Registration
During Camp Days
GENERAL
Mad Science® is the world’s leading science enrichment provider. We deliver unique, hands-on science experiences for children that are as entertaining as they are educational. Mad Science is proud to introduce millions of children to a world of discovery while sparking their imagination. Mad Science encourages scientific literacy in children in an age when science is as vital as reading, writing and arithmetic. (Back to Top)
Mad Science camps offer a daily combination of in-class science discovery and exploration, outdoor games, and hands-on applications of the scientific principles presented. Our campers will be able to touch, see and hear what science is really all about and how it affects the world around them. We use an inquiry-based technique that allows even the youngest camper to enjoy our learning environment. Campers create a take-home project every day of Mad Science camp. (Back to Top)
Mad Science has three Core Service Sites offering summer camp - Portland - Mad Science Lab, Beaverton - Holy Trinity, and Clackamas - New Hope Event Center. At these locations we are able to offer both half and full day camp choices as well as Extended Day Camp Hours with camper supervision available until 6pm (for an additional cost).
At our Core Service Sites, you can "Make it a Full Day" by enrolling in both a morning and an afternoon half day camp. Campers enrolled in both an AM and PM camp will receive compliementary lunch supervision.
Our Partner Locations are only offering half day morning camps that meet from 9am to 12pm. The only exceptions are the four partner sites that are offering the Robotics 101 camp. In general, most partner site also manage their own registration and you must register directly with them. Those camps will meet from 9am to 3pm. (Back to Top)
Mad Science of Portland & Vancouver has developed camp programming for kids between the ages of 4 and 12. We have divided our ten camp programs into age groups.
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Ages 4-5 |
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Entering K - 2nd |
- Jr. Science Explorers
- Rockets & the Science of Flight
- Jr. Moving with Science
- Imagination Academy
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Entering 2nd - 6th |
- Moving with Science
- Secret Agent Lab
- Rocket Lab
- CSI Science
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Entering 3rd - 6th |
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The activities in each of these camps is specifically designed for these age groups. We ask that parents adhere to the minimum age requirement of our camps. Our programs are designed to be hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. In most cases our minimum age-requirement is not about how intelligent our campers are but about what they can do! For example, in our Robotics 101 camp, campers spend two full days of camp building robots requiring a significant amount of manual dexterity and patience. In our experience, campers younger than 8 are less successful and tend to struggle, therefore they do not have as much fun.
All Mad Science activities are specifically designed to be conducted in an age appropriate manner. Camp activities are comprised of large group discussion, work in small groups and individual projects. Depending on the nature of the activity our instructors typically split the campers by age to ensure the material is presented at an appropriate level. If there are different-aged children in the same camp, we may use the buddy system where the older camper will help the younger camper. However, for the most part, campers work in small groups with children of similar age.
Our camps generally have a good mix of both ages and gender, therefore your child will be paired with children their age and are likely to 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! (Back to Top)
Most of our camp topics are only offered as a half-day (3-hour) camp. However, four of our camp topics (Secret Agent Lab, Rocket Lab, CSI Science and Moving with Science) may be on our schedule in some locations as a half-day and others as a full-day. In each version we present demonstrations and camp activities that highlight the scientific principles of each theme. The full-day camps allow us to spend more time on certain aspects, go deeper into the material and provide additional hands-on activities.
If you are seeking a full day of camp, we do have the option of "Making it a Full Day" at one of our Core Service Sites (Portland, Beaverton & Clackamas). At these locations if you sign up for both a morning and an afternoon half day camp, Mad Science will provide complimentary lunch supervision.
The Robotics 101 camp is only offered in a full day version. (Back to Top)
We know we have a lot of young robot fans out there because we get this question a lot! In our Robotics 101 camp, campers spend two full days of camp building robots which requires a significant amount of manual dexterity and patience. In our experience, most students younger than 9 or entering 3rd grade in the Fall tend to really struggle with this aspect of the camp which is why we have set the minimum age requirement where we have. If a parent feels strongly that their younger child can be successful in this camp, please contact our office at 503-230-8040 to discuss the possibility of an exception. (Back to Top)
No. All campers in our Let's Get Growing Camp must be four years old before the first day of camp to enroll. (Back to Top)
We have a total of nine distinctly different camp programs. Your child is more than welcome to sign up for more than one week of camp. Be aware that each camp of the same name is exactly the same. For example, every week of our Rockets & the Science of Flight camp will be the same as any other week so there is no reason for your camper to repeat that camp in the same summer unless they loved it enough to do it again! (Back to Top)
In general, Mad Science does not accommodate early drop off. Our instructors will not be responsible for your child until the stated start time of the camp day. Please do not drop off your child and leave him/her unattended before the start time of camp.
Mad Science is offering extended camp hours for full day campers at our Core Service Sites (Portland, Beaverton & Clackamas). (Back to Top)
Full-day campers at one of our Core Service Sites (Portland, Beaverton & Clackamas) may also enroll in our Extended Camp Hours program for an additional $45 tuition fee. This program provides extended supervision from 8:30am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 6:00pm Mon-Fri of the camp. This option is only available for campers enrolled in a full-day of camp programming at one of our Core Service Sites.(Back to Top)
For school-age summer camps, Mad Science maintains a camper to staff ratio of 17 to 1. Mad Science summer camps that include 4-year olds will have a camper to staff ratio of 10 to 1. (Back to Top)
For school-age camps, Mad Science will limit enrollment to 24 campers. Camps that include 4-year olds will be limited to 20 campers. Mad Science accepts all registrations on a first-come, first-served basis. (Back to Top)
Yes. Mad Science reserves the right to cancel any camp that does meet the minimum enrollment of 10 campers. Minimum enrollment must generally be met at least two weeks prior to the camp start date. If Mad Science cancels a camp due to low enrollment, we will work with you to identify an alternative camp location or date. If we can’t find another program for your child, we will issue you a full refund. (Back to Top)
Yes. The content of our camps is completely different from the after school classes. Campers may cover some similar areas of science and specific science concepts but the activities in our camps are different from those in our after school programs. (Back to Top)
Our Mad Scientists have other responsibilities immediately following camp and we ask that parents pick up children from camp on time. Mad Science reserves the right to charge a late pickup fee of $1 per minute. Late pickup charges will begin accruing 5 minutes after the end of camp. Any late pickup fees must be paid directly to the Mad Science office prior to the start of the next day of camp. (Back to Top)
Cancellations received at least two weeks prior to the camp start date will be refunded less a $25 processing fee. Cancellation requests received less than 14 days prior to camp start date will not be refunded. This policy applies only to the camps where Mad Science manages the registration.
Many Mad Science camps are offered with our partner locations and those locations may have different cancellation policies. Mad Science will adhere to our partner location’s cancellation policy. Please check with the partner location for their specific cancellation policy. (Back to Top)
Our Mad Science Instructors (also known as Mad Scientists) come from a variety of backgrounds. Many are future or former teachers who are seeking a fun and flexible part-time job. All share our mission of sparking an interest in science in children. All of our Camp Mad Scientists have taught in our after school enrichment program and also have other experience working in a formalized setting (paid or volunteer) with groups of grade-school aged children. They all have an up-beat child-friendly personality, have passed a criminal background check and completed an extensive Mad Science training program. (Back to Top)
Absolutely! All of our instructors are required to pass a criminal background check. (Back to Top)
The Mad Science Laboratory is located at 1522 N. Ainsworth Street (intersection of Ainsworth & Interstate) in North Portland. We are across the street from Ockley Green K-8 School and easily accessible on the Yellow Max Line. Click here for a Google Map to our Laboratory. (Back to Top)
REGISTRATION
Depending on the location of the camp, there may be many ways to register. Our Summer Camp Schedule 2011 provides details about how to register at each location.
Mad Science handles the registration for our Core Service Sites (Portland, Beaverton & Clackamas) as well as two of our Partner Locations (Gresham and Vancouver-West).
ONLINE REGISTRATION: For those locations, you can register on our website with Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Payment in full is required if you register online with a credit card and you are not able to access our multiple camp/sibling discount program.
DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM: You can also download a registration form (Mad Science Camp Registration Form) and register by mail with a credit card or check. This form also allows you to take advantage of our Schedule Payment Program, Camp Installment Plan as well multiple camp/sibling discounts.
For information about how to register at one of our partner locations check out the Summer Camp Locations 2011 page. Many of our partner locations offer online or telephone registration. If you know which partner you are interested in registering with, check out our Camp Locations page which contains everything you need to know about our partner locations. (Back to Top)
If you register for a Mad Science Camp where Mad Science handles the registration, we will send out email confirmations of summer camp approximately two weeks prior to the camp start date to those families that provide an email address. Customers not providing an email address will not receive a confirmation.
If you register for Mad Science Camp with one of our partners, you will need to contact them for information about their confirmation policy.(Back to Top)
Cancellations received at least two weeks prior to the camp start date will be refunded less a $25 processing fee. Cancellation requests received less than 14 days prior to camp start date will not be refunded. This policy applies only to the camps where Mad Science manages the registration.
Many Mad Science camps are offered with our partner locations and those locations may have different cancellation policies. Mad Science will adhere to our partner location’s cancellation policy. Please check with the partner location for their specific cancellation policy. (Back to Top)
Mad Science is pleased to announce a new Mad Science Camp Installment Plan to help families plan for summer camp. This plan is only applicable for those camp locations where Mad Science manages the registration. It is not valid with any of our camp partners. To establish your plan you can download and complete the Mad Science Camp Registration Form and return it to our office. You are also welcome to give us a call at 503-230-8040 or send an email to our Camp Program Manager at linda@madscienceportland.com.
The fine print:
- Your down payment must be at least $50 per camp, per camper.
- You may pay for the balance of each camp in two additional payments at intervals you identify.
- Your camp fees must be paid in full no later than 2 weeks prior to the camp start date.
- Failure to make a payment in accordance with your plan may result in your registration being cancelled and forfeiture of the deposit.
- The Mad Science Camp Installment Plan is only available for those camps where registration and payment takes place at www.madscience.org/portland. It is not valid at our partner locations.
- Payments may be made with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover), check, money order or cash.
- The regular Mad Science cancellation policy applies to the Camp Installment Plan. (Back to Top)
We understand that enrolling for summer camps can be taxing on household budgets. Nearly all of our partner locations require payment in full to hold your spot. However, at the sites where Mad Science manages registration (Portland, Beaverton, Clackamas, Gresham and Vancouver-West). We now have three options for payment:
- Payment in full at registration
- Scheduled Payments – payments will be processed in full on June 1st for camps happening before July 15th and on July 1st for camps happening from July 18th through the end of summer.
- Camp Installment Plan which requires a $50 deposit for each camp and then you schedule the balance in two more payments (the final one is due no less than 2 weeks prior to the start date of the camp).
To take advantage of either the Scheduled Payments or Camp Installment Plan, you must use our registration form to register by mail or fax.
Evergreen Community Education is also offering the opportunity to make payments on your Mad Science Summer Camp Registration. Please contact them directly for more information at 360-604-4082. (Back to Top)
DURING CAMP DAYS
Have your child wear play clothes. There is always the possibility of stains when working with science! Send your child to camp with shoes that will remain securely on their feet while running (no flip-flops please). We will be spending the majority of our day in the classroom, but the kids will go outside for some camp activities. If your child needs to be sun-screened, please apply it before arriving at camp. (Back to Top)
Mad Science will provide all supplies needed for camp activities. In addition, we will provide all campers with a Hydration Station (aka water bottle) to keep at camp for the week. Half-Day (3-hour) campers should bring a snack. Full-Day (6 or 7-hour) campers need to bring a lunch and a morning & afternoon snack. To avoid any allergy issues, Mad Science will not provide any food at Mad Science camp but we will provide opportunities for children to eat food from home. It is always a good idea to inform Mad Science of any significant food allergies your child may have. (Back to Top)
In general, Mad Science does not accommodate early drop off. Our instructors will not be responsible for your child until the stated start time of the camp day. Please do not drop off your child and leave him/her unattended before the start time of camp.
Complimentary early drop off at 8:30 is only available to families who have enrolled in the Extended Day Camp Program for their week of camp at one of our Core Service Sites. (Back to Top)
Full-day campers at one of our Core Service Sites (Portland, Beaverton & Clackamas) may also enroll in our Extended Camp Hours program for an additional $45 tuition fee. This program provides extended supervision from 8:30am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 6:00pm Mon-Fri of the camp. This option is only available for campers enrolled in a full-day of camp programming at one of our Core Service Sites.(Back to Top)
Our Mad Scientists have other responsibilities immediately following camp and we ask that parents pick up children from camp on time. Mad Science reserves the right to charge a late pickup fee of $1 per minute. Late pickup charges will begin accruing 5 minutes after the end of camp. Any late pickup fees must be paid directly with the Mad Science office prior to the start of the next day of camp. (Back to Top)
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