocket money for snacks and personal items they may wish to purchase.
  
  

  An opportunity for Day Students to sign up for weekend excursions will be provided.
   

• Registration Changes After Enrolment

  Refund Policies
  Refunds depend on circumstances. Please review the information below.
  
  Student Change of Plans
  For all Summer Academy Programs, we will provide full refunds until May 1, 2023 minus a 5% of program cost administrative and processing fee. From May 2, 2023 and up until the day the program begins, a refund of 50% of the program cost can be received. Once the program has begun, no refund will be provided.
   
  Please note: All programs are subject to enrolment and may be cancelled; in this case, students will be offered a refund. Students will be given the opportunity to transfer to another program should their primary selection be cancelled. 
  
  

  Travel Restrictions/Visa
  Despite the challenges that the world has faced as a result of COVID-19, we remain incredibly grateful to be in a position that has allowed us to continue with in-person instruction. We will endeavour to do the same for our 2023 LCS Summer Academy with the appropriate safety precautions in place to ensure the health and wellbeing of our students and community.
   
  Full refunds will be provided to families in the event of summer programming cancellation or the inability of a student to enter Ontario, Canada due to government travel restrictions. Should we need to significantly alter our summer programming activities or content, we will communicate changes as early as possible and allow families to withdraw or defer registration with no financial penalty. 
   

  Withdrawal and Credit Courses/Transcript
  For students in Grade 9 and 10 courses who withdraw after their course has begun, the course will not appear on their Ontario transcript no matter when they withdraw. 
  
  

  For students in Grade 11 and 12 courses, the course will not appear on their Ontario transcript provided they withdraw earlier than five instructional days after receiving their mid-term report for the course. If the student withdraws after that time, the withdrawal is noted with a W on the transcript, and the percentage mark at the time of withdrawal is recorded.
  
  

  What if there aren’t enough students to run a program?
  We will make every effort to meet our minimum enrolment number for each course/program. However, if there are fewer than five students enrolled in a specific program, we will need to cancel that session. Decisions about cancelling programs where enrolment is low will be communicated to families a minimum of two weeks before the program start date and we will make every effort to provide you with alternative options.