Design and Arts Institute

Before Registering...
Parents/Guardians: please review the Youth Programs Ethics and Compliance web page before submitting your registration.

Food allergies must be disclosed to the camp planner in advance at psuconferences@psu.edu or 814-863-5100.

Deadline
All registrations must be received by 5:00 p.m. (ET) on June 08. You are urged to register well before this date. For questions, please call 814-863-5100.

Confirmation
Parents of students will receive confirmation by email; if you do not provide an email address, you will receive confirmation by postal mail.

Refunds

Cancellation requests received before June 10, 2025, will receive a partial refund of $450.00. Cancellation requests received on or after June 10, 2025, will not receive a refund. Cancellation requests must be received by email to Tomi Dreibelbis (tdk10@psu.edu).

Confidentiality
For legal reasons, the University cannot release the names or phone numbers of other participants, not even to those who want to carpool.

Access
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the conference planner at 814-863-5100 at least two weeks prior to your arrival.

Staff members will refer medical emergencies and illnesses to University Health Services, or the Emergency/Outpatient Department of Mount Nittany Medical Center, or Penn State Health Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy. A parent or guardian must complete and sign the “Youth Program Consent for Treatment” form, which is embedded in the registration form, to grant permission for any medical attention required during the program.

Health Notice
Please help lessen the spread of any contagious diseases. The exclusion of ill persons from public, school, and group gatherings is key to lessening the spread of illness. If you are ill, please remain at home during your illness and recovery. If you have a fever (100˚ F or higher), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends limiting contact with others until you have been without a fever for at least 24 hours.

For additional information, visit Penn State’s University Health Services, or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Medical Fees and Insurance
The University does not provide medical insurance for campers.

In the event of illness or injury requiring treatment, hospitalization, or surgery, family medical insurance must be used. Parents or guardians will be billed directly for any medical care given at University Health Services, Mount Nittany Medical Center, or Penn State Health Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy.

University Health Services does not have contracts with any health insurance companies and does not send bills to insurance companies. Patients will receive an itemized bill at the end of a visit and will receive a statement from the University Bursar as well.

The University urges that participants be covered by some form of personal medical insurance. Be sure to provide your insurance company’s information where indicated on the “Youth Program Consent for Treatment” form.

The parent(s) or guardian(s) of a participant requiring medical treatment at University Health Services, Penn State Health Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy, or Mount Nittany Medical Center will be notified of the treatment within 24 hours. We know how important timely notification is for insurance claims, so it is extremely important for you to list the following in the designated areas of the form: the numbers of your daytime phone, home phone, and cell phone, and your family physician’s name and phone number.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the camp planner at psuconferences@psu.edu or 814-863-5100 at least four weeks prior to your arrival.

Penn State is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of their actual or perceived age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment violate the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University’s educational mission, and will not be tolerated. This access is extended to all university sponsored youth programs, including 4-H.

The needs of any participant in a youth program will be discussed privately with that child’s parent/legal guardian on a case by case basis with the goal of promoting a safe environment and quality experience. If you have any questions, please contact the program manager Tomi Dreibelbis at tdk10@psu.edu.

The following policies and guidelines have been developed to help you gain the maximum benefit from your summer camp experience at Penn State. If you have questions about them, please talk to one of your program counselors.

Failure to observe these standards may result in expulsion from camp. Any student dismissed from camp for disciplinary reasons will not receive a refund.

General Behavior Expectations and Necessary Skills
For this program to be a positive experience and to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, each youth is expected to:

• Be respectful and courteous to one another, as well as to all instructor/staff members (not be disruptive)
• Report on time to all scheduled activities. Only a camp staff member may grant permission to be excused.
• Actively engage in the learning experience provided (staying with the group and on task)
• Follow instructions given by staff members
• Refrain from cell phone use during class or special sessions
• Respect the program/University facilities*
• Be able to navigate a large campus setting
• Stay in the activity areas and on campus unless accompanied or granted special permission by a camp staff member
• Conduct themselves appropriately while participating in the social activities outside the formal learning experience

* Misuse or damage of University property is unacceptable. Charges will be assessed against participants responsible for damage or missing University property.

Behavioral Issues/Dismissal
Please keep in mind that during their stay at Penn State, campers are representing themselves, family, school, and community. While unacceptable conduct is not anticipated from participants, the University is prepared to deal with situations involving inappropriate behavior. Penn State maintains the right to dismiss any student for improper conduct.

Behavioral issues will be handled as follows*:

• First Incident — Warning and discussion with student
• Second Incident — Discussion with parent/guardian
• Third Incident — Student will be withdrawn from the program and the parent/guardian will be contacted to pick up the child immediately. No refund will be given.

* Depending on the nature and severity of the issue, dismissal may be on first incident.