Frequently Asked Questions

NECYSC is fiscally sponsored by the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association. Our EIN is 04-6144186.

NECYSC depends on email communication. To prevent your email from treating our messages as spam, please add the necysc.org domain as a trusted sender. Please check your spam folder as well.

Please make sure you register with the correct email address. NECYSC is not responsible for incorrect email addresses.

With over a hundred campers and CITs, our volunteer staff must review every form before camp begins. Therefore, all forms and payment are required during registration. Campers will not be accepted until all required forms and payment are received. If you need an extension due to special circumstances, please contact registration@necysc.org.

The camp fee is typically non-refundable and non-transferable. Refunds of any portion of the camp fee (minus $250.00 cancellation fee) may only be made when a written notice of cancellation and a request for refund (email director@necysc.org) is received by May 15th, . There will be no refunds after May 15t, at 11:59pm.

In some cases, refunds may be granted after the cancellation and refund period for medical or emergency circumstances only. A written notice of cancellation with explanation of the circumstances must be provided (email director@necysc.org) for a refund request to be considered. Additional documentation may be requested. Partial refunds may be granted at the discretion of NECYSC.

Factors like room availability, staff-to-camper ratio, and licensing restrictions limit the number of campers we can accept each year.

Yes! If you are within the age range for ExplorAsian, you should register for ExplorAsian through the registration form as usual.

If you received your acceptance emails into these programs, you should submit your registration, forms, and payment as instructed by the program leaders (Head Counselors).

Campers will NOT be allowed to leave camp during the week. This includes routine doctor's visits, sports practices, rehearsals, etc. All routine/non-emergency appointments should be scheduled outside of camp week. Should an unforeseen situation arise, please advise the camp director(s) who will make a case-by-case judgment.

We encourage campers to stay for the full week and participate with their groups in the Closing Ceremonies. However, under extenuating circumstances, prior to the start of camp, parents can complete the Request for Early Check-Out form from Registration. Parents will be expected to complete the check-out procedure (room check and meeting with the Nurse if retrieving medication) within the designated early check-out hour on Friday (Day Camp). Early check-out is only allowed during the designated hour to ensure adequate staffing for the process and to prevent disruption of ongoing camp preparations for the Closing Ceremony.

Because we can only process camper's application when all required forms and payment are received, you can register the camper using current health form, and mail us the new form as soon as you have it. Our medical staff has to go over every health form before camp begins, and we cannot let camper join the group without up-to-date health form. If you have difficulty meeting the deadline due to special reasons, please contact registration@necysc.org.

Please refer to regulations from Mass Department of Public Health.

A CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) is a person's criminal history. A SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information) is a record of convictions for specified sexual offenses committed as an adult or juvenile.

NECYSC is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our campers, volunteers, and staff. Our policy states that anyone in contact with campers must undergo CORI and SORI background checks. Any person who has not satisfactorily met the requirements may not serve as POD and field trip chaperone.

Yes, trained medical staff are available on-site throughout the camp week to handle any medical issues or emergencies.

If a camper becomes ill, they will be evaluated by medical staff. Parents may be contacted based on the severity of the illness.

Campers should bring essentials like clothing, toiletries, a water bottle, and any necessary medication. A detailed packing list will be provided upon registration.

At NECYSC, we strive for inclusion. It is not necessary to know Chinese to attend NECYSC. The majority of classes are taught in English. The only exception is the 3 - 4 teachers from Taiwan who only speak Mandarin. However, there is always a CIT or Counselor in class to translate. Not everyone at camp can speak Chinese; some speak Cantonese, some speak Mandarin, some only speak English.

Folk sports such as Chinese Yo-Yo, Kung Fu, Juggling, Folk Dance and Jump Rope are typically offered. Swimming classes are held in Brandeis University indoor pool. We have also offered volleyball and table tennis in the past. Weather permitting, a field day with fun outdoor activities is held every year. There are plenty of opportunities for your camper to be outside and get some exercise!

Learn more about our programs here.

Every camper has the option not to swim. NECYSC staff supervises campers who do not want to swim. Brandeis University provides certified lifeguards who monitor the pool during swim classes. A swim test is given to the campers during their first swim class. Furthermore, Counselors and CITs are always in the pool with the campers.

Please refer to our phone and device use policy in our Camp Policies.