Where do youth choristers stay? 

All youth choristers stay in dormitories at the University of Puget Sound. Dorms are equipped with XL twin beds and mattresses, as well as places to store clothes, vestments, and suitcases. Choristers are asked to bring their own pillow and bed linens or sleeping bag to camp. 

 

Who do youth choristers stay with? 

Youth choristers are all paired with one -- or sometimes two! -- roommates of a similar age and gender. At least one adult proctor will also be in their own private room on the same floor, and choristers are advised of their location in the event of an emergency or middle of the night concern. 

 

I’m an adult. Do I have to stay on campus?

No, but you’re welcome to! You may stay on campus in dormitory housing (a residential registration) in a single dorm room on campus. In this case, bathrooms are typically shared between a few adults of the same gender. However, you are also welcome to make your own accommodations in Tacoma (a commuting registration). We work hard to ensure that everyone has the same RSCM experience no matter where they stay, and you will be fully included. Should you elect to stay off campus, you might consider joining with other participants to rent a home in Tacoma. If you would like to be connected with other adult participants attending the course to explore that option, choose the "I'm not sure -- I want to explore off campus options." Commuting registrations include lunch and dinner on campus each day. 

 

What happens if I select "I'm not sure -- I want to explore off campus options?" (Adults only.)

If you select "I'm not sure -- I want to explore off campus options," you will be connected with other adults who are interested in exploring this by March 1. It will be up to you to work with those adults to arrange housing, and you will pay the full residential registration fee to hold your spot. Once you inform us that you've secured off campus housing, we will switch your registration from residential to commuting, you will be issued a refund for the difference, minus transaction fees. If you're not able to arrange housing with those other adults for whatever reason, housing on campus will still be available to you at no additional cost. We'll have a place for you! 

 

If I register today as a residential adult participant, can I change my registration to commuting at a future date?

Yes! Registrations can be adjusted up until May 31. If you change from residential to commuting, you will be issued a refund for the difference, minus transaction fees. 

 

What and where will we eat?

The dining service at the University of Puget Sound will provide all our meals. A variety of food options is provided at every meal. Youth participants go to all meals in their proctor groups and sometimes sit together in those groups as well.

 

My chorister takes prescription and/or over-the-counter medications. What should I do with these?

Medications for all youth participants will be kept safe and distributed by our Head Proctor. We will provide specific instructions for all registered participants in the weeks before camp for how to package these medications to ensure everything stays safe, together, and has clear dosage instructions. We encourage parents and guardians to provide any additional context or information that might be helpful to keeping your child happy, healthy, and safe when you fill out the registration form for camp. And, if anything changes, we are always happy to update your registration information - just reach out to us at rscmpnw@gmail.com!

 

This is my child’s first time away from home for a week. How will you support them?

While each child handles this differently, our proctors are seasoned at dealing with homesickness and helping youth choristers through this new experience. We encourage you to let us know on the registration form if this is your child’s first time away from home, and provide any information that might help us comfort and support them. We also encourage you to write to your child throughout the week by emailing a note to us with their name in the subject line, and we will share these notes daily at breakfast. 

 

What happens if I need to cancel my registration?

Sometimes plans change. Because of this, RSCM can offer a partial refund based on when you cancel. Many decisions about the shape of the camp are based on registration count, including staffing, schedule, and arrangements with the University. Should you need to cancel, a $125 cancellation fee will apply to cover nonrefundable expenses the course incurs with each registration. 

 

We can offer a full refund minus the $125 cancellation fee through March 31. 

 

Beginning April 1, we can offer a 50% refund minus the $125 cancellation fee.

 

After 5:00 PM PST on the Friday prior to the start of the course, all registrations are nonrefundable.

 

How do I cancel? 

To cancel your registration, we need a written request. Please send an email to rscmpnw@gmail.com and allow up to two weeks to process your refund (if applicable).

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Glossary of Terms

 

Chorister: Anyone in grade 4 through  recently graduated high school students who is participating in the course.

 

Adult Participant: Choir camp is for adults, too! Adult singers join the course for their own track centered around fellowship and continuing education, while joining the Choristers for rehearsals and services.

 

Proctor: An adult who will be in charge of a small group of Choristers most of the time. Our team of Proctors work together to ensure that Safe Church standards are followed at all times. At other summer camps this role is often called camp councilor. 

 

Head Proctor: The leader of the Proctor team.

 

Assistant Proctor: An older Chorister who has signed up and been selected to serve in an expanded leadership role. Learn more here. 

 

Course Managers: The volunteer staff who shepherd the entire process of RSCM West from year to year.

 

Chaplain: A clergy person tasked with the spiritual well-being of the Choristers and Adult Participants.

 

Music Director: The choir conductor who selects the music, runs the rehearsals, and conducts the music for the worship services at this year’s camp.

 

Organist: The accompanist and service player for the camp.

 

Registrar: The person who collects registration information and fees and makes sure everything is ready for camp.

 

Evensong: Also known as Evening Prayer, this is the traditional evening worship service of the Church, specifically in sung form in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition.

 

Holy Eucharist: The core Sunday worship service in the Episcopal Church that includes the service of Holy Communion.