HOW MANY CAMPERS ARE THERE IN YOUR PROGRAM?

The largest boot camp group we have had has been about 60 kids divided into 4 age groups.We plan to have about 45-50 campers in 2008, divided into 3 groups based on age and previous camp experience.

MUST MY CHILD BE IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM TO PARTICIPATE?

Our program is designed for both residential and day campers. Participants under age 11 are generally not enrolled in the residential program and stay in nearby hotels with their parent(s) or with relatives. Those not residing at the camp may enroll in the full 16-day program or a modified program with training only for 5-8 days at a reduced fee since we do not have housing costs for them.

WHEN DO CAMP FEES NEED TO BE PAID?

Upon acceptance into the program, a $300 deposit must be made immediately to hold the space. This deposit is not refundable , however, after deducting a 10% administrative fee, we can apply the deposit to another camper you find to take your place, or we can hold the credit in your name for up to 2 years for participation in a future camp session, a regional workshop we do in your area or other YPS classes in L.A.

An additional $500 fee is due May 1, May 15, or June 1 depending on the camp session you are enrolled in and the balance is due on arrival day unless other arrangements are made.

CAN WE PAY FOR CAMP WITH A CREDIT CARD?

At this time, the only way to pay with a credit card is by using PAYPAL online and you must add a 2% service fee when doing so to offset the PAYPAL fee we are charged.

IS THERE A SIBLING DISCOUNT ON CAMP REGISTRATION FEES?

We realize that having more than one child wanting to participate can present a financial burden to many families. We will always provide some sort of sibling discount as well as agree to a special payment plan if needed.

WHAT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE?

Because we keep our fees as low as possible to encourage more participation, we have VERY LIMITED financial aid available. Generally, those campers who apply well in advance and make their financial needs known well before the camp session will be given more consideration.  At times, closer to actual camp start date, we are also able to offer an extra scholarship or two when enrollment is strong and we have met our minimum enrollment or have fewer sibling discounts to give.

OTHER THAN SIBLING DISCOUNT OR SCHOLARSHIP, IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO REDUCE COSTS?

Since we have planned our budget with a “sibling discount” factor, this means that if three or four applicants are friends and register together as a group, we can actually grant a "buddy" discount to each of them.

Another discount is an “EARLY PAY” discount. Because we have to pay many of the camp costs “up-front” 2 and 3 months before camp starts, it helps us when campers can pay in full well in advance. A 10% discount is available to those who pay in full before May 1.

 IN ADDITION TO THE BOOT CAMP REGISTRATION FEE, WHAT OTHER EXPENSES SHOULD I ANTICIPATE FOR MY CHILD WHILE PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM?

The biggest expense will be airfare to and from Los Angeles (we actually prefer the BURBANK AIRPORT, if possible).  You should budget $250- $400 depending on where the camper is traveling from and how far in advance you can purchase the ticket.

If your child plans to participate in recreational trips to Universal Studios Theme Park and Knotts Berry Farm, they will need about $125 for admission to those two parks plus incidental expenses such as lunch, souvenirs, etc. They should probably have an additional $75- $100 for various expenses on campus or when visiting Hollywood or the beach, etc.  Rarely does any camper really need more than $200 to "survive" at camp  for 16 days-- only those who tend to be "shopaholics"and find a way to get to a mall or those who don't think an all-you-can-eat dinner and salad buffet is enough to hold them over til breakfast the next morning will need to spend more than $50 a week on snacks and "stuff".

IS THERE A SPECIFIC AIRLINE  YOU RECOMMEND?

We strongly advise you to check into using SOUTHWEST AIRLINES for the following reasons:

a. SOUTHWEST airfares are often more competitive, especially if you book on the internet AND you book at least 21 days in advance.

b. SOUTHWEST does not charge any extra fee for "unaccompanied minors" and most airlines charge $40-$50 each way for kids through age 15 !

c. SOUTHWEST airfares are not refundable unless you purchase the higehst "refundable" fare , however, this airline has the MOST flexible transfer of credit of ANY airline. There are no change fees, there is no credit transfer fee, and you can even apply the credit to a traveler with a different name than the original passenger as long as you have kept a record of the confirmation number and the credit card used for the transaction. This means that if you purchase a fare many weeks or even months in advance and get a fabulous $89 each way (the fare right now from Houston to L.A.) but something comes up and your child doesn't come to camp, you can easily re-use the fare for any trip on the SWA routes for a year. 

Southwest Airlines website

CAN PARENTS SIT IN ON CLASSES?

While the YPS policy generally provides for parents to sit in and observe most classes, this is more difficult during our boot camp program. On occasion, especially for younger participants,  we will try to accommodate a few parents when space allows.

WHY DOES MY CHILD NEED A WORK PERMIT AND COOGAN ACCOUNT FOR A CAMP PROGRAM?

Occasionally, some of our campers have had the good fortune of being able to audition for professional opportunities while attending boot camp and if employed, a work permit and Coogan account will be required. It costs nothing to obtain these before coming to camp and can make a difference when opportunities come up for our actors.  Please download the work permit form by clisking on the link below, print and complete the application with your school seal or stamp. Then keep one copy of the application to send to camp with your child and mail the original to one of the offices on the DSLE website. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the application. If you mail this at least 30 days before camp, have the application returned to your address. After 30 days, please have the permit mailed to  your child c/o the YPS office.

work permit form            WORK PERMIT OFFICE ADDRESSES

WHAT IS THE COOGAN ACCOUNT?

The Coogan Account was created by law several decades ago when child-actor Jackie Coogan discovered at age 18 that his parents had squandered most of his earnings. California state law now requires that 15% of a child's earnings be deposited in a trust account until age 18. We suggest using FIRST ENTERTAINMENT CREDIT UNION as opposed to a commercial bank as they do not charge a set-up or maintenance fee. You can usually set up this account from your home state. Please review the information on this website:

First Entertainment Credit Union - An Alternative Way to Bank.

WHEN and HOW IS MY CHILD/TEEN's ROOM ASSIGNMENT MADE AND HOW ARE CAMPERS SUPERVISED? 

After reviewing applications and  audition tapes, our staff will have some general ideas about who might be good "suite-mates". For the most part, campers will be assigned a suite in the following age groups: 11-12, 13-15 and 16 and older.  As much as possible, we will have an adult or college-age  "resident advisor" actually living in suites with the kids under age 15 and our adult residence staff will be in adjacent units with the older campers. Staff will conduct routine "bed checks" and campers will be held to a standard of behavior that means  maintenance of a safe and healthy environment.

WHAT IF MY CHILD DOESN'T LIKE OR FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH ROOMATE OR SUITE MATES?

This is an excellent opportunity for your child/teen to LEARN and to GROW, not just as an actor, but as a member of the human race. Almost anyone should be able to endure living  for 16 days with someone else who seems "different" or "incompatible".  For more than a decade we have seen "neatniks" and total slobs learn to share a space and a friendship -- and to learn how to give and take, adjust, change and tolerate. We also find that by living with people who are not "carbon copies" of themselves, our young actors develop a stronger sense of SELF as well as a stronger sense of how to develop characters unlike themselves. In the end, they all benefit tremendously from this residential experience which is why a number of our overnight campers come from homes just an hour or so away!

WILL MY CHILD BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE CLASSES OR DORM ROOMS WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION?

Only those campers who are at least 14 years old and whose parents have granted permission for their child to go unescorted in the dorm or on campus will be allowed to do so. Another camper or staff person will always accompany your child if you have indicated the need to do so.

WILL MY CHILD BE ABLE TO ATTEND CHURCH OR SYNAGOGUE WHILE AT CAMP?

Yes, you can make arrangements for religious attendance although we are not always able to accommodate your requests. We will do our best to  provide this opportunity.

WHEN WILL MY CHILD HAVE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTO SHOOT ~ AND HOW IS A HEADSHOT SELECTED AND REPRODUCED? DO WE PAY EXTRA FOR THIS?

The photo sessions will start as early as Wednesday for those who have arrived early, flying in the night before or able to drive in. We avoid shooting anyone within 18 hours of flying because their faces may actually be a little bloated or they are fatigued.

We will have 10-12 campers photographed each day through Sunday and will place reproduction order with the photo lab on Monday so that campers' headhsots are delivered by Friday and can have resumes attached for the showcase on Monday.We expect to use 12- 15 heashots during the showcases and campers will take the remaining 35-40 headshots home with them. If you would like us to order 100 headshots instead of 50, you will need to pay an additional $35. We will select the photo to be printed and you will receive a disk with all images so you can print other choices.

WHAT DETERMINES WHICH BOOT CAMPERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN AN AGENCY SHOWCASE and/or MEET WITH AGENTS FOR REPRESENTATION?

Los Angeles agents are really only interested in seeing performers who are truly able to spend an extended period of time here in L.A. At the very least, those performers who meet with agents in July must be prepared to stay until September to “test the market”. When we select performers for showcasing and agency meetings, we must have an assurance from their parents, that provisions can be made to extend their stay through the summer. Those performers will have priority for showcasing and when we are able to do so, we will include other campers who have done especially well in classes and earned the privilege of showcasing even though not immediately able to accept an offer of agency representation.

HOW DO PARENTS MAKE PROVISIONS FOR EXTENDING A CAMPER’s STAY IN L.A. AFTER BOOT CAMP?

Over the years, YPS has arranged for many young actors to be housed with host families in L.A. We have also assisted a parent and their young actor in securing a housing share situation with another family should a parent be able to be in L.A. with the actor. YPS has a reputation for offering young actors and their parents much needed support and guidance, minimizing their expenses, frustration and disappointment in a place often referred to as "The Showbiz Jungle". 

WHAT IS THE CHSPE? AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The CHSPE is the California High School Proficiency Exam and we usually recommend that if your teen has completed 10th grade or is 16 years old, taking the CHSPE exam can be very imprtant to a developing career as a teen actor. Those who pass the exam will be able to work as a "legal 18" which means they can work longer hours and will not require having a set teacher. This saves production both time and money and they must sometimes REQUIRE that actors considered for a role have this "Legal 18" status.