Ages 4-6	In the Garden
	Ages 5-7	Claws, Codes & Constellations Rockin' Rockets & Aerodynamics
	Ages 7-12	Moving with Science Secret Agent Lab 3,2,1 Blast Off
	Ages 9-13	Radical Robotics Chemicals, Cells & Crime

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 Radical Robotics 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 9 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)

What is the difference between a half-day and full-day camp?

Most of our camp topics are only offered as either a half-day (3-hour) camp or a full-day (6-hour) camp. However, three of our camp topics (Secret Agent Lab, 3,2,1 Blast Off! 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. (Back to Top)

My Eight-Year Old really loves robots. Can he/she enroll in your Radical Robotics Camp?

We know we have a lot of 8 year-old robot fans out there because we get this question a lot! In our Radical Robotics 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 tend to really struggle with this aspect of the camp which is why we have set the minimum age requirement at nine. If a parent feels strongly that their 8-year old can be successful in this camp, please contact our office at 503-230-8040 to discuss the possibility of an exception. (Back to Top)

My preschooler is almost four can I enroll him/her in your In the Garden Camp?

No. All campers in our In the Garden Camp must be four years old before the first day of camp to enroll. (Back to Top)

Can I sign my child up for more than one week of camp?

We have a total of eight 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 Rockin’ Rockets & Aerodynamics 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)

Can I drop my child off early for Mad Science Camp?

In general, Mad Science cannot 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. Some of our partner locations may offer before or after care for some camps. Please check our schedule on our website for information about locations offering these options. (Back to Top)

What is your camper to staff ratio?

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)

How many kids will be in my child’s camp?

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)

Does Mad Science have a minimum enrollment requirement?

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)

My child has taken the after school classes, are the camps different?

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)

What happens if I am late to pick up my child from Mad Science Camp?

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)

What is the Mad Science cancellation policy for summer camp?

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)

Who are Mad Science Instructors?

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)

Does Mad Science conduct background checks?

Absolutely! All of our instructors are required to pass a criminal background check. (Back to Top)

REGISTRATION

How do I register for a Mad Science Summer Camp?

Depending on the location of the camp, there may be many ways to register. Our Summer Camp Schedule 2009 provides details about how to register at each location.

Mad Science handles the registration for a limited number of the locations offering Mad Science Summer Camps. For those locations, you can register on our website with a Visa or Mastercard. Payment in full is required if you register online with a credit card. 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 new Camp Installment Plan.

For information about how to register at one of our partner locations check out the Summer Camp Schedule 2009. Many of our partner locations offer online or telephone registration.   For those that don’t, you can download a registration form from our Summer Camp Schedule 2009 page.

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)

Will I receive a confirmation of my registration?

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. Mad Science handles the registration at the following locations: Alameda Elementary, Lynch View Elementary, Valley Catholic Elementary and the Water Resource Education Center.

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)

What is the Mad Science cancellation policy for summer camp?

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)

How does the new Mad Science Camp Installment Plan work?

• Your down payment must be at least $50 per camp, per camper. This deposit is non-refundable.
• 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), check, money order or cash. (Back to Top)

Is payment due in full when I register?

In most cases, payment is due in full at registration. Nearly all of our partner locations require payment in full to hold your spot. For the locations where Mad Science handles the registration we are offering a new Mad Science Installment Plan that gives you the opportunity to pay your Mad Science Registration in three installments. (See How does the new Mad Science Camp Installment Plan work? for more information.) 

Parents who pay in full by registering on our website by May 15^th for one of the locations where Mad Science handles the registration will get a $10 discount on a half day camp and a $20 discount on a full day camp.

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

What should my child wear to camp?

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)

What should my child bring to camp?

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 if they will need one. Full-Day (6-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)

Can I drop my child off early for Mad Science Camp?

In general, Mad Science cannot 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. Some of our partner locations may offer before or after care for some camps. Please check our schedule on our website for information about locations offering these options. (Back to Top)

What happens if I am late to pick up my child from Mad Science Camp?

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)