Interlochen Arts Camp: Summer Enrichment with a Bitter Aftertaste
Let me begin what unfortunately is not a pleasant story—and contains a sobering heads-up to parents—by saying that a year ago (summer, 2008) my son auditioned and was accepted at Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan and had a wonderful and breakthrough experience. If you’re not familiar with Interlochen Center for the Arts (high school, summer arts camp, adult education, concerts, events, and public radio station) it’s a world-renowned organization that teaches music, dance, visual arts, writing, theatre, filmmaking, etc.). No complaints there.
But when we enrolled our son on May 7, 2009 to attend the six-week summer camp again, remitting a non-refundable $1000 deposit, a darker side to the organization surfaced. On May 18th, just 11 days after registering, and 34 days before the camp was to begin, we called the camp and regretfully cancelled his registration. My wife’s company had announced it was closing, resulting in the loss of her job and our family’s medical benefits. We knew we could not afford the total camp cost of $5895 plus airfare.
I emailed several people in Interlochen’s admissions office and asked that in light of these circumstances would they consider reimbursing the $1000 deposit. Not only did they not respond to that, shortly thereafter we received a letter from the controller claiming that we owed them the entire $4895 balance, a total of $5895 in all!
We felt as if we had been punched in the solar plexus. Yes, we had read our contract. But its cancellation clause only covers refunds for tuition already paid. The contract does not specifically state that we are responsible for paying the full unpaid balance of the tuition upon cancellation. We had signed it in good faith, in the belief that the non-refundable $1000 deposit was all we stood to lose. They are in effect retrofitting a refund clause as justification for demanding almost $6000 in penalties.
When I sent a letter disputing the claim, Interlochen warned us they will use whatever legal means available to collect the money, as they’ve indicated they’ve done successfully to others in the past. The inflexibility and severity with which we are being treated—given the situation they know we are in—seems totally inconsistent with the decency and compassion of Interlochen’s heritage and educational mission. Even when I sent letters to more than 60 members of the Interlochen Board of Trustees, appealing to them to urge their management to drop this audacious demand and change their harsh cancellation policy, I received not even an acknowledgement from them, much less any help. You wonder how much (or little) attuned they are to the people their organization serves. Or if they really care.
The issue here is more than a legal one. It is one of simple fairness. The Interlochen Arts Camp cancellation policy is excessively severe. How can they justify assessing a penalty of 100% of tuition for cancellations made as far in advance as two months before camp begins? How can a camp with their worldwide reputation and juried selection process not have a pool of applicants from which to replace a camper within that time? Their own brochure asserted that “camp enrollments for this summer are looking very good.” In all likelihood they filled our son’s spot and are trying to reap a windfall by collecting from both of us.
No one argues there shouldn’t be a charge for reasonable expenses incurred. But to impose a nearly $6000 penalty—way more than any expense a single camper’s withdrawal could possibly cause—from families who have to drop out because of financial setbacks, health reasons or other unforeseen circumstances, is indefensible. These extraordinary charges are no more acceptable than those of banks and other financial institutions who are currently being cited for predatory clauses and fees.
Parents be warned. Interlochen Arts Camp is a great place to send your child. But be absolutely certain he or she will be able to attend. Because if you drop out as far in advance as three months before the camp start date they’ll confiscate 50% of your tuition, and within two months before you’ll lose the entire sum. And if you haven’t yet paid all of it, they’ll come after you to get to. As my case illustrates, they show no mercy. They want your money. So don’t let the thrill of having your child accepted into Interlochen cloud your judgment. Read the contract thoroughly, especially what’s buried in the fine print. You’ll see that everything stacks up in their favor, especially if you have a dispute. Don’t let yourself become a victim.
In my opinion, Interlochen’s financial people, in an effort to boost revenues and make themselves look good, are tarnishing the rest of the organization’s sterling reputation. I will try my best not to let them get away with this. I will alert as many potential camp registrants as I can. No one should ever again be put through an ordeal like we are currently experiencing. It is a disturbing side to the Interlochen story that needs to be brought to light. And it needs to be corrected.
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