check-in
Check-in is on Sunday 3 pm - 6 pm. (Early arrival on Saturday is $35.00 extra, $12.00 for campers.) Dinner is served at 6 pm and Orientation follows. Check out by 9:30 am Saturday morning. Breakfast is served at 7:30 am on Saturday. (NOTE: If you sign up for 2 or more weeks in a row, you do not have to leave the lodge for the weekend, although no meals will be provided between Saturday and Sunday dinner.)
lodging
When submitting your application, please check the accommodations you prefer. A single room is a private room. If you request a single and it is NOT available, we will contact you. A double room simply means you are willing to share your room, so even if you are coming alone you can still request a double room. It's a great way to make new friends!
Most of our rooms are equipped with 1 double bed, 1 single bed and a private bath. We do have several handicapped rooms available; each has a private bath with a larger shower area and other accessibility aids. Make sure to mark if you have trouble using steps, need handicap accommodations, or are a smoker so that we can place you in a room that best suits your needs.
Our school facilities are all smoke-free. If you smoke, you must do so outside. Smoking in any of our rooms is prohibited. If you smoke in any of our facilities, you will be asked to leave immediately, without refunded tuition, and will not be permitted to register again for classes at William Holland.
All of our regular rooms have 1 double bed, 1 single bed and a private bath. We do have 2 handicapped rooms available; each have 2 single beds and a private bath with a large shower area.
If you do not find that your room meets your needs, DO NOT move to another room. Instead, speak with us at check-in so we can make any needed adjustments for your lodging. We will do everything we can to make your rooming arrangements suitable. If you move to a different room without prior approval you will be assessed an additional room fee.
For those with laptop computers, we now have wireless capabilities throughout Sparks & Otto's Lodges. Our campground does not have wireless internet capabilities. Please note: No pets are allowed, except for students staying at the campground. All pets must be on leashes. For more information please see our Policies and Guidelines
Although the lodges do not offer laundry service beyond the provided linens, there are commercial laundry facilities close to the school. Please inquire if you would like information on these. Also, if you are interested, exercise facilities are close by: Swimming pool at Young Harris College - call 706-379-4309 for open times. Blue Ridge Mountain Fitness Center, Blairsville - 1st visit is free; $20 for the week (7 days). Call 706-781-1008 for info.
dining
Three meals are served daily: Breakfast - 7:30 am, Lunch - 12:30 pm, and Dinner - 6 pm. Commuters and those staying at our campground may purchase individual meals. Breakfast: $5, Lunch: $6, Dinner: $8. We have a mug rack above the drink table. So if you have a special mug, bring it with you to use while you are here.
Our goal is to provide meals that the majority of our students will enjoy; this means that we do not season our food heavily. If you like well-seasoned food, we encourage you to bring your favorite seasonings to add to your food. If you have special dietary concerns, please let us know as soon as possible.
Because we try to keep our fees as low as possible, we do not have the staff or foods to accommodate unusually demanding diets. We do not specifically offer low-calorie, low fat or sodium-free meals. In such cases, you may want to provide our kitchen with selections that meet your needs and our staff will be happy to prepare your meals. We do offer refrigerators for your perishable food storage. If you are diabetic or hypoglycemic we offer sugar-free desserts.
classes
All classes last for the entire week. You may take only 1 class a week. Classes are held Sunday evening for orientation, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5 pm and Wednesday from 9am to 12pm. You can use your free Wednesday afternoon for sightseeing, rock hounding or other activities. No night or weekend classes are offered.
Friday afternoon is the designated time to clean your classroom. It is expected and important that you do what you can to be here to help your instructor and other students prepare your classroom for the next week's class.
Classrooms are equipped with most of the machines and tools you will need. You may want to bring your own tools, faceting machine or other supplies that you have. Classes are closed to new students once the class has started on Monday morning. The number of students in a class is limited.
Bring an Optivisor if you have one, a notebook and pen for your notes, and any tools or supplies. Closed-toed shoes should be worn. Earplugs may be desirable for classes using grinding machinery. For lampwork beads, didymium glasses are used and students must wear 100% cotton clothing and closed toe shoes.
All advanced classes require you to bring your own tools. A list will be supplied upon request. You may also refer to the "What to Bring and Tool Lists" page on our website
Any student under age 18 may attend only with the approval of the instructor and staff of William Holland. Also, in most cases, the parent will be required to attend the same class as the minor student. The exception to this is the special Junior Rockhounds Class and Wire I for Middle School Students as these classes are designed for younger ages. Children under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult (on the premises) and must stay in the same bedroom as their accompanying adult.
The cost to attend is $310 a week, which covers your class, lodging (double) and 3 meals a day. A single room is $470 (availability is limited). Campers pay $120 per week for full hookup for 2 people (each extra person is $25 per week) and classes are $140 per person, meals not included. Sunday night supper is included in Campers and Commuters tuition. Commuter students are charged $140 per class, meals not included. Supplies necessary for class projects are extra and are purchased directly from your instructor. The school does have tools and some supplies for sale.
Should you wish to bring a guest, it is possible for us to accommodate them in many cases. If you will be staying in the campground, the price of one extra person's stay is already built into the price. However, if you will be staying in the lodge, your guest must stay in the same room and will be charged $310, the same as if they were taking a class. In most cases, it is not acceptable for a minor to be a guest at the School as we cannot take responsibility for them and cannot offer daycare services of any kind.
other school activities
Tuesday night: Auction - We have an auction and all donations, not necessarily lapidary, are welcome. The money generated is used for classroom supplies and equipment.
Thursday night: Tailgating - Students in attendance may use this time to buy, sell or trade their lapidary and jewelry related items. Note: Only instructors may sell their items at our facilities at any other time.