2026 Summer Arts Programs

Registration Information:

Please fill out each question in the registration process so we can best prepare to give your student a wonderful summer arts experience. If you have changes to your information or wish to add more emergency contacts to be included in weekly emails, please contact info@hopartscenter.org. 

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Communication:

You will receive a logistics email with information about weekly events on the Wednesday before your child’s first day at the HCA. If you wish for more than one person to receive these emails, please let us know by emailing info@hopartscenter.org. Pick-up and drop-off times are great opportunities to discuss your child’s participation with the teacher. Absences or special schedules must be written to info@hopartscenter.org as soon as possible.

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Drop-off and Pick-up Information:

Please note: 

• At pick up, for any child not permitted to self-dismiss, the person picking up your child must know the FAMILY RELEASE CODE

• Please communicate your dismissal plan with your child.

• There is a charge for late pick-ups of $10 every 15 minutes.

 

Programs at 34 Hayden Rowe: Please park and enter through the rear of the building. This entrance is also the entrance for Kartwheel Kids and Kidsborough. We encourage you to take your student to the classroom at least on the first day. 

 

All other programs: Please use the HCA entrance that faces the Hopkinton High School entrance and park. All programs will drop off in the outdoor Amphitheater. On the first day at least, walk your student to their class sign to check in with their teacher in the outdoor Amphitheater. For anyone eight years old and older, your student can check themselves in if you wish after that. 

• Morning only program pick-up (11 a.m. for Little Actors and 11:30 a.m. for Art Explorers): Takes place at the front desk

• Afternoon only program drop-off (12:15 p.m.): Takes place at the front desk

• At 3 p.m., Pick up for all programs will take place in the outdoor Amphitheater. 

 

What To Bring Each Day: 

We recommend placing your child’s items in a backpack and labeling them. Please also label the outside of their backpack with their name. We cannot be responsible for lost items. 

• Reusable water bottle (freeze your child’s water bottle overnight; by the time their first break comes, their water will have thawed but remain cool.)

• Food:

  • Full-day programs need lunch and two snacks. 

  • Half-day programs need one snack. 

  • This is an active program. Make sure to send plenty of food, as your children will be hungry! The HCA does not serve food.

  • Please do not pack any food that contains nuts or nut products. 

  • Participants do not have access to a refrigerator or microwave.

• Sunscreen (we recommend lotion, not spray. Staff are not permitted to apply sunscreen, so please apply before arriving at the program.)

• Bug spray (optional)

• Hat (optional) 

• Sunglasses  

• Change of clothes (For the 4–5 year old program)

• No electronics or personal items, please: We ask that all students put phones and screens away in their backpacks during the program, including at lunch and recess. Toys, personal listening devices, portable game devices, trading cards, stuffed animals, pets, and money should also stay at home.

 

Accommodations:

To help provide your student(s) with the best experience possible at HCA, please let us know if you haven't already, if your student requires any special accommodations for a disability or any other relevant health-related condition. Please email or call us to discuss how we can best help them to be able to participate fully in the program.

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Medications

The HCA is a classroom-based instructional program with no specialized high-risk activities and no registered nurse or physician on staff. The HCA cannot administer any medication other than life-saving measures, such as an EPIPen. Generally, children are prohibited from having medicines with them, unless the drug is dispensed on their person (such as an insulin pump) or a doctor has specifically indicated in writing that the child may self-administer. Safety precautions are met for the safe handling of the medication. If a doctor has given this written permission, a copy must be provided to the HCA. A parent or guardian must give the medication to program staff, and medications must be in original containers with written instructions for dispensing. 

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Medical Log

The HCA maintains a medical log that records all student and staff health complaints and treatment. The log lists the date and time, the individual's name, the complaint, and the treatment for each incident, and a copy of your child's report may be given to a guardian upon request.

 

HCA Discipline Policy:

• Staff will first use positive reinforcement and redirection to redirect a participant’s behavior. Students will be given many opportunities to change their behaviors and make positive choices. If unwanted behaviors continue, students may be asked to complete a reflection note. Reflection notes will be sent home with students, and a staff member will discuss them with families at dismissal. 

• If behaviors become a recurring issue each day, staff and families may have conversations to discuss them and reset expectations for participants.

• Staff will communicate with the participant directly or with a parent/ guardian if/when the youth is not following established HCA rules. This communication may be at pick-up, over the phone, via email, or via a conference call.

• If positive discipline and redirection are ineffective in changing participant behavior, the Program Director may initiate the suspension process. The length of suspension will be determined based on each individual situation. Factors such as type/severity of behavior, behavior history, age of participant, etc., will be considered when determining the length of suspension. The HCA has a zero-tolerance policy for hitting and bullying, which may result in immediate suspension. Camper fees are non-refundable if a camper is sent home for disciplinary reasons.

  • Write-Up System

    • First Write-Up: Warning and Immediate Call Home

    • Second Write-Up: Final Warning and Call Home for Pick-Up 

    • Third Write-Up: Three-Day Suspension, Immediate Call Home for Pick-Up

    • Fourth Write-Up: Dismissal from the program. 

• If neither suspensions nor a behavior plan effectively change the participant’s behavior, the participant may be dismissed from the program. Dismissal for disciplinary reasons could result in permanent removal from all HCA programs and facilities. 

 

2025 Summer REFUND POLICY

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If you wish to cancel a registration:

Refunds of program fees will be offered (less a $50 cancellation fee) until May 31st of the current year. No refunds will be given if the cancellation request occurs after May 31st.  All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to the Administration Office at info@hopartscenter.org. The HCA asks individuals and families to consider donating a portion of their fees to the HCA to help with the ongoing activities and operational support. 

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Switching Summer Program weeks:

Patrons who request to change the registration for a summer program to a different week (when space allows) will be charged a $25 switch fee.
  

Waivers

I understand there is a reasonable risk of minor injury associated with this program, and I do not hold the Hopkinton Center of the Arts, Enter Stage Left Theater, or the Town of Hopkinton responsible for any such injuries. 

 

I permit my or my child’s image in videotapes, photographs, and/or motion picture films in which she/he appear, and audio recordings made of him/her may be used by the Hopkinton Center for the Arts and Enter Stage Left Theater for publicity purposes. You may request that your images not be used by submitting a formal request to info@hopartscenter.org.

 

HCA Financial Aid

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts believes the arts are for everyone, and thanks to the generosity of the Dora Kishibay Garabedian Scholarship Fund and individual donations to our scholarship fund, we can assist children, teens, and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes. Need-based scholarships are available for HCA classes to residents of Hopkinton and surrounding MetroWest communities. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need, motivation, and potential benefit to the student. Please visit our website www.HopArtsCenter.org and fill out our online scholarship form.

 

Code of Conduct

• The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is committed to fostering an environment free of racism, discrimination, and harassment. 

• All individuals are treated with respect and dignity, contribute fully, and have equal opportunities.

• All persons working or associating with our community of The Hopkinton Center for the Arts are expected to uphold and abide by this Code of Conduct.

• You will refrain from any form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination, and cooperate fully in any investigation of a harassment or discrimination complaint.

 

Read the full HCA’s Code of Conduct at  https://www.hopartscenter.org/about