Why are most camps full day instead of half-day?

• In order to best support working parents and guardians, Spark Central has increased the majority of camps to 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, to accommodate childcare and provide increased learning opportunities and fun for our campers. 

What if I need to be at work at 9 am? 

• Campers can arrive on-site as early as 8:30 am. 

What if I can’t pick up my camper until later? 

• Full-day campers can get picked up or head home anywhere from 2:00 pm (the end of most camps) to 3:00 pm. A staff member will be on site to support younger campers as they continue working on their projects or engage with other art supplies or creative technology. Spark Central Members ages 10 and up are welcome to stay on-site without a parent or guardian during open hours (2:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday).

Why is Spark Central charging for camps?

• Spark Central has always relied on grant funding and community generosity to keep our programs accessible to all. It is our top priority to make creative resources available to those who need them the most: our West Central community and historically underserved groups. In the current economic climate, there are less grants available, and we must rely on community support more than we have in the past, aligning on the values that we share. We have done our best to price our camps as equitably as possible with scholarships for all campers who need financial assistance. 

What should I do if I can’t afford to send my participant to a camp/workshop? 

• Cost is not a barrier to attending any of our Creative Camps. While we have a base price set for those who can contribute financially to our work, scholarships will be provided to all campers who need financial assistance through a scholarship form built into our registration system. 

Why are you not charging for Girls Rock Lab?

• Girls Rock Lab has been a flagship program of Spark Central for many years, breaking down barriers to music education access for girls, non-binary, and trans youth. So much of this camp is made possible through our partnership with Spokane Public Library which believes in the power of free, transformative programming for youth. We wholeheartedly agree and want to honor our longstanding partnership agreement and the historical legacy of this camp. Even with our incredible community support, Girls Rock Lab is our most expensive camp and if you feel called, please consider making a donation to sponsor a camper as they rock on this summer. 

Does Spark Central do payment plans? 

• Yes. After you receive your acceptance email, you’ll receive a link for payment or you can request a payment plan with several installments.

Why does West Central get priority registration? 

• As a place-based non-profit, Spark Central has always kept the West Central neighborhood at its core. With every decision that we have made, from our location in Kendall yards to our afterschool programming, we have kept West Central at the heart of our mission. To keep living our mission, we will continue to prioritize access for the West Central Neighborhood while still inviting the rest of our wonderful city of Spokane to join us.

How does the waitlist work? 

• To prioritize equity, everyone will go on the waitlist this year. West Central residents will receive priority registration and everyone else will receive a spot in camp on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarship applications will have no impact on whether or not your camper receives a spot in our programming. 

When will I find out if my camper has a place in the camp? 

• Every camp/workshop applicant will receive correspondence via email letting them know whether they have been placed in camp or placed on the waitlist by the first week of May at the latest, though you may hear from us sooner. The Summer Programs team is a small group of three and we will be working with dozens of families. Please be patient as we work to make these our best programs yet.

Who can attend Girls Rock Lab? 

• Youth from grades 3-8 who identify as girls, non-binary, or trans youth are welcome at Girls Rock Lab. The mission of GRL is to build confidence and performance skills in girls, non-binary and trans youth and to encourage them to build up on these skills throughout their lives through the pursuit of music.

My camper has a medical condition, allergy, learning disability, neurodivergence, or behavioral challenges. Will my camper be turned away? What has Spark Central done for accommodations in the past? 

• No participants will be turned away due to any medical conditions. Spark Central works hard to accommodate participants with disabilities, neurodivergence, and/or behavioral challenges by working with parents and guardians to make sure that participants have access to their ideal environments for instruction. This includes things like our team of volunteers who are ready to support participants who may need extra care or attention, an ADA accessible space, and sensory tools such as sound blocking headphones, fidget toys, light and sound adjustments, and take-a-break stations.

What should I do if I know my camper will miss a day/days in advance? 

• Despite the longer hours, our camps will fly by fast. Not only do the topics build upon the previous days, but campers will need time to practice, especially in camps where group or pair work is required. We hope our participants will be able to attend every session, but we also understand that life happens. If there is an anticipated absence or tardiness, please let us know as early as possible so we can make appropriate accommodations.

Can my camper eat lunch away from camp?

• In the spirit of community, participants at full-day camps and workshops are expected to eat lunch together on-site at Spark Central. Participants will not be permitted to leave the premises in order to eat or pick up food nearby. Participants should plan to bring a packed lunch each day.

What if I can’t provide lunch for my participant? 

• Spark Central is working to provide meals for participants who cannot afford to bring their lunch every day. Each full-day registration form includes a space to indicate the needs of your participant, this information is kept confidential. If you have any further concerns about lunch please feel free to contact Cliff at cliff@spark-central.org.

Does my kid need experience in the camp’s subject matter?

• No! None of the camps require any prior experience in their subjects. In fact, we encourage participants to try something completely new!

Do campers need to work in groups or can they work independently?

• Some camps/workshops are based on group work while others are more independent. Group-based work will often be in groups of two or three, while independent work will take place alongside participants who are working on the same projects, sometimes involving peer feedback and light collaboration. Building community and developing collaboration skills are important aspects to the mission of Spark Central. If your participant cannot work with others, our summer programming may not be the place for them. 

Independent workshops are: Rip & Reclaim, Making an Impression, Teen Writing Workshop, and Camp Ka-Blam!

Group-based camps are: Video Adventure Lab, Girls Rock Lab, Lego Robotics Story Time, and Stop the Motion, Start the Beats.

How can participants continue to pursue their creative skills after camp finishes?

• We encourage everyone to join our Spark Community! Participants can continue to pursue their creative skills in our main center during our open hours of 2-7 pm on Tues-Fri and 2-5 pm on Saturdays*. Work independently in the space or join one of our weekly creative labs. Sign up to become a member to check out books, access technology, and receive our newsletter. Membership is free and helps us track our service for grant reporting.

*Non-members under 18 and members younger than 10 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Spark Central Members ages 10 and up are welcome to stay on-site without a parent or guardian during open hours.