Preparing for A Summer Adventure of Learning & Friendship

Nerding is not just any summer camp; it’s a special summer haven that springs to life for five exhilarating weeks each year. Here, kids are immersed in an inclusive, vibrant community bound by a shared passion for learning, exploration, and creativity. It’s a place where being a “Nerd” is a badge of honor, and every child is encouraged to embrace their unique curiosity and intellect. As they delve into the wonders of STEM, they also cultivate values of kindness, inclusion, collaboration, and grit, making lifelong friends along the way. Join us this summer for an unforgettable journey where your child will not only acquire new knowledge and skills but become part of an extraordinary nerdy family.

Lets jump right into the nitty gritty…

Kindness is Paramount:

Nerds are expected to treat EVERYONE with kindness and respect. If they don’t, you will be hearing about it, and we will need to make a swift plan of action for behavior to improve immediately.

Classroom Environment Ready

Nerds must be able to function independently in a typical classroom environment. For those little nerds, be sure they are actually ready if you sign them up for all day. It can be long for those little ones.

Behavioral Support Not Provided:

If your kiddo requires behavioral support in the classroom, a one-on-one aide, etc, we do not have the staffing to accommodate. Call us before signing up if this is a concern for you, and we can talk about your specific situation.

This being said, we are all experienced teachers, and we know what to expect from kids and how to arrange an environment to promote success.

Partnering for Your Child’s Success at Nerding

Our classes are vibrant and immersive, designed to maximize learning and enjoyment in a short span—just one week, three hours per day. The key to unlocking the full potential of this experience lies in understanding each child’s individual needs, behaviors, and learning styles from the get-go.

Open Communication and Transparency:

Trust and Understanding: Sharing detailed information about your child’s personality, behavior struggles, and any special considerations is not only welcomed but encouraged. This information helps us tailor our approach to fit their needs, ensuring a positive and enriching camp experience.

Constructive Partnership:

Some parents may worry that being open about their child’s struggles will lead to their child being singled out or treated differently. At Nerding, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Our professional, certified teachers are trained to use this information constructively, ensuring each child is met with the understanding, patience, and guidance they deserve.

Adding to Their Profile:

When registering your Nerd, please take a moment to fill out the “Personality/Behavior” section in their profile with as much detail as possible. This isn’t about labeling or making assumptions; it’s about equipping our teachers with the knowledge they need to create a supportive and responsive learning environment for your child.

*This information is very private. Only the owners (Micah & Niecy), the camp director, and the class teacher see this information.

Camp Behavior Standards & Expectations

Nerding thrives on the enthusiasm and eagerness of young learners, affectionately known as “Nerds,” who are excited to explore, discover, and learn. We understand that our Nerds come with varying degrees of experience in channeling their excitement in a classroom setting. Our professional, certified teachers specialize in guiding this vibrant energy positively towards learning and exploration.

Expectations for Our Students:

At the beginning of each class your nerd will see the following slides. The Nerding Rules are outlined clearly by the teacher in each of our classes.

SLIDE 1 – Be Kind, Be Safe, Clean Up, Persevere.

We draw a clear line against negative behaviors such as disrespect, bullying, unkindness, and any form of physical aggression. Our camp is built on a foundation of respect, kindness, and safety. Participation in our camp requires the ability to interact with peers collaboratively and kindly. We believe in fostering an environment where every Nerd can learn and grow together.

SLIDE 2 – No Smart Devices (Phones, Watches)

These are 99% of the time a disruption. Of course, if your child’s device is needed for safety, or another reasonable reason, let us know.

SLIDE 3 – Behavior Protocol:

Friendly reminders and redirections are our first steps in managing minor disruptions. Persistent issues may lead to a cool-down period in our office for the student to reflect and reset.
We engage parents in creating a forward plan if behavioral issues persist, ensuring a positive outcome.
Continuous disruptive behavior may result in removal from the class to maintain a conducive learning environment for all students. There are no refunds for behavior withdrawls.

Summer Class Withdrawals and Refunds:

Administrative Withdrawals are defined as a member of the Nerding team removing a child from a program or class for the duration of the school year and summer. Nerding reserves the right to withdraw children from any program when its Director or designee determines, in his/her sole discretion, that it would be in the best interest of the Company, Nerding class, and/or the child. The parent will be informed of the determination to withdraw. There is no appeal process for Administrative Withdrawals. Refunds are not issued if a child is administratively withdrawn from Nerding. View our Refund policy

Kyrene After School Behavior Guidelines

The following rules and expectations are governed by Kyrene Community Ed. Any conflicting information between our site and the Community Ed site, will default to Community Ed information. This info is just a general reference.

Behavior Expectations

No individual (adult or child) will knowingly be allowed to jeopardize the health, safety, learning, or working environment of others. A child may be withdrawn from a program if a staff member determines that a child cannot benefit from the program. All instances are situational and are documented according to behavior guidelines. A member of Nerding or the Community Education Services team will include parents in situations involving behavior concerns and progressive consequences.

Behavior Guidelines

Behavioral guidelines are established to maintain the physical and emotional well-being of each child and to teach self-discipline, judgment, and manners. Positive behavior management techniques are used to guide behavior. Parents and staff are viewed as partners in guiding each child’s development and will work collaboratively to establish consistency. Appropriate behavior is essential in learning and growing, and is based upon mutual respect for the rights and property of others. Children are expected to display responsible behavior and to take responsibility for their actions.

A child’s choice may result in positive or negative consequences such as a reward, redirection, or loss of a privilege. For more severe or continuous incidents, one or more of the following may result: a behavioral report, conference with a parent/guardian to create a Positive Behavioral Support Plan, suspension, or removal from the program. Refunds or credits are not issued if a child is suspended from a Nerding or Community Education Services Program or from their school.

Administrative Withdrawals

Administrative Withdrawals are defined as a member of the Community Education Services or Nerding team removing a child from a program or class for the duration of the school year and summer. Community Education Services and Nerding reserves the right to withdraw children from any program when its Director or designee determines, in his/her sole discretion, that it would be in the best interest of the District, Nerding class, and/or the child. The parent will be informed of the determination to withdraw. There is no appeal process for Administrative Withdrawals. Refunds are not issued if a child is administratively withdrawn from Nerding or a Community Education Services program.

After School Withdrawals and Refunds

Full refunds for Enrichment classes (Nerding) are issued six days prior to the start of a class or camp.
Refunds are not issued less six days prior to the first day of an Enrichment class (Nerding).
If a student is suspended or expelled from any program or school, no refund is issued.