Youth Academy

For Summer programs, register your child for the camp based on the grade they are going into the following school year. For example: 'rising' 3rd graders should be registered for a 3rd grade camp.

Classes/Camps/Performance Workshops

• All withdrawal requests must be sent in writing to [email protected]
• If a student withdraws from a class before the first day of class, the registration cost is refunded, less the $25 administrative fee.
• If a student withdraws from a class at any time on or after the day of the program, no refunds are given. The only exception is a medical reason, which requires a physician’s note. In the event of a withdrawal due to a medical issue, the registration fee is prorated, the unused portion is refunded, and the administrative fee waived.
• Orlando Family Stage reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled programs as necessary. If a program is cancelled, a full refund of the cancelled program’s tuition is issued.

Youth Academy Productions

• All refunds for withdrawal incur a $25 administrative fee.
• All withdrawal requests must be sent in writing to [email protected].
• If a child withdraws from a program before the first day of class, the registration cost is refunded,
  less the $25 administrative fee.
• If a student withdraws at any time at or after the first rehearsal and before the third rehearsal, a
  flat fee of $25 for each scheduled rehearsal day (whether or not attended) is incurred and is
  deducted from any refund, in addition to the $25 administrative fee. Remaining balances are
  credited to the original form of payment.
• No refunds are made after the third rehearsal. Orlando Family Stage reserves the right to alter or
  cancel scheduled programs as necessary. If a program is canceled, a full refund of the canceled
  program’s tuition is issued.
  • The only exception is a medical reason, which requires a physician’s note. In the event of a withdrawal due to a medical issue, the registration fee is prorated, the unused portion is refunded, and the administrative fee waived.

Families who join a waitlist are contacted if a spot becomes available in the class. Regardless of placement on the waitlist, Orlando Family Stage cannot guarantee that there will be availability or when availability could happen.

If you accept a spot in an additional session of a class you are waitlisted for, you release your initial waitlist placement unless you otherwise request to stay on the initial waitlist.

Families on a waitlist who hope to use Financial Aid should apply immediately to streamline enrollment if a spot opens.

Orlando Family Stage is committed to ensuring that cost is never the sole barrier preventing a child from experiencing the creativity, growth, and community of summer camp. Our Financial Aid program supports families who need assistance with camp tuition.

Below is an overview of how Financial Aid works, followed by more detailed information for families who want a deeper understanding of the process.

Key Dates for Summer 2026

• Financial Aid Applications are available starting December 18, 2025
• Financial Aid is awarded through email starting January 7th, 2026.
• Donor Registration opens on January 7th, 2026.
• Membership registration opens at 10am on January 10th, 2026
• Public registration and opportunity to apply financial aid to a camp opens at 10am on January 13th, 2026.

At a Glance

• Families may apply for Summer Camp Financial Aid before or after registration opens.
• Financial Aid Awards do not guarantee a seat.
• Each class includes designated availability for Financial Aid recipients, offered on a first-come, first-served basis
• Partial or full Financial Aid is available.
• Financial Aid cannot be stacked on Membership Discounts.
• Financial Aid applications require a short review period, and classes may fill during that time. Applying early helps reduce that risk.
• Financial Aid must be in place before registering; refunds or adjustments for full-price registrations cannot be made.
• Families on a waitlist who hope to use Financial Aid should apply immediately to streamline enrollment if a spot opens.
• Aid is typically awarded for one or two classes at a time to support equitable access for as many families as possible.

Full Policy

Applying for Aid Before Summer Registration Opens

Families may submit Financial Aid applications during an early window prior to summer camp registration.

Early applications allow us to:

• Determine Financial Aid eligibility in advance
• Give families time to plan financially
• Reduce stress during the registration period

Early approval confirms eligibility for aid, but does not guarantee placement in a specific class. Seats are secured only when families complete registration once classes are live. You will receive a Financial Aid code at the time your award is issued, and you must use that code to register as soon as registration opens to help ensure your spot before the class fills.

Applying After Registration Opens

Families may continue applying for Financial Aid throughout the summer. Applications submitted after registration opens are reviewed on a weekly basis.

• Financial Aid applications require a short review period, so there may be times when a class fills while your application is being processed. Applying early helps reduce that risk and makes registration easier once your award is ready.
• Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will only reach out if you are receiving an award.
• If you are awarded aid you must utilize it by the specified deadline. Failure to do so may result in losing your award for that particular class.

Financial Aid Availability in Each Class

Every class includes limited, designated availability for Financial Aid recipients.

• These spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Additional Financial Aid spots are awarded based on availability.

Multiple Class Requests

The Financial Aid application allows you to request aid for up to two classes.

If you are applying for aid for more than one student, separate applications should be filled out per student.

To ensure fairness and broad access:

• Aid is awarded for no more than two classes per student at a time, beginning with the family’s top choice
• Support for more than two classes per student may be offered only when funding and availability allow. This ensures the maximum number of children can benefit from the program.

Ensuring Your Financial Aid Is Applied Correctly

To make sure your Financial Aid award is applied correctly, please submit your application before registering. We are not able to issue refunds or adjust payments after a full-price registration is completed. Applying early helps us process your enrollment promptly if aid is awarded.

Financial Aid and Waitlists

If you add your child to a waitlist and plan to use Financial Aid if a spot becomes available, please submit a Financial Aid application right away. This ensures we are able to register your child smoothly should a last-minute opening occur.

Important Reminders

• Financial Aid eligibility does not hold or reserve a class seat
• Seats are secured only when registration is completed
• Aid cannot be retroactively applied in the form of a refund or credit to registrations that are already paid in full
• Aid applies only to the specific class(es) listed in the approval email
• Awards cannot be transferred to future seasons
• If you are applying for aid for more than one student, separate applications should be filled out per student.

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions or need support navigating the process, our team is here for you. We are committed to creating an arts community where every family feels welcome. Please contact us at [email protected] or (407) 896-7365 x219.

Drop-Off

• For safety purposes, please remain in your vehicle with your students throughout the check-in process.
• Check-in begins 15 minutes prior to your camp’s scheduled start time at the designated Welcome Point. Welcome Points are notated in the Welcome Email from the Education Department.
• At your scheduled check-in time, report to your assigned Welcome Point, join the car line, and remain in your vehicle. A designated staff member greets you to facilitate the check-in process.
• Once students have been checked-in, parents should clear the area to expedite other check-ins.
• Staff members will be available at your designated Welcome Point until 15 minutes after the start of class.
  • If you are running later than 15 minutes, please inform the Education Department by email or phone, and plan to drop your student off at the front of the building (Welcome Point Purple).

Pick-Up

• • Camps check-out from their designated Welcome Point at the end of the scheduled camp day. Please report to your assigned Welcome Point, join the car line, and remain in your vehicle.
  • To expedite pick-up, parents are provided two car sheets with their student’s last name to be placed on the dashboard for pick-up. This allows our staff to prepare your student for pick-up when your vehicle approaches the Welcome Point.
  • Parents and approved pick-up individuals must have the provided car sheets displayed on the dashboard when picking up.
    • Approved pick-up individuals without a car sheet displayed are required to present a photo ID to pick-up their student. Photo IDs must match the name on the approved pick-up list.
    • Pick up authorization lists are generated from information collected at registration. Additional names may be added to the pick-up list by emailing [email protected].
  • A staff member escorts your student to the vehicle for curbside pick-up.
  • Once your student’s pick-up is complete, please clear the area to expedite other pick-ups.
  • Please inform the Education Department if you are running late by either emailing [email protected], or by calling 407.896.7365 x219

Parents needing to drop-off / pick-up students outside of the normal drop-off / pick-up times may pull up to the main entrance.

9th-12th grade students may utilize self-check in/out by bringing in a self-check in/out form filled out by a guardian. These are available upon parent request on the first day of class or during registration.

• Self driving students must have a signed self-check in/out form.

• • Self-check in/out only applies to arrival and dismissal, not breaks during the day. If breaks are long enough that Orlando Family Stage allows students to leave, the education office still needs permission from a parent.

Students should dress in shoes and clothes in which they can comfortably move.

• We play a variety of theatre games for which dresses/skirts, and sandals/flip-flops are not appropriate.
• Clunky or excessive jewelry is discouraged.

Orlando Family Stage does not typically allow parents/guardians into the classroom. Parents are invited to walk their student into check-in, but we ask you to be mindful of the car line traffic. Families and friends are invited to a presentation on the last day of class where students will show off all they have learned and practiced!

SUMMER CAMPS

Half-day 4-5 year old camps have a snack break.

9am-2pm camps have a lunch break in the middle of their day.

9am-4pm camps have a lunch break in the middle of their day and one additional snack break.

SCHOOL YEAR CLASSES

Performance Workshops and the Youth Academy productions are the only classes that have snack/meal breaks.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Please avoid packing products with peanut or tree-nut ingredients. Thank you for your help in keeping all our students safe and healthy as we have many students with severe nut allergies.
• Most classes have multiple water breaks in which students may want to have a quick snack if they get hungry often. Snacks are not provided for students who do not bring them, unless specific arrangements have been made between parents and staff. Water bottles are recommended.
• Students are encouraged to put their name on everything.

Only for Summer and Spring Break and specific camps based on day/availability

• • Extended Care is supervised, but unstructured times offered to assist with family schedules. Extended care may include movies, outside play, or games. Tuition is charged per week and pro-rating is not available.
  • See registration materials for times and cost.

• There are no auditions required to register for classes, camps, or Performance Workshops at Orlando Family Stage.

• Performance Workshops do have a final performance with assigned roles. The students audition for these roles during the first class of the session.
  • • Casting is at the discretion of the Teaching Artists for the best possible production and learning experience for the students.
• Youth Academy productions do require auditions. These auditions are held at the beginning of each semester, usually in August for the fall production (3-8 grades), January for the spring production (3-8 grades), and April/May for the summer production (7-12 grades). You can find more information here.

Yes! Camp presentations are intended to be lively presentations of class work. Families and friends of presenting students are invited to join us for this celebration of their Youth Academy experience.

• Presentations occur on the last day of camp. Exact times for these presentations are announced on the first day of camp.
• Students should arrive for camp at their usual time.
• Parents are invited to enter the theatre at the presentation time and students may be signed out once their presentation is over.