Teens are supervised at all times from sign-in to sign-out. The teen to staff ratio ranges from 1:12 during classroom instruction to 1:8 during residential times. Free time is always in designated areas with staff including our visits to UC Berkeley bookstore or venturing out for frozen yogurt in downtown Berkeley. Staff includes adult professionals, graduate students, and undergraduate students. All staff go through a background check and participate in specialized educational, logistical, safety, and neurodiversity training. Lead professionals are onsite all summer and provide educational as well as behavioral support for instructors and participants as needed.

We use CampDoc (also known as DocNetwork), an electronic health record system, to collect participants’ information securely. CampDoc is designed to protect your teen’s privacy while alerting us to details such as allergies or dietary restrictions, medical or medication needs, special learning or social needs, and other home or life situations that might affect your teen’s participation. The information you provide will help us to support your teen safely and to optimize their learning and social experience. We encourage parents to be as transparent as possible. If you would like to discuss your teen’s needs before summer, we would be happy to set up a conversation to discuss how we can best support them. You can email us at thelawrenceteens@berkeley.edu.

No, for multiple reasons, we do not allow participants to register for programs designed for grade levels other than their own. Since a large portion of each program involves student-driven investigation and exploration, e.g., the design and build of a physical creation or the design and carrying out of an investigation, participants can easily differentiate the challenge level to a just-right place for them. Thank you for understanding.

All programs are designed for all learners and with differentiated instruction techniques. However, some tracks are tailored more specifically for teens without prior experience. These include the Session 1 tracks of Biotech Engineering and Innovations in Genetics as well as Artificial Intelligence for Real-Life Problem Solving.

If you have prior high school level experience in biology or experience coding with Python, you might consider joining Session 2 or 4 of the Biotech Engineering and Innovations in Genetics and Artificial Intelligence for Real-Life Problem Solving tracks.

All middle school programs take place this summer at UC Berkeley. All high school programs, EXCEPT Session 3, also take place at UC Berkeley. Session 3, which includes Marine Biology, Field Ecology, and Bioinspired Design, will take place at UC Santa Cruz. More details can be found on the program-specific information page.

Teens will share dorm housing with one or two other teens. Rooms include bunk beds (extra-long twin bed size), desks, shelves, drawers, hooks, a closet/bar for hanging clothes, a mirror, and a microwave and mini-fridge. There are bathrooms on each floor with personal privacy doors. All the rooms and the bathroom on each floor are designated gender specific. You can learn more about residence halls here including photos of Unit 1, 2, or 3, all of which are good examples of dorms we have used in the past. You can learn more about UC Santa Cruz dorms here if you are registering for session 3. More details about the exact location and what to pack will be shared close to start time.

Yes, to help demystify the college campus experience, all teens will eat a provided lunch in a campus dining hall such as Crossroads or Cafe 3, both of which we have used in the past. Lunch costs are automatically included in the price of the program. Campus dining halls can accommodate most dietary restrictions as part of their regular offerings. All teens are supervised during the lunch period, and the dining hall will be shared with other groups over the course of the summer. We also provide recreation breaks before and after lunch.

Yes, all teens should pack a hat, water bottle, sunscreen, and personal snacks for the day. For the safety of others, we ask that you not include any food containing tree nuts or peanuts. Lunch is provided every day (see prior question). If your teen requires any medications throughout the day, there will be a place for you to share that information in CampDoc. We cannot administer any medications, but we can offer teens a friendly reminder. If your teen wants to use their personal laptop, they may bring it and must keep it on them at all times. If you do not wish to bring your own laptop or do not have access to one, we have laptops to provide you with, if required for the program. The Lawrence is not responsible for your personal items.

Phones, tablets, and other similar devices should be stowed in your bag during program times. Phones and other devices are permitted during breaks and other designated times. The program is designed to increase socialization, collaboration, and small-group work. We strongly encourage you to leave valuables and other devices at home. If your teen wants to use their personal laptop, they may bring it and must keep it on them at all times. If you do not wish to bring your own laptop or do not have access to one, we have laptops to provide you with, if required for the program. The Lawrence is not responsible for your personal items.

Our programs have laptops to support the participation of all teens. However, some teens prefer to use their personal laptop. If this is the case, they may bring it and must keep it on them at all times. If you do not wish to bring your own laptop or do not have access to one, we have laptops to provide you with, if required for the program. The Lawrence is not responsible for your personal items.

With the exception of the residential programs, all middle and high school programs on the UC Berkeley campus run Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These times are also the designated drop-off and pick-up times; please stick to them. We encourage parents to sign the ‘Teen Program Dismissal Form’ at the time of registration so that teens can arrive and leave independently with the conclusion of programming. Residential teens will arrive at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday and leave at 5:00 p.m. on Friday with the conclusion of programming.

The drop-off and pick-up location will be communicated to you in a welcome email before the program starts. We encourage parents to sign the ‘Teen Program Dismissal Form’ at the time of registration so that teens can arrive and leave independently with the conclusion of programming. All HS programs at UC Santa Cruz have drop off on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. and pick up on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. The drop-off and pick-up location will be communicated to you in a welcome email before the program starts.

Yes, so long as a parent has approved it! We encourage parents to sign the ‘Teen Program Dismissal Form’ at the time of registration so that teens can arrive and leave independently with the conclusion of programming. They must still make direct eye contact and sign out with their instructors at the conclusion of each day. If you did not sign this waiver at the time of registration or cannot recall, please email thelawrenceteens@berkeley.edu and indicate your request for self dismissal in writing, stating- your name, child’s name, and the registered program.

Yes, you can pick up your teen early or drop them off late if needed. Please let us know as far in advance as possible by emailing TheLawrenceTeens@berkeley.edu and indicate your request in writing, stating- your name, child’s name, and the registered program. If you have day-of needs, you can text us at a number we provide in the welcome email. Please note that, depending on the timing, teens might be located at a range of sites on campus. We encourage parents to sign the ‘Teen Program Dismissal Form’ at the time of registration so that teens can arrive and leave independently. If you did not sign this waiver at the time of registration or cannot recall, please email thelawrenceteens@berkeley.edu and indicate your request for self dismissal in writing, stating- your name, child’s name, and the registered program.

There is a growing need for financial aid. This year we are extending aid to more families and at two levels—  90% and 10% off the publicized price. Financial aid awards are intended for Bay Area teens and prioritized based on financial need, family exposure to higher education, and teen’s access to STEM opportunities and mentors. Please note that we offer multiple types of programs and at two locations (commuter based as well as residential based at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz) and it is important that you indicate for which exact type of program you are requesting aid. Financial aid is awarded on a rolling basis until all funds are depleted. Please apply early, so you are considered early. Your personal information will be deleted after all financial aid decisions have been made. The application must be filled out by the parent or legal guardian. Learn more here. [link to FA]

A detailed packing list will be emailed to families registered for the residential add-on closer to start time. In general, your teen will need clothing for the week (including layers as the temperatures vary throughout the day/evening), pillow, bedding or a sleeping bag, closed-toed shoes, a towel, personal toiletries, and spending money for outings (e.g., frozen yogurt, boba, or items from the campus store). UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz require slightly different bedding and clothing, so a detailed packing lists will be shared based on your registration.

No, all teens are under our supervision at all times and are not permitted to leave the designated program space at any time. We have multiple evening activities and outings to and around campus as part of the residential experience. Residential Advisors are always present with teens at a 1:8 ratio. The Program leadership is also on site for the length of the program.

Yes, while all teens are under our supervision at all times, we do provide free time in the dorms, on campus and in Berkeley in specific areas and while supervised. Beyond this, teens are not permitted to leave the designated program space. We have multiple evening activities and outings to and around campus as part of the residential experience. Residential Advisors are always present with teens at a 1:8 ratio. The Program leadership is also on site for the length of the program.

All teens registered for two, or more, consecutive weeks and have purchased Bridge Coverage will receive the same amenities as the residential add-on option. The Bridge Coverage includes transportation to UC Santa Cruz and back, campus dorm accommodations, meals, and activities including a free visit to The Lawrence Hall of Science.

We can’t tell you how to spend your summer vacation. That said, we require parents and/or a designated legal guardians to be accessible to contact and available for a pick up in case of emergency. Perhaps the Everest trek can wait for another week during your summer.

All teens will receive a personalized certificate of completion from UC Berkeley on the last day of the program.

If you still have any other programming-related questions, such as schedule, staffing, content, or want to share more information about your teen, please email thelawrenceteens@berkeley.edu. If you are unsure of the exact nature of your inquiry then cc: lhsreg@berkeley.edu in your email.

If you still have any other registration-related questions, such as refunds, cancellations, teen self-dismissal forms, or transfers, please email lhsreg@berkeley.edu. If you are unsure of the exact nature of your inquiry then cc: thelawrenceteens@berkeley.edu in your email.