FAQS
Home FAQs
Logistics
Where is the camp located?
We are located in the Telluride High School / Middle School at the west entrance (near the roundabout). 725 W. Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435
When do I drop off and pick up my student?
Drop-off is at 8:45 AM each day. Pick-up is at 4:45 PM unless otherwise noted. Families will check in at our outdoor welcome desk, where students will receive t-shirts and room assignments.
What will my student be doing each day?
A detailed daily itinerary will be provided to you on your first day of camp!
How are students transported each day?
Most Academy programs travel the region in 15-passengers vans. We lease the very newest models each summer and follow guidelines advised by the National Transit Safety Board to increase safety. In compliance with Colorado law, all of our students wear safety belts at all times, children that weigh less than 40 pounds use forward-facing car seats and 5-year-olds over 40 pounds use booster seats. Our instructors receive detailed training on van operation and must be at least 21 years of age and pass a background check to verify a clean driving record in order to drive vehicles.
Is TA nut free?
Telluride Academy is not ‘Nut Free’. Please tell us about any and all allergies your child has during the registration process. This information helps us provide your child with the most positive experience. Although the Academy is not a nut-free campus, most meals are eaten outdoors and as long as your child’s instructor knows about a severe allergy, a plan can be put in place to ensure a healthy environment for everyone
Who provides lunch and snacks?
Parents are responsible for lunches and snacks each day. (except after one or more overnights)
We ask that you send your child to their program each day with a healthy lunch, adequate snacks and a full water bottle. We discourage single use plastic and ask that you help us teach your children how best to “leave-no-trace” by packing his or her lunch and snacks in re-usable containers that they can bring home and reuse every day.
What should my student bring each day?
Packing lists for all programs can be found in the programs pages, in the Parent Corner, in your Campminder profile, and in your welcome email the week before your program begins.
As a general rule however, children should arrive each day with a backpack filled with what they need for a day of outdoor exploration. Rain jacket, wool or synthetic warm top, sun hat, a pair of shoes for water (chacos, tevas etc.), bathing suit, small towel, water bottle or camel back, sunscreen & insect repellent and most importantly a healthy lunch and a healthy snack. We discourage single use plastic and ask that you help us teach your children how best to “leave-no-trace” by packing his or her lunch and snacks in re-usable containers that they can bring home and reuse every day.
What should my student wear each day?
Dress your child for varying conditions. It could be sunny and very warm or very rainy and very cold. We spend time outdoors! What your child wears and packs each day is a major component to their overall experience at the Academy. Children should arrive dressed in comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes and comfortable athletic clothing. A baseball cap and/or sun hat should be worn or packed in their backpack (see below). Sunglasses on a leash (croakie) is a good idea too.
How does it all work?
Each group of 12 students is assigned two instructors (typically a male and female Team), a 15-passenger van for exploring the region and a classroom where they spend the first and last half-hour of their day. Most programs run from Monday through Thursday (9 – 5) with overnights on Wednesday. You will receive a detailed itinerary on the first day of your child’s program. Program activities are listed in each program description on our website and in some cases, detailed itineraries are also provided in advance.
Who are the instructors?
Instructors are carefully hand-picked from a large and qualified applicant pool. Their average age is 27. Most of our Instructors have worked at the Academy for over 3-years, many for over 5 and a few over 15. Instructors maintain minimum certifications of Wilderness First Aid and CPR. All have a passion for teaching young people, possess skills appropriate to the job, have passed an FBI criminal background check and undergo intensive staff training annually.
What is TA’s medical protocol?
Safety is our first priority. We take care in hiring and training our staff and choosing recommended outfitters who value safety. Although our excellent 30+year record reflects our commitment to safety, there is always risk inherent with outdoor activities. In case of an emergency, instructors are trained to first seek medical attention and contact a staff administrator, who will in turn contact parents to discuss the best plan of action for a child. The Academy’s Medical Advisor is Dr. Peter Hackett. It is imperative that you carefully fill out your medical information for your child to let us know about any special needs, medical issues, fears or past experiences that will help us assist your child in an emergency.
Does TA use outfitters?
Instruction in some specialized activities is sometimes performed by subcontracted professionals. Professional Outfitters provide expertise, equipment, permits and the extra supervision needed for more individualized instruction in these activities. Many of these contractors will require a separate release form that requires a parent signature prior to the start of a program.
If your student’s program has an outfitter, you can see them in the program page under “partners” and visit their website.
What does “Unplugged” mean?
Telluride Academy has a ‘No Electronic Device’ policy for campers. This is an opportunity for students to leave screens and other distractions and enter adventure and the outdoors.
Should I tip my student’s instructor?
Tips are greatly appreciated by Instructors. If your child had a wonderful time at camp, we invite you to show your appreciation through various forms of ‘thanks’ including gift cards, thank you cards and any other way you feel you’d like to acknowledge their hard work.
Where do I find a packing list?
Packing lists for every program can be found in their program page here, or they’re also listed in the Parent Corner.
What ages of students do you accept?
Our programming starts at age 5 and runs through 16.
Overnight Camp
What gear should my student pack for overnight camp?
Packing lists can be found on each Program Description Page, and are also included as an attachment in your Confirmation Email after completing your registration. As a general rule however, children should arrive each day with a backpack filled with what they need for a day of outdoor exploration. Rain jacket, wool or synthetic warm top, sun hat, a pair of shoes for water (Chacos, Tevas, etc.), bathing suit, small towel, water bottle or camel back, sunscreen & insect repellent, and most importantly a healthy lunch and a healthy snack. We discourage single use plastic and ask that you help us teach your children how best to “leave-no-trace” by packing his or her lunch and snacks in re-usable containers that they can bring home and reuse every day.
What is TA’s overnight policy?
Our talented instructors work hard to combat student homesickness on overnight programs. For many students, this experience might be their first time camping or away from home! In the days leading up to the overnight(s), the instructors have positive conversations with the groups to get them excited and prepared for their overnight adventures. This dynamic gets interrupted when a student is picked up early from their overnight. For this reason, we can not accommodate early pick-ups, unless in the case of an emergency. If your child does not want to attend the overnight, or if you have prior commitments that require early pick-up accommodations, we ask that you consider choosing a day program instead. Please call our office with any questions or concerns.
Registration
What is TA’s Cancellation Policy?
For Summer Programs: When you register, you must pay a non-refundable 25% deposit as well as a $40 annual registration fee per applicant. If you cancel your student’s participation for any reason at any time, Telluride Academy will NOT refund your 25% deposit or your $40 registration fee. Full tuition and all required paperwork is due no later than May 16, 2023. If you cancel before May 16, 2023, Telluride Academy will issue you a refund less the deposit and registration fee. Telluride Academy will not provide any refund for cancellations after that date. Any registration that occurs after this time will require payment in full and all required paperwork before registration is considered complete.
Please see the TA Registration Terms & Conditions for additional and important information regarding your registration.
Can I register someone else’s student?
You MUST be the parent or legal guardian of the student you are registering. Through the application process, you must answer personal health information, sign forms, as well as accept policies.
How do waitlists work?
You can waitlist for any full program by proceeding as if you’re registering and the system will automatically waitlist you if it’s full. You waitlist for no charge (even though it requires credit card information and lists the program price at the end screen). As cancellations happen or new programs open, we will go down the waitlist in order of registration and Telluride Academy will call and offer the spot before enrolling and charging you.
When does registration open each year?
Registration opens each year in late January and early February. Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom right of every page to stay “in the know” of registration dates, as well as donation opportunities to receive access to priority registration.
*Please note: each camp year is a unique donation to receive access to priority registration.