Science Camp FAQs

What is the schedule?

How much does camp cost?
Members: $520.00 per week. Nonmembers: $590.00 per week. Note: These are our early bird rates! Take advantage before the deal ends Feb. 17.

Tuition includes inquiry-based STEM camp curriculum, skilled teaching staff, course materials, camper T-shirt, two snacks, beverage, museum exploration, and off-site field trips when applicable to the course. Memberships must be maintained throughout the summer to qualify for the member rate. Starting May 1, 2020 no refunds are issued through Science Camp.

Do you have early and late care?
Camp runs Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Early (8:00 – 9:00 am – $10/day) and/or late care (4:00 – 5:30 pm – $15/day) is available. If a camper must remain at LSC after 5:30 pm due to an unavoidable delay such as a family emergency, an extra fee will be charged. The amount will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

What discounts are available?
We offer the discounts shown in the following table for our full-day camp sessions.

Save more with an LSC membership! Enjoy discounts, special events, free admission to LSC and partner museums, and more. For maximum savings, sign up as a new member or renew before completing your child’s camp registration.

How many campers are in each course?
Class size is 20 campers maximum.

How many teachers and assistants are in each course?
Three. Each class is led by two trained STEM educators and/or certified teachers assisted by a “near peer” youth instructor.

What are the teachers’ backgrounds?
Our professional faculty and staff are dedicated to and passionate about STEM education. Many work in LSC’s STEM Education Division. Others are from schools and similar institutions in the tristate area.

How much time will campers spend on the exhibition floors?
Campers will be busy working in our labs and classrooms most of the day but will have structured museum exploration during the course of their week. After each Friday Family Showcase, families are welcome to explore the Science Center until closing at no additional charge.

What should my child wear?
Camper T-shirts will be distributed on the first day of camp. They should be worn daily to identify your child as a camp participant. Weather permitting, campers may be outdoors during part of the day and should dress in layers for indoor air conditioning and outside fun.

Are extra camp T-shirts available?
Yes, additional shirts are available for $10 in the camp office, while supplies last. The fee will be put on your camp account.

What supplies should my child bring?
Campers are welcome to bring refillable water bottles. Everything else needed for each session will be provided, from circuit boards to cow eyes, and from pencils to notebooks, scissors, and tape.

May my child bring an iPad or other electronic device to use in class?
We encourage campers to leave electronic devices at home (see lost and found, below). If laptops are required for coursework, LSC will make them available to campers.

Is there a lost and found?
Yes. If a child loses an article of clothing or other possession, it will be held by the camp staff and then turned over to the LSC Security Office at the end of the week. We are sorry, but we cannot mail or hand deliver lost articles. They must be picked up at LSC.

Is lunch included in tuition?
No. We provide each camper with healthy morning and afternoon snacks along with bottled water every day.

The camper’s family must provide a brown bag lunch and drink. Please do not send lunches that require refrigeration or warming. These services will not be available. Soda is not permitted in camp.

Please note that campers will not be able to purchase lunch from our café.

How do you deal with food allergies?
We are NOT a nut-free nor a gluten-free facility, but we will work with you to try to accommodate your camper’s needs. Please advise the camp staff of any food allergies or sensitivities before your camper’s session begins.

What is the policy for early drop-off and late pickup?
Campers may be dropped off as early as 8:00 am (additional charge of $10 per day) and picked up as late as 5:30 pm (additional charge of $15 per day), or $25 per day for both. Campers will be supervised in a designated area.

Do you provide transportation to camp? What about carpool options?
Transportation to and from camp is not provided. Families can make their contact information available to other parents in their area if they would like to organize a carpool.

What if my child needs to take medication?
Prescription medication must be in its original container identifying the prescribing physician, the medication name, the dosage, and the frequency. Medications will be safely stored in the camp office during the day. Please discuss your camper’s medication schedule with the camp staff before the first day of camp.

What is STEM?
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. STEM is considered one of the most important fields of K-12 education, and is currently part of a new national initiative. It is about moving forward, solving problems, learning, and pushing innovation to the next level.

Will there be any field trips?
If a course includes an off-site field trip, LSC will provide commercial bus service with camp counselors as chaperones. Parents will be notified if a field trip is included.