When does a specific program run? 
Our programs start in mid-June and run through the first week in August. To find the dates of a specific program, follow the link to that program from our home page.

What are the ages of the kids that are involved in this program? 
For SYP Career Explorations: Currently enrolled in grades 6 through 11. Individual explorations or workshops may be limited to a smaller age range 
AIW: 12 to 15 years of age.
All others are ages 15 to 18 years old. 

What is the address if I want to send a letter/ package/ money/ etc? 
ATTN: (Student's Name) 
Summer Youth Program 
Douglass Houghton Hall (DHH) 
Michigan Technological University 
1700 Townsend Drive 
Houghton, MI 49931-1194 

What is the fax number? 
(906) 487-3101 

How do you get to Michigan Tech? 
Click Here for Directions

What information do you have on local lodging? Can you send me anything? 
We have brochures which we will mail upon request. These include motels, cabins, campgrounds, and university housing, including rooms, suites, and apartments. Houghton was recently rated one of the top ten best places to live in the country by Men's Journal. If you like the outdoors and scenic drives, you may wish to check out the Keweenaw Peninsula while you are here. 

As a parent, do I need to be there for registration days? 
Although we certainly encourage you to be there, for your own information, it is not necessary that you be present if all forms have been submitted, all signatures were included, and all information was correct.

 
What meals are provided on registration and check-out days? 
Noon and evening meals are served for the Sunday check-in date, and only breakfast is served for the Saturday check-out date. Parents may also buy meals for themselves on these dates. We encourage you to try a sample of the dormitory life that your children will experience during their stay with us. 

Will my child have contact with students from other explorations? 
Yes, all activities other than the time your child is in the exploration (from 9:30 to 4:30, Monday through Friday) will be intermingled with all other participants. 

Who supervises my child in the residence hall? 
Counselors, Residence Hall Coordinators, and Head Counselors. We hire undergraduate mentors after a comprehensive screening process, which includes intensive training in safety, age-appropriate activities, and diversity. 

Is there always a chaperone with the students/do they have constant supervision? 
Yes, students are not permitted to leave the designated campus area without supervision. Any time they leave this area they must be accompanied by a counselor or instructor. During recreation times, students are permitted to walk around the campus, although they must sign out (and sign back in upon return) if they choose to do this. 

Where can my child receive health care? 
During the day, YP students can receive treatment for minor ailments and injuries at the Portage Medical Clinic, located on campus. Clinic staff members include physicians, nurses, and lab assistants. A fee will be charged for each visit and/or medication (cash, check, MasterCard, or VISA). Portage Hospital, located less than ten minutes from campus, is used after clinic hours and for emergencies. 

What can you tell me about security in the dorms? 

• The dorms are locked from 10 pm to 6:30 am. 
• Individual rooms lock and participants have their own room keys. 
• No one is allowed in the dorm without a Youth Programs ID tag. 
• Campus is patrolled by full-time police officers.
• While we rarely have a problem, we recognize the value of safe-keeping valuable possessions. Youth Programs provides a free "safe deposit" service where students can store money and valuables such as cd players, laptops, or other items. These items or cash are individually stored where students can check them out or make a "withdrawal" at any time. Cash balances are tracked; students initial each withdrawal. 

Where will the kids be staying? 
Douglass Houghton Hall (DHH) 

Where is Douglass Houghton Hall relative to campus? 
On the north side of US Highway 41, near the east side of campus. Click here for Campus Map 

Can I request a roommate? 
Yes, although we cannot guarantee the placement. Have both children include each other's names on the application form and we will do our best to place them together.

Will my child be living with students of similar ages? 
Yes, they are grouped by similar age for roommates and within their floor. Floors are divided by gender. No males are ever permitted on the female floor, or vice versa. No guests are allowed in the dormitory unless given prior approval from the coordinators. (See Community Standards) 

Will there be college students in my child's dorm? 
The dorms we use are reserved for only Youth Programs over the summer, for pre-college student residence. 

What types of things do they need? 
Please refer to the "What To Bring" page.

How should I send money with my children? How much should I send? 
The amount is obviously up to you, but $30 to $40 dollars per week is our recommendation. Personal checks, money orders, and traveler's checks can be cashed at the MTU Cashier's Office ($100.00 limit); students must be accompanied by a counselor if cashing a check. Spending money is not required but is strongly recommended. All instructional material is provided at no additional cost, but students do have the opportunity to attend concerts, golf, bowl, see movies, buy pizza, and so on. To participate in some of these activities, or do some shopping at the University Bookstore or elsewhere in the area, some amount of spending money is encouraged. Extra money, airline tickets, and other valuables can be checked in at the reception desk for safekeeping. 

What kinds of activities will the kids be doing at night? 
The YP residence hall staff members conduct sightseeing and recreational excursions during evenings and weekends. These include city, outdoor/wilderness, and "veg-out" activities-something to suit every taste. Recreational lounges in the residence hall are equipped with a TV, VCR, table tennis, board games (limited selection--might want to bring favorites), and pinball machines. We also provide access to a computer lab where students have supervised access to the Internet to browse or to conduct e-mail (yahoo, hotmail, or other web-based e-mail only). Participants are invited to bring their own music for the dance, as long as it has a label with their full name. Free-time activities include: baseball, basketball, beach games, dances, fishing (need pole and license), game tournaments, hiking, waterfall trips, jogging, movies (fee if off-campus), bowling, shopping, pizza, racquetball, swimming, roller-blading (remember your pads), tennis, volleyball and much, much more! Favorite personal equipment may be brought to play in any of these sports. 

Are we allowed to leave campus without any adults? 
NO! 

Are relatives allowed to take my child for the day/evening if they live around the area? 
Personal friends or relatives not associated with YP are only allowed to visit during the participants' stay in the residence hall if advance notice has been given to the Youth Programs coordinator and he has approved the visit. The child must be signed out and back in with the Residence Hall Coordinator at the time of the visit. No guests may be upstairs, in participant rooms. 

Who teaches the classes, or explorations? 
Michigan Technological University faculty, graduate students, or other specialists in that particular field. Instructors are trained to work with students of pre-college age and meet extensively with the Youth Programs coordinators to ensure their curriculum is age-appropriate, yet challenging. 

What types of things do the students do within their classes? 
An exploration is an intensive week-long look at a particular field or area of interest and is offered in seven different categories designed to introduce students to a world of opportunities. Explorations allow them to learn to use a computer, rappel, or perform diagnostic chemical tests. In other explorations they could paint a landscape, write a story, backpack through a scenic wilderness area, or cast molten metal. Learning is hands-on, through laboratories, field trips, group projects, meeting with role models, and other experimental and experiential activities. 

What is the weekly schedule like? 
Check-in and program orientation occur on the first day of the program. Weekdays, class sessions take up the majority of the day. Evening recreational activities are planned each day. Checkout begins Friday evening and continues until Saturday morning at noon when the program officially ends. A more detailed schedule for your specific week will be provided in pre-program mailings.

What are transportation options for the area? 
Houghton is serviced by Mesaba Airlines (Northwest Airlink). The Houghton County Airport (CMX) is located 15 minutes from campus. Remember to return the transportation form that comes in the mail so that we know when your son/daughter will arrive. We recommend you contact your airport, the airline (1-800-225-2525 or check out their web site at www.nwa.com ), or a travel agent for flight information. Houghton County is on Eastern Standard Time. Greyhound Bus Service is also available to transport students (1-800-292-3831). In addition, we will be sending an Area List in the second mailing. The Area List is a list of all of the other students in your geographical area that are coming to campus the same week, if you wish to try to car-pool. Supervised charter bus transportation will be available for an additional fee from selected locations in Michigan. Charter bus requests can be made on the transportation form mailed to you once you are enrolled. Please indicate your need as soon as possible as seats will fill on a first-come first-serve basis. Round trip riders will be given a preference at $250 round trip; one-way seats will be limited at a cost of $150. Both with a $25 non-refundable deposit.

Will someone be able to pick up my child regardless of what time they are arriving or departing? 
If they are arriving by public transport in Houghton/Hancock (bus or airline), we will pick them up any time day or night, if we are given prior notice of the method, expected arrival time, and the flight number and ticket number. A form to provide us with this information will be sent to every participant before the program begins. 

Will the person be easy to identify that is picking up my child from the airport/bus station? How large is the airport? 
Yes. Staff will have on YP nametags, staff shirts, and a sign for the child. The airport is relatively small; the terminal is only one room-not scary or intimidating for your child! 

Can my child arrive a day early, or leave a day late? 
Prior approval must be obtained for either, so call our office to check. In most cases, we can accommodate either request, but there is a $75 per day charge for each extra day. This covers additional counselor supervision and meals. Important note: Late departure on August 5th is NOT AVAILABLE, as we no longer have access to the residence hall or the staff on payroll to supervise these participants! 

If my child is staying for more than one session, what happens over the week-end? 
Stay-overs between sessions are FREE! This includes room and board and supervised activities. We will have counselors on duty to supervise your child and to organize activities and field trips for them on Saturday and Sunday.

When will we receive information regarding the programs? 
For SYP, confirmations will go out about two weeks after you have applied. A newsletter will come out in May and June with pertinent information.