Get ready for FOCUS
Prepare for your arrival at FOCUS
We are so excited to host you at George Mason University for the FOCUS Camp and Academy. Prior to your arrival, please review the steps below required for your participation.
Complete the steps below prior to your arrival in July
Step 1: Fill out and submit all forms by June 1
Students and parents/legal guardians must complete, sign, and submit all required forms by the June 1 deadline, or your spot in the program will be given to a student on the waiting list.
Complete your mandatory forms and email to kknight6@gmu.edu. All forms must be completed (Acknowledgement of Risk; Medical Authorization to Treat; Authorization for Drop-off/Pick-up; Media, Photo and Video Release). Please be sure to review the full FOCUS Code of Conduct before signing.
Bringing Medication? You must complete the Self-Administration of Medication form if you are bringing prescription or pharmacist-controlled (sold from behind the pharmacy counter) over the counter (OTC) medications. This form must be completed, signed by a health care provider, and submitted as a printable form (no virtual form option). Obtain required signatures and email this completed form to kknight6@gmu.edu.
Step 2: Review information packet
Following camp registration and payment, you will receive an information packet with more detailed information regarding camp via email.
Step 3: Finalize dietary or other ADA accommodations
If you have special dietary requirements or need any accommodations to fully participate in the STEM Academy, please contact Kelly Knight at kknight6@gmu.edu.
Step 4: Review the FOCUS website and suggested packing list
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES are strongly recommended. Please label your bottle with your name. Filling stations are located across campus.
CELL PHONES are permitted, however participants are asked not to use them during workshops out of respect for the presenters and their fellow participants.
DRESS for the FOCUS program is casual. STEM buildings and labs can be quite cool, so we recommend packing a hoodie or light jacket (see packing list for more information). Long pants and close-toed shoes are required for lab sessions. Students are strongly encouraged to wear their FOCUS t-shirt on Friday.
Step 5: Register for Mason Alert
We strongly encourage you and your parent/guardian to sign up for Mason Alert to receive text messages about emergencies on campus and any changes to campus operations (severe weather and other alerts). To sign up, text “masonalert” to “226787” and you will receive emergency text message notifications until you text STOP to 226787. This service is provided per the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to 226787 to cancel or HELP for tech support.
View Mason’s full emergency preparedness and campus safety plan.
Check-in and check-out information
Day-only participants
The FOCUS camp for middle school students is a week-long camp for rising 6th-8th graders. Each day the participants engage in four different interactive and hands-on STEM workshops and on the last day, the participants present what they learned in these workshops in a conference-style setting. Camp is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Drop-off in the morning begins at 9 a.m.
2024 FOCUS Camp schedule:
| 9-9:30 a.m. | Drop off at Exploratory Hall |
| 9:30-10 a.m. | Morning team session |
| 10:15-11:45 a.m. | STEM workshop session 1 |
| Noon to 1 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:15-2:45 p.m. | STEM workshop session 2 |
| 3-3:30 p.m. | Afternoon group session |
| 3:30-4 p.m. | Pick up at Exploratory Hall |
Sample Schedule for the week:
Monday: Science Day
Tuesday: Technology Day
Wednesday: Engineering Day
Thursday: Mathematics Day
Friday: Poster presentations and closing ceremony
Residential participants
The FOCUS Academy for high school students is designed to be more advanced and immersive in the college experience than the FOCUS middle school programs. The STEM workshops are longer and more advanced, but there are also many other enhancement sessions that are included such as college and SAT prep, goal setting, fitness classes, a farewell party, and more.
The participants stay in suite-style upperclassmen dorms which have two rooms connected by a bathroom. Two participants reside in each room. The FOCUS Academy counselors and a dorm leader (graduate student or senior leadership) stay in single rooms on the same floor as the participants.
2024 FOCUS Academy schedule:
| 8-9 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:30-10 a.m. | Morning group session |
| 10:15-11:45 a.m. | STEM workshop session 1 |
| Noon-1 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:15-2:45 p.m. | STEM workshop session 2 |
| 3-3:30 p.m. | Afternoon group session |
| 3:30-4 p.m. | Afternoon break |
| 4-5 p.m. | Evening workshop |
| 5-6 p.m. | Dinner |
| 6-7 p.m. | Evening break in dorm |
| 7-9 p.m. | "STEM Lounge" |
| 9-10 p.m. | Back to rooms |
| 10 p.m. | Room checks |
Sample Schedule for the week:
Monday: Science Day
Tuesday: Technology Day
Wednesday: Engineering Day
Thursday: Mathematics Day
Friday: Poster presentations and closing ceremony
Meals and housing
Day-only participants
Lunch each day is buffet-style which offers many food options including vegetarian and gluten-free foods. The dining hall is made aware of participant allergies ahead of time but if there are any concerns, we recommend that participants with severe food allergies pack a lunch that does not require refrigeration. Participants are permitted to bring snacks to eat during breaks.
Residential participants
FOCUS Academy participants will reside in suite-style dormitory. Room assignments will be given upon arrival; rooms are double occupancy. Academy Counselors will perform room checks each night.
Academy participants are not permitted to invite guests who are not a part of the Academy to the dormitory. This is a violation of our housing policy that will result in their IMMEDIATE removal from the Academy.
Participants are required to provide their own linens and toiletries for the duration of their stay.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided. The dining hall is made aware of participant allergies ahead of time. Participants are permitted to bring snacks to eat during breaks.
Medical Policies and Procedures
MEDICAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES for FOCUS align with George Mason University summer programs policy. Program staff are CPR/First Aid-certified, and a Health Coordinator is on-site. If you need medical assistance while at FOCUS, you will be triaged and, if necessary, taken to the nearest medical facility. Your family will be notified, and medical decisions will be made by the family in consultation with the FOCUS Health Coordinator and medical staff. If you display symptoms consistent with or test positive for COVID-19 during the program, you should not attend. If you are on-site and symptoms develop, you will be isolated and must depart the program within 4 hours. Prescription and controlled over-the-counter medications must be documented via the Self-Administration of Medication form. You are required to carry/securely store your own medication.
FOCUS and George Mason are committed to providing an inclusive environment for students with disabilities and functional needs. If you have specific medical needs or if your medical condition could require program staff intervention (examples include history of seizures or blood sugar issues, syncope/fainting spells, severe allergies requiring administration of EpiPen, need for regular sensory breaks, etc.), or if you require special classroom accommodations (example, refrigeration of medication) to fully participate in FOCUS, please reach out to Kelly Knight at kknight6@gmu.edu at least two weeks in advance of the program start date.