Most definitely. RDI has live-in resident assistants (RAs) trained to VCU standards. We also have a live-in nurse for all student medical needs. VCU additionally has 24-hour staff and security present in the building lobby. Finally, senior administrators and instructors will remain at camp for all evening activities.

The dorm building is separated into two wings; boys and girls will be staying in separate wings with separate bathrooms. Roommates will be assigned based on gender and age and we welcome roommate preferences. Our resident assistants will also be separated by gender during evening monitoring.

RDI staff members will pick up and drop off students from the Richmond International Airport. Parents are notified immediately upon their retrieval and departure. Additionally, we offer unaccompanied minor pass services for students that require them for airline compliance. All rides to and from the airport are covered by our camp tuition.

We have a live-in nurse available at all times. Parents are notified in the event of a medical event, however minor (e.g., headaches, stomach pain, etc.) to confirm treatment. We reserve the right to take your child to the hospital in case of dire emergency. Masks are optional but mandated upon symptomatic cases at our discretion. All instructors are vaccinated against COVID-19.

All meals have diverse options to accommodate for restrictions, and are labelled clearly to flag common allergenic ingredients. All meals are catered by VCU Dining, or by established restaurant chains. Many of our staff and students are vegetarian, so we always have delicious vegetarian options.

Parents will receive updates via email about their child's participation, health, and growth and we encourage students to call their families every night. Parents will also have all contact information of the camp director, residential director, and camp nurse which will be in regular communication with parents.

Absolutely! Some of our activities include a tour of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, workshops on college and career planning, gaming and movie nights held at the dorm lounge, an afternoon of podcasting, and exercise on the lawns of the dorms. The focus of the evenings will be for additional fun workshops and mastering student speeches.

Students should bring clothes and toiletries to last them for the full 7-day camp. Students will have access to dorm laundry and kitchen. Below we created a recommended list of items for students to bring: Clothing: Students should bring comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that they can wear for outdoor activities. This may include shorts, t-shirts, rain jackets, and walking shoes. We recommend packing at least one formal outfit for final speech presentations. Toiletries: Students should bring basic toiletries such as a hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, sunscreen, and deodorant. Bedding and Towels: Students should bring a pillow, bed sheets, and blankets suitable for a Twin XL bed. A foam topper is also recommended for added comfort. Students should bring at least one towel for showering. Water Bottle: Students should bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day. Backpack or Daypack: Students may want to bring a backpack or daypack to carry their belongings and snacks during activities. Personal Medication: If the student is taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication, they should bring enough to last the duration of the camp. Money: Students may want to bring some cash or a debit/credit card for souvenirs or extras that may not be covered by the camp. Writing Tools: Students should bring their pens, pencils, and notebooks for note taking. Laptop or Tablet: Students should bring a laptop or tablet for schoolwork or entertainment during downtime. Be sure to bring any necessary chargers or accessories. Books or Games: Students may want to bring books or games to enjoy during downtime.