Welcome to the 46th Annual Miami Science Museum Summer Camp. Here is some important information and helpful reminders to make sure that your camper’s experience is fun, educational and safe!
Class Sessions
Choose from Eight One-Week Sessions (June 18th - August 10th)
Class Times
9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Class Fees per Week*
*Unless otherwise noted.
Members: $180
Non-Members: $210
Sibling Discount: 15% off (This discount applies to tuition ONLY, and does not include before- and after-care costs, T-shirts, etc.)
Registration
To register for camp, first review the Class Descriptions for your child’s grade level. Campers should choose classes according to the grade level they will enter this coming fall. For parents considering the Pre-Kindergarten classes, campers must be 4-years old as of August 2012. Additionally, campers in the Pre-K class must be completely potty trained and should be able to handle all aspects of using the restroom alone.
The camp registrar will send an email informing you that your child’s registration was successfully received. Once the registration and payment are processed, we will send a final confirmation and invoice detailing your class selections and the amount charged. Your child is not considered registered until you receive this Confirmation/Invoice. Please print the Confirmation/Invoice and bring it with you on the first day of each camp session.
We will make every effort to accommodate your child(ren). However, please note that registrations are entered on a first come, first serve basis. Additionally, the cutoff time for registrations for an upcoming week is the Friday before at 4:00 pm. Any registrations received after this time will not be processed. We do offer the opportunity for walk-in registrations on the Monday of each session for classes that have not met capacity; however, there is no guarantee that space will be available on a walk-in basis.
The A-B-C’s of MiaSci Summer Camp
Absences:
If your child will not attend camp on a specific day during a session for which he or she is registered, please notify the Museum as soon as possible by calling 305-646-4222 or notifying a camp administrator in advance. Absences may not be “made up” by having your child attend another camp on a different day, nor will you receive a refund for any missed days.
Arrival:
Parents must accompany their child(ren) to the Museum’s lobby every morning and sign them in at the appropriate table (signs will be posted). Each camper will be given a wristband and escorted to sit with their class in the theater until class begins. Parents are more than welcome to wait with their child until class begins.
On Monday mornings – the first day of each weekly session – campers should arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 to meet their Summer Camp Teacher and double check Emergency Contact and Authorization for Release information.
Attire:
Comfort is key. Campers should wear t-shirts, shorts or jeans, and closed-toe shoes. All campers should also bring a sweater or jacket as the Museum tends to be chilly. Please place the camper’s name on the tag of the jacket.
Additionally, campers may use materials like clay, paper maché and paint or may participate in outdoor activities. It is in their best interest to wear clothes that can get dirty, wet, or messy and/or bring a change of clothes.
Campers involved in water sports should wear a bathing suit, water shoes (not Crocs), and a hat. They should also bring a towel and a dry change of clothes.
Behavior Expectations:
Good behavior is a key component to a successful summer camp experience. In an effort to provide all campers with a safe and fun-filled camp experience, it is important that all campers exhibit proper behavior and self-control. Campers are expected to respect their teachers and fellow campers at all times. Inappropriate, disruptive, and/or violent behavior while at camp will not be tolerated. Examples of inappropriate behavior include, but are not limited to: fighting, name calling, foul language, arguing, reckless endangerment, disrespectful actions, and stealing.
The Miami Science Museum reserves the right, upon notification of parents, to dismiss any student during any session for conduct that is deemed detrimental to the well-being of other students, staff, or to the overall operation of the camp.
Background Screening:
All Miami Science Museum staff, contractors, volunteers, and vendors, including those directly involved with our camp programs, have undergone and passed Level 2 background screening. This screening requires that fingerprints are submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for state processing and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for federal processing, and also includes a background check through local law enforcement agencies.
Camp Activities:
Camp activities will be specific to the session chosen each week. However, each class will feature science lessons, projects, experiments, and crafts, interspersed with time to explore the museum galleries, planetarium or theater shows, and a 30-minute outdoor PE time.
Cancelled Classes & Class Changes:
Classes that do not meet minimum enrollment requirements are subject to cancellation. If we must cancel your class, we will contact you to inform you of other class options.
Changing classes is permitted if space allows, but there is a $10 processing fee for each class change.
Deadlines:
We will make every effort to accommodate your child. However, please note that registrations are entered on a first come, first serve basis. Additionally, the cutoff time for registrations for an upcoming week is the Friday before at 4:00 pm. Any registrations received after this time will not be processed.
Departure:
Dismissal takes place from 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm. Please visit the appropriate table in the lobby to sign out your child. For safety reasons, campers will only be released to the individual(s) listed on your original registration form or an Authorization for Release Form. Additionally, all individuals must present a photo ID every time they come to pick up a child. Once ID’s have been verified, your child will be brought to you. Due to our high volume of campers and the verification process, the pick-up process may take up to 10 minutes. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Campers who remain after 4:00 pm will be placed in after care and charged accordingly.
Early-Pickups:
In the event that a camper will need to be picked up early, please proceed to the Box Office. Give the Box Office attendant your child’s name, grade, and the name of the session in which they are enrolled. The Box Office will then contact the appropriate teacher or the camp manager who will bring your child to you for sign-out. The same guidelines described above will be followed.
Field Trips:
Camp sessions that include field trips are noted in the class descriptions. For these trips, students will be transported by buses provided by an approved MDCPS bus vendor.
Classes held at offsite locations will depart from the Museum promptly at 9:15, so please arrive on time.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms:
In the event that Miami-Dade County is placed under Tropical Storm or Hurricane warnings, parents will be notified via email or phone whether camp sessions will be cancelled.
In Case of an Emergency
If you need to reach camp staff or your child during the day, please call 305-646-4234 for an immediate answer. The person at the extension will help get you in contact with the appropriate camp or Public Programs staff.
Lunch and Snack:
All classes have a 30-minute lunch break, from approximately 11:30 am – 12:00 pm for grades Pre-K to 3 or 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm for grades 4-8. Please send food that does not require refrigeration or a microwave. Place each camper’s name on his or her lunch box/bag so that it is easily identifiable.
Two healthy snacks are provided each day. Campers with specific dietary needs or food allergies are encouraged to bring their own snacks. Snack and beverage vending machines are available at the Museum. Museum staff is not responsible for lost money if you choose to send your child with cash for the vending machines.
Media Release:
By signing your child up for camp you authorize the Miami Science Museum to photograph and/or videotape your child for publicity purposes. Please note that these materials will not be sold or loaned and will be used only to promote the Miami Science Museum education programs. If you do not want your child to be photographed, please make a note on your registration from or notify the camp registrar.
Medication:
If your child requires any prescription medication, they must be able to administer or take the medication by themselves; camp staff cannot administer any type of medication. This includes Epi-pens. Please send only those medications that absolutely must be taken during camp hours. Required medication must be placed in a Ziploc bag and properly labeled with the child’s name. Please list all details on the Emergency Contact Form for each child.
Personal Items:
The Museum makes every reasonable attempt to safeguard our campers’ possessions. However, we suggest that students leave personal items, especially electronics and toys at home. If camp staff determines that the presence of these items is disruptive to the class, they will be confiscated and held until the end of the day.
Please understand that the museum can not be held responsible for the loss, destruction, or theft of any personal items (i.e. clothing, book bags or purses, toys, games, electronic devices, cell phones, or money) your child may bring to camp.
Problem Situations:
Notify the Public Programs Manager, Karlisa Callwood (305-646-4233, kcallwood@miamisci.org), if your child is having a problem at camp. We want your child to have an enjoyable and rewarding summer. With your help, we can ensure that all campers are at ease and comfortable.
The Miami Science Museum reserves the right, upon notification of parents, to dismiss any student during any session for conduct that is deemed detrimental to the well-being of other students, staff, or to the overall operation of the camp.
Rainy Days: In the event of rainy weather, students enrolled in outdoor classes at all sites will be engaged in indoor activities. We do not give tuition refunds due to weather.
Refunds:
Please note that refunds are not issued for camp classes. If for some reason a child needs to withdraw from or cannot attend a session that they have been registered for, a Museum Credit will be issued. This credit is good for one year from the date of issue and may be applied to any MiaSci Camp Program or towards a Museum Membership.
Sun Protection and Drinking Water: Some camp classes take place outdoors or involve outdoor activities. Please remember to prepare campers with hats, insect repellent, drinking water and sunscreen to protect against the hot Florida sun.
Teachers:
Our camp Lead Teachers are certified teachers with over 5-10 years of teaching experience in Miami-Dade County Public and Private schools. Each Lead Teacher has experience working with children in the grade level to which they are assigned and is committed to providing a positive experience for all campers. Lead Teachers are also innovative educators who will deliver hands-on, interactive learning that will engage our campers.
In addition to the Lead Teacher, each class will also have a Teaching Aide, increasing our instructor to camper ratio to 1:10.
T-shirts:
If you ordered a T-shirt, you may pick it up at the T-shirt table in the lobby on Mondays from 8:30–9:00 am. Additional Museum T-shirts will be available for purchase at this time as well.
Tuition:
Tuition for each camp session is noted next to the class descriptions. All fees must be paid at time of registration via cash, check (please include your driver’s license number), or credit card (if online - American Express, Discover, Visa or Mastercard are accepted).
For those parents wishing to take advantage of the sibling discount, you will pay the full amount for the registrant with highest total tuition, then deduct 15% from the tuition of each additional sibling. This MUST be done at the time of your initial registration. PLEASE NOTE: The discount applies to the tuition portion only, not to pre- and post-camp activities, T-shirts, or other fees. Cousins, nieces, nephews or friends are ineligible.
Varying Prices:
While most of our summer camp classes are $180 for members and $210 for non-members, there are some offerings that exceed those prices; these tend to be our specialized (rocketry, gaming, etc.) or offsite (sailing, Eco Island Adventures, Eco Explorers, etc.) classes. The difference in price for these classes is usually due to one or more of the following: instructors with specific expertise, specialized supplies and equipment, and/or fees associated with fieldtrips, including entrance, transportation costs, etc.
Withdrawals:
If a student withdraws from a class for which they are registered, a Museum credit (but no refund) will be given, minus a $10 processing fee per class. This credit is good for one year from date of issue and may be applied to any camp classes or towards a Museum Membership.
For more information, please call the camp registrar at 305-646-4222 or email summercamp@miamisci.org.
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