FAQs
REGISTRATION
When should I register for camp?
You should register online as soon as you know the session(s) you want to attend. Camp fills quickly, and we take no more than 270 campers a week to keep camp a smaller, more intimate experience. Registering is the only way to ensure your child’s spot in camp and/or the spot on the waiting list for full weeks. View registration information here.
Can I make payments towards my child’s tuition instead of paying at once?
Yes. $200 is due when registering. You can choose an Auto-Pay Monthly or Pay As you Go option. All tuition is due May 1st.
If my first choice for a session is full, can you put me on a waitlist?
If your desired week of camp is full, you will be automatically added to the waiting list for that week when your register. You MUST apply for your desired week to be added to the waiting list. NO deposit is required and your card will NOT be charged to be added to the waiting list.
As spots become available, campers on the waiting list will be offered a spot in order of when they were added to the waiting list.
What is your cancellation policy?
Final Camp Payment must be postmarked or made online by May 1st. If we do not receive your final payment by May 1st , we may forfeit your spot to another camper.
We will refund all payments except a $50 processing fee to campers who scan and email the Cancellation Notice Form to Info@flipfest.com BEFORE April 1st . We will refund all payments except the $200 deposit to campers who scan and email the Cancellation Notice Form to Info@flipfest.com AFTER April 1st.
NO REGISTRATION AND CAMP FEES ARE REFUNDABLE WITHIN 14 DAYS OF CAMPER’S SESSION. We will not give refunds to any camper who withdraws any time after arriving. We do not give discounts to any camper who arrives late or departs early.
Injury: For cancellation due to injury please attach a Doctor’s note to the cancellation notice documenting the injury. Payments that are nonrefundable in accordance to the cancellation policy will be credited for the following summer
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
When is check in and check out?
Check-in is from 11:15am to 2:30 pm CST. Each cabin is assigned a time the week prior to camp.
Check-out is from 10:30am to 12pm NOON CST each Friday.
What can I expect at check in?
Check-in is designated so that we know your child has arrived, and gives you an opportunity to help your camper get settled in their cabin, meet their counselor for the week, give the camp manager any medication, and drop off any food if your child has food allergies.
Additionally, if you have not done so already, you can open a camp bank account for your child, order laser tag games, and order pictures of your child and the Special Guests at camp that week. These items can be done ahead of time online at www.flipfest.com/account in order to make your check in process go quicker.
WHAT IS CHECK OUT FOR?
Check out is a time to pick up your child’s luggage, receive the remaining money from your child’s camp bank account, and pick up medication, tie dye, and any crafts from your camper’s counselor, if any. If your child has more than $30 in the camp bank, we will mail you a check within 2-3 weeks of his or her camp session.
MEALS & MEDICATION
HOW ARE MEALS HANDLED?
All meals are freshly prepared on site each day. As camp time draws nearer, a sample menu will be available for viewing. An example of a past dinner is grilled lemon pepper or barbeque chicken breasts, steamed broccoli, roasted potatoes, and a whole wheat dinner roll. A full salad bar is available at all lunches and dinners. Fresh fruit and bagels is always available at breakfast. In addition, a buffet of freshly prepared food is available at breakfast and lunch.
What should I do about my child’s medical restrictions on his/her diet?
If your child has a special diet due to MEDICAL reasons (allergies, Celiac disease, etc), you may send supplemental food or full meals for them. We can store food on a designated shelf in the pantry, fridge, or freezer. Please ensure ALL food is labled with your camper’s name and allergy. This helps our kitchen staff have your camper’s meal prepared safely for each of their meals. Please email us the week prior to your camper’s week so that we can give you an updated menu so you know what you need to supplement or provide for your camper. Your food items may be dropped off at check in. If needed, our chef, Mrs. Melinda, will be happy to chat with you. Please be as detailed as possible when filling out your camper’s Medical History food section, as well. This form is available on your camper’s account under “Forms and Documents”.
What about food for vegetarians?
We always provide vegetarian options such as a fresh salad bar, fruit, and vegetables. We also have vegetarian options on burger night, taco lunch, and sandwich lunch.
MEDICATION
ALL medication except for inhalers and epi pens MUST be turned into the Med Shed. Inhalers and epi pens may be kept by the camper and any extra inhalers and epi pens may be turned into the Med Shed. Campers may visit the Med Shed at any time to receive over the counter medication or their prescription medication. Prescriptions medication will be distributed by the Camp Manager based off the medication form you fill out on your camper’s account. Please ensure this form is up to date before you come to camp. This form can be found on your camper’s account under “Forms and Documents’.
CABINS
HOW MANY CAMPERS ARE IN A CABIN?
Each cabin holds up to 18 campers. Each cabin will have at least one counselor. Each cabin shares a bathroom facility with an adjoining cabin. For example, Lakeview has 18 campers and shares a bathroom with Hemlock which also holds 18 campers. There are 9 bunk beds in each cabin with a row of small lockers as well as space beside and below each bed for luggage.
How can my child make a roommate request?
Please make all roommate requests in writing on your child’s registration form. We do our very best to meet all requests.
How are campers grouped in the cabins?
Campers are grouped with their team, if coming with a team, unless otherwise noted. For those campers coming alone (not with a team) he/she will be roomed with other gymnasts attending camp without a team in the same age group.
CAMP
WHAT IS A CAMP BANK ACCOUNT?
You can open a camp bank account for your child to have during the week at camp. This money will be spent at the camp store (canteen) on snacks, drinks, camp apparel (leotards, sweatshirts, t-shirts, souvenirs etc.) and forgotten items such as sunscreen and toiletries etc. The camp bank keeps the campers from holding onto cash during the week and prevents against theft or loss. You can add to your child’s camp bank account at any time by logging into your account and clicking “Camp Bank Account”. Any money not spent during the week will be returned at check out on Friday or will be mailed out in a check the week following your child’s session.
Items in the canteen range in price from $1-$55. Snacks and drinks range from $1-$5 while clothing ranges from $20-$55. On average, camp bank accounts have $40-$100 to cover your camper’s spending in the canteen for their week of camp.
Can children use their cellphones to call home while they’re at camp?
We have a strict no cell phone/electronics rule while at camp. Campers have an opportunity to turn their phone/electronics in during our “welcome” to camp and are clearly told the consequences if keeping their phones/electronics. Phones/electronics may be turned into Mr. Randy at the desk where it is locked in a safe all week, or they may leave them with their parents for the week. Campers have access to two land lines to call home from on Sundays and Tuesdays through Fridays. Free long distance is provided with the land lines; no calling card is required. If you need to contact camp, please call 1-800-390-0821.
NO CELL PHONES are allowed at camp. Any camper cell phones brought to camp and not turned in on Sunday will be taken and donated to charity.
What can my camper expect while at camp:
At Flip Fest, we try to keep the campers busy with a good mix of productive gymnastics training and activities outside the gym. This allows the campers to meet other campers from around the country and enjoy time learning from and interacting with them. Campers will have time in between training sessions for lake activities, ropes course and other camp activities.
A sample day at Flip Fest:
- 7:45 a.m. Breakfast
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Morning training
- 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch/recreational activities/rest
- 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Afternoon training
- 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Dinner
- 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Recreational activities/rest
- 10:30 p.m. Lights out
Can I send care packages to my child?
Flip Fest provides a camper care package order form prior to your child’s camper week. This care package will be delivered on Monday while your camper is in their first practice. You may mail letters to your camper while they are at camp, and we recommend you mail these early. Our mail can be a bit slow out here at camp, and we want to make sure your camper receives their mail. Any mail received AFTER your camper departs will be “Return to Sender”.
GYM
How old do you have to be to attend Flip Fest?
Campers must be between 7 and 17. Exceptions can be made on a case by case basis. Please contact us if you would like to make an inquiry
How advanced should my child be to attend camp?
Since the campers are grouped by level, we accept all ranges of gymnasts from recreational to elite level competitors. We will have athlete testing on Sundays when the campers arrive to ensure they are in the appropriate workout group.
What is the camper to coach ratio?
We have one coach for every eight campers.
Who are the coaches each week at camp?
We personally hire each staff member to instruct the campers. They vary from gym owners, college gymnasts, college coaches, private gym coaches, clinicians as well as Olympic Coaches Olympic gymnasts.
What Special Guest will be present the week my child is coming?
We may not know exactly who is coming on which week until closer to camp time. However, as soon as we do know, we will post it on the website under “Special Guests”.
MULTIPLE SESSION CAMPERS
Is there an extra cost for the weekend if my child stays for more than one week?
There is a fee of $125 charged AFTER the weekend your camper stays. Laundry, meals, and activities are covered by this fee. Laundry will be picked up on Friday morning and returned- washed and folded- on Friday afternoon.
What will my child do over the weekend?
Since camp ends on Friday and a new session starts on Sunday, the break between each session is actually very short. Multi- week campers may stay at camp over the weekend, or they may be picked up at check out on Friday and dropped back off during check in on Sunday. We will assign a camp counselor for your child and the other weekend campers. Weekend campers will have a relaxing weekend with a few activities planned including a movie in the tan can, visits to the canteen, and lake time (weather permitting).
TRANSPORTATION
If my camper flies into Nashville or Knoxville, how do they get to camp?
Campers can fly into the Nashville airport or Knoxville airport. If your child needs to be picked up, you can schedule a driver from a shuttle company to pick up and drop off your camper. We have numerous staff and campers who utilize shuttle services every year. If you are traveling with your camper, we recommend renting a car.
If I choose to stay nearby during the week instead of traveling home for the week, do you have recommendations?
Yes- there are several hotels and Air BNBs located within 15 minutes of camp. If you stay anywhere in Crossville city limits, you will be very near camp. Fairfield Glade, a golfing community/resort, is just seven miles away. Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville are all a short drive away and have numerous lodging options as well as activities. Many families drop their child(ren) off at camp and vacation for the week in the Smoky Mountains, as well. Gatlinburg is only about 1 ½ to 2 hours from camp. Additionally, there are many campgrounds in East Tennessee. We have many families who camp out for the week while their campers camp with us!
WHERE IS FLIP FEST?
From Nashville
Take I-40 to Exit 320, Genesis Road. Turn left onto Genesis Road. Drive about four miles, until you come to a split in the road. Fork to the right onto Lake Frances Road. Go about a 1/4 of a mile and you will see the entrance to Lake Frances.
From Knoxville
Take I-40 to Exit 320, Genesis Road. Turn right onto Genesis Road. Drive about four miles, until you come to a split in the road. Fork to the right onto Lake Frances Road. Go about a 1/4 of a mile and you will see the entrance to Lake Frances.