LYNX Camp Frequently Asked Questions

In total, 285 high school students attended the LYNX Camps in 2019. 2020 was a unique year due to the COVID pandemic and we had a total of 223 participants in our 9 virtual camp programs. The breakdown from the 2019 camps below are more indicative of a normal camp year.

Session One (Photography, 2D Animation/Illustration, Ableton Live/ Audio Production, City Murals, and Comic Book Character Design) was attended by 115 students. Session Two (Music Industry) was attended by 77 students. Session Three (Digital Animation/Motion Graphics and Filmmaking) was attended by 93 students.

We had students at the camp from 22 different states and Mexico, China, Indonesia, and Italy!

We plan to limit most Session One programs (2D Animation/Illustration; Ableton Live/Audio Production; Comic Book Character Design; & Photography) to 25 students per program (100 total). We plan to limit Session Two (Music Industry) to 80 students. We plan to limit Session Three (Filmmaking and 3D Digital Animation/Motion Graphics) to 50 students per program (100 total). We plan to limit Session 4 to 20 students for Mural Creation & 15 students for both virtual camps (Comic Book Character Design & 2D Animation/Illustration).

We anticipate that most programs will fill to capacity. ​

The priority deadline is March 15th. Students who apply by the March 15th priority deadline receive priority for admission and scholarships. 

The final application deadline is May 15th. It is likely that some of our programs will fill up before this date. Students are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline. ​​

Yes, all high school students are eligible to attend, including students who have completed 8th grade by the start of the camp.

Yes, students who have just graduated from high school are eligible to attend.​

Yes, we encourage students to apply even if they can't afford the listed camp cost. Students must apply by our March 15th Priority Deadline in order to receive need-based scholarships. Many students receive scholarships that allow them to attend.

Once you submit your application, a confirmation email will be sent to the emails on the application, including the teacher listed for a recommendation. Once you've paid your deposit (which is prompted on the last page of the application), you are conditionally admitted pending review of your application.

You will receive a final confirmation of acceptance or denial within two-weeks after you submit your application.

Beginning in April, students and families will start getting email reminders to complete additional payments and camp registration forms. The camp registration form is separate than the application and includes important camp policies, procedures and risk waivers. Be sure to complete this additional form so as to be able to participate in camp.

If you applied for a scholarship, you will be notified if you received a scholarship by April 1st.

You will receive a personalized schedule at camp. Generally, during the weekdays students are in specialized classes and guest lectures with breaks for all-camp activities and meals. For our residential programs (during Sessions Two and Three), the evenings are spent at various arts and cultural events both on and off of campus. On the middle weekend, students will take exciting off-campus field trips and get to produce a student talent show. The last day of camp will feature a student showcase where students exhibit what they've done at the camp for parents, guests, peers, and instructors!

We ask that you attend all classes during the camp. The arts are collaborative and your absence affects your colleagues. We of course make exceptions for illness, emergencies, and religious holidays. If you have an arts event (exhibit, concert, screening, etc.) that you feel is important to your artistic growth, please talk to the Camp Director or Coordinator and we will work it out. We want to encourage artistic growth in our students! Commuter students are only required to attend the academic events at the camp from 9:00-4:30 (4:50 during Session Two). Commuter students are not allowed at the residence facilities but may attend some evening activities including guest artist workshops and performances. The LYNX Camp staff will not be responsible for supervising the commuter students at the evening activities. Per Auraria Campus policy, commuter students who are minors (under the age of 18), must be accompanied by an adult when attending evening and weekend activities on-campus. Students who register for the Commuter Plus option can attend all of the evening and weekend activities without the need for a parent/guardian to accompany them. 

If you leave camp without notifying us, it is in our safety policy to call your parents. If they do not know your whereabouts or do not answer, we then call the Auraria Campus Police. ​​

You will receive an electronic Welcome Packet in May or early June with a detailed packing list. Residential students should plan on bringing items such as sunscreen, snacks, note-taking materials, etc. The only money that you will need at the camp will be for lunches (plan on about $8/day). Everything else will be provided as part of your camp payment.​

Auraria Campus is a tri-institutional campus in downtown Denver that hosts three universities: The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), Community College of Denver, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. Our camp will take place at CU Denver on the Auraria Campus. ​

We will note in the Welcome Packet what events are open to the families and the public. Parents are welcome at guest artist presentations and families are encouraged to attend the Student Showcase on the last day of camp. ​

No, it is campus policy that minors participating in university programs are not to walk around campus on their own. We have plenty of planned events and outings that will allow you to see the campus and all that Denver has to offer.

The Camp Director, Camp Coordinator, and Graduate Student Coordinator are all first-aid and CPR certified. All staff will be trained on how to handle emergencies.

While we aren't able to offer funding to help out-of-state students with travel expenses, we can help you to plan the logistics of your travel. For Sessions Two and Three check-in will begin at 2:00 pm on the first Sunday of the camps. We recommend that students arrive by 3:00 pm at the latest to ensure enough time for check-in before the Opening Meeting and pre-sessions. The Opening Meeting of the camp will take place at the King Center from 5:00-6:00 pm. The two-week camp programs end on the Friday of the second week around 5:00 pm. Flights for students hoping to fly out that evening should be scheduled for after 8:00 pm. Out of state students have the option of staying overnight on the last Friday and departing on Saturday morning. 

We will help arrange transportation to and from the Denver airport. The Denver lightrail is a great option for getting to campus from the airport. The A-Line runs from DIA to downtown Denver  near the Auraria Campus. Lightrail tickets can be purchased in advance or at the airport. We will have LYNX Camp staff members at the airport (DIA) on the first day of the camp to greet students and take the Denver lightrail to campus with the students. Other options to get to campus are SuperShuttle, ride sharing services (Lyft and Uber), and cabs.​

Students will receive a detailed Welcome Packet a couple weeks before camp starts with detailed instructions on camp check-in procedures and locations. Residential students will get updated information on residence hall check-in time with their Welcome Packet. Our LYNX Camp residential staff will greet students and families at the housing facility and help students get moved into their rooms. All students (and parents if accompanying students) will go to the King Center (855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO 80204) to check-in for the camp. ​

Yes, local students do have the option of commuting to campus each day. The cost of the camp is cheaper for students who commute. Please see the cost information on the Pricing page. Commuter students must arrive at campus by 8:50 each morning and stay until classes end at 4:30 (4:50 for Session Two). Commuter students are not allowed in our housing facilities where the residential students stay unless the student registers as a commuter-plus student

On the middle weekend of the Session Two and Three camps, LYNX Camp Residential and Commuter Plus students will participate in field trips, workshops, and other co-curricular activities to supplement what they are learning in their program classes. Some of our possible field trips and events include: visiting the Denver Art Museum, a "behind the scenes" tour of the Pepsi Center, visiting recording studios (music industry program students only), visiting 16th Street Mall  in downtown Denver, visiting Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and taking a hike at Chautauqua Park near Boulder. ​Details about this summer's weekend activities will be listed in the Welcome Packet that families will receive in May.

We most likely will be able to accommodate students with special diets and/or food allergies. If you are a commuter student, you will get to choose what you eat for lunch at the Tivoli Food Court and there are many options (Subway, Asian food, salad/wraps, pizza, McDonald's, and Taco Bell). Our residential students will eat breakfast and dinner at our housing facilities. We have made arrangements to have plenty of food options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free students. Please contact us if you have special dietary issues that we need to be aware of for the camp. ​

All students will receive a LYNX Camp t-shirt, water bottle, name-tag and lanyard on the first day of the camp. ​

No, while it's great when family members are able to attend the closing day events, we understand that this may be difficult for our out-of-state families. We will live stream the closing events so that family and friends who aren't able to attend can view the event. The videos from the events will also be posted on our Facebook page.​