Arrival, Location & Orientation Info
PDI takes place on the charming Duke University campus in Durham, NC. PDI students will participate in community activities like visiting local businesses on Ninth Street and strolling through the beautiful Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Please note that all PDI students must be chaperoned by ADF dorm counselors at all times. Dorm counselors work hard to create a fun community experience with student input.
Arrival • Sunday, July 13, 2025
Arrive for check-in between 10 am-12 pm at the Gilbert Addoms dorm. Students will receive an intensive schedule, ID, and dorm key during check-in. Please note that students will not be housed in Gilbert Addoms dorm, and you do not need to bring your luggage inside the dorm. PDI students will be housed in a nearby dorm.
An orientation for students and parents follows check-in. PDI students will attend the closing Footprints performance on Sunday afternoon featuring SDI students. Families are welcome to purchase tickets and attend the performance. Regularly scheduled classes begin on Monday, July 14.
Departure • Saturday, July 26, 2025
On the last day of the intensive, a student performance & gathering for family and friends will be held. The performance is for family, friends, and ADF community members, with a goodbye reception hosted by ADF following the performance. Students must check out of the dorms by 4 pm.
Traveling to ADF
All Pre-Professional students traveling alone will be picked up from the airport, bus station, or train station by an ADF representative and driven to campus. Early dorm arrivals are not permitted. If your student requires transportation pick-up on July 13, please consult with ADF School before scheduling.
Interactive Map of Duke University’s campus and important ADF locations, including studios and performance spaces.
Travel Options
- Car: The ADF summer office is located in the Gilbert-Addoms Residence Hall on Duke University’s East Campus: 1368 Campus Dr, Durham, NC 27708 Driving directions
- Air: The closest airport is the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). It is approximately 18 miles from Duke University.
- Bus: Greyhound and Megabus buses arrive and depart from the downtown Durham station at 515 W Pettigrew St.
- Train: The Amtrak station is located in downtown Durham at 601 W Main St.
- Car Service: Lyft and Uber provide easy transportation to and from the airport and around Durham.
Housing
Pre-Professional Dance Intensive students may choose to live on-campus in a dorm or, if they live locally, be commuters to the program.
On-Campus Dorms
Students who live on-campus will be in double (shared) rooms in an air-conditioned dormitory on Duke’s East Campus. ADF Dorm counselors also live in the dorms and maintain supervision of students. All dorm residents share bathrooms, kitchens, and common rooms with other PDI participants.
Important: Students living in the dorms must provide their bedding and linens (pillows, sheets, blankets, towels, etc). If you do not want to bring your bedding, you can purchase a linen packet from Duke University via your Acceptd application.
Laundry & Vending Machines
Students will need to bring coins to operate the laundry facilities. Vending machines also require cash/coins.
Food
Dorm Residents
Duke University requires all students with on-campus housing to purchase a meal plan, which is included in the cost of the Housing & Meals fee.
Duke University Dining Services in the East Union Marketplace provides on-campus food service to the PDI program. Dorm residents receive three meals per day through their meal plan. The cafeteria features an open-style buffet that focuses on healthy options, including a full salad bar, grill items, and rotating international entrees. Students with allergies or food restrictions have adequate meal options. The East Campus Union also features the Trinity Cafe, open for select hours during the summer and serving coffee shop-style food and beverage items.
Commuters
Students commuting from home must purchase the lunch meal plan, which covers lunch for every day of the PDI program, including weekends. On performance nights, commuters eat dinner in the East Campus Union Marketplace on a pay-per-meal basis and will need to bring additional money for these meals (cash or credit/debit).
Credit/debit cards and cash accepted. There is an ATM in the building. All meals at the Duke University Marketplace are taxed at the 7.5% current local rate.
Duke University Student Health Center
For basic health needs, Duke University allows ADF students the option to pay a Student Health Center Fee and take advantage of the campus outpatient services. Purchasing the Student Health Center Fee DOES NOT take the place of health insurance.
Clinic service examples:
- medical care for illnesses and minor injuries
- medication dispensed by the Center’s pharmacy for short-term treatment of acute problems
- basic laboratory services
This fee does NOT COVER emergency room or hospital visits. Please refer to Duke University’s Student Health Center to see all services covered and not covered. It’s important to reference these pages before pursuing services at the center.
Physical Therapy
ADF students have access to a Duke University physical therapy walk-in clinic for the duration of the festival, and it is free of charge. Parents/Guardians will need to sign a waiver at check-in to allow PT to treat your dancer.
Community Life
The Pre-Professional Dance Intensive is a life-changing experience designed to create thoughtful dancers who exhibit personal integrity and community-mindedness. In addition to rigorous technical and creative training in the dance studio, this intensive prioritizes community building, tolerance, and responsibility inside the classroom and in daily life. Students are expected to contribute to an environment where individual actions uplift the integrity of the community. Intimidation, harassment, and bullying will not be tolerated.
Integrating into a new community and being away from home, especially for the first time, may cause homesickness for some students. It is important to discuss homesickness as a family and prepare students for new experiences in different environments. We strongly encourage parents/guardians to refer to this helpful article for ideas on how to prepare students for staying at a camp for an extended period.
Dorm Counselors & Supervision On-Campus
Dorm counselors supervise students at all times and accompany them for meals, classes, performances, and activities, including travel to and from all locations. They are a key part of the community and offer support and mentorship to students inside and outside the classroom.
ADF must comply with Duke University’s Minor Policies, and no exceptions can be made regarding students going anywhere unsupervised during their attendance at PDI.
Dorm counselors are selected via an application process and are subjected to a background check. All have previous experience as counselors/teachers in summer camps, dance intensives, or as college residence assistants. Most are pursuing degrees in the dance field, recently completed a degree in the dance field, and/or are actively working in the dance field. Counselors undergo training at ADF that prepares them to create a supportive community for PDI students.
Cell Phone & Device Policy
The purpose of attending a dance intensive is to focus on your training, creativity, and building relationships. Phone home time is established by the dorm counselors and students as a group, boundaries are set, and everyone is responsible for holding each other accountable for cell phone and device use as a community.
If the use of a cell phone or other device is used inappropriately or to bully other students, ADF has the right to collect any devices and will discuss the issue with the parent/legal guardian. ADF is not liable for loss or damage to devices brought to the program.
Parking and Transportation
Parking
For PDI commuters bringing a car to campus, a two-week parking pass is required. The parking pass only allows students to park on East Campus in designated spots and does not cover off-campus paid parking. ADF is not responsible for parking violations, fines, or vehicle damage incurred while on Duke University’s campus.
Transportation Around Campus
PDI students will be transported on the ADF bus to all performances happening on the Duke University campus. They will take the Duke University bus to and from class and residence halls. Dorm counselors will be with students at all times.
Refund Policy
- Summer 2025:
- The $75 application fee and $300 tuition deposit are nonrefundable.
- June 1, 2025
All paid tuition (less the $300 deposit) and housing will be refunded in full only if written notice of withdrawal is received on or before this date. - June 2–July 11, 2025
Tuition (less the $300 deposit) will be refunded for medical reasons only. A signed doctor’s note is required. Housing fees will be refunded in full. - July 12, 2025 or later
Tuition will not be refunded for any reason. Prorated housing and meal fees will be refunded if a student leaves the festival early. Housing refunds require approval from Duke University.
All program withdrawals will incur a $50 withdrawal fee. ADF refunds will be processed within 4-6 weeks of withdrawal.