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Below are some questions we hear from parents about our Mad Science summer camps. If you do not see your question and answer, please feel free to e-mail us at Info@MadScienceLi.com or call us at:
516-620-6768. |
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What is a Mad Science Camp?
Mad Science is the world’s leader in fun science for children. We are an international franchise organization whose mission is to get kids excited about science. There are over 165 Mad Science locations in 22 countries around the world. The Mad Science Group has been providing fun, hands-on science programs since 1985.
Mad Science camps offer a daily combination of in-class discovery and exploration, as well as hands-on applications of the scientific principles presented. Your child will be able touch, see, hear, smell and taste what science is really all about. We use an inquiry-based technique that allows even the youngest camper to enjoy our learning environment. Campers create a variety of take-home projects and participate in snack-tivities while exploring how science affects the world around us.
Your child will have so much fun he may deny he was learning! |
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What ages are appropriate for a Mad Science camp?
Mad Science camps are open to children in grades 1 through 5. We leave it to the discretion of the parent whether to enroll a rising 6th grader. By law, children must be a minimum of 6 years of age prior to the start of their Mad Science camp. For Advanced Robotics, the technical nature of building your own robot requires a little more manual dexterity from our campers. Therefore, Advanced Robotics will be open to campers in grades 3 to 5.
All Mad Science activities are specifically designed to be conducted in an age and grade appropriate manner. Activities are comprised of large group discussion, small “team” work and individual attention. Depending on the nature of the activity, our instructors will typically split the campers by age and/or grade to ensure the material is presented at an appropriate level. If there are different aged children in the same camp, we use the buddy system where the older camper will sometimes help the younger camper. For the most part, campers work in small groups with children of similar age. Our camps usually have a good mix of both ages and gender, therefore your child will be paired with children his age and he will make new friends. All kids have fun at Mad Science, but any activity can be more fun if it is shared with a sibling or friend. Please mention our camps to your family, friends and neighbors. After all, you just may gain a car pool partner!
Mad Science strives at all times to provide fun and safe science activities for all children participating in our programs. To fulfill this commitment, we ask that all children enrolled adhere to basic behavioral guidelines. Our instructors set clear boundaries and expectations as to appropriate conduct and we will hold all children to these expectations. We stress these expectations at the beginning of each day of each program. We ask your cooperation should any parent be notified of discipline issues. It is our intention to provide children with, not deprive them of, exciting and fun science. It is only when a child interrupts this positive learning environment that we would take any action.
Mad Science also has expectations of the parents whose children are enrolled. Only children with a sincere interest in our programs and the necessary maturity to handle the time commitment and the social interaction of a large group of children should be allowed to enroll. All parents should support the learning process after the camp is dismissed. |
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What is the camper to instructor ratio?
Our camper to instructor ratio will never be greater than 11 to 1. Usually, the average sized camp is about 20 children with 2 instructors. With the popularity of some themes and weeks of the summer, several camps could reach their maximum occupancy which is 20-25 depending on the location. For camps that have a waiting list, If possible we will create additional camps with different instructors so as to not disappoint any children.
The minimum number of campers necessary to hold a camp is 15. Mad Science tries to inform parents as soon as possible should it appear that a camp will not reach its minimum enrollment. On these occasions we will offer priority enrollment in other camps or a full refund should the camp have to be cancelled. |
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Who are the Mad Science camp instructors?
Mad Science instructors tend to be teachers on summer break, college students pursuing an education or science degree. Most of our instructors have worked for us in our after-school programs that we conduct in over 30 area schools. All of our instructors have experience working with large groups of elementary-aged children, have undergone a background check and received approximately 30 hours of summer camp specific training. The main characteristic that our instructors all share is their love of working with children. |
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How do I register my child for a camp?
Depending on the location of the camp, there may be many ways to register: mail-in, over the phone, in person or on-line. The easiest way is through our on-line registration system. It takes about 5 minutes and accepts Visa, MasterCard and checks. Almost all of our camps are available through our on-line registration system. However, several locations are responsible for processing their own registrations. Please refer to the camp schedule for the registration method of your camp.
Note: registration requirements, start dates, end dates and minimum camp size may vary by location. |
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Is payment due in full when I register?
Yes. You must submit payment in full to reserve a spot for your child. If you are using the on-line registration system you can pay by Visa or MasterCard. |
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How soon do I need to register to reserve a space for my child?
This is the toughest question we get because we have no idea. Some camps and dates fill very quickly, while some may have spaces available up to the start date. We recommend that you register as soon as possible. |
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Will all camp sessions run?
We create our camp schedule with the intention of being able to offer each and every session. We ensure there is sufficient equipment and instructors to manage the schedule we publish. Unfortunately, there is no science to how the registrations for each camp session will grow. We have established a minimum number of campers needed to offer a session. If this number is not met, we must cancel that session.
As parents ourselves, we understand the unique challenges that arise during the summer as families try to coordinate work scheduled, vacation schedules, camp schedules and everything else we have going on in our busy lives. Therefore, if the camp in which your child is registered has not met the minimum requirement, we will notify you at least 2 weeks in advance and give that camp 1 more week to increase the registration before we make a cancellation decision. Frequently we will need just 1 or 2 more campers to meet the minimum. Often parents can help us reach the minimum by calling friends, family or neighbors.
If the camp has not met its minimum registration by 1 week prior to the scheduled start date, we may have to cancel the session. In this case, all parents will be notified promptly with a list of alternative camp sessions. Last year we were able to accommodate over 90% of campers in another camp session after their original session had been cancelled. If we are unable to accommodate your schedule, we will offer you a full refund of your registration fee. |
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What is your refund policy?
Mad Science reserves the right to cancel any program 8 days prior to the start date, at which time you will be entitled to a full refund.
For Mad Science camps where registration and payment take place through our online registration, the refund policy shall be:
• Cancellations by you that occur greater than 30 days prior to the start of the camp will be subject to a $25 service charge.
• Cancellations by you requested between 15 and 30 days prior to the start of the camp will be subject to a $50 service charge.
• No refunds will be given for cancellations by you within 15 days prior to the start of the camp.
• At any time prior to the start of a camp, you may transfer your registration to another child with no service charge. No refunds for cancellations within 15 days of session. You may switch sessions up to 15 days prior to your original choice on a space-available basis at no additional charge.
If we do not get sufficient enrollment to hold the camp, Mad Science will make every effort to provide alternative camp locations or you will be offered the option of a full refund.
Should your child be removed from a camp due to behavioral issues or consistent late pick ups, there will be no refund.
Since Mad Science is offered at a number of host locations, their refund policy may be different than ours. In these instances, Mad Science will adhere to the host location’s refund policy. Please check with your location for their specific refund policy. |
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Can I sign my child up for more than one camp?
Yes. In fact we encourage it. Each camp is completely different so your child can enjoy them all without repeating activities. Oftentimes, parents initially register their child for only one camp. After they discover how much they enjoy our activities, they attempt to register for additional camps. Due to the popularity of many of our themes and weeks, several children end up disappointed when the additional camps are already sold out. Take our word for it – your child will love all our camps! Save yourself the trouble and register for all themes available at that location! |
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Are these the only locations where you will be holding your camps this summer?
Not really! We are in discussion with many locations to provide our Mad Science camps. Please look at our website on a regular basis as we will be updating our schedule as soon as additional locations are added. Also, if you have a particular location in mind, please bring it to our attention. |
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I am not familiar with the camp location, how do I find out where it is located?
All our locations have been carefully chosen to be easy to get to and convenient to find. Most are very close to the major highways in the Long Island area so they should be no more than 15 minutes travel time for the majority of the population. In our on-line registration system, you will find a “Map” button for each location. Clicking this will take you to a Mapquest map for that location. Should the location not be in our on-line registration system, the camp schedule should have the location’s phone number.
If our schedule doesn’t match YOUR schedule then bring Mad Science to you! See Start Your Own Mad Science Camp for additional details. |
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Is there a difference in programming between the AM and PM sessions?
All locations will offer Half-Day Camps only. However, some will have AM and PM sessions available. The programming will be exactly the same for both sessions. Please check our camp schedule for specific information.
Half-day camps are typically held from 9AM to Noon and/or from 1PM to 4PM.
In each session we will present demonstrations and activities that will highlight the scientific principles of each theme. Half-day camps allow children and parents greater flexibility for other pursuits during the day either before or after the Mad Science camp. Should you require a camp that will keep your child for a full working day, please look into the offerings at some of our host locations. Some offer additional options such as extended day care or other activities that can be flexible to meet your needs. |
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What should my child bring/wear to camp?
Mad Science provides all the equipment and materials for both the in class activities and the take home projects. All you need to provide is a child who is ready to have fun!
Children should dress comfortably for that day’s weather. We ask that children not wear open toed shoes to a Mad Science camp – especially no flip-flops. Also, as we will be outside on a number of occasions, please do not dress your child in any clothes that you do not want to get dirty. You may wish to apply sunscreen or insect repellent or send these items with your child. A hat and/or sunglasses may also be useful. |
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Do you provide a snack with the camp?
No. Due to rising concerns with food allergies and intolerances we will not provide a snack. We will provide a mid-morning break and water. Parents are encouraged to send a snack with their child. Coolers/refrigeration will be available. Please clearly mark your child’s name on all items. |
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What is your policy for early drop off and late pick up?
For most of our camps, Mad Science cannot accommodate early drop off or late pick ups. To ensure our instructors are ready to provide your child with an exciting, stimulating and safe day, our doors will open promptly at our stated start time. Please do not drop off your child and leave him unattended before the start time of camp. Our instructors will not be responsible for your child until the start of the camp day.
An authorized parent or guardian must be at the camp site prepared to assume responsibility for your child at the stated end time of camp. We ask that you do not enter the room until the instructors dismiss the camp. The vast majority of our camps end on time. However, to ensure all children complete the activities for the day, our camps may run a few minutes long. Should someone be unable to consistently pick up their child at the stated end time of camp, Mad Science reserves the right to remove your child from camp without a refund.
Some of our host locations may provide options such as extended day care (before camp, after camp or both) or an additional activities package so that you may add to the Mad Science camp. Such options may be listed in the schedule but please directly contact the host locations and secure these arrangements for yourself. |
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Start your own Mad Science camp
If our schedule does not work with YOUR schedule then…bring Mad Science to you!
All you need is 15 children and a place to hold the camp and Mad Science will come to you! We may even be able to adjust the start time, length of the day, number of days or customize our programming to match your needs.
Location needs for a Mad Science camp are simple:
• Table/desk space and a chair for each camper
• A table for the Mad Scientist’s equipment
• Access to electricity and water
• The ability to darken the room
• A nearby outside area (approximately 100’x100’)
Mad Science provides everything else! |
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