Summer Camp
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring?
Children should arrive for camp dressed in their camp T-shirt. We strongly recommend that campers wear closed-toe shoes, as we are active and both inside and out. Campers can bring a backpack and for Great Explorers we suggest a complete change of clothes (you never know when accidents happen i.e. – dropping a cup of lemonade on a lap during snack)
Where do I drop off and pick up my camper?
Great Explorations drop-off and pick-up is always at the rear door (FETCH! LAB).
Camp Discovery usually meets inside The Wild Place (if it is raining Camp Discovery drop off and pick –up is in the Museum upstairs in the Arts and Craft room.)
A Camp staffer will check in your child and dismiss them to you each day.
What if someone else is dropping off my child?
CME assumes you know who is bringing your child to us and will check your child in for the day.
What if my plans change and someone else is picking up my child?
CME staff will allow someone other than designated adults to pick up your childonlyif their name is written on the camp registration papers. CME staff will also take written notes (signed by the parent/guardian) from whoever is dropping your child off in the morning.
CME staff will also accept phone call changes, but may take additional steps prior to and during dismissal to honor your request and ensure your child’s safety. For safety reasons we will not elaborate further, feel free to contact the Camp Director to find out what additional steps we may take. One example is to ask for a photo I.D. of the person you authorize to dismiss your child.
What if my child has trouble separating at drop off?
For many kids the first day of camp can be a new and overwhelming experience. If your worried your little one might might suffer from a touch of "Seperation Anxiety" we've got a whole bunch of tips to make the transition smoother!
What if my child becomes sick while at camp?
The Museum’s designated health care supervisor (always on site) will help the camp staffer in evaluating your child’s illness. Parents will immediately be contacted to assist camp staff in how to handle the situation. The camper will be isolated from other campers and allowed to rest until they are ready to return to the program or are picked up. At no time will a camper be left unsupervised.
What if my child misses me during camp?
Campers will be comforted and assured that you (or whoever had been designated for pick up) will be coming for them. They will be re-directed to hands-on activities with a staffer playing with them as needed. As age-appropriate, our staffer will review the activities at camp for the day including pick-up. A staffer may call you to involve you in resolving the situation. Plans are made in the best interest of your child for the day and for the next day at camp. Our intent is to provide a fun, filled experience for your child, we would not want your child to be stressed over a situation.
What do you serve for snack?
We follow a strict snack schedule each session; this ensures that the allergy concerns of each camper are taken care of. Typically, we serve a crunchy cracker and lemonade. Water is always available to our campers. We also offer freeze pops.
What if my child gets thirsty?
Although we have a snack time daily, on especially hot days we have group water breaks (and extra freeze pops) too. In addition, children may have water whenever they ask and staffers regularly offer water to children as needed.
What if my child needs the bathroom?
Each day staffers remind campers where the bathroom is. A staffer walks the child to the bathroom, waits outside and then walks the camper back to rejoin in the activity.
How many children are in camp?
We generally enroll up to 25 campers in Great Explorations and 15 in Camp Discovery.
What is the camper staff ratio?
While that varies, a minimum would be 1:5, usually it is lower. We exceed the state standards.
Are the CME staffers qualified?
All our staffers (teachers, assistant teachers and CIT’s) go through an interview process, attend trainings or orientations and are under direct supervision from the Camp Director. In addition, all teachers have specialized training, hold certificates or are accomplished professionals and are experienced. All assistant teachers either have education degrees or are working towards one. To note, we have a high return rate for our summer staff. Many of our staff members have worked at our camps for years.
What will my child do while at camp?
After check in, children are engaged in either a game or hands-on activity. Both camps then have a brief meeting time to share an overview of the day, after which campers either enjoy a supervised explore time in the Museum or begin a project or activity.
Both camps have their own rooms within the Museum - FETCH! ™ LAB for Great Explorations and Arts & Crafts room for Camp Discovery (these areas are “closed” to Museum guests during camp hours). There they can store their backpack for the day, work on projects, enjoy activities and hold group times.
Both camps remain separated from “the public” unless they are outside in The Wild Place. All campers are under direct supervision by CME staffers at all times. Campers are served a snack during the morning, usually between 10 and 11 am. Campers continue to participate in games, experiments, projects and activities until 11:45, when the camp winds down with a closing activity (designed to have pauses to allow for dismissal) and pick-up time.
