FAQs

Does TCR history camp have a theme like National History Day?

No. Unlike National History Day, TCR History Camp does not assign a specific theme. Students are free to choose their own research topics based on their interests, as long as the subject is historical and meets the academic standards of The Concord Review.

We don’t tell students what to write—your topic, your work. Just share a piece of history you love the most!

Do I need a recommendation letter?

A recommendation letter is optional—think of it as a supplemental piece. You’re only required to provide the name and email of your current history teacher in the application form. We’ll reach out directly if we need input from them.

If you’d like to ask your teacher to send a recommendation proactively, please have them email us at [email protected]. Make sure the subject line includes:

1.     Your full name

2.     Your TCR HC application ID (4-digit number)

Will we be supervised outside of meetings and the conference? (In-person camp.)

We treat you as fellow scholars and expect you to be independent and responsible for yourselves. As long as we have your parent or guardian’s permission, all we require is your whereabouts and emergency contact information during the camp.

That said, our staff will be present and supervising from breakfast through dinner each day. After dinner, students are expected to remain in the dorm and focus on their research and writing. All participants are expected to be in the dorm by lights-out (11:00 PM).

Can I write a TCR caliber history paper during the camp?

Probably not—at least not a finished one. The camp is designed to walk you through the whole process: finding a topic, doing your research, and writing a rough draft.

By the end of the two weeks, you should have a solid starting point. But writing a TCR-level paper takes time—most students spend months revising, polishing, and going deeper into their research after camp.

What is the cancellation policy?

Please check the refund policy specific to your camp session, as it may vary depending on location and format.

What’s a typical day like?

Here’s a quick overview of a typical camp day:

9:00–10:00 a.m. – Group session: A content-focused, traditional-style class

·10:15–11:00 a.m. – Group discussion: A seminar-style session with peer and instructor dialogue

11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. – One-on-one conferences (20–25 minutes each) with your assigned instructor, scheduled based on our 1:5 teacher-student ratio

In-person camps: Study hall, research, and writing time continue through 4:00 p.m.

For the in-person camp, the day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., including all meetings, coaching sessions, and independent writing time.

Both the online and in-person camps follow the same syllabus, and their daily schedules are nearly identical. Past students have chosen between the two formats based on their summer plans and study preferences. Online camps may be a better fit for students with daily music or sports practice.

While we strongly recommend that students avoid major outside commitments during the camp, we understand that some have successfully balanced other responsibilities, especially with the flexibility of the online format.

Should I apply early? What’s the difference between Early and Regular deadlines?

Yes—we strongly recommend applying early.

At TCR History Camp, we take the teacher-student ratio seriously to ensure that every student receives close, personalized attention. At the same time, we aim to build a cohort of highly motivated history enthusiasts.

Year after year, we receive more qualified applications than we have spots available—often during the early application cycle. For that reason, applying early gives you the best chance of securing a spot and planning your summer schedule around TCR HC.

Why is tuition for the Shanghai and Vancouver day camps different from U.S. in-person camps?

We understand this question, and here’s why we believe the difference is reasonable.

All of our in-person camps are designed with local students in mind, and we bring our experienced instructors to each location to ensure a high-quality program. Unlike our U.S.-based camps, international camps involve significantly higher travel and accommodation costs for our staff.

At the same time, local students benefit from not having to travel overseas or deal with time zone differences—making participation more accessible and comfortable.

We see this as a fair trade-off, and we’re committed to making TCR History Camp more accessible in the long term. We’re actively exploring hybrid models and building a network of qualified instructors near each location to reduce travel and lodging expenses in future years.