
Carolina Kickoff
Frequently Asked Questions
Carolina Kickoff is a three-day camp for incoming first-year students to learn about everything UNC! It tells our campers much about the school and social justice and helps them connect with one another! We offer lots of fun activities and information surrounding the community at UNC and larger scale, as well as informing our students of ways to get involved with their majors, clubs, and organizations! We have a lot of fun things in store for our campers that we can't wait for you guys to see!
We work hard to make sure the Carolina Kickoff experience doesn't just end when the camp does! Campers will have a big group chat with the campers and counselors through GroupMe stay connected with one another, as well as multiple events throughout the year that are exclusive for just campers. in addition, campers can choose to apply to become a counselor and help create a wonderful experience for the incoming classes after them!
While Carolina Kickoff does take place up until the 14th, Carolina Way Camp does not start until the 14th! Our camp ends relatively early on the 14th (tentatively mid morning that day), so you should have more than enough time to get back to campus to attend Carolina Way. As we are not entirely sure of when Carolina Way starts, if they do interfere, we can work with specific campers to make sure they get back in time in order to attend both!
Carolina Kickoff takes place from August 12th to August 14th. The times will be announced closer to the dates. It takes place on both the UNC campus and at Camp new Hope, a campground about 20 minutes from UNC's campus. Transportation will be provided there and back. This is NOT a campground where you will need a tent; there are cabins our campers and counselors will be staying in!
Unfortunately, our camp does overlap with a few events for some fraternities. However, we suggest still considering to apply for Carolina Kickoff! This camp gives another unique way to find a community at UNC, as well as participants having the opportunity to apply to be counselors after they attend camp. We have had a few counselors who attending CKamp and decided to rush their spring semester/the next academic year and enjoy being a part of both CK and Greek life! Carolina Kickoff does not impact any events involved in rushing sororities, so anyone considering doing so should definitely apply!
Since camp will be taking place in August, prepare for some hot weather and bring clothes that are breathable and that you don't mind getting dirty (since this will be taking place outside for some parts). We also say prepare for some rain (because with NC weather you never know) and bring a poncho or umbrella. A packing list will be released closer to camp, but make sure you definitely bring a comfortable sleeping bag/pillows and sheet, a bathing suit, bug spray, SUNSCREEN, etc.
Carolina Kickoff costs $175 a camper, payable by check. however, we do understand that this price may be unaffordable for some families and we want to be able to make this opportunity accessible, regardless of financial ability. We offer some need-based scholarships for those who are unable to afford the price of attendance.
Not entirely! If you're accepted as a camper for Carolina Kickoff, we will submit an early move-in request on your behalf to change your current move-in assignment to be during August 11th-12th. You have the option of either moving in during the afternoon and evening of the 11th, the night before camp (RECOMMENDED), or moving in before 11am on August 15th, the day of camp. This move in request does not require much on your behalf; we'll take care of all the logistics there!
The last day to apply to Carolina Kickoff is June 15th or when we have reached 500 applications. Get you applications in now!
Scholarships are determined using your financial aid package for the upcoming year. We use the amount of aid the school has given you to create a sliding scale for the price of camp. While applying for the camp, you can denote whether or not you would like to be considered for financial aid. Once you're finished applying, you will email us a PDF copy of your financial aid letter from UNC to ckcodirectors@gmail.com to be considered. Please note that these are need-based scholarships. We want to make camp accessible to everyone, regardless of financial status, so if you can afford the price of camp without aid, please do NOT apply for financial aid.
You have some time between applying and paying! Once our applications have closed, our co-directors will look at each application and if you are accepted as a camper, they will email you and let you know how to pay them best! Typically (based on last year's camp) the money is due, at the very latest, by the end of the July!