FAQs

TRAVEL RELATED QUESTIONS

1) What is your airport pick-up and drop-off policy?

IMPORTANT: Please note that Total Performance is NOT able to arrange transportation for children considered “Unaccompanied Minors” by any airline. For most airlines, Unaccompanied Minors are children under the age of 16 (please read the policies of your airline of choice…some links are provided). Campers who are considered unaccompanied minors by the airline must fly with a parent or have a designated family member or guardian pick them up at the gate as required by “Unaccompanied Minor” airline policies. Total Performance staff members CANNOT be the designated person to do gate pickups for unaccompanied minors.   

Total Performance can arrange transportation for campers who are old enough to fly on their own and get themselves to baggage claim WITHOUT a gate pickup.  


Unaccompanied Minor Policies by Airline (PLEASE REVIEW THE POLICY OF EACH AIRLINE BEFORE BOOKING YOUR CHILD’S TRAVEL):

American Airlines - https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/unaccompanied-minors.jsp

Delta - https://www.delta.com/us/en/children-infant-travel/unaccompanied-minor-program

Jet Blue - https://help.jetblue.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/webcgi.exe?St=133,E=0000043998785843975,K=4457,Sxi=2,Case=obj(675)#s2

Southwest - https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/family/index.html

United - https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/specialneeds/minors/default.aspx

 

2) How should I book my child’s airport travel?

Kenyon Campers: Campers attending swim camps at Kenyon should fly in and out of the Columbus International Airport (CMH). A fee of $125 will be charged for the round trip transportation or $75 one-way transportation. This is payable at the time of registration or later with the remaining camp fee.  If interested in the service, please schedule your flight to arrive sometime before 11:00 am and your departure after 3:00 pm the last day of camp for Elite Campers or 5:00 pm for Competitive Stroke campers.

Please forward a copy of your detailed flight itinerary by May 1st (including connections) to Anne Rueppel, Camp Administrator, in order to reserve shuttle transportation.

What to expect at the airport: The shuttle pick-up will meet in the baggage claim area in either airport at a designated pick-up times. Look for a Kenyon representative near the Welcome Center in the Columbus baggage claim. For the Calvin camp, look for a representative holding a sign in the Gerald Ford Airport. Campers may hang out in the baggage claim area for approximately one hour to wait for other campers to arrive, and then the shuttle will depart for campus. Should your flight be delayed beyond an hour, call the Kenyon Camp Director or Calvin Camp Director who will make the necessary arrangements for a special pickup.

For the return shuttle service to the airport, a counselor goes to the airport (following the shuttle) and helps the campers check-in for their flights. The counselor stays at the airport until ALL flights are in the air, just in case there is a delay or cancellation. In the event of a delay or cancellation, the counselor will wait at the airport as long as it takes, or help make new flight arrangements if necessary.
 

3) I’m Driving to Camp – When and where do I drop off my camper?

Kenyon Camps - Check-in goes from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm.  Check-in will take place alphabetically starting at 12pm by last name as follows;

A - D = 12:00pm - 12:15pm

E - H = 12:15pm - 12:30pm

I - L = 12:30pm - 12:45pm

M - P = 12:45pm - 1:00pm

Q - T = 1:00pm - 1:15pm

U - Z = 1:15pm - 1:30pm

If you are using a GPS, you can plug in the following address:

206 College Park Street
Gambier, Ohio 43022
 

4) What should I do if I am running late for, or will miss the camp’s check-in?

If it is a necessity to be late, we will do our best to make accommodations. Please let us know as soon as possible so we can make necessary arrangements.

The schedule on the first day is busy, and with late arrivals, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do important testing or videotaping. It is recommended that you arrive on time if at all possible.

5) My camper needs to stay on campus between camp sessions?

Special requests are considered on a case-by-case basis at an additional cost.

 

Registration & Payment Questions

1) What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellation for any reason prior to May 15th results in a $50 non-refundable registration fee. Refunds beyond the non-refundable fee will only be given if you cancel prior to the balance due date of May 15th.

Cancellations after the May 15th balance due date will receive a Total Performance Swim Camp “voucher” for all camp tuition payments made, valid through the 2024 camp season. Your camp voucher can be applied to any Total Performance Swim Camp and is transferable to an immediate family member.

Your $250 deposit is due upon registering. If you chose to pay the deposit only at this time, we will automatically process your final balance from your credit card between May 15-31. All registrations after May 15th require payment in full.
 

2) Do I have to pay the full camp tuition at the time of registration?

No. In order to submit an online registration, a credit card deposit of $250 is required on our secure website.

The remaining balance of the camp tuition is due by May 15th. We will automatically process your final camp payment with your credit card on-file in our secure website between May 15-31. Please make sure your credit card is up-to-date in our system before May 15th.
 

3) Can I pay with a check?

Yes. Make checks payable to Kenyon College.

If you are paying by check please choose that option during the online registration process. If you have questions please contact camp administrator, Anne Rueppel, (tpsc@kenyon.edu) who will assist you with bypassing the required credit card payment during registration. Please note that your child’s camp spot will not be reserved until your $250 deposit check is received. Checks need to be mailed to the corporate address, Attn: Dani Korman, with the campers name and camp they have registered for.  The mailing address can be found on the contact info page.  Confirmation will be send as soon as the check is received. 

4) Do you have any discounts?

January Discount Days ($50) - register before end of January 2024 and receive $50 off each registration for any camp.  Enter promo code JANSAVE in the ENTER CODE button at the top of the registration page next to the ADD TO CART button.

Returning Camper Discount ($20) – for any camper who has attended a Total Performance Swim Camp in prior years (discount does not apply for siblings of former campers).  Please reach out to Anne Rueppel (tpsc@kenyon.edu)

Team Discounts ($35 or $50 depending on the number of campers) – for teams sending 5 or more campers. The Team Discount Application is due by May 1st in order to receive the discount. To access the form and learn about terms and conditions see our Team Discounts Page.

*Only one discount may be used per camper*
 

5) How does the Waitlist work?

When a camp sells out, we open our waitlist. Campers are taken off the waitlist in the order registrations were received if we have openings due to cancellations. Therefore, a spot off the waitlist is not a guarantee. To ensure your spot, we recommend registering months in advance.

 

Health and Camp Policy Questions

1) What is your policy for handling my child’s medications?

Any medications coming to camp with your child should be communicated in advance via email and listed on the required Heath/Medical forms.  Additionally, parents will fill out a medication form at check-in to be kept along with their child’s medications. 

All prescription medications will be given to our camp athletic trainer's and your child’s counselor will be made aware of the medication needs. Medication's will be distributed as prescribed and according to the parent’s written instructions.  Over the counter medications can be given to the counselor or left to the camper depending on the age of the camper and/or parent's preference.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL FORMS CLICK HERE

2) What is the phone policy?

Cell phones will NOT be permitted during any camp activities.  We want to encourage campers to engage meaningfully with their peers, counselors and coaches as much as possible without the distraction of cell phones.

Campers will be required to leave cell phones with the Head Camp Counselor.  Campers may use their phones in the evenings at the dorms once all scheduled camp activities are done.

Phones being used during daytime camp activities will be confiscated by a staff member until activities are done for the day.  If circumstances warrant, or in case of an emergency, a camper will be allowed to make calls home or receive calls from home via a counselor or camp director’s phone; or can be granted temporary use of their own phone.

Total Performance reserves the right to confiscate anyone’s cell phone if it is being used in ways that are harmful to oneself or others or breaks other camp rules or regulations.  Instances of inappropriate cell-phone usage as determined by camp staff can be grounds for a camper’s removal from camp activities or removal from the camp entirely without reimbursement.  Additionally, Total Performance is not responsible for lost personal items – including cell phones.  

3) What happens if my child loses his/her key?

Kenyon College has a $150 lost key charge for any camper who loses their room key. Calvin College has a $100 charge for lost keys. Any such amount owed by a camper will be billed to his/her parents after the conclusion of the camp session.
 

ROOMING / HOUSING QUESTIONS

1) Do you have triple rooms? Can three campers room together?

Kenyon Camp: We discourage triples, unless we have an odd number of campers so that we do not have a camper in a room by themselves. We can accept requests for a camper to be placed in a room next to his/her friends, and we will do our best to accommodate those requests.
 

2) If my child comes to camp without a roommate, what happens?

In this situation, we match campers to the best of our ability according to their age, ability level, and if possible geography (if they are from a similar area). We do our best to place campers in a hall with other campers of their similar age so they don’t feel out of place. In the Elite Camps, many campers come to camp without roommates. In the Competitive Stroke Camp, some campers come without a roommate each year.

3) When will we find out roommate assignments?

If a camper does not have a roommate request and is matched with another camper without a request, you will find out who your roommate is at check-in. Otherwise, we honor all roommate requests if your campers request each other. If your roommate request changes prior to the start of camp, please email Anne Rueppel as soon as possible so we can make the appropriate changes.
 

4) Do the dorms have air conditioning?

Summer of 2024 The dorms (Mather Residence Hall) DO have air conditioning. Be sure to check the weather forecast before packing for camp for other needs.
 

FOOD RELATED QUESTIONS

1) My child is gluten free/vegetarian/has severe food allergies. Can the dining hall accommodate him/her?

Yes, both the Kenyon and Calvin dining halls are able to accommodate our campers with allergies or special dietary needs/restrictions.  Please communicate your child's dietary needs restrictions on his or her health/medical form.

If your child has severe allergies, please email a detailed list of all the foods that your child can and cannot eat to Camp Administrator, Anne Rueppel, so we can inform dining services and have what he/she needs. If your child is unable to eat pizza on the pizza party night, arrangements can be made for a counselor to take your child to the dining hall.  Please let us know in advance if this is the case so we can plan accordingly for our numbers.
 

2) Do the campers eat in the dining hall?

Yes, the campers have three all-you-can-eat meals in the college dining halls for each full-day of camp with the exception of the pizza party night. 
 

3) Can my child bring food/snacks with them to camp?

Yes, campers are allowed to bring non-perishable snacks to camp with them. Perishable snacks are not permitted in the dorm rooms because there are no refrigerators, and Total Performance can be fined by the college for any food or drink related messes. Any fines for extreme messes/property damage will be billed to parents’ accounts.
 

4) Are there vending machines in the dorms?

Yes, the dorms have vending machines for drinks and snacks. Vending machines have your typical vending machine items: candy, chips, sodas, water, and a few healthy choices mixed in.

 

DAY-TO-DAY CAMP QUESTIONS

1) Can parents stay on campus and watch practices?

Parents are welcome to come and watch the timed swims and video taping on the first day of camp after check-in, as well as the Total Performance Time Trials on the last day of camp for the Competitive Stroke campers and the final benchmark on the last day for the Elite Campers.  Parents may NOT attend lectures or classroom sessions.

Our experience has shown that parent drop-ins during the week can make homesickness worse for younger campers. If homesickness is not a concern, parents may watch practice sessions from the stands in the natatorium.  Parents are NOT allowed on deck or in the locker rooms.  Additionally, parents are NOT allowed to attend lectures or classroom sessions. Lastly, Total Performance will not coordinate meet-ups between parents and campers because their schedule is too busy. 
 

2) What does Total Performance do in cases of homesickness?

Counselors keep the campers really busy with fun activities when not in the pool and they are trained on how to help homesick children. Additionally, we advise parents not to call too much during the week and definitely discourage parents dropping in to visit their camper. Experience has shown that it makes the transition away from home harder for a child who is homesick.
 

3) How are campers supervised?

The campers supervised 24/7 — no one is allowed to go anywhere on a campus by themselves, even during free time. A camp counselor always accompanies campers during all camp activities. The campers move from venue to venue in small groups led by the camp counselors. Our camp locations are small campuses with intimate environments where safety is our priority. This one-on-one time with camp counselors gives our campers a unique opportunity to hang-out with and learn from collegiate swimmers who passionate about swimming and sharing their knowledge and experience with the campers. 
 

4) Suggested Packing List

Total Performance will provide all necessary swim equipment (kickboard, pull-bouy, etc). Campers should bring the following:

  • Small Fan - The dorms do not have AC
  • 2 Swim Suits
  • 2 Swim Caps
  • 2 Pair Goggles
  • 1 Pair of Gym Shoes
  • 5 Pair Socks
  • 1 Swim Bag
  • 1 Water Bottle (with name on it)
  • 1 Sweatshirt
  • 1 Pair Long Pants
  • 5 T-shirts
  • 3-4 Pair Gym Shorts
  • Underwear
  • Laundry Bag
  • 2 Large Towels
  • Personal Toiletries
  • Notebook and Pen
  • Alarm Clock
  • Umbrella
  • Bed Linens – Twin Extra Long
  • Blanket and Pillow – Optional
  • Spending Money – Optional ($20-$40 Sufficient)