FAQ

Do you make exceptions to the rating or age minimums? Will you hold a spot for my child until he or she qualifies?

• We cannot hold places for students while they try to qualify by rating. Students who are close to the required minimums (age or rating) should select the Waitlist – Under 1100 option when registering.

Is there internet connectivity in the dorms? What about in the classrooms?

• Yes, internet is available everywhere on the Emory Campus via the “Emory Guest” network.
• Internet access requires an email address or cell phone number and must be confirmed by receiving the email or text. Access must be re-requested every 24 hours.

Are the dorms and classrooms air-conditioned?

• Yes! Dorm rooms have individual adjustable thermostats. Classrooms and the tournament hall are occasionally overly cooled, so bringing a light jacket to camp is always a good idea.

Is there a laundry service, or laundry facilities?

• Emory does not offer laundry service. There are laundry facilities for use in the dorms free of charge, and older campers who don’t require supervision may use these with permission from their group counselor either during afternoon rec time or during the evening, but loads must be finished before lights out. Bring your own laundry detergent.

Why do you require a minimum USCF rating?

• Having a whole group of campers that are already at a certain level allows us to take full advantage of our talented instructional staff. A week is just not very long, so rather than spending time teaching the basics, our instructors can jump right into the finer points of the game.
  
• There are a lot of really great camps out there for the beginning player. We’re looking to provide something really special for more committed, more advanced players.

What is the average playing strength of the campers?

• The average rating of all campers for the past 3 years has been around 1700.
• The top group is typically over 2000. 

The timing of the camp doesn’t work for us- why is your camp so early in the summer, when some schools are still in session? Can you move it?

• Logistically it would be very difficult to move the camp to a different week. The Emory facilities that we use are not generally available later in the summer, and we also try to plan around other big chess tournaments and camps for the sake of our staff.

How long has the Castle Chess program been in existence?

• The original Castle Camp in Bradford, Pennsylvania was founded in 1982 and ran through 2005.
• The Atlanta affiliate of Castle Chess Camp was created in 2001.

What is your TIN and address so that I can write off the camp under the Child Care Tax Credit?

• Tax ID Number: 26-1579707
• Address: 903 Timberline Drive, Cameron, MO 64429.
• It is our understanding that the cost for overnight camps does not qualify. Please consult a certified accountant for help on this issue, or consult the IRS website.

What about parking on campus?

• Adults who only plan to come to campus occasionally in the evenings or on the weekends do not need a parking pass since the campus has open parking after 4 PM and on the weekends.
• For those needing parking before 4 PM on the weekdays, parking passes are issued at check-in. There is no additional charge for these passes and they do not need to be returned.

What time do I need to arrive by, and what time should I plan to leave?

• Please plan to arrive on campus between 1:30 and 3:30 on the first Sunday of camp. This is the formal check-in time for the dorm. (If you are flying, arrival time should be no later than 2:30 to allow for time to collect baggage and drive to campus.) Anybody who for any reason has to arrive earlier or later will have to make special arrangements in advance.
• Campers, especially first-timers, are strongly discouraged from arriving later than 4 PM. Orientation begins promptly at 4:30, which leads right into dinner, which leads right into the Evaluation Simul by the homeroom instructors. So later arrivals will have to wait until 9 PM to check into their rooms.
• If you are not playing the tournament, check out is Saturday morning by 11 AM. If you are playing all five rounds of the tournament, you should not plan to leave campus any earlier than 7:00 PM on the second Sunday of camp. If you need to leave earlier than that to accommodate your travel schedule, you should take byes in one or more rounds of the tournament.
• For airport departures, we recommend leaving campus 2.5 hours before flight time.
• We advise all tournament players to pack first thing Sunday morning, before going to breakfast- that way if their game runs long, they can grab their luggage and go. 

What do the campers get for linens and toiletries?

• All campers will receive one pillow with pillowcase, one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, one medium weight blanket, one bath towel, and one washcloth.
• This is camp, not a hotel–nobody makes your bed for you, and you don’t get fresh linens during the week. What you get at check-in is it for the whole week.
• Many campers choose to bring additional pillows, blankets, and/or towels.
• Toiletries are NOT provided. Please bring all necessary items including toothbrush, toothpaste, hand soap, and shampoo.
• Campers planning to swim during rec time should bring a towel to take to the pool.

What is the typical age range at camp?

• Age range is 10 to adult.
• In 2023, the median age at camp was 14, and half of the campers were 13-15 years old. 

What about a commuter/day camper only option?

• Since 2016, we are 100% residential camp.
• Exceptions are occasionally made for medical reasons – please email us if this may apply.

How do you make the homeroom groups? I’m underrated – can I be moved up to a higher group?

• Camp is divided into groups of 12 campers each based on peak US Chess rating achieved within the last 5 years. The top 12 campers are in the top group, the next 12 are in the next group, etc. 
• We wait until June 1 to make the final groupings, so campers have plenty of time to post a new peak rating. Since we use your peak ratings, you are never penalized if you keep playing!
• We get so many emails and phone calls from parents, coaches, and campers about moving up because they are underrated or they want a specific homeroom coach, or they want to be with a buddy. It would be unfair to honor these types of requests for some people but not all, so our rule is firm – nobody is allowed to move to a higher group, for any reason, ever.
• We do honor requests to move to a lower group, if requested ahead of time.

Where do your campers typically come from?

• Campers come from all over the US, from California to New England.
• We get campers from dozens of states, and occasionally from foreign countries.

Can I stay in the dorm with my child?

• For safety reasons, only campers and staff are allowed to stay in the dorm.
• All staff are required to undergo a background check and complete child abuse prevention training.
• Parents who meet the camp minimum rating may sign up as a camper.
• If you are interested in applying to be a counselor, see the counselor page. Do not apply just to accompany your child – we want staff members that are committed to ALL campers.

What is the dorm like?

• Raoul Hall dorm has double rooms. There are no triples or quads available. Rooms contain two single beds, two dressers, two desks, two closets, and one sink. Bathrooms are community-style baths in the hallways, with private shower stalls, toilet stalls, and a row of sinks.
• All roommate requests that are mutual are honored.
• The whole camp is in the same dorm, and we are the only people housed in that dorm for the week. Counselors sleep on every hall with the campers. The dorm floors are split up by age.
• Adult campers are in a separate wing of the dorm, and all girls are on a separate hall from boys.
• Counselors are on each floor, not more than 3-4 doors down from each camper.
• Raoul Hall also has a wing of suite style rooms with private or semi-private bathrooms. These rooms can be reserved by adult campers for an extra fee. (Adults only because these halls are not supervised by counselors. Children whose parents are also campers may stay in the same suite with their parent.) See the registration page for more information on the suites.
• Here is a link to the floor plans and some pictures of Raoul Hall

I have special dietary restrictions. Can the cafeteria accommodate me?

• Absolutely. Emory food service is nut and shellfish-free. All dishes are well-marked with symbols for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free, and the cafeteria employees are great about answering questions on ingredients whenever asked.
• For kosher meals and allergies where cross-contamination is a threat, we can make arrangements in advance for meals to be prepared in a special area of the kitchen, sealed, and hand-delivered to the camper for an extra cost.

Where do I send check payments?

• Make checks payable to “Castle Chess Inc,” include the camper name in the memo, and mail to:
  Castle Chess, Inc.
  c/o Mike Mulford
  903 Timberline Drive
  Cameron MO 64429

Can I visit my child/observe during camp?

• Parents are welcome to visit and observe anytime during the day, as long as they are not disruptive and they check in with staff so we know who they are. After 9 PM, no parents are allowed in the dorm. This rule is for everyone’s safety. 
• Some parents come to orientation on the first Sunday, and also to the awards ceremony on Friday afternoon. 

If my camper is playing the tournament, how do I tell you what byes and what section?

• We gather information about byes and section directly from the campers during camp.

For the Grand Prix tournament, can I play the 3-day schedule (Friday night)?

• Campers under the age of 15 are automatically enrolled in the 2-day schedule of the Grand Prix.
• Campers age 15+ may choose between 3-day or 2-day schedules.
• Campers who are not playing on Friday night will have non-chess activities to choose from, including Movie Night and our special twilight edition of Capture the Flag. 
• If a camper under age 15 wants to play the 3-day, a parent or guardian can come and check the child out of camp to stay with them in a nearby hotel. 

Can I mail a care package to my child?

• Mail can be delivered, but it is tricky. Since mail is usually delayed by 1-3 days due to processing time in the Emory mailroom, and since the camp is only a week long, we recommend instead that you tuck a wrapped package in your camper’s suitcase with a note that says “Don’t open until Thursday.” If you absolutely do have to mail something (say a forgotten pair of glasses) please contact the Camp Director for special instructions to ensure a smooth delivery.

What COVID policies are in effect?

Castle Chess Camp will adhere to the policies Emory University has in effect at the time of camp.  As of February 9, 2023, Emory does not require vaccinations and masks are optional.
Emory’s experts strongly recommend the entire Emory community continue to keep up to date with
vaccinations, stay at home if you are sick, and follow CDC guidelines.
Please refer to Emory’s Visitor Policy for more information.

In the case of a cancellation, what is the refund policy?

After you have paid, we certainly hope you will not need to cancel. However, should that become necessary at any time for any reason, our refund policy is simple. If we can fill your spot, then you will be refunded all but $100. If we CANNOT fill your spot, then you receive no refund.