Futures Forge terms & conditions

DEPOSIT AND ACCEPTANCE GUIDELINES

Futures Forge has extended an offer for you (or your student) to attend the Skills for Success Course. Securing your entry to attend Futures Forge requires the following steps:

  1. Accepting these terms and conditions, 

  2. Accepting and committing to abide by our Code of Conduct,

  3. Accurately filling out all intake information, including health and safety information,

  4. Choosing a Session

  5. Submitting a deposit

  6. Pay the remainder of Tuition by April 15, 2025 (if you register after April 15th, paying the full Tuition no more than 48 hours after registration)

  7. Submitting the contact information of a character reference,

  8. Receiving a positive reference from the character reference, 

  9. Joining the Futures Forge Slack workspace, and 

  10. Adequately and diligently performing lightweight academic prep work for the Course, which will be occasionally shared before the Course begins.

STUDENTS OVER AGE 18

The Skills for Success Course has students both below and above the ages of 18, but not age 19 or older. Students above age 18 are adults, and may accept these Terms and Conditions on their own if and only if one of two conditions are met:

  1. Parents are not contributing financially to tuition or transportation for the Course, or

  2. Parents agree in writing to waive their own participation in agreeing to these terms and conditions

In the case of a Student accepting the terms and conditions, all further references to Parents will be applicable to the adult Student instead.

PAYMENTS, REFUNDS & WITHDRAWALS

Deposits are fully refundable within a 48-hour grace period or in the event Futures Forge declines to enroll an applicant due to character reference, health ineligibility, or other reason of Futures Forge’s choice. Otherwise, relative to the 2025 season, for withdrawals prior to April 1, 2025, Futures Forge will refund all tuition payments less $199. Withdrawals after April 1 will not receive a refund of their Deposit.  Notice of withdrawal must be made in writing and received by Futures Forge prior to April 1st. After April 1st, and except as provided herein, Futures Forge reserves the right to make no refunds for any reason whatsoever, including accident or illness, before or during the Course.

Futures Forge will send an invoice for the balance to the parent(s)/guardian(s) (referred to collectively herein as "Parents") of enrolled students. Parents must pay the balance of their tuition by check, PayPal, or online payment through the registration portal by April 15, 2025, unless indicated otherwise on Futures Forge's invoice. Parents agree that they are fully responsible for paying this fee, and failure to do so without notice of withdrawal before April 15th may result in Futures Forge using collections agencies or other mechanisms to ensure payment is complete. A $200 late fee and 2% monthly surcharge will be assessed until full payment is received.
​
Should a student leave an Futures Forge Program after it begins for any reason (including, but not limited to, reasons of medical or psychological exigency, dismissal for disciplinary reasons, personal equipment failure, and/or physical inability), even temporarily, the Parents are responsible for, and agree to reimburse Futures Forge for, any and all costs associated with the departure, including airfare, additional supervisory and transportation costs, and any other costs incurred by Futures Forge.

COURSE ADMISSION 

A student’s acceptance is contingent upon Futures Forge’s review of, and satisfaction with, the student’s application materials, in Futures Forge’s sole discretion. Futures Forge Programs are selective and may not be appropriate for all applicants. Futures Forge requires Parents and applicants to disclose any and all medical or psychological conditions that may affect an applicant’s ability to participate in a Futures Forge program. In the event a medical or psychological condition disclosed on Futures Forge’s intake form or health history forms requires Futures Forge to rescind a student’s admission, Futures Forge will refund all tuition paid. Parents agree to report to Futures Forge any medical or psychological condition that arises after admission that may affect a student’s ability to participate in his or her Futures Forge program. Failure to disclose a relevant medical or psychological condition that subsequently affects the student’s ability to participate may result in a student’s dismissal or the rescission of admission without refund.

Futures Forge requires each new applicant to provide contact information for two references who can speak to the applicant's character, ability to work within a group, disciplinary history, and general suitability for an Futures Forge program. Information provided by references will be kept confidential and will not be shared by Futures Forge with the applicant or the applicant's Parents. By submitting an application, the applicant and Parents forever release the applicant's references from any claims based on information the reference has truthfully provided to Futures Forge in response to queries posed to the reference in order to determine the applicant's suitability for an Futures Forge program.

In advance of the Course, each student will receive general Course information – including a packing list and a schedule of pre-Course preparation and training – as well as a number of forms to return to Futures Forge, including a detailed health form, personal growth goals and plans, and some demographic information (used solely for deciding which team a student will join). 

ARRIVAL, DEPARTURE, SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS, ATTENDANCE, CURFEW, SUPERVISION

Students are expected to be on campus (at a location to be determined) between 9:00am and 12:00pm on the first day of their Session, and are expected to depart between 12:00pm and 3:00pm on the last day of the Session. Students and Parents are responsible for all transportation to and from campus.

All residential students will be assigned a bed in a double room with a student who is the same biological sex, and within 2 years of age. Futures Forge will make every effort to room together students within 1 year of age. If these arrangements are unacceptable, Parents must inform Futures Forge promptly in order to make alternative arrangements. Bathrooms will be gendered group-use dormitory bathrooms; students will follow the policies and rules of the University regarding all use of dormitory space, including bedrooms and bathrooms. 

Students are expected to be in the dormitory by 10:00pm each night, and in their rooms by 11:00pm each night. They are expected to be at breakfast by 8:30am each day. Facilitators will take attendance at each of these periods. Any trips away from campus will require students to check-out with a Facilitator, set a time to check back in, and then check in with the Facilitator. If students are not present for any of these check-ins, Parents will be promptly notified. Because safety is paramount, students who miss check-ins may, at Futures Forge’s discretion, be expelled from the Course without refund. Parents may prohibit students under the age of 18 from leaving Campus without their Parents; in that case, Parents must inform Futures Forge before the Course begins. 

SESSION CANCELLATION & SCHEDULE CHANGES

Futures Forge reserves the right to cancel a Session for any reason prior to its start or after it has begun. In the case of a Session cancellation that occurs prior to its start, we will do our best to place the student on another Session of the family’s choice, or, if that is not possible, refund all tuition received. In the unlikely event it becomes necessary to terminate a Session in progress, Futures Forge will refund the cost of the Session on a daily-prorated basis.

Futures Forge makes reasonable efforts to follow the curriculum and schedule described on our website and in our printed materials as closely as possible. However, academic schedules can change without notice at the Lead Facilitator’s discretion in order to maximize learning by the students attending. In the event of an academic schedule change, Futures Forge will make no full or partial refunds.

EXPECTATIONS OF FUTURES FORGE STUDENTS

Students who join an Futures Forge Program are expected to be positive, motivated, flexible, and cooperative. Students are expected to abide by Futures Forge’s rules as presented in the attached Code of Conduct, and by Futures Forge’s staff during the course of the Course. Futures Forge reserves the right to dismiss (without refund) any student who engages in disruptive behavior (as discussed further below), commits an unlawful act, or does not otherwise abide by Futures Forge's rules.

Disruptive behaviors may result in dismissal when repeated after discussion with Futures Forge staff. Futures Forge considers disruptive behavior to include, without being limited to, the use of foul language, bullying, disruptive and/or disordered eating, threats of self-harm, passive-aggressive behavior directed towards students or Futures Forge staff, prolonged anxiety and/or homesickness, and other actions or behaviors detrimental to Futures Forge's Programs and other participants. Futures Forge will contact Parents of students who engage in disruptive behavior that does not merit immediate dismissal to discuss an appropriate course of action.

Some behaviors may result in dismissal after a single incident and without further discussion with Futures Forge staff. Futures Forge considers these behaviors to include, without being limited to, physical and verbal aggression towards others; sexual activity; suicidal ideation; bizarre and/or erratic behavior; and the possession or use of alcohol, tobacco products, marijuana, or other controlled substances not specifically prescribed to the student (regardless of whether that student may otherwise be legally permitted to possess and use any such substances).

All costs (including, but not limited to, additional supervisory and transportation costs, or costs levied by the University for damage to the dormitory or other facilities) associated with dismissal will be the responsibility of the Parents.

Additionally, Futures Forge supports an inclusive and affirming learning and living environment where individual differences are respected, appreciated, and recognized as a source of learning. Accordingly, Futures Forge prohibits discrimination against and harassment of any applicant or student because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, familial status, genetics, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. We expect that students, Parents, and Futures Forge's staff will respect and accommodate backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and behaviors that may differ from their own. 

MEDICAL INSURANCE & TREATMENT AUTHORIZATION

All Futures Forge students must be covered by medical insurance that remains effective throughout the course of the Course. The student's health insurance must provide coverage in the state of Massachusetts. 

In the event a student requires medical assistance during a Course, Futures Forge staff will contact medical and emergency professionals as necessary, and administer first aid to the student to the best of their ability and within the bounds of their medical certification. Futures Forge will endeavor to notify parents of the situation at the first available opportunity. All medical and associated costs (including, but not limited to, additional supervisory and transportation costs) incurred for treatment of the illness or injury will be the responsibility of the Parents, and Parents agree to indemnify and hold Futures Forge harmless for any such treatment and the costs thereof.

HOUSING, MEALS, MATERIALS, AND WHAT IS INCLUDED

While in the Course, all meal, accommodation, transportation, and activity costs are covered by the Course’s tuition. Day students (who are not residing) will have breakfast and dinner included, but will be responsible for their own dinner, boarding, and transportation to and from Campus each day. Please note that Futures Forge works to reasonably accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions that are shared before the Course. Because we are residing at a large University campus, we expect all reasonable dietary restrictions to be accommodated. Please contact Futures Forge with questions about diet accommodations.

Students are expected to bring their own clothing for 13 days, their own toiletries, and any and all medicine or other personal care items needed. Additionally, students must each bring a functional laptop that can connect to WiFi, a cellular phone with a phone plan that allows them to consistently contact Facilitators and Parents, a paper notebook, and at least two pens. Further suggested items will be shared in a packing list.

FACILITATOR COMPETENCE AND BEHAVIOR

Futures Forge is committed to the health, safety, wellbeing, learning, and personal growth of all students. Futures Forge will maintain a ratio of at least 1:8 Facilitators to Students at all times, including overnight in dormitories (including the Lead Facilitator, unless the Lead Facilitator is sick or injured). Facilitators are all over the age of 19, and at least 2 facilitators in each Session will be each male and female. Each Session will have multiple facilitators with past experience leading overnight camps. All Facilitators have passed character and professional references, background, and criminal checks. Facilitators will have undergone training by Futures Forge and have agreed to a Code of Conduct as part of their employment contract. (Code of Conduct is available upon request). 

Any concerns regarding Facilitator behavior should be reported to the Lead Facilitator or the CEO of Futures Forge, either by the student or by a Parent. Futures Forge will work promptly with students and Parents to reasonably resolve all concerns. In the case of any breach of our Code of Conduct by a Facilitator, Futures Forge will administer disciplinary action at its discretion, including removing a Facilitator from Campus. In the case of any behavioral problems by Facilitators, Futures Forge will promptly inform Parents of the incident and Futures Forge’s response, while maintaining the confidentiality of all students involved.

PUBLICITY AND MARKETING

Students and Parents agree to the following regarding regarding publicity and marketing:

Futures Forge may film and photograph students during camp activities for promotional purposes. These images and recordings may be used in various marketing materials, including our website, social media channels, brochures, and publications, as well as any other unrestricted marketing purpose, without further consent or information. Futures Forge owns all rights to these materials.

Students who receive full scholarship awards agree to the following additional terms:

First Name Usage: Futures Forge may use the student's first name in marketing and publicity materials, alongside the camp name and program details.

Video Testimonial: At the end of the program, the student agrees to participate in a short video testimonial (approximately 1-2 minutes) about their experience at camp. This testimonial may be used in future marketing materials.

If you do not wish for your student to be filmed or photographed, or if you are a full scholarship recipient who does not agree to have their first name used or provide a video testimonial, please notify Futures Forge in writing at hello@futuresforge.org before the start of the Course.

We are committed to using these materials ethically and responsibly. We will not use any images or recordings that identify a student in a negative light or invade their privacy. Should you have any concerns about this policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.

NOTICE

Futures Forge reserves the right to change its Terms and Conditions at any time without notice to any party. Additionally, Futures Forge publishes its Terms and Conditions in several places. In the case of any discrepancy between published versions, the Terms and Conditions published at http://www.futuresforge.org/terms-and-conditions shall control.

Version: March 6th, 2025