CAMP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 185 Mad Science locations in 25 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, and 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-Activities while exploring how science affects the world around us. Your child will have so much fun they won't even realize they are learning
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. Several of our locations are responsible for processing their own registrations. Please refer to the Camp Schedule and Locations page for the registration method of your camp. Note: registration requirements, start dates, end dates and minimum camp size may vary by location. For those camps registered through us go to our Online Registration page
What ages are appropriate for a Mad Science camp?
Most Mad Science camps are open to children entering grades 1 through 6. We do have a preschool camp for those for 4 and 5 year olds "Junior Explorers" Check the schedule for locations and times. All Mad Science activities are specifically designed to be conducted in an age and grade appropriate manner.. 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!
What are the behavioral expectations for a child?
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. Parents are welcome to observe any class and to participate where appropriate. We ask that you limit your participation so that the hands-on nature of our programs is preserved. All parents should support the learning process after the camp is dismissed. We help you with this through take home activities and "what I learned" cards to reinforce what was learned.
What is the camper to instructor ratio?
Our camper to instructor ratio will never be greater than 14 to 1. The minimum number of campers necessary to hold a camp is 10. 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 canceled.
Who are the Mad Science camp instructors?
Mad Science instructors are college graduates or students pursuing an education or science degree, former/retired teachers or teachers on summer break. Most are working with us in our in-school and after-school programs. All of our instructors have experience working with large groups of elementary-aged children, have undergone an extensive level 2 (school district required) background check and received many hours of summer camp specific training. The main characteristic that our instructors all share is their love of working with children.
Is payment due in full when I register?
That depends upon the registration requirements of our camp partner who does the registration. If we are handling registration 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 credit card (Visa or Master card) or by check. Payment by check must be received in our office within 5 days or your registration may be canceled.
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.
Will all camp sessions be 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 progress. We have established a minimum number of campers needed to offer a session. If this number is not met, we must cancel that session. If canceled we will work to place you in the nearest camp location if possible or offer you a full refund of your registration fee, whichever is preferred.
What is your refund policy?
For all camp registrations that occur through Mad Science (i.e. our on-line registration system), 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 requested between 8 and 30 days prior to the start of the camp will be subject to a $50 service. No refunds will be given for cancellations inside of 8 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. 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 a partial refund for unused days minus a $15 processing fee. 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 locations refund policy. Please check with your location for their specific refund policy.These locations may include city recreation department centers or private schools among others.
Are there Multiple Camp Discounts?
Yes. The same child can register for the “Full Day Option” which is the morning camp and then the afternoon camps on the same week at the same location. These discount are taken off when registering with our local partners.
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. Last year, many children initially registered for only one camp. After they discovered how much they enjoyed our activities, they attempted to register for additional camps. Due to the popularity of many of our themes and weeks, several children were disappointed when the additional camps were already sold out. Take our word for it, your child will love all our camps! Save yourself the trouble and register for all of them!
My child has already taken Mad Science at their school or rec. center... Is Summer Camp different?
YES. Only 2 camps (NASA & Crazy Chemworks - see below) do include some of the same content as our after school programs but THE camps contain a lot more as well. Our typical after school program consists of 6 hours of programming while our camps contain 15 hours (3 hours a day for 5 days). These 2 Programs are intermixed and presented differently in a summer camp environment Thus our camps are unique experiences, specially designed for a half or full Day of Hands On Fun!
What is the Full Day Option?
At some of our locations we offer ½ day camps one in the morning and one in the afternoon. By registering for both we keep your child busy and having fun all day from 9 – 4 pm. Between both camps (12- 1pm) we eat lunch with the children in the full day option and supervise them while taking a break after lunch in a location playground or yard. Remember that when signing up for the full day option just register for both 1/2 days One in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Are these the only locations where you will be holding your camps this summer?
Maybe not. 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.
What if my child misses a day of camp?
If your child misses a day of camp, we are happy to provide you with the materials for take-home activities that your child has missed if you call our office and request it. We are not able to offer any reimbursement for missed camp days.
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 occasions. Please do not dress your child in any clothes that you do not want to get dirty. The snack-activities that are part of each camp day are not a significant amount of food. If your child would benefit from some additional calories during the day, please pack additional snack items. Coolers/refrigeration will be available. Please clearly mark your child's name on all items he brings to camp.
Do you provide snacks for 1/2 day camps and/or a lunch with the Full Day Option?
We will provide a mid-morning snack-activity and a mid-afternoon snack-activity along with water, or a light fruit drink for all 1/2 day camps but no lunch for the full day options. You must send a bag lunch with your child
What is your policy for early drop off and late pick up?
Mad Science cannot at this time 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. 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 an authorized parent or guardian not be present at the end of camp, Mad Science reserves the right to charge a late pickup fee of $1.00 per minute per child beginning 10 minutes after the stated end time of the camp. This late fee must be paid by cash or check directly to the Mad Scientist who has supervised your child. Your child cannot return to camp until this fee is paid. A second late pickup will result in your child being removed from camp without a refund.
Would you like to 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 12 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 exactly match your needs. Location needs for a Mad Science camp are pretty simple:
- Table/desk space and a chair for each camper
- A table for the Mad Science equipment
- Access to electricity and water
- The ability to darken the room
- A nearby outside area (approximately 100 ft. x 100 ft.)
Mad Science provides everything else!
Please contact our office for any questions and/or more details. Phone: 727-895-5595. E-mail: MadscienceTB@.net
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