General Information
What is the Tiger Woods Learning Center Difference?
The Tiger Woods Learning Center (TWLC) is a spectacular, 14-acre education facility in Southern California that has delivered hands-on, authentic learning experiences for more than 50,000 young people since 2006. Our programs are technology-rich, innovative and highly motivating. Our students are imaginative, engaged and planning their paths to college and a career.
What makes the TWLC Summer Academy different from other summer camps?
STEM Academy: The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academy at the Tiger Woods Learning Center is an exceptional experience. Our approach emphasizes hands-on experiments, goal setting, college admission, career exploration and positive youth development. All STEM Academy members will receive 18 hours of STEM along with three hours of enrichment for the week.
Golf Academy: The Golf Academy at the Tiger Woods Learning Center provides the beginning golfer with a world-class golf experience. Taught by full-time Tiger Woods Learning Center golf instructors and PGA professionals, the Golf Academy will teach you the basics crucial to the success of professionals like Tiger Woods: grip, stance, posture, alignment and controlling ball distance.
Adult Staff & Small Ratios
What type(s) of experience do your instructors have?
The TWLC employs exceptional staff with experience, expertise and dedication to youth. The TWLC staff is engaged year-round in hands-on, project-based instruction. They have a passion for working with young people and helping them see the connection between school and the real world. The TWLC Summer Academy encourages staff to create a unique learning environment for youth to share ideas and build supportive relationships. The staff provides a compassionate and creative atmosphere that fosters each youth's positive self-image, admiration for learning and opportunities for growth.
What is your student-to-staff ratio?
We will be averaging 10 students per staff member. All students receive hands-on instruction throughout the day and will be provided with a computer, so there is no need to share. Throughout the week STEM Academy participants will receive 18 hours of STEM instruction along with three hours of enrichment classes. Golf Academy participants will receive 18 hours of golf instruction along with nine hours of enrichment workshops.
Courses & Curriculum
Do students take one course for the entire week or multiple courses?
We offer a unique program that is designed to give each student a thorough understanding of his/her curriculum topic in a week's time. Students enroll in one major per week and will have an opportunity to choose which three enrichment courses they may be interested in taking.
How do I find out if the course I want is still open for enrollment?
You can simply call the Tiger Woods Learning Center at 714.765.8000 and we would be more than happy to assist you in answering any questions.
Additional Activities
What special activities will members participate in?
Disneyland Excursion: A week at the Tiger Woods Learning Center Summer Academy also includes an all-day trip to Disneyland. In addition to enjoying the wonders of this landmark theme park, this day trip includes a hands-on, three-hour Disney's World of Physics workshop. During this unique experience, you'll explore the physics behind high-speed roller coasters -- such as California Screamin' -- or get an up-close look into how the energy of light and sound come together through It's Tough to Be a Bug 3D and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ attractions.
Friday Family and Community Showcase: Family and friends are welcome to attend our Family and Community Showcase from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Friday. Guests can tour the facility and classrooms, meet staff and view projects. This is an opportunity for participants to showcase what they learned during their time at the TWLC.
Meals & Special Needs
Which meals do you provide?
Residential campers arrive on Sunday 2 p.m. and leave on Friday at 4 p.m. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included starting with Sunday dinner and lasting through Friday lunch. Lunch will be provided for participants attending only the Day Academy.
How do you handle students with food allergies/special dietary needs?
Communication is key. If your child has food allergies or requires any other special accommodations, please be sure to notify us in advance in order to allow us time to accommodate your needs. There are a number of ways we work with families to communicate this key information.
Upon registration, you will have the opportunity to provide us with detailed information about your child by completing the required Health Forms. It is crucial that the TWLC Summer Academy staff is aware of your child's needs so he/she can adequately provide guidance at meal and snack times. If your child has severe food allergies, we recommend sending appropriate food and snacks with them.
Safety
What safety measures are taken for the overnight program?
Safety is our No. 1 priority. Adult staff supervises ALL classes, activities, dining and boarding. Students in the Overnight Academy will stay on campus in the dorms. Males and females will be housed in separate living areas. All locations have male and female instructors that stay in separate rooms on the same floor as the participants, generally near fire exits and stairwells. Every staff member who comes in contact with students must pass a rigorous screening that includes fingerprinting, health screenings and background checks. All staff and directors have CPR and first-aid certification.
Can I sit in on a class?
For security purposes, we are a student-only program, and we do not permit non-students -- parents or unregistered students -- to sit in on courses. As mentioned above, we require all staff to undergo thorough background checks. We understand that parents are very interested in what their children are doing at the TWLC Summer Academy, which is the reason we created our Friday Family and Community Showcase event. Our Family and Community Showcase event takes place on Friday afternoons -- 3-4 p.m. -- to provide an opportunity for participants to showcase what they learned during their time at the TWLC.
What is your medication policy?
Upon registration, you will have the opportunity to provide us with detailed information about your student by completing the required Health Forms. If your child will be taking medicine while at the Summer Academy, you will be asked to fill out a list of prescribed medicines your son/daughter MUST take while attending the academy. All medicines must be given to our academy director at check-in. The medicine must be in original containers that identify, in English, the prescribing physician (if a prescription drug), the name of the medicine, the dosage and the frequency of administration. The medicine will be dispensed as instructed by you.
Tuition
What is the cost of the Academy program?
The Overnight STEM and Golf Academies cost $950 per week. The Day Academy costs $700 per week. The TWLC offers financial aid to attend the Summer Academy. Please note that limited aid is available and an application is not a guarantee of tuition assistance. In addition, scholarships to attend the Academy are available to students from military families.
Do you have a referral program or Refer-a-Friend program?
If your child will be attending with a friend, you can request him/her as your child's roommate when you register.
What is your cancellation policy?
Balance payments are refundable up until three weeks prior to the start of the confirmed academy week/session. No refunds will be issued for cancellations or withdrawals within three weeks of the start of the confirmed academy week/session. All cancellations must be submitted in writing and submitted to the TWLC office no later than three weeks prior to the start of academy.
What if my child gets sick before/during their week of camp?
Our cancellation policy applies for all cancellations, including those due to illness. However, we understand that a student becoming ill is not something that you can plan. If for some reason your student cannot attend the Summer Academy due to a medical condition, emergency or illness, we will work with you as best we can to move your student to an alternate week. If an alternate week cannot be found and a doctor's note is provided, we may issue you a refund for your payment.
Do you provide transportation for students?
All programs require parents to complete a transportation form to indicate how their child will be arriving and departing the Summer Academy. Transportation forms are sent in the Welcome Packet after registration is confirmed. Parents who will be dropping off their child for the Overnight Academy will need to do so at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center location. For children who will be flying, please make arrangements to fly into Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA). TWLC staff will greet the Summer Academy students at the airport and shuttle them to the residential location. Parents who will be dropping off their child for the Day Academy will need to do so at the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim.