Summer Camp FAQ’s 2023
Camp sessions will take place at the museum’s new home in the Biological Sciences Building with walking field trips to other campus and offsite locations.
How do I register for Camp Explorations?
Camp Registration is now offered through CampDoc.com
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for Morning and Afternoon sessions for ages 6-12.
To qualify for a scholarship, a student must qualify for free or reduced lunch at their school and provide a letter showing that. The scholarship covers $100 of the session and is limited to 1 session per child.
Limited scholarships available. Scholarships will be given out on a first come, first served basis.
What does my child need to bring to Camp Explorations?
- Water Bottle
- *Snack (non-refrigerated, non-microwavable, nut-free)
- **Lunch (non-refrigerated, non-microwavable, nut-free)
- Weather-appropriate clothes and footwear
- Hat
- Sunscreen/Bug Spray
- A bag or backpack to hold it all
It is a camper’s responsibility to keep track of all of their belongings while at camp. To support campers’ success in this area, we encourage families to label all belongings with a camper’s first and last name and send all items in a bag or backpack.
* For the safety of our campers and staff, we are a peanut and tree nut free camp.
**Your child only needs a lunch if he/she is enrolled all day.
What should my child NOT bring?
We ask that all electronics, toys, food products containing nuts etc. be left at home. Children staying for aftercare are allowed to read, but these items need to be kept in the coatroom during camp activities. Camp Explorations is not responsible for lost or broken toys, especially handheld video game systems or valuable trading cards! PLEASE leave these things at home.
How large are group sizes for Camp Explorations?
Campers are placed in small groups by age and our counselor to camper ratio is 1:9 or fewer. For the Little Explorer sessions the counselor to camper ratio is 1:7 or fewer.
My child is enrolled in sessions all day, what do they do for lunch?
Your child should bring a non-refrigerated, non-microwavable, nut-free packed meal. Lunch will take place between 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the museum. Your child will be supervised during the lunchtime.
What should I do if my camper has allergies, medications or special needs?
Please make sure you put this information on the registration forms. Campers that have serious allergies that require emergency medication (epi-pen, asthma inhalers) should carry it with them. Other medication must be given to camp staff and stored in the Camp Director’s Office.
You will also need to complete an Over-the-Counter Medication Authorization Form. Please contact the Camp Office for this additional form.
Note: Unless we have parental authorization, we will not administer ANY medications or make OTC medications available to participants unless necessary as part of general first-aid treatment.
What does my camper need to do to participate successfully in camp?
We strive to create an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and inspires curiosity for all campers. For this reason, campers must be able to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
- Maintain appropriate language and actions
- Hands to themselves
- Respectful language to fellow campers and camp staff
- Stay with their group
- Listen to camp staff and follow directions
If your camper is struggling, we will have a quiet, friendly space that campers can take a break and calm down or recharge before returning to their group. We do reserve the right to remove any camper that repeatedly cannot meet these expectations.
Can I talk to my child’s counselor or the camp director about my child’s needs before camp begins?
We greatly appreciate any information, suggestions or tips you would like to share with us. Filling out the registration form with as much detail as possible will give us the opportunity to prepare any special accommodations and give your camper the best experience possible. Camp leaders are not always available to speak to, but you are welcome to email our summer camp team at ummnh.camp@umich.edu or call the Camp Office at 734.674.6421. Anything you wish to be communicated with your camper’s counselor will be communicated prior to the start of the camp week.
Where do I pick up and drop off my child?
More information coming. You will receive an email a week before the camp starts with pick up and drop off information. You will need to sign your child in and out each day. Please make sure anyone who will be picking up your child is added to the Pick Up Authorization Form. Please be ready to show your ID at pickup.
What about aftercare?
Aftercare is available for campers enrolled in the afternoon sessions. The cost for after care is $75 a week and is available between 4-6 p.m. If your child is not picked up by 6 p.m., a late fee of $10 per child for 15 minutes or portion thereof that you are late will be charged. Aftercare is also available on a per day basis for $15 per day and can be added the week of camp.
What if I need to drop my child off late?
Please let us know ahead of time if you will be dropping off your child late so we can make sure someone is available to sign your child in and take them to their group.
What if I need to pick up my child early?
Please let us know ahead of time if you will be picking up your child early so we can make sure someone is available to get your child from their group so you can sign them out.
What if there’s inclement weather?
Camp will go on! We will change our programs to stay indoors when necessary.
Can I have someone else drop off or pick up my child?
Yes, as long as his/her name is listed on your registration sheet. If the individual is not named on the sheet, we will have to call the adult listed for pickup permission. This includes parents if they are not listed on the registration sheet. If you need to add a name to the authorized persons pickup list, please call Camp Explorations at 734.647.6421 or send an email to ummnh.camp@umich.edu.
My child does not speak English well. Can they still come to camp?
Of course! We will try our best to keep your child engaged and learning while at Camp Explorations. However, we are not able to provide interpreters for your child at camp.
Will the group be going on any field trips?
We occasionally take our group on walking field trips, but you will always be told well in advance. On days that we are going on walking field trips, we ask that your child wear comfortable shoes, weather appropriate clothing, and the Camp Explorations T-shirt. We also suggest that your child bring a water bottle, backpack, bug spray, and sunscreen.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
A $15 cancellation fee is applied to all refunds. Refunds will be given if requested at least 14 days before your camp start date. No refunds will be given if requested after 14 days of your camp start date. Please notify the camp office in writing for any cancellation requests.
What if I want to switch to a different week of camp after I have registered?
A $15 processing fee will be assessed for any requested registration changes. Please double-check your schedule and application before submitting your registration.
What if I want my child to placed in the same group with a friend?
Campers are placed in age appropriate groups for each session. We make every effort to accommodate requests for campers to be in the same group as a friend, though requests are not guaranteed.
If you would like your camper to be placed in the same group as a friend and you did not indicate it on your registration form, the request can be made in writing to the Camp Director at ummnh.camp@umich.edu.
What is the typical daily schedule for camp?
| Morning Session | |
| 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. | Camper Drop Off |
| 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Camp Activities & Snack |
| 11:30 – 11:45 a.m. | End of Day/Wrap Up |
| 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Gather belongings and head outside for Pick Up OR Get ready for Lunch |
Lunch is from 12:00-12:45pm and is supervised by camp staff if your child is enrolled in both a morning and afternoon session (Ages 6-12 ONLY).
| Afternoon Session | |
| 12:45 – 1:15 p.m. | Camper Drop Off |
| 1:15 – 3:30 p.m. | Camp Activities & Snack |
| 3:30 – 3:45 p.m. | End of Day/Wrap Up |
| 3:45 – 4:00 p.m. | Gather belongings and head outside for Pick Up OR Head to Aftercare |
| Little Explorers Session | (ages 4-5) |
| 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. | Camper Drop Off |
| 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Camp Activities & Snack |
| 11:30 – 11:45 a.m. | End of Day/Wrap Up/Gather belongings and get ready for Pick Up |
| 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Little Explorer Pick Up |
- Week 9 PM: “Ology” Camp
- Week 9 AM: Best of Camp Explorations
- Week 9 AM: Best of Camp Explorations Questions
- Week 9 PM: “Ology” Camp Questions
- Week 8 PM: Fantastic Fossils
Contact
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History Biological Sciences
Building 1105 N. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1085
(734) 647-6421