Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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• Who can apply to this program?

  Any student completing 9th, 10th, or 11th grade in May/June of the same year of Convergence. Applicants should have a strong academic record along with an interest in science. They should also have an interest in the Christian faith, ideally already actively participating in a Christian congregation.

• Are students of all Christian denominations welcome? What about other religious traditions?

  Everyone is welcome to apply, though applicants should understand that the program is designed to look at the convergence of Christian theology with science. Included in the schedule are Christian worship services at a United Methodist Church, a visit to a Presbyterian seminary, and the creation of worship resources by our youth for a Christian worship service they will lead on their last Sunday, and to be shared with other churches to use in their worship services. Students from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions are welcome, from established denominations and non-denominational traditions. Parents should be comfortable with their children “going deep” in both science and theology, learning from college-level professors, and challenging stereotypes often found in many schools and many faith communities.

• How will my child be supervised while they are at the camp?

  In addition to the camp directors, faculty leaders, and other staff support, we will hire a current Seminary student to serve as Head Counselor. Additionally, Randolph-Macon College students serve as Counselors during the 3-day event. The Head Counselor and Counselors will reside in the dorm on the same hall as the campers and will accompany campers to lectures, meals, and all activities. We limit enrollment to 40 campers to ensure an appropriate staff to camper ratio.

• Are the dorms safe?

  Yes! Campers will be housed in freshman dorms and our campus is very safe. Randolph-Macon College dormitories are secured 24 hours a day and are only accessible with an electronic entrance key; each participant will be issued an entrance key when they register for camp. Additionally, the Office of Campus Safety performs regular patrols of the dormitories and campus 24 hours a day.

• Can my child choose his/her roommate if he/she registers with a friend?

  You may indicate a roommate choice and we will try to honor those choices, but we cannot guarantee that all roommate preferences will be fulfilled.

• What if there is an emergency? How can I contact my child?

  You will be provided with an emergency contact number so that you can reach a staff person 24 hours a day. Your child may also bring his/her/their cell phone, if s/he/they has one, although students will sign a code of conduct indicating that they will only use their phones during free time.

• My child regularly takes medication. Can s/he participate in this program?

  Each camper must complete a medical information form and any medications must be noted in detail (size and frequency of dose.) Campers will be responsible for keeping and administering their own medications. No staff members are allowed to administer any medications to your child, whether prescription or over-the-counter. RMC Campus Safety is on campus 24 hours a day for medical emergencies, but there is not a camp nurse or other medical personnel.

• What if my child is vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free has a food allergy etc.?

  The majority of meals during Convergence will be eaten in Estes Dining Hall on the Randolph-Macon College campus. Our dining hall can easily accommodate special dietary concerns. Of course, our directors need to know of dietary concerns in order to ensure that all dining experiences will meet your child’s needs. When you complete the permission forms during the registration process, please indicate any special dietary needs.

• Is my child required to have the COVID-19 vaccine to attend camp?

  While we cannot require your child to take the COVID-19 vaccine to attend camp, we do take health and safety of any kind very seriously. If your child is vaccinated, please share this with us by sending a copy of their vaccination records. If they are not, we will provide a COVID test for them via mail before camp, and during registration on July 15th. This helps us ensure all campers are safe during their stay. If your child tests positive during registration or at any time during their stay at RMC, we ask that you come pick them up immediately, so we may continue to operate as safely as possible.

• Are masks required during camp?

  At present, masks are considered optional on-campus for all vaccinated persons. "We encourage you to support each other and to be thoughtful about your choices with respect to those around you.  In particular, the College recognizes that members of our community may choose to continue to wear a  mask  and supports those who do so." We will continue to follow the lead of our Core Planning Team and the CDC as it pertains to the safest practices for all members and visitors of our campus.