Camper Parents frequently asked these questions

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents of Campers

Camp Safety

We realize that you are looking for the camp that will care for your child in the best possible way. That is why we work so hard to provide the right environment that parents expect.

Safety is an important part of our Pre-Camp Staff Training Program.
At USGTC, your child is not allowed to go anywhere on our property unless our staff are with them.
We have twenty-four hour security service, besides our own Staff and Counselors.
We do not have cabins. We have dorms with slide card entry.
Our camp has two full-time Nurses and two full-time Trainers.
We have fire drills the first day of each session.
Our staff references are checked and we require Cori Checks on staff.

"THE CAMP WITH DISTINGUISHED QUALITY"

Where is your training camp located?

Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts

August 1 - 7 and August 8 - 14

USGTC's national office is headquartered in Tequesta, Florida.

What are the drive times from major cities in the area?

Hartford, CT - 45 Minutes
Boston, MA - 2 Hours
New York City - 2.5 Hours
Brattleboro, VT - 1.5 Hours
New Hampshire - 2 Hours

How much does it cost?

The cost is $1,070 for one session, and $2,140 for both sessions.

Do you offer discounts for individuals and teams?

Anyone who registers before November 30th gets $75.00 deducted from their total camp tuition. $40.00 will be deducted for each additional sibling.

Anyone registering before December 31st gets $50.00 deducted from their total camp tuition. $40.00 will be deducted for each additional sibling.

How late can I register my child?

We accept registrations until our camp is filled. After that time we have a waiting list.

What does a one week camper fee include?

The price includes all meals, a spacious dorm room, and all the gymnastics and recreation.

What does the two week camper fee include?

Everything! Two weeks of camp, including weekend meals, a dorm room, and a planned between session week end of gymnastics and recreation.

What is included in a camp session?

A spacious dorm room, meals, gymnastics instruction, and all our fun recreational activities.

How can I register?

Print out our application and mail it to our Florida national office along with your $250 deposit for each session. Call 561-743-8550, email usgtc@bellsouth.net, or fax us your request for our 16 page full-color brochure.

Click Request A Brochure to request a copy of our 16 page full-color brochure online!

Can I use a credit card to pay for camp?

We accept credit cards for deposits only.

If I cancel do I get my money back?

Our camper application explains our refund policies. We recommend that you consider camper refund insurance. It is explained in our camper application.

What is your refund and returned check policy?

Written notice of cancellation must be received by April 30th. Deposit less $75.00 processing fee will be refunded.
After April 30th, Registration Deposits Are Non-Refundable. This Include Cancellations for Medical and Athletic Injuries.
Written Cancellations Post Marked Thirty Days Prior to 1st camp day. Camper will receive Session Fees Less Deposit.
Cancellations Within Thirty Days Of First Camp Day - ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON.
No refund will be made for a camper who withdraws at any time after arriving at Camp.
There is no reduction or refund of fees for Late Arrivals or Early Departure.
Retuned Checks - There Is A $35.00 Processing Fee. We Only Accept Refund Requests In Writing.

How much spending money should I bring?

We recommend $100.00. We have a camp store and snack bar. Our staff dorm leaders take care of camper spending money. Campers take out money when they need it. The younger campers in our youth dorm can get the assistance from our staff if they need special help in purchasing items in our camp store or snack bar.

Can parents come to visit?

No. We also prefer that a two-week camper does not leave camp during the Saturday before the second session. Visitations are a disruption to our program. "An important part of a camping is to have an independent experience."

Does USGTC allow cell phones? NO!

NO! Our new policy is now in effect because of our past camp experience. The worst example was having children speaking to their friends and family at all hours of the night and day. Lack of sleep! Lack of control! We have phones in all dorms, and other camp buildings!

What kind of housing do you provide?

We have no cabins! All our campers and staff are housed in dorms. Campers pick their own roommates. We allow two or three to a room. Campers and staff tell us that our dorms are luxurious and spacious compared to other camp housing. Our campers can decorate their rooms and win prizes for their efforts. It's part of our fun "Color War" recreation program.

Can a team stay in the same dorm?

Yes, except all 8-9 year olds must live on a youth dorm floor. No exceptions! Teams are housed on one or more floors. It's possible that other campers will be on their floors. Meeting new friends is an important part of being a USGTC camper.

What Olympians and World Champions will be at camp?

Shawn Johnson and at least 4 other Olympians will be at each Session. Check our website for updates. We expect other male and female Olympians and World Champions to join us.

Who are your instructors?

Our campers are taught by former Olympians, elite coaches, college coaches, college gymnasts, private club owners, directors, and staff.

What should I bring?

Once you become a registered camper, we will send you a list of things to bring such as the usual workout clothing, bedding, toiletries, etc. Most of our campers like to decorate their rooms. We will have special "Color War" awards for the best room decorations. We also have a costume night with a new theme each year. Again, it's part of our zany exciting recreation program. Check out our spectacular dorm rooms.

Gymnastics Program?

Our Gymnastics Training Program has been developed over many years by some of the greatest coaches from around the world. Check out our Staff and Stars and Schedule.

Do you have a Boy's Program?

Yes, we have approximately fifty boys, and at least two former male Olympians at each session

How much gymnastics training will I get?

You will have the opportunity to work all the Olympic events each day. Dance and conditioning are also included. You will have five 40 minute long required classes, plus two one hour optional, open workouts. Our gymnasts have the opportunity to modify their optional gymnastics program, which offers more recreation opportunities. Dance and conditioning are also included for girls.

What's the class ratio?

We have eight gymnasts to one instructor. Some times seven. That means you can spend more time doing gymnastics with specialized attention from qualified instructors.

What's the gym like?

The best! Each camp has one humungous gym. No small gyms like other camps. Everyone works out together. Campers and staff really like it that way.

What ages and ability levels are your campers?

Boys and girls ages 8 to high school. We have all ages and ability levels. Most of our campers are considered beginning and intermediate gymnasts, pre team through level eight, but we also have some very advanced athletes. Remember that we have staff that can spot and teach any skills done in gymnastics. Every gymnast gets the same attention at our camp.

How about your Gymnastics Testing Program?

It was developed at USGTC and is unlike any other camp-testing program. Our girls are first divided up by height. Each group is then tested for their ability in each Olympic event and placed in ability groups. Six ability groups get six classes each day, including dance and conditioning.

Do you have a Pit?

We have an incredible pit system that our Olympians and campers rave about. Our pit system is 124 feet long, eight feet wide, and six feet high. All our foam blocks are new each year.

What kind of equipment do you provide?

A majority of our products are new each year. We use mostly new AAI equipment and mats. All of our camp products are available for purchase, once camp is over. Contact us for our product list and prices.

How often will girls attend a dance class?

Unlike most camps, our girls get a forty minute dance class every day. We also have private choreography sessions to develop optional routines. Click here for Floor Exercise choreography information.

Do you have to be with a team?

No, most of our campers come with a friend. Approximately 30% of our campers come with a team. A camper who comes alone is roomed with another camper the same approximate age that has also come alone.

How about younger campers? (8-9 year old youth campers)

Their gymnastics program is the same as older campers. They are housed in a special dorm with a special staff, and they go to bed a little earlier than our older camper. If a youth camper is part of a team, they are still required to live in our youth dorm. We permit an older camper to stay with a youth camper in the youth camper dorm.

What kind of supervision do you provide?

Our counselors are in every dorm, at least two per floor. Our owners, directors, and medical staff also live in our dorms. Our campers are monitored during their walks to and from their activities. Besides our own counselors, we have a professional 24-hour security patrol.

What recreational activities do you offer?

"Color War" is a unique program only offered at USGTC. Campers and staff are divided into two teams that compete for awards and points. Campers and staff are all involved in the many fun activities. Some are age group oriented so that our munchkins have a chance to win our many awards and points.

USGTC Color War promotes meeting new friends and helping other people. Our days and evenings are filled with fun recreational activities that do not take away from our required gymnastics program! Some are conducted in our new multi-million dollar student center. It houses our camp store, cafe, snack bar, and is used for many some our recreational activities.

We have movies, bingo night, treasure hunts, poster painting contests, camp dances, awards night, and skit night. We have recreational swims twice a day with "Color War swim contests." We also have lots of outdoor tennis courts and a basket ball gym. USGTC is known for having 4-star facilities.

We have a modern Olympic swimming pool for all our recreational swimming and fun swim contests.

What's your food like?

We have three dining halls, complimented by a cafe and snack bar in our new 17 million dollar air conditioned camp center. We can design a menu for anyone who has allergies, or other special challenges.

Campers and staff tell us that our food is the best! We designed our menu for the growing athlete. Our food service can prepare food for children with special needs.

Do you have an Athletic Trainer or Nurse?

We have two Athletic Trainers, two Nurses, and a Doctor who accepts all the prescription medication the first registration day at each session.

How old do you have to be to work at USGTC Training Camp?

You have to be at least eighteen years of age to coach at USGTC. Our junior counselors have to be at least sixteen years of age. Their camp stay is free. Check out our employment opportunities for available positions.

I am the Beast - the USGTC Chalk Monster!

"I sure miss all our USGTC campers. I can't wait to see them again this coming summer."