Rocky's Residents

Rocky's Residents is an optional residential experience for eligible high school students attending participating USF Youth Experiences summer programs. The six-day, five-night experience includes on-campus housing, meals, evening activities, recreational opportunities, and supervision by residential staff.

Rocky's Residents is designed for high school students who meet the program's age requirements and are enrolled in an eligible USF Youth Experiences summer day program. Participants must be at least 15 years old by the applicable program eligibility date.

Rocky's Residents is offered at two USF campuses:

• USF Tampa: Juniper-Poplar Hall

• USF St. Petersburg: Ibis Hall

Housing arrangements, dining locations, recreation, and evening activities vary by campus.

No. Rocky's Residents is an add-on experience designed for students enrolled in eligible USF Youth Experiences summer day programs. It is not available as a standalone residential program.

Rocky's Residents is an add-on experience to eligible day camps. During the registration process for your chosen day camp, you will be prompted to add the Rocky's Residents experience. Simply follow the steps to include it with your camp registration.

No. Rocky's Residents is an optional residential add-on with a separate registration fee. The fee covers housing, meals, residential programming, and scheduled evening experiences.

The cost for Rocky’s Residents is still being determined. Once finalized, the cost will include:

• 6 days and 5 nights of accommodation at Juniper-Poplar Hall on the USF Tampa campus or Ibis Hall on the USF St. Petersburg campus.
• All meals provided at USF Dining Halls
• Supervision and activities led by trained counselors
• Recreation and wellness activities, including sports, fitness challenges, and more
• Access to campus facilities, such as recreational fields and study lounges
• A campus tour and presentations from USF Admissions and Student Success
• Evening events with student organizations and USF faculty
• Laundry facilities for campers' use
• 24-hour on-call emergency maintenance and support

This all-inclusive experience ensures a fun and educational stay at USF!

Cancellation requests received at least 15 business days before the program start date are eligible for a refund or transfer. Requests received fewer than 15 business days before the program start date are not eligible for refunds or transfers.

Check-in takes place on Sunday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the assigned residence hall. Families will receive additional arrival instructions before the program begins.

Residential orientation begins at 5:00 PM and is required for all participants. During orientation, staff review the weekly schedule, campus boundaries, supervision procedures, and residential expectations.

Families may use the time between check-in and orientation to help campers settle into their rooms or explore campus together. Campers must follow the residence hall's check-out procedures before leaving and return in time for the required 5:00 PM orientation.

On Monday morning, residential staff escort campers to their daytime program locations and help them become familiar with campus routes.

Beginning Tuesday, campers are expected to travel between approved campus locations using the buddy system. Residential staff remain available to provide directions, assistance, and additional support when needed.

Check-out begins Friday at 4:00 PM. While some summer programs may conclude their final activities or culminating events earlier in the day, Rocky's Residents campers will remain with their daytime programs until 4:00 PM.

Families should plan to pick up their campers at their assigned residence hall beginning at 4:00 PM. Campers must collect their belongings, return issued items, and complete any required room inspections before departing.

Transportation is coordinated by USF Youth Experiences for scheduled off-campus residential activities when needed. Campers participate in these outings as part of the organized residential program.

All campers stay in double-occupancy bedrooms within USF residence halls.

• USF Tampa: Juniper-Poplar Hall features suite-style accommodations. Two campers share a bedroom, and four campers share a bathroom.

• USF St. Petersburg: Ibis Hall features double-occupancy bedrooms with a bathroom shared by the two roommates.

Rooms include Twin XL beds, desks, chairs, and storage space.

Yes. Roommate requests may be submitted during registration. Both participants must request each other for the request to be considered.

Although we make every effort to accommodate roommate requests, specific assignments cannot be guaranteed. Campers are grouped by gender and, whenever possible, similar age or grade level. Final room assignments are provided during check-in.

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included throughout the residential experience.

• USF Tampa: Breakfast and dinner are served at Juniper-Poplar Dining Hall. Depending on the program week, lunch is provided at the dining hall or through a $15 daily Dining Dollars allowance at participating Marshall Student Center restaurants.

• USF St. Petersburg: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided at The Nest dining hall.

Snacks & Drinks

Campers who enjoy snacking throughout the day are encouraged to bring their favorite snacks and a reusable water bottle. Water refill stations and vending machines are available in the residence halls.

Additional food and drinks can be purchased at grab-and-go locations in the Marshall Student Center at USF Tampa and the University Student Center at USF St. Petersburg. Since most USF campus locations are cashless, we recommend that campers bring a debit or credit card for optional purchases.

Families attending the Tampa campus may also visit the on-campus Publix grocery store before Sunday check-in to purchase snacks or other essentials. Campers will not have scheduled opportunities to visit Publix during the residential program.

Families should identify food allergies and dietary restrictions during registration. Our team will review the information and coordinate with campus dining partners to determine available accommodations.

Families with specific dietary concerns are encouraged to contact USF Youth Experiences before arrival.

We have prepared a list of items to assist you in packing for the Rocky's Residents experience. Please see the list below for items you should bring:

• Clothing Items (Required)
  • Underclothes
  • Pajamas
  • Swimsuit
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Clothes hangers

• Bathroom Items (Required)
  • Bath Towels/Wash clothes
  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, comb, brush. Shaving needs, etc.)

• Bedroom Items (Required)
  • Pillows/Pillow cases
  • Bed sheets/Blanket (twin XL size)

• Personal items (laptop, cell phone, assistive devices, etc.)
• Any medications you might need, both prescription and over the counter.

Laundry facilities are available on campus for Rocky’s Residents. Juniper-Poplar Hall on the USF Tampa campus has on-site laundry facilities, and campers staying at Ibis Hall on the USF St. Petersburg campus will have access to designated campus laundry options. Additional details will be shared with families prior to the start of the program.

Campers are allowed to bring electronics such as phones, tablets, and gaming devices; however, these items must be used responsibly and in accordance with program guidelines. Electronics should not interfere with camp activities or the camper’s engagement with others. During scheduled group activities, campers will be encouraged to keep certain electronics stored safely in their rooms. Please note that the program is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

Rocky's Residents provides structured residential supervision while encouraging age-appropriate independence. USF Youth Experiences maintains a minimum staffing ratio of one adult staff member for every 10 campers.

Residential staff supervise organized activities, conduct attendance checks, assist with campus transitions, and provide support throughout the residential experience. Staff also stay on the same residence hall floors as participants, conduct nightly room checks, and provide overnight support.

The program does not provide continuous one-on-one supervision or require staff to accompany campers during every movement between approved locations.

Campers are permitted to travel between approved campus locations using the buddy system after becoming familiar with the campus and residential expectations.

On Monday, staff escort campers to their daytime programs and help them learn the appropriate routes. Beginning Tuesday, campers may navigate between approved locations with another participant.

Campers must remain within established campus boundaries, follow designated schedules, and comply with staff instructions.

Campers have scheduled free-time periods throughout the week to relax, socialize, and visit approved campus locations.

During these periods, campers must remain within designated areas, follow the buddy system, and meet all established check-in and return-time requirements. Residential staff remain available to provide assistance and monitor participation.

Free time is intended to help campers develop independence and responsibility within a structured residential environment.

Campers will have opportunities to participate in scheduled recreational activities at USF's Recreation & Wellness facilities. However, in accordance with USF policy, minors are not permitted to use fitness equipment, including weight machines, free weights, treadmills, and other exercise machines.

Campers may participate in approved recreational activities, such as basketball, volleyball, swimming, and other supervised group activities. Access to recreational spaces and activities will vary by campus and program schedule.

Residential staff conduct attendance and accountability checks during scheduled activities, meals, campus transitions, and evening programming.

Campers are expected to follow all check-in and check-out procedures, arrive at designated meeting locations on time, and keep their required identification and access items with them.

These procedures help staff monitor participation and ensure campers are accounted for throughout the residential experience.

Curfew begins at 11:00 PM each evening, with quiet hours observed from 11:00 PM to 7:30 AM.

Campers must remain in their assigned rooms during quiet hours unless otherwise authorized by residential staff. Nightly room checks are conducted to confirm that participants are accounted for.

Yes. USF Youth Experiences residential staff stay on the same residence hall floors as campers and are available to respond to emergencies and other residential concerns.

Overnight security measures are also in place to support the safety of participants.

All campers are expected to follow the USF Youth Experiences Code of Conduct and residential program guidelines.

This includes respecting roommates and fellow participants, following staff instructions, remaining within approved campus areas, observing curfew, participating in required check-ins, and treating university facilities responsibly.

These expectations are reviewed during Sunday orientation. Failure to follow program rules may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the residential program.

Campers are responsible for keeping their assigned room keys, identification badges, and dining cards secure throughout the program.

Replacement fees may apply for lost items:

• Residence hall room key: $95

• Dining card: $15

Campers should notify residential staff immediately if an issued item is missing.

The cost for Rocky’s Residents is still being determined. Once finalized, the cost will include:

• 6 days and 5 nights of accommodation at Juniper-Poplar Hall on the USF Tampa campus or Ibis Hall on the USF St. Petersburg campus.
• All meals provided at USF Dining Halls
• Supervision and activities led by trained counselors
• Recreation and wellness activities, including sports, fitness challenges, and more
• Access to campus facilities, such as recreational fields and study lounges
• A campus tour and presentations from USF Admissions and Student Success
• Evening events with student organizations and USF faculty
• Laundry facilities for campers' use
• 24-hour on-call emergency maintenance and support

This all-inclusive experience ensures a fun and educational stay at USF!

Parent and guardian visits are generally limited to scheduled check-in and check-out periods. Visits outside these times must be coordinated with and approved by USF Youth Experiences in advance.

These guidelines help maintain residential security and minimize disruptions to scheduled activities.

Campers are generally responsible for managing and self-administering their medications. USF Youth Experiences staff do not store or administer medication except when responding to a life-threatening emergency.

Refrigerated medication storage cannot be guaranteed. Families should contact USF Youth Experiences before the program begins to discuss any medication-related needs.

USF Youth Experiences works with USF Student Health & Wellness to coordinate medical care for campers who become sick or injured during the residential program.

For medical emergencies, residential staff will immediately contact 911. Emergency medical personnel will assess the situation and determine whether transportation to a nearby hospital is necessary.

Parents or guardians will be contacted as soon as possible regarding illnesses, injuries, or medical emergencies requiring additional care.

Families should ensure that all medical information and emergency contact details provided during registration are accurate and up to date.

Campers may leave the Rocky's Residents program early only with prior approval from the USF Office of Youth Experiences. If a camper needs to leave early due to illness, family emergency, or other extenuating circumstances, parents/guardians must contact the program staff to make arrangements. Proper documentation and coordination will be required to ensure the camper’s safe departure from the program.

To contact your child during the Rocky's Residents program, we encourage you to reach out to them directly on their personal phone. Additionally, we will provide the phone numbers of the overnight counselors working that week. If you need to get in touch with a counselor or have any urgent concerns, please call our office at 813-974-3355, and we will assist you.