FELC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. When will I learn if I have been accepted into FELC?
2. What will a typical day be like at FELC?
3. When is my registration fee due?
4. Where do participants stay during FELC?
5. Will participants have roommates?
6. What kind of food is served at FELC?
7. Can participants bring their own food?
8. Is there homework throughout the week or recommended pre-readings?
9. Can I tell a friend to apply?
10. Is there a difference between the two sessions?
11. Can I attend more than one session?
12. I have attended FELC before, can I apply again?
13. Who provides the supervision during FELC?
14. Do students have free reign of the campus where FELC takes place?
15. Will students be hanging out with college kids or other students from different
summer programs?
16. Is there access to a gym during the sessions? Is jogging/running permitted?
17. Are cell phones permitted?
18. Are there age limitations to this program?
19. Can participants welcome visitors during FELC?
20. I’m interested in supporting FELC, who do I contact?
21. Why should I bring spending money?
1. Within three weeks, you should receive notification about your application status
in the mail.
2. FELC is a structured summer camp, meaning we do adhere to a daily schedule
that leaves limited free time. To learn more about our curriculum, or see a sample
schedule, visit our curriculum section.
3. The registration fee for FELC is due one month prior to your session.
4. All accepted participants are required to stay on campus during FELC. FELC is
not a commuter program, and no exceptions will be made. Most times, students
are housed in college dormitory buildings with boys and girls housed on separate
floors (if not separate buildings all together). Boys and girls are NEVER allowed
to step foot in the opposite genders’ floor or building.
5. In most cases, roommates will be assigned. However, if you have a special need
or would like to request someone as your roommate, please notify FELC staff
before the start of the program. Every effort is made to room students based on
similar interests and age.
6. All meals are eaten in the campus cafeteria (buffet style). Typically cafeterias will
have multiple food stations (salad bar, cereal bar, pizza, etc.) so it should not be
too difficult to eat around special requirements. Inquiries can always be placed
with cafeteria staff to pre-determine ingredients used in certain dishes.
7. Yes, participants are welcome to bring their own snacks. However, bringing
refrigerated or frozen items is not recommended as students will not typically
have access to a refrigerator. Students with food allergies/special dietary needs
should consult FELC staff prior to arrival if they will need to bring supplemental
food items that require a refrigerator.
8. There are no recommended pre-readings or homework assignments, however, if
you would like to read up on creating a business and marketing this may give you
an advantage during your session.
9. You are more than welcome to apply to FELC with a friend and share the
program with others. However, each application is reviewed based on its own
merit.
10. The curriculum will remain the same in each session; the only thing that will
change will be the guest speakers.
11. We hope you enjoy attending FELC so much that you want to come to more than
one session. However, to allow the maximum number of students to experience
our program, participants may attend one session each summer.
12. FELC graduates are always welcome to apply again. But, please note that priority
is given to students who have not attended FELC before. Previous attendees are
automatically placed on a waiting list and will be individually notified if/when
space becomes available.
13. FELC staff provides direct supervision during FELC. Staff members consist of
full-time Helms Center employees and summer counselors. FELC staff reside in
the same building and on the same floors as participants. All activities are
supervised, and regular head-counts and room checks occur during the program.
14. No. FELC participants are clearly guided on what buildings they are allowed to
enter at the start of the program. Participants are never allowed to “wander”
around. However, participants are expected to report to group sessions and meals
on their own (we do not necessarily move around from activity to activity in a
group). Prompt attendance is required for all activities/sessions.
15. No. FELC participants are encouraged to socialize among each other but are not
permitted to interact with college students and other summer camp participants at
their leisure.
16. Students are not permitted to use gym facilities or pools on campus.
Jogging/running may be allowed during daylight free-time hours on per-approved
running paths. Access to basketball and tennis courts may be feasible, but is not
guaranteed.
17. Yes with limitations. We want parents/guardians to be able to connect with
students, but typical school rules apply. Phones should be off during formal
sessions, but can be used during free time and at night.
18. Participants must be at least 14 by the start of the program and no older than 18
(regardless of grade completed in school).
19. Unless the visitor is a parent/guardian who has informed FELC staff prior to their
arrival, visitors are not welcome. FELC is an academic program, and the safety of
our participants is a foremost concern.
20. The need for programs like FELC is enormous, and the Jesse Helms Center is
proud to offer critical Free Enterprise training to young people at a minimal cost.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, all Helms Center program funds are raised from
private (not government) sources, and it’s dedicated people who believe in the
future of our country who make FELC possible each year. The true cost for each
participant is $500, but instead FELC only charges a minimal fee of $100 for each
attendee. The rest of the true cost is waived to students as a scholarship, and that’s
where your charitable contribution is put to work. FELC not only teaches students
to understand the material, it shows students how to participate in our free
enterprise system. The message of this program is that principled young men and
women of any ethnic, social or academic background have the opportunity to
succeed in a free market environment. Each year, the Helms Center provides
critical training that allows students of all backgrounds a chance to reach their full
potential. If you are interested in supporting FELC, please contact Brian Rogers at
(704) 233-1776, ext. 4.
21. Throughout the week, participants will be earning money through the companies
they create, so bringing spending money is a good idea. Extra money is also
important for any small items or snacks that students purchase throughout the
week.
Additional Questions?
Contact the FELC Coordinator by phone at (704) 233.1776 ext.
8 or by email at Lindsay@jessehelmscenter.org