FAQ

GENERAL QUESTIONS

  • Improv Utopia retreats are a three-night cabin-style camping experience for improvisers 18 and over. The camps are filled with workshops, camp activities, team building, campfires, arts and crafts, karaoke, improv jams, performances and more and have existed since 2011. Our East & West retreats have you take four skilled based workshops from top instructors while our Yosemite camp has you take one instructor the entire weekend who coaches you on an improv form they are a master of.

  • For our East and West retreats no improv experience is required. For Yosemite and International retreats, you should be at least at an intermediate level to get the most out of it. You’ll be doing forms or intensives and need to have a basic level of improv experience. At our other camps we have had participants from all different experience levels, from never having done improv to the most skilled of improvisers. All events and workshops will work with all levels of experience.

  • The staff is committed to helping any participant with a food allergy or dietary needs have a great time at our retreats. Whether you’re a meat eater, vegetarian, or vegan our venue kitchens can accommodate. The facilities we rent are dedicated to working around many allergies and dietary needs. When registering just make sure to list your food allergies or dietary requirements and we’ll do our best to work with you. We do recommend vegans and folks with complex allergies bring their favorite snacks, to ensure they have sustainable food in a pinch. All of our venues have a means for cold storage; however, these units are often in public, so label your items with your name and our event name.

  • IU Yosemite gives you one teacher for the entire weekend as opposed to 4 different workshops, like the IU West & East structure. Also, instead of skill-based teaching as in our other retreats, at Yosemite you will learn an improv form that the teacher is a master of. This year it’s the 3Peat, JTS Brown, Genre Form, Musical, Create Your Own Form and The Deconstruction.

  • We will have all-gender cabins and single-sex cabins and you can share your preference during registration. Any additional special requests or needed accommodations (early to bed, bottom bunk, etc.) can also be shared at registration.

  • All of our retreats have parking. We encourage you to carpool if you can to help save room and the environment.

  • We do not allow any outside attendees. If you register for IU you must stay on the premises. Improv Utopia is an experience and it is our mission to provide everyone who attends the chance to have community, camaraderie in nature.

  • We want camp to be welcome to those with diverse needs and we will do everything we can to help accommodate on campus. We currently provide carts and campus car rides for those with limitations. Unfortunately, due to insurance complications, we cannot allow campers to stay off campus, even with a medical exemption. However, campers are absolutely allowed to leave campus for errands, to get food or even if they need a quick break.

    If you have any questions or concerns about this , please contact jacque@improvutopia.org or diversity@improvutopia.org and we'll get back to you. We want everyone to feel as safe and accommodated as possible.

    The Improv Utopia experience is unique because of improv, community and camaraderie in nature including the shared cabin experience.

  • Activities and shows for campers will start on Friday night. You can arrive at camp starting at 4 p.m. with dinner usually starting around 6 p.m. After dinner there are events/shows all evening. Saturday and Sunday are workshops (Yosemite workshops start on Friday evening) and Monday there are no activities, just breakfast and saying your goodbyes. Campers must be out of their cabins by 10 a.m. and offsite by 11 a.m. There are AM and PM workshop sessions during Saturday and Sunday, with a huge break in the middle of the day for camp activities, elective workshops (only if offered/and which camp you’re attending) and more! Evenings we do jams, shows, activities, socializing and more!

  • We select teachers from all over the world.

    INTERESTED TEACHERS

    Submit here & have ready: https://forms.gle/cEHXxegoaUVV9DQx7

    • Bio & headshot

    • Three workshop options

    We look for master teachers who have at least 6 years experience performing and teaching. Teachers we’ve had in the past are Susan Messing, Patrick Rowland, Craig Cackowski, Joe Bill, Jill Bernard and many more.

  • We are currently looking for counselors for IU East 2024. This is a leadership staff position. We have a formalized application process. Folks shouldn’t be intimidated by our application — fill it out to the best of your abilities. Every application will be considered. Contact Jacque@ImprovUtopia.org with any questions.

    Apply to join our staff:

    Submit Here

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

  • Diversity & Inclusion

  • We offer diversity discounts, depending upon Improv Utopia's annual budget, to those who are not traditionally and currently represented within improv stages and are not clearly represented at the various Improv Utopia camps — giving preference to those who belong to protected classes and identify as persons of color, LGBTQIA+, over 50, are neurodiverse or have physical disabilities.

    In order to increase accuracy of attendees, Improv Utopia is also tracking attendees across multiple racial, gender, age, orientation, and capability levels. We thank all attendees for increasingly completing those fields. It helps us to demonstrate our dedication to diversity and inclusion. Categories currently include the below. However, we continue to expand when campers reach out to us.

    • African Descent/Black

    • Asian

    • Southeast Asian

    • South Asian

    • Hispanic/Latinx

    • Indigenous/Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

    • MENA (Middle Eastern/North African)

    • White/Caucasian

    • LGBTQIA+

    • Over 50

    • Neuro-Diverse

    • Physical Disabilities

    • Invisible Disabilities (ADHD, Neurodiverse, etc.)

    • Women/Female-Identifying

    • Other

HOW DOES OUR WAIT LIST WORK?

  • You will receive an notification from the Camp Network titled “Improv Utopia: Wait List Update,” in that notification is the link to update and claim your spot by registering. If you are on the waitlist for multiple camps, once you click to register it will tell you at the top of the form which camp or Yosemite focus you are being offered a spot for. Your spot won’t be secured until you finish the registration process.

  • Yes it is. Sign up and you will only be charged if you get an invitation and you accept. You can pass up your spot as well and you will not be charged. For Yosemite, you can sign up for multiple waitlists if you want.

WHERE ARE YOUR RETREATS?

  • Improv Utopia East is located at Trout Lake Retreats in Stroudburg, Pennsylvania approximately 90 miles from New York City, 120 miles from Philadelphia, 235 miles north of Baltimore and 270 miles north of Washington D.C.

    Airport Suggestions:

    Newark, Philly and JFK are your best bets for airports. Also, ride sharing is encouraged and you can set that up in our Facebook Private Member Page. Check-in to Improv Utopia is at 4 p.m. on Friday and checkout is 10 a.m. on Monday.

  • Improv Utopia West is located at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, CA which is 3.5 hours north of the Los Angeles and 3.5 hours south of the San Francisco. It is about 45 minutes north of San Luis Obisbo on the beautiful California coast.

    Airport Suggestions:

    SFO, LAX, Burbank are your best bets for airports. However, there are the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara airports as well they may just be more expensive. Ride sharing is encouraged and you can set that up in our Facebook Private Member Page. Check-in to Improv Utopia is at 4 p.m. on Friday and checkout is 10 a.m. on Monday.

  • Improv Utopia Yosemite is located at Calvin Crest approximately 3.5 hours from San Francisco and 4 hours from Los Angeles. It is located in the town of Oakhurst, CA. We are approximately 15 minutes from Yosemite and about an hour away from Yosemite Valley.

    Airport Suggestions:

    Sacramento, Fresno (closest), LA, SF or Oakland are your best bets for airports. Also, ride sharing is encouraged and you can set that up in our Facebook Private Member Page. Check-in to Improv Utopia is at 4 p.m. on Friday and checkout is 10 a.m. on Monday.

  • Improv Utopia Spain 2024 will take place in Zenia Hostel, in the town of La Zenia on the Orihuela Costa in the Alicante province of the Valencia Region. Unlike our other retreats, this one is taking place in an urban location.

    We have also held IU in Newgrange, Ireland both in 2018 and 2019.

    We aim to hold more international retreats in the future.

WHEN ARE YOUR RETREATS?

  • IU West is always held on Memorial Day weekend in May. Activities start Friday evening with most of the programming on Saturday and Sunday. You can arrive at Camp Ocean Pines starting at 4 p.m. on Friday. There is no programming on Monday except saying our goodbyes after breakfast. Checkout is by 10 a.m. on Monday.

  • Our East Retreat is always held on Labor Day weekend in Stroudsburg, PA. Activities start Friday evening with most of the programming on Saturday and Sunday. You can start arriving at our East Camp by 4 p.m on Friday. There is no programming on Monday except saying our goodbyes after breakfast. Checkout is by 10 a.m. on Monday.

  • Usually the last weekend of September. Activities start Friday evening with most of the programming on Saturday and Sunday. You can arrive at camp starting at 4 p.m. on Friday. There is no programming on Monday except saying our goodbyes after breakfast. Checkout is before 11 a.m. on Monday.

  • IU Spain is at Zenia Hostel, Alicante Province of Spain Activities start Friday evening with most of the programming on Saturday and Sunday. You can arrive at camp starting at 4 p.m. on Friday. There is no programming on Monday except saying our goodbyes after breakfast. Checkout is before 11 a.m. on Monday.

  • We initially scheduled our Yosemite retreat on the fourth weekend of September because that coincided with Yosemite's Free Park Day before the pandemic. Unfortunately, we are still under contract with Camp Calvin Crest for those dates through 2025. When that ends, we hope to avoid this conflict in the future.

OUT OF TOWN GUESTS?

  • SFO, LAX, Burbank are your best bets for airports. However, there are the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara airports as well, they may just be more expensive. Getting a ride from the airport has never been an issue for a camper. Ride sharing is encouraged and you can set that up in our Facebook Private Member Page or contact us for help when it gets closer to camp. Check-in to camp is at 4 p.m. on Friday and checkout is 11 a.m. on Monday.

  • Newark, Philly and JFK are your best bets for airports. Also, ride sharing is encouraged and you can set that up in our Facebook Private Member Page or contact us for help when it gets closer to camp. Check-in to camp is at 3 p.m. on Friday and checkout is 11 a.m. on Monday.

  • Sacramento, Fresno (closest), LA, SF or Oakland are your best bets for airports. Also, ride sharing is encouraged and you can set that up in our Facebook Private Member Page or contact us for help when it gets closer to camp. Check-in to camp is at 4 p.m. on Friday and checkout is 11 a.m. on Monday.

  • There are two regional airports servicing the area:

    There are direct flights to both airports from most airports in Europe. Both airports are located approximately 45 minutes drive from the retreat. There are no direct flights to the US to either of the airports, however there are direct flights from the US to Madrid or Valencia. For a list of pre-book transfers and airport taxi services, click the link below. Generally speaking, hailing a taxi at the airport will be more expensive than pre-booking.
    https://www.lazenia.com/alicante-airport-transfers-taxis/

    If traveling from Madrid, there is a high-speed train service to Alicante. Valencia is also serviced by train to Alicante. Getting to the retreat by bus from Alicante airport is possible but cumbersome. A bus leaves Alicante airport every hour for Torrevieja and then a second bus from Torrevieja is necessary.
    https://costazul.net/en/

    Travel Insurance: As with any form of international travel, we strongly recommend getting travel insurance. For EU citizens, don’t forget to check your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is in date.
    https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559

WHAT DO I BRING TO CAMP?

    • Jacket (it gets chilly at night)

    • Sunscreen!!! (really important)

    • Pajamas

    • Long-sleeve shirts

    • Bathing suit (East)

    • Earplugs or white noise machine (there will be snoring)

    • Hiking shoes and tennis shoes

    • Pants

    • Bug spray (don’t wanna get bit)

    • Sweater or fleece

    • Waterproof rain suit (you can use a garbage bag as a poncho)

    • Sun hat or baseball cap

    • Old flat sheet for mattress cover (optional)

    • Sleeping bag (highly recommended over blankets!)

    • Pillow (and pillow case)

    • Flashlight (could be your phone)

    • Pen and notepad (to write down your ideas!)

    • Large towels (for showers)
      toiletries kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, soap, shampoo, conditioner, tissue, comb)

    • A scary story!

    • 2 pairs of shorts

    • 5 pairs of warm socks, 5 pairs of underwear

    • 1 Yes-And attitude

    • 1 Open mind

    • Camera or phone camera

    • CPAP machine if you use one

    • Extra bed padding (this isn’t a hotel bed it's a bunk)

    • Phone/iPad and chargers

    • Surge protector

    • Musical instruments!

    • Spending money (we will have commemorative camp t-shirts, hoodies for sale and some snacks and beverages)

    • Reading material for your chill time

    • Weapons/Firearms

    • Illegal Substances

    • Alcohol - we have a bar that opens each night.

    • Anything that, if lost or damaged, would break your heart.

  • A valid passport if not a citizen of the country where our retreat takes place. Make sure you have at least six months before it expires on it.

  • These are some camp hacks that campers have suggested over the years that may help you in addition to what we have said to bring:

    • Bring your own mug

    • Extension cord or multiplug outlet

    • Beach towel

    • A fan

    • Febreze

    • Ear plugs or white noise

    • Water bottle (or get one at camp!)

    • Snacks

    • Hand towel

    • USB portable battery for phone when not plugged into outlet

    • Small backpack

    • Quilted toilet paper

    • Cash

CAMP FEES AND CANCELLATION POLICY?

  • All our camp fees are listed on the individual camps pages that you can click on the website. Please check there to find out our prices. Payment plans are available! There is a one time non-refundable Camp Network fee of $3.99 and processing fees equal to 3.95 % + $0.30 added to your tuition.

  • Your camp fee includes 8 meals starting from Friday evening and ending Monday morning. There is a dining hall where everyone can eat and the camp/facility will provide the food and do the cooking. You will also have a bunk bed in a contemporary cabin with 9 other campers. Each cabin is clean and equipped with a private bathrooms, shower (with hot water) and electricity. Cabins are co-ed unless you specifically ask for a single-sex cabin. Your fee also includes all camp activities and up to 10 hours of improv workshops.

    1. Cancellations (ALL CAMPS): If you (the camper) request a cancellation of your Camp Improv Utopia fees more than 90 (ninety) days in advance, IN WRITING, a full refund minus fees listed below* will be issued within 10 (ten) business days. Cancellations within 60 (sixty) days of camp will be charged 50% of your total fee. Cancellations within 30 days of your camp will be charged 100% of your total fee and no refunds will be issued. Absolutely all cancellation/refund requests must be in writing via e-mail to camps@improvutopia.org.

    2. Room upgrades will only be refunded if the room upgrade can be replaced. There are absolutely no upgrade refunds 30 days out from the camps first day.

    3. *All cancellations will be subject to a $75 administration fee. There will be a $125 administration fee if you cancel 60 days out from the first day of camp. Any processing & Camp Network Fees will not be refunded.

    4. CAMP IMPROV UTOPIA WILL TAKE PLACE RAIN OR SHINE. NO REFUNDS DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER WILL BE ISSUED.

    5. Camp Improv Utopia reserves the right to cancel this event should the minimum required number of attendees not be met. In the case of camp cancellation, campers shall be notified and refunds issued no later than 90 days prior to the scheduled event.

    6. Absolutely all cancellation/refund requests must be in writing via e-mail to camps@improvutopia.org.

    * All cancellations will be subject to a $75 administration fee. There will be a $125 administration fee if you cancel 60 days out from the first day of camp. Any Camp Network Fees will not be refunded.

DO YOU HAVE PAYMENT PLANS?

  • Improv Utopia currently offers 4 Payment Plans:

    1) $300 to register; Remaining balance due in 30 days - $10

    2) $300 to register; Remaining balance due in 60 days - $15

    3) $300 to register; Second payment due in 30 days; Remaining balance due in 60 days - $20

    4) $300 to register; Remaining balance due in 90 days - $25

    You can choose the payment plan that works best for you during registration.

COVID-19?

  • Proof of vaccination is required at all our camps. Before your event you will be requested to send along proof of your vaccination status. Improv Utopia will follow all CDC, state and local guidelines and will constantly update campers of changes if they happen.

  • OUR COVID-19 GUIDELINES FOR CAMP

    Updated (May 2024)

    1. VACCINATIONS REQUIRED*: All Campers must be vaccinated. Folks who are not vaccinated or do not turn in vaccination proof will not be permitted to camp.

    2. COVID TESTING BEFORE CAMP: We will be requiring proof of negative COVID tests upon arrival this year. Approved proof of negative can be either: A PCR test 72 hours before camp or an at home antigen test 24 hours before camp. Folks can take a photo on their phone of their test results and they will show that upon arrival.

    3. TENTS AT CAMP: Tents are welcome at IU West and IU Yosemite. However, not allowed at IU East. If you choose to sleep in a tent, your cabin assignment is still your bathroom.

    4. Our cabins: IU EAST - holds up to 18-24 folks, we have them normally around 60% capacity. IU WEST Cabins hold 10 Full Capacity. IU YOSEMITE - Cabins are 4-8 at full capacity. IU SPAIN - rooms hold 4-8 at full capaciity.

    5. If you feel at all sick, PLEASE DO NOT COME TO CAMP. If you provide documentation of your COVID Positive diagnosis we will credit you for a future camp.

    6. For your information: CDC Information on recommendations:
      https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

    * Exemptions given for religious/medical contraindications

    • If you have your first positive test within 5 days prior to coming to camp, do not come to camp.

    • If your first positive test is within 10 days of coming to camp and you are still symptomatic (e.g., fever, frequent cough), please do not come to camp.

    • If your first positive test is within 6-10 days of coming to camp and you are asymptomatic (fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication, with significant improvement in all symptoms), please wear a well-fitted mask (such as an N95 or KN95)  until the 10-day window has passed.

    • If your first positive test was 10 or more days before camp and you still show a positive result, your likelihood of transmission is very low as long as you are not showing any further symptoms and are fully recovered.

IMPROV UPTOPIA

  • IU is a 501(c)(3) non-profit company and our profits go back into the improv community via theater support, festival support and improv scholarships. We have supported many theaters over our many years of existence giving thousands of dollars back to the community.

  • Improv Utopia believes in quality over quantity. We do not over pack our camps. We want every camper to have a great experience and get focused training. Our top instructors are also campers and hang out with our campers all weekend performing, chatting and doing camp activities. Our campers also get plenty of stage time with jams, shows, and more! Our camps are all inclusive…meals, workshops, camp activities, lodging and more! We are also the only registered 501(c)(3) non-profit improv camp and the money we make goes back into the improv world to support various causes.

  • Diversity & Inclusion

  • • Camper Bill of Rights

    • Staff Code of Conduct