Summer Camp Terms & Conditions
UPDATED 01/17/2024
Basic Camp Information
We’re so happy you are joining us for Summer Camp and we can’t wait to see you!
For a few weeks every summer, campers have the opportunity to hang out and learn with some of the best chef instructors in the industry. Throughout the camp week, beginning with the basics of kitchen safety, your camper will participate in hands-on culinary or pastry classes in the College’s kitchens–all while using real recipes easy enough to duplicate with the family at home. We also cover nutrition, ingredient information, and food safety!
Registration
Registration and payment is done exclusively online.
Fees
$695 for one week
Tuition Price Includes:
- 1 Week of Summer Camp
- 1 Logo-Embroidered Chef Coat
- 1 Chef Apron
- 1 Chef Hat
- 1 Recipe Book
- 1 Logo-Printed Water Bottle
(Tool kits are sold separately)
Refund and Cancellation Policy
Please be sure to double-check your family’s schedule before enrolling in summer camp as no refunds will be issued for “no-shows” or missed camp sessions, days/weeks under any circumstances. There are no make-up days or camp transfers for missed days/weeks.
CANCELLATION DEADLINE: June 1st, 2024
- If the College cancels a camp session/week at any time, the registrant will be refunded the tuition amount paid in the same method it was rendered.
- If a registrant cancels enrollment in any camp week before June 1st, 2024, the registrant will be refunded tuition paid in the same method it was rendered. No refunds will be approved after June 1st, 2023* (If there is a waiting list for your camp week and we are able to fill the space, a refund can be processed after the deadline, less a 5% handling fee). Please allow 5-7 business days for our funds to be deposited into your account.
Ages
We accept campers between the ages of 7 and 14 years old. Ages 11-14 are eligible for any of the Young Chefs camps. Ages 7-10 are only eligible for the Kiddie Cooks camp.
NEW CAMP ALERT: As of 2024 we will be offering our brand new Commis Chef Camp for ages 15-16. Has your camper aged out of our Young Chefs Camp? We still want to see them! Join us for our brand new Commis Chef Camp.
Location & Hours
Walnut Hill College’s Summer Camps are held inside the Allison Mansion on the College’s main campus at 4207 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
During drop off and pick up, guardians are welcome to utilize our main gated parking lot, located on Walnut Street between 42nd and 43rd Streets. We do not allow all-day parking for camp guardians.
In the event of an emergency during camp hours, please call 215-222-4200 and ask the Front Desk staff to contact camp staff.
No child will be permitted at Walnut Hill College’s Summer Camp without completed and signed Permission/Release and Medical Forms. These forms will be mailed to all parents/guardians prior to camp.
First Day of Camp
On Monday, please drive into the College’s main parking lot, located on Walnut Street between 42nd and 43rd Streets. Check in will be located inside the mansion. Please follow signs to use the side entrance up the ramp alongside of the building by the parking lot. Please arrive no earlier than 9:00 a.m. and no later than 9:15 a.m.
At this time we will be checking in campers, introducing you and your child to his/her counselors, and verifying that campers have all of their necessary forms on file. The Camp Director will also be available at this time to answer any questions.
Parents/guardians will also be asked to verify those adults permitted to pick up their camper. Please notify counselors if someone other than the parent/guardian will be picking up the camper. If you need to make any changes to your list of permitted pick-up persons, please put this change in writing and email it to communityed@walnuthillcollege.edu.
Camper Drop Off
Each morning, campers should be dropped off at the check in table outside, accessible via the long ramp up the side of Allison Mansion. Camp staff will be present to check in campers. Campers should be dropped off no earlier than 9:00 a.m. and no later than 9:15 a.m. Please do not leave your child unless a camp staff is present and your child has been checked in at reception.
CAMP TIMES
- Drop Off Between 9:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. | Pick Up Between 3:00 and 3:15 p.m.
- AM Session: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Lunch Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
- PM Session: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Before and After Child Care
Before or after care is not available. Please plan accordingly so to adhere to the indicated drop off and pick up times.
Camper Pick Up
At the end of each camp day, campers can be picked up at the same drop off area. Camp staff will bring campers to the main dining room at the conclusion of their day. Campers will only be allowed to leave with authorized adults. Campers will not be permitted to leave camp alone unless permission is expressly granted by their guardian(s) on the Permission & Release Form.
What to Bring to Camp Each Day
Recipe Book, Complete Chef Uniform, and Tools
Chef Uniform
Campers will receive a chef coat, apron and chef hat on the first day of camp as part of tuition. Campers are required to bring all of these items to camp with them each day and treat them responsibly. Lost items can be replaced for a fee. Please refer to the sizing chart when selecting your chef coat size at registration (this chart is included in the product description of each camp online).
Required Tool Kit
Campers are required to bring their own tools to camp each day – these tools can be purchased online as a kit for an additional fee, or created out of items from your home kitchen.
Building your own kit? Refer to this list to see which tools are required for which camp. Please be sure to label all tools with camper name! Colorful duck tape or sharpie markers are great identifiers because they will withstand dish-washing throughout the week.
What Not to Bring
Money - Unless your camper requires funds for public transportation, money is not needed during the camp day. All meals and activities we provide during the camp day are included in tuition.
Valuables (such as electronic games, iPods, phones, etc.) Walnut Hill College is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items.
Weapons of Any Kind
Alcohol, Tobacco or Illegal Drugs of Any Kind
Dress Code
We know the summer can be hot and not all areas of the College are air-conditioned. We recommend campers wear cotton or other breathable fabrics. Chef coats, chef hats, and pants/capris that cover the legs past the knee must be worn in the kitchens at all times to protect campers from possible burns. Close-toed athletic shoes are mandatory as kitchen floors are often slippery. No sandals or flip flops are permitted in the kitchen. Campers not able to comply with these rules will be excluded from the day’s activity.
Meals
Lunch is provided to your camper each day as part of tuition. Choices such as Taco Tuesday, Veggie Lasagna, Fresh Sushi, etc will be offered. If your child has a special diet, or is simply a picky eater, you are welcome to send a bagged lunch for him/her from home. Please have your child's name written clearly on the bag.
Each camper will also be provided with a complimentary Logo-Printed Water Bottle for their personal use every day. Beverage dispensers with ice water and other options will be available during the entirety of the day to keep campers properly hydrated.
Safety and Medical Information
After registering your camper, you will receive a packet in the mail with Safety and Medical Information forms. Please fill out and return the enclosed medical form; No child will be permitted at camp without submitting a fully completed and signed Medical Form. Please fill out one form per camper.
If your camper needs to receive medication while in camp, please include instructions on your Medical Form and discuss the medication with camp staff at drop off. Please give necessary medication to camp staff at drop off in the morning.
As you can imagine, cooking-related camps expose campers to many ingredients such as tree nuts, shellfish, peanut butter, pork products, etc. If you have a camper that is unable to ingest specific food items, we urge you to use your best judgment before completing enrollment as we cannot always promise special alterations to lesson plans and recipes.
In terms of accessibility and mobility, most areas of the College are only entered via staircases and 95% of classroom time is spent standing.
Camp Staff Information
All chef instructors, kitchen assistants and support staff have to pass PA State criminal and child abuse background clearances before they are assigned to Walnut Hill College summer camp.
Each camp has a maximum enrollment of 14 children per kitchen classroom and the College employs one chef instructor and 2-3 kitchen assistants per kitchen classroom.
Children With Special Needs
Please note: While we are happy to welcome all children into our kitchens for camp, we are not trained or equipped to assist children with special needs. If needed, a personal aide is encouraged to attend with the child to ensure a positive camp experience.
Behavior Management & Expectations
We want all of our campers to have fun and be able to learn in a safe and productive environment—and we certainly do not want their experiences impaired by another camper’s inappropriate behavior. To ensure this, Walnut Hill College adheres to a specific strategy to handle behavioral infractions that may arise during the camp day. Inappropriate behavior will be addressed with the following escalation*:
1. First verbal warning
2. Second verbal warning
3. Time out away from the activity and a discussion with senior camp staff
4. Camp Director calls guardian(s)
5. Camp Director calls guardian(s) and camper must go home for the day
* Depending on the severity of the infraction, steps within this sequence may be skipped.
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