Question 1

What is CSPAA doing to adhere to COVID guidelines?

Accepted Answer

CSPAA is adhering to COVID guidelines provided by the SCDPH.

Question 2

Is this camp in person or virtual?

Accepted Answer

Downbeat! 2023 will be in person in Gilroy, CA. Exact camp location to be announced!

Question 3

What is the age range of students at Downbeat?

Accepted Answer

CSPAA welcomes all incoming third graders through outgoing ninth graders to be a part of Downbeat. If your student is a junior or senior in high school and interested in earning community service hours, contact us to find out more about our camp counselor opportunities.

Question 4

How many scholarships are you awarding? Are they all need based?

Accepted Answer

CSPAA is planning on awarding 10 full student scholarships and 10 partial student scholarships. All of CSPAA’s scholarships will be awarded based on financial need and student interest.

Question 5

Who should I talk to about a scholarship application?

Accepted Answer

Please email any questions, comments or concerns regarding Downbeat scholarships to: scholarships@cspaa.org (mailto:scholarships@cspaa.org)and a team member will respond to you as soon as possible.

Question 6

What is the deadline to register for Downbeat! and to apply for the scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Downbeat! 2023 registration will close at the end of day on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Scholarship applications should be submitted by May 21, 2023.

Question 7

What is the student to counselor ratio per group?

Accepted Answer

There will be roughly one CSPAA leadership team member for every four students.

CSPAA’s leadership team consists of three Executive Directors, one camp counselor, two elective teachers, two staff accompanists, eight section leaders, and eight camp counselors.

Question 8

Are CSPAA’s leadership team fingerprinted?

Accepted Answer

All of CSPAA’s leadership team that is 18 and older will be fingerprinted and undergo a thorough background check. All of CSPAA’s leadership team will be required to complete CPR training and complete safety training.

Question 9

Will lunch be provided?

Accepted Answer

CSPAA will provide lunch for all Downbeat participants. CSPAA will also provide snacks for all Downbeat participants. Please alert CSPAA during your registration or via email of any and all food allergies: contact@cspaa.org.(mailto:contact@cspaa.org)

Students are allowed to bring nutritious snacks to be kept in their personal backpack until snack time. Due to strict COVID precautions and allergy safety, students are under no circumstances allowed to share their snacks.

Question 10

Will snacks be provided?

Accepted Answer

Yes, CSPAA will provide snacks during snack time.

Please notify CSPAA during registration or via email to the camp principal if your student may require a snack outside of the scheduled snack time due to health risks, low blood sugar, or any other health reason.

Question 11

What electives will you offer?

Accepted Answer

CSPAA will offer a variety of electives. Students will have the opportunity to take two elective classes - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. CSPAA is offering the following electives: 
 
 • Acting It Out (AM Elective): Students will have the opportunity to experience a five day acting class led by an acting professional. 
 • Let’s Move! (AM Elective): Students will have the opportunity to experience a five day movement class that will include elements from dance, yoga, Alexander Technique, and beginning stage movement. 
 • Ukulele Under the Sun (PM Elective): Beginner and Intermediate options! Students will have the opportunity to experience a five day ukulele class where they will learn the basics of playing the ukulele or sharpen their skills. 
 • Get Visual (PM Elective): Students will have the opportunity to experience a five day visual art class where they will experiment with different artistic elements including drawing, painting, and sculpting.

Question 12

Does my child need to know how to read music, have previous choir experience, or own an instrument?

Accepted Answer

All students are welcome to Downbeat – the ability to read music, previous choir experience, or owning an instrument are not required.

Question 13

Will students be playing instruments at Downbeat?

Accepted Answer

Some students will have the opportunity to play the ukulele at Downbeat if they are enrolled in the ukulele elective, “Sounds Under the Sun.” CSPAA will provide a ukulele to any student enrolled in the “Sounds Under the Sun” elective.

Question 14

Does CSPAA buy instruments for students?

Accepted Answer

That is a program we plan to start as we begin receiving grants and fundraising. Right now our community has no music education in schools (elementary) and little to no music education in middle school, so we are bringing the lowest cost programs first (general music and choir programs) and then our hope is to expand to concert band and orchestra, and then add in other arts fields such as dance, painting/sculpting, acting etc. For all of the programs that CSPAA runs we will provide whatever the students need to be successful in the program. If students need an instrument then CSPAA will provide the instrument that they need.

Question 15

Do my kids need a shirt?

Accepted Answer

All Downbeat participants will need to wear their camp t-shirt everyday. CSPAA will provide all Downbeat students with one camp t-shirt. If you would like an additional camp t-shirt for your student they will be available for purchase at $10 for each additional t-shirt.
 
If a Downbeat student forgets their t-shirt CSPAA will loan them one at a $5 charge. If you decide to not return the loaned t-shirt you will be billed the full amount of the t-shirt. 
All Downbeat participants need to wear their camp t-shirts daily as we will be at a larger facility and will need to quickly and easily identify and keep track of all of our students.

Question 16

Can my kids bring a toy?

Accepted Answer

Please leave all toys at home unless otherwise notified by the Camp Principal or an Executive Director.

Question 17

Who can pick up my student?

Accepted Answer

Please provide a list of people that are authorized to pick up your student if it isn’t you.
CSPAA will not release a child to anyone that is not on the pre-authorized pick-up list. All pre-authorized persons will have to provide a legal form of identification in order to pick up a student.

Question 18

What happens if my student gets in trouble?

Accepted Answer

CSPAA has a zero-tolerance policy to verbal, emotional, or physical violence. Each student and their behaviors will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Camp Principal and Executive Directors to determine the situation outcome. CSPAA has a zero tolerance for bad behavior policy.

Question 19

Can I enroll my student with Special Needs?

Accepted Answer

CSPAA welcomes all students of mental age third through ninth grade. If your student has an IEP, please indicate so by checking the “IEP” box on your student registration. Each student will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for admittance into Downbeat.

Unfortunately, at this time CSPAA does not have the financial capacity to provide behavior specialists or special assistance technicians to our students in need. If special assistance is needed for your student it will be the parents/guardians responsibility to provide the daily assistance for the student. Each student will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for admittance to Downbeat.

Question 20

What is CSPAA’s cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

CSPAA will evaluate cancellations on a case-by-case basis.

All students are entitled to a complete refund if CSPAA receives a verifiable doctor's note, if the county shuts down all activities, or if a written notice of cancellation is received two weeks prior to the beginning of Downbeat – by 11:59 p.m. on June 25.

If written notice of cancellation is received between June 26 and July 2 at 11:59 p.m. CSPAA will issue a partial refund – the amount will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Executive Directors.

There will be no refunds issued for cancellations after 11:59 p.m. on July 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ

Donor FAQ

Downbeat! Summer Camp FAQ

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