 |  | Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Mad Science Camp?
Mad Science camps are designed for exciting and fun hands-on science activities. Your child will become a junior scientist for the week, having the opportunity to explore a variety of science concepts and activities. We use an inquiry-based technique that allows even the youngest camper to enjoy learning. Children will design, create, build and assemble a variety of interesting projects and will take at least one project home every day. We provide everything your child will need to participate - though they should bring their own snack and drink. Children should dress comfortably and come ready to have some fun!
What is the child to instructor ratio?
Our standard limit is 20 children per camp. Each camp with over 16 students will have 2 instructors.
What ages are the camps designed for?
All of our summer camp programs are geared for children in grades K-6. We do have preschool programs available for Pre-K ages. If you have a 5 year old that will be entering Kindergarden in Fall of 2009, they may be able to enroll in our camps on a case by case basis. However, they need to be a child who is not easily frustrated, has some reading skills, and does not mind being helped. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.
Are different aged children in the same camp?
Often, but not every time. When a wide range of ages is in the same camp we work with the older children to assist the younger ones. Sometimes this works out as a "buddy system", while other times it's a "table leader" scenario. We find this to be successful and mutually rewarding for the children.
Who are the Mad Science camp instructors?
All of our instructors are people who have worked for us in our after-school programs that we conduct in over 60 schools every spring and fall semester. All of them have experience working with children. We also do a criminal background check and fingerprinting of each one. One thing they all have in common is their love for working with and getting children excited about science.
How do I register my child for a camp?
First you should go to our website, enter your and your child's information, and register in your selected camp(s). For payment, we prefer that you send in your check/money order or call us with your Visa/MasterCard. This will enable us to refrain from cashing your check or charging your card until we know there is enough enrollment to hold the camp. We will communicate with you via email and telephone to keep you posted on the status. Another registration method is to download, print, fill-out and send in our registration form with your payment.
How soon do I need to register to reserve a space for my child?
This is difficult to predict. 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. You don't need to pay right away so get on the list now while spaces are available!
What is your refund policy?
If you cancel within 2 weeks of the camp start date, a $30 cancellation fee per camp will be charged. If you wish to cancel after the first day of camp, a $50 cancellation fee will be charged and the balance will be refunded. However, you must call Mad Science at (916)736-2924 prior to the start of the second day of camp to obtain a refund. After that, no refunds will be given. If we do not get sufficient enrollment to hold the camp, we will return or refund your payment.
When can I expect to see the funds debited from my bank account?
Payment processing for camps will begin on May 18th, 2009. If you are making payment for a future camp, expect to see your payment processed one to two weeks prior to the first day of that camp.
Do you have any discounts?
We sure do! If you are a current Mad Science Customer, and you get a friend to sign up for one of our camps, you get $15.00 OFF your camp enrollment! What a deal!
You may also take $10 off the second and additional camps, and $10 off the second and additional children. Combining the morning and afternoon camps at the same site is $40 off the first child and $50 the second and additional children.
Can I sign my child up for more than 1 camp?
Yes. Many children sign up for multiple camps. Each one is totally different so that your child can enjoy them all without repeating activities. And there is a multiple camp discount available!
My child has attended a Mad Science camp before. If he/she took a particular camp, will it be the same camp that he/she has taken before?
The camp numbers have remained the same as the ones that we have used in the past. For example, if he/she has taken Mad Lab before, about half of the activities will be the same. Many children repeat and enjoy the Mad Lab Camp every year.
My child has taken a Mad Science camp before, but I do not remember which one.
Call us and we will be happy to look it up for you.
I see that you offer locations through some city parks & rec programs. How do we register for these?
In addition to holding our own camps at various locations, we also run programs through the cities in our area. This year we are running programs through Elk Grove CSD, City of Roseville Parks & Rec, The City of Tracy and The City of Folsom. For these programs you have to enroll through them directly. CLICK HERE to see all of our camp locations!
What if I see a particular camp and dates that I want, but you are offering it on a morning or afternoon that won’t work into my schedule?
Call us and we will visit with you about it. When we set up our schedule, we arbitrarily pick a morning or afternoon session for many of our camps. When that session fills, we will then open the corresponding afternoon or morning camp. Many times we get sufficient enrollment to be able to hold the second camp. You can also periodically check our website to see if we have added camps.
Are these the only locations where you are holding your camps this summer?
Maybe not. We may be adding locations, especially in the outlying areas. Also, if you can get at least 15 children and can provide a location, we will bring a camp to you. Usually, we can customize something to fit the times and dates that you want. Call us –We would like to visit with you about this.
What is the difference between a half day camp and a full day camp?
We are offering our camps as 1/2 day sessions and full day sessions. The morning session and afternoon session are 2 different topics so they will be learning about multiple topics!
Do you provide a lunch with the full day camp?
No. You must send a sack lunch with your child. They will have a hour lunch and play break between the morning classes and the afternoon classes. Due to allergies, please refrain from sending peanut-based foods.
Do you offer Early Drop-off or Late Pick-up?
We do offer late pick-up (from 4:00pm - 6:00pm) on our 6-hour per day camp in Sacramento at Fremont Presbyterian Church and also in Roseville at the Placer County Fairgrounds camps. The charge for the afternoon care is $50.00 per week. The morning care (8:00am - 9:00am) is $25.00 per week. That turns out to be only $5.00 per hour for quality care! Please also be aware that we need at least 3 children per camp to be able to offer this option.
| |  |
