Francis O'Neill Irish Arts Week FAQs
Who can attend Francis O'Neill Irish Arts Week Kids Day Camp?
Camp is open to children ages 4 through 11.
Where does the camp take place?
Camp takes place at the Irish American Heritage Center at 4626 N. Knox Avenue.
What are camp dates/hours?
Camp runs from 9am - 12pm, July 22-26, 2024.
What is the cost?
Camp costs $289 per camper.
Are there any scholarships available?
YES! We want to make sure all kids who wish to attend camp are able to do so. Please fill out this short application and we will let you know of any scholarship funds available.
Who staffs the camp?
Camp faculty includes some of the best traditional Irish music, singing and dance teachers with many years of experience teaching and performing their craft. Additional administrative staff will be on hand to help with safety protocols.
How many children will be at camp?
Campers will be in pods of around 25-30 kids with one dedicated homeroom teacher and teaching assistant per pod, each in their own homeroom. Specialty faculty teaching different subject matters will teach children in their homerooms or in outdoor spaces.
What COVID safety protocols will be followed?
We continue to monitor guidance on COVID safety protocols for group educational activities. As of January 25, 2024, the following will be required at camp to ensure a safe environment for all. Please note that these are subject to change:
-If Cook County's COVID Community Level is "Low" or "Medium" at the time of camp (per the CDC), masks will be optional indoors unless otherwise specified. If the level is "High," masks will be required from faculty and staff indoors and from parents during drop-off and pick-up.
-Each pod will have its own sign-in and sign-out area to avoid bottlenecks.
-Handwashing procedures will be reinforced and hand sanitizer will be readily available.
-Enhanced cleaning protocols will be implemented, including frequent sterilization on high touch objects and surfaces.
-Campers must attend camp in good health. If any symptoms of COVID present, the camper will be isolated and a parent/guardian will be called to take camper home.
-Outdoor spaces will be utilized as much as possible.
-In the case of any staff or camper contracting COVID, all parents will be informed and camp may go virtual.
What are the instrument choices for my camper?
Campers can choose between fiddle or tin whistle and everyone will have experience trying the bodhrán. We recommend starting with tin whistle for any child that has no experience playing any musical instrument. The tin whistle is inexpensive, easily portable and introduces children to the melodies, rhythms and concepts of traditional Irish music in an accessible way. You can buy a whistle from us for $12.50 directly on your registration.
Does my child need to bring their own instrument?
All campers need to bring their own instruments and they must be labeled with the camper’s name. Tin whistles are available for purchase from us for $12.50 each on your order form. Violin rental is available at Seman Violins in Skokie at $30 for the week. If you want to continue renting after camp, it is an additional $35, bringing the total to a discounted $65 for the first three months. After that, it will continue at the regular rate of $75/quarter.
What kind of tin whistle do campers need to bring if they are learning whistle at camp?
Tin whistle students must have whistles in the key of 'D'. Whistles must be labeled with the camper's name.
What if my child is not a beginner in their instrument?
Instrument learning is going to be geared toward beginners or almost beginners. If we get 3+ students enrolled in an instrument group that have the same level of experience, we will do our best to create a small separate class for them. Otherwise they will be asked to learn the other instrument they don’t know.
What kind of dancing will they be learning?
Campers will learn Sean-nós Dancing which is a more relaxed and loose form of Irish dancing than step-dancing as well as group dancing.
What will a typical day for my child be like?
Each camper will have the opportunity to learn music, dance, singing and Irish language, Celtic arts & crafts and many other fun Irish culture related activities.
What should my child bring to camp every day?
Campers should all bring a nut-free mid-morning snack, their own water bottle and personal hand sanitizer.
What kind of clothes should my child wear?
Campers should wear comfortable clothing and shoes they can dance around in (no flip flops)! Please apply sunscreen prior to dropping them off to camp each day. Hats also recommended for outside activities!
What kind of medical and emergency information do you need for my child?
We require all medical issues and emergency information to be disclosed prior to the start of camp. We do our utmost to ensure the safety of campers and all information parents can provide on issues that may arise are welcome. Parents are responsible for all costs and charges for medical treatment that may result from any injury or sickness, or other damages that otherwise result, relate to or arise from participating in the Francis O'Neill Irish Arts Week.
Do you administer First Aid? How do you handle emergency medical situations?
Minor injuries will be taken care of at camp. If anything more serious arises, we will contact you immediately and, if necessary, call an ambulance, which will go to the closest medical facility. If any COVID symptoms present, the child will be isolated and a parent/guardian will be called to take the child home.
What do you do to accommodate children with allergies, intolerances, or special medical conditions?
Campers with allergies or medical conditions are welcome at camp. Francis O'Neill Irish Arts Week faculty will work together with parents to educate camp staff as to camper's special needs and will do their best to provide a safe environment.
Do you allow peanut or tree-nut products at your camp?
We cannot guarantee a 100% nut-free or allergen-free environment. We ask that all camp parents discuss allergies with their camper beforehand, and explain to their camper the importance of washing hands before and after eating, not sharing/trading food, and respecting the needs of campers with severe and/or life-threatening allergies.
What are your drop-off and pick-up hours?
Campers are to be dropped off between 8:50-9 AM and picked up at 12 PM. Each pod will be given instructions on which door to drop-off and pick-up from before camp and sign-in/sign-out procedures.
What is your cancellation policy?
In the unlikely event that the Irish Music School of Chicago needs to cancel camp, full refunds will be issued. Cancellations made prior to March 31, 2024 will be refunded minus a $50 cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued as of April 1, 2024 except in the case of a documented medical emergency. No refunds are issued for late arrivals or early departures for any reason.
