Digital Design Camp Registration Process & Policies
Thinking about applying to Digital Design Camp? Here's an outline of our registration process, with important policies, deadlines and information to be aware of.
How to Apply:
1. Create a registration account and submit your application.
Digital Design Camp registration is NOW OPEN! CLICK HERE to register for our Digital Design Camp.
Household account: Our online registration system requires families to create a household profile from which to submit their application. If you have registered for our programs through our online portal in the past, you will use the same email and password you used in the past to log in and apply through your existing household account. The email address used to set up your account should be that of the parent/guardian who will be the main point of contact for all Digital Design Camp communications. Parents and guardians, PLEASE keep track of your login information, as you will need to revisit your account throughout the registration process, and during the time your camper’s program will run. This account will also provide you with financial records of fees paid.
Selecting a camp: Within the application, you will have the option of selecting which program you want to join. Here is a list of your options:
- Design Foundations // Rising 6th – 8th grades
- June 21–25, 2021
- Design Explorations // Rising 9th – 12th grades
- July 12–16, 2021
- Design Immersions // Rising 11th and 12th grades
- June 15, 2021 // Early Summer Orientation for Registrants
- July 26 – 30, 2021 // Design Fundamentals Week
- August 9–13, 2021 // Studio Project Week
Spaces are limited, so register early. If a camp fills up, you may select to join a waitlist.
What is included in the application: The application asks for basic information on your camper, a “statement of interest” to be written by the camper, and requires completion of general camper forms. If you wish to apply for financial assistance, please visit our Financial Assistance Page for information on additional materials required for submission. We encourage everyone to allow adequate time to review and carefully complete the application. You may save your work and complete your application in more than one sitting if need be. This being said, do not wait until the last minute to apply – limited spots are available.
Communications: Keep an eye out for communications about Digital Design Camp, and check any email settings that may filter automatic replies from your inbox. Early registration is HIGHLY encouraged. Registration fills quickly and will close on May 14th. Please note, all applications received after April 30th will incur a $50 late fee.
It is the policy of NC State to provide equality of opportunity in all education programs and activities.
2. Submit your deposit.
A $100 non-refundable deposit for ALL Digital Design Camp applicants is due upon applying to Digital Design Camp, including those applying for Financial Assistance. We must receive your $100 deposit in order to process your application and to prepare your ‘camp in a box’ supplies. Non-refundable fees are not transferable to other programs. When submitting your application, credit/debit card payments will be completed directly through the online registration system. Your payment will be immediately reflected on your household account balance.
NOTE ABOUT ONLINE PAYMENT PROCESSING TIME: There is a roughly 2-5 minute processing window, when you register, before the system will allow you to view the ‘Financial’ window to pay any fee/s balances. If you navigate to the “View details” for your application and refresh your browser after 2-5 minutes, you should be able to see the ‘Financial’ window and pay your registration fee/s.
3. Digital Design Camp placement and submitting final payment.
Registration for Digital Design Camp programs is immediate and based on a first-come-first served basis. Early registration is HIGHLY encouraged. Registration fills quickly and will close on May 14th. Please note, all applications received after April 30th will incur a $50 late fee.
Final payment for remaining fee balances are due the last day of registration, May 14, 2021. If we have not received full payment by the deadline, your spot will be forfeited to someone on the waitlist. Please see “Payment” section for more details.
If you have applied for Financial Assistance, the payment deadline is also May 14. For information on other Financial Assistance deadlines, please visit our Financial Assistance Page.
4. Once we have received your final payment by May 14, your registration is complete!
5. Review the Design Camp information provided.
In late May, we will email all registrants instructions for accessing our online learning management system. Our registration system will send emails to the primary account holder’s email address, so please be on the lookout for this email. Once a student is enrolled in the learning management system, they will have initial access to details on their Digital Design Camp program, including daily schedules, final studio supply lists, and information on how to prepare for their program.
PARENTS AND CAMPERS, PLEASE REVIEW ALL PROVIDED INFORMATION VERY CAREFULLY TOGETHER. You will be required to follow provided instructions as you prepare your student for their Digital Design Camp program.
Payment and Fees:
Deposit:
Deposits: A $100 non-refundable deposit for ALL Digital Design Camp applicants is due upon applying to Digital Design Camp, including those applying for Financial Assistance. We must receive your $100 deposit in order to process your application and to prepare your ‘camp in a box’ supplies.
Your deposit will be applied to your fee balance for the Digital Design Camp program in which you are placed. Fees are non-transferable.
Camp Fees:
- $400* for Design Foundations ($300 after deposit)
- $500* for Design Explorations ($400 after deposit)
- $500* for Design Immersions ($400 after deposit)
- *Applications submitted after April 30 incur a $50 late registration fee.
Full payment must be received by Friday, May 14, in order for your registration to be complete. Those who have not paid or completed information by the deadline will forfeit their spot to someone on the waitlist.
Supplies & Equipment:
Camp in a Box: Our digital campers will be mailed a ‘Digital Design Camp 2021’ box which includes all the basic supplies needed for Digital Design Camp studio projects. ‘Digital Design Camp 2021’ boxes will be mailed out the week of May 24, so that our digital campers will have their basic studio supplies well in advance of program start dates.
Every item inside the box, and the box itself, will be used in Digital Design Camp activities. Replacement items will NOT be provided, so please store your ‘Digital Design Camp 2021’ box in a safe place until the start of your program.
There will be additional supply lists for students that are specific to studios they will be working with. These items will need to be purchased before the week of camp. See ‘Supply List’ information below.
Camp in a Box
Supplies vary per program.
Supply Lists: While the ‘Digital Design Camp 2021’ box will contain all basic supplies needed for studio projects, instructors will want students to have various other supplies for their specific studio projects. Instructors will aim to select zero-cost to minimal-cost supplies for their studio projects.
Estimated Cost of Extra Studio Supplies per Digital Design Camp Program:
- Design Foundations // equal to or less than $50
- Design Explorations // equal to or less than $80
- Design Immersions // equal to or less than $50
We will include suggestions on where to buy items on the supply list. If you find yourself unable to find the items, feel free to email us at designlab_k12@ncsu.edu and we will try to assist you further.
Equipment: More details on specific equipment and digital platforms to be used will be provided with supply lists. It is the responsibility of participants and their parents/guardians to ensure their equipment and software is compatible and ready for use, and that any equipment and platforms for the purposes of Digital Design Camp programs are used in a safe and appropriate manner.
All Digital Design Camp programs will require the following:
- A laptop or desktop computer with a reliable internet connection and access to a web browser
- Access to a webcam to connect to Zoom meetings (or device that can function as a webcam – either built-in, or external, or a phone)
- A digital camera (can be a phone camera)
On occasion, students may also need:
- Access to a printer
- Access to a scanner, or scanner app
Optional, but helpful:
- A dedicated workspace (desk, table, other hard surface, etc.) for the week of programming
- A headset with a mic
Waitlist Policy:
If all available spaces in a Digital Design Camp program are full, a waitlist will be established. You may submit an application once a camp is in waitlist status, but will not be charged deposit or fees until a spot can be offered.
- Registration, including pending waitlist applications, will close on May 14.
- Those on the waitlist will be notified on Monday, May 17, as to whether or not a spot has opened for them.
- Waitlisted registrants will then have until Friday, May 21 to complete full payment.
Cancellation/Refund Policy:
Cancellations made before May 14 are eligible for a refund, minus the $100 non-refundable deposit. We must receive requests for cancellation in writing via email to designlab_k12@ncsu.edu. Refunds will be issued by the same means of the original payment that is being refunded.
Cancellations made after May 14 will not be issued a refund. We do not provide refunds for last-minute cancellations or for students who are dismissed while the Digital Design Camp programs are in session. Non-refundable fees are not transferable to other programs. Due to up-front costs to our program, this is a firm policy.
Communications Policy:
Please note that we handle all program registration, waitlist notifications, cancellation, and other important communications through our online registration system and email (designlab_k12@ncsu.edu) as a means of keeping organized communication records. The parent/guardian who creates the registration account will be the main point of contact for their camper’s registration. The email address used when logging into your account will be used for all pre-program contact. PLEASE KEEP TRACK OF YOUR LOGIN INFORMATION. Campers should not be the main point of contact for the registration account. We will need phone numbers for parents/guardians as well as campers for use during camp, in the event of an emergency. When creating your household account and completing your registration, PLEASE ensure that all information provided is thorough and accurate.
If you need to reach the Design Lab staff, email is the preferred and quickest way to reach us. If you have a question, concern or request regarding registration, cancellations, or camper needs, we ask that you email us. If you would prefer to discuss an issue over the phone, please email us with the nature of your request, and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Please check your spam filter and any firewalls to make sure you can receive emails from these addresses. Adding us to your address book will also ensure all of our communications reach you. We ask that you please read emails that you receive from us promptly, and respond as needed in a timely manner. This will allow us to better serve you. Due to the high initial volume of applications, and because applications must be processed carefully and individually by our staff, we appreciate your attention to communications from our team, and your patience with the process.
Equal Opportunity Policy:
It is the policy of NC State to provide equality of opportunity in all education programs and activities. NC State engages in equal opportunity and affirmative action efforts and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. For more information on NC State’s Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy, please visit policies.ncsu.edu.
Additional Resources
- Design Lab/K-12 Programs
- Digital Design Lab
- Design Camp
- Field Trips
- Teacher Professional Development
- Weekend Workshops
- Contact Us
- Sign up for our Newsletter
- Support the Design Lab for K-12 Education
- Current Employment Opportunities at the Design Lab
- Reach Out Initiative & Design Connections Residential Experience