Q. What is The DoSeum’s camp philosophy and mission?
Summer programs at The DoSeum serve as a “charging station” to power up kids’ minds and support the important work of schools and community organizations. Our exhibits and programs promote joyful learning, invite discovery, spark interest, and develop positive attitudes towards learning.
OUR MISSION: Through joyful learning and discovery, The DoSeum Experience grows curious minds, connects families, and transforms communities.
OUR VISION: As a premier informal educational resource, we cultivate curious, innovative learners capable of mastering the opportunities of tomorrow.
Q. What are The DoSeum’s camp goals?
The goals of our summer programs are to promote joyful learning as it relates to content (STEM, Arts, Literacy) and social emotional development. Through positive learning experience we hope to spark new interests and skills and positive attitudes for our learners.
Q: Who are the educators and staff of The DoSeum’s camps?
The DoSeum education team consists of highly qualified and trained program educators. These educators work closely with our Director of Public Programs to design and facilitate experiences that are engaging, unique, developmentally appropriate and fun for the campers. At least two team members will always be actively present during the camp and aftercare. Our camp ratios for the fall 2020 sessions are 4 instructors to 20-22 campers in the 5-7 years camps (held in the Theatre) and 2 instructors to the 9-12 campers in the 8-11 age group (held in a double sized classroom).
Registration:
Q. How much does camp cost?
Camp prices are subject to change each season. All prices will be posted on The DoSeum website and reflect the cost for one-day camps or virtual camps for the current season.
Q. What is your refund policy?
Due to the reduced amount of campers, one-day camps and virtual camps are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Please Note: Registration funds may not serve as credit for another DoSeum camp or program, and camp sessions are not transferable to other campers. If The DoSeum cancels a program, refund options will be shared.
Q: Is there a discount for DoSeum members?
Yes! DoSeum members enjoy a discount on camp registration and early access to registration. For more information, please visit our Membership page.
Q: Will I receive a confirmation of my registration?
Yes, the DoSeum will send you an email confirming your online registration. Please check your spam folder and inbox for the email confirmation. If you applied for a scholarship, you will receive an email communication. The week prior to your camp date, the email associated with the registration will receive a comprehensive email outlining the details and logistics of the camp day.
Q. Does my child need to be in the age range of the camp?
Yes. All campers must be in the age range of the camp by the first day of camp. For example, your child must be 5, 6, or 7 years old by the first day of camp to be in a 5-7 camp. They cannot be 8 or older. Our camps are specifically designed for the age ranges associated with them, so we thank you for your understanding. If there is a developmental delay that necessitates a different level of curriculum, please contact us. If a child is accidentally registered in a camp that they are not in the correct age range, the Education team reserves the right to place the child in the correct camp.
Q. Do you have One-day camps for 3-4 year olds?
At this time, we do not. We are prioritizing camps around times that elementary schools are typically out of session. If you are interested in educational programs for 3-4 year olds during the school year, please see our Little Doers preschool webpage!
Communication:
Q. How can I expect camp communications?
Most direct communication for camp will be through email or phone. Please make sure that when you register your child, you include the email and phone number for the person who will be the main contact for the camper during their time at The DoSeum. Please expect:
- An email the week prior to your child’s camp explaining camp logistics and orientation.
Additional communication will be given at pickup, over the phone or via email. Please feel free to reach out to our camp staff with other questions via email or phone.
Q. What are your policies on photos and videos?
In the camp registration, you can choose if your child has permission to be photographed or recorded. We will respect your choice. If there is additional photography taking place (marketing, news segment) you will receive communication about it via email or phone.
A Day At The DoSeum Camp:
Q. What should my child bring to camp?
Please have all personal items labeled with the child’s name. Although we do our best to encourage each camper to keep their things together, The DoSeum is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please make sure you bring ONLY what your child needs each day. This includes:
- Change of clothes
- Reusable water bottle
- Lunch (optional)
- Additional snacks as needed
- Light jacket or sweatshirt
- Backpack (optional)
The following items will not be permitted:
- Personal electronics and/or valuable items
- Cell phone use during camp is NOT permitted - if you need to reach your child during camp for an emergency, please call Sheena Solitaire at 210.572.0588.
- Candy and soda
- Any valuable items
- Toys
Q. What does the camp day look like?
A one-day camp is very busy! Here is a typical schedule:
- 8:00 - 9:00 am - Drop off
- 9:00 am - Camp day begins (typically 2 gallery explorations and two classroom activities)
- 11:00 - 11:30 am - Lunch for full-day campers
- 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Camp day continues for 5+(typically gallery explorations and two classroom activities with an afternoon snack)
- 5:00-5:30 pm- Pick up
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Q. What should my child wear to camp?
Campers should wear clothes that they do not mind getting dirty! Sneakers are best for playing in The DoSeum. Sandals are not recommended. It might be a good idea to bring a light jacket or sweater, as it can get chilly inside and the campers will have time outside as well. We also recommend sunscreen; if you would like your child to wear sunscreen/bug spray, please apply before dropping off your camper in the morning.
Q. Where is drop-off in the morning?
Drop off your camper curbside at the designated area in front of the museum on Humphrey Avenue. Please remain in your car unless you need to take a child out of their car seat. Camp staff will escort your camper inside.
Q. Where is pick up?
Pick up in the in the DoSeum Staff parking lot off of Breckinridge Avenue. Please drive slowly in the parking lot and have your window tag clearly visible so our team can know which child you are picking up. If you do not have the window tag, please plan to show a photo ID.
Our biggest priority is making sure children are safe, so we will verify your ID each day if you do not have your window tag. If a caregiver arrives to pick up your child who is not listed, please know that we will call you for verification over the phone before we release your child.
Q. What happens if I am running late for pick up?
We understand that occasionally caregivers will be late due to situations outside of your control. If you are running late, please contact our staff to let us know. We will wait outside for 5 minutes past the pickup window and then bring your child into aftercare.
A $1 per minute, per child, a late fee will be charged after the first 5 minutes of late pickup (i.e., pick up after 12:35 or 3:35 of the respective pickup window).
When you arrive, please use the main entrance of The DoSeum and ask our Front Desk staff to call for camps. We will escort your child to you. Please plan to bring a photo ID inside so that we can verify who is picking up your child.
Late pickup fees can be paid via check, cash, or credit card at the time of pickup.
Q. What happens if my child has an accident at camp?
If your child has an accident and has a change of clothing, our instructors will make sure your child is ok and make sure that your child changes into clean clothes. If your child forgot a change of clothes, we will send them home in DoSeum clothing that will need to be washed and returned by the end of the week. If they need a change of shoes, you will be called and asked to provide shoes, as we do not have extras available. You will receive a note home and, if the situation necessitates, a phone call.
Q. My child is bilingual. Will the camp be taught in English or Spanish?
If your child is bilingual, please note this on your camp registration. We will do our best to provide instruction in English and Spanish but cannot guarantee Spanish instruction for every camp at this time. However, it is very helpful for our staff to know the language preference of your child so we can do our best to make accommodations as needed.
Q. Can my child bring a cell phone to camp?
Cell phones, video games, and other personal electronic devices can easily become distractions at camp, so we ask that you please keep these items at home. If your child does bring a cell phone to camp, they will not be permitted to use it during the camp day. If there is an emergency and you need to reach your child, please contact the camp staff.
Q. What if my child loses items at camp?
Please clearly label all lunch boxes, water bottles, jackets, changes of clothing, and anything else your child may be bringing to camp. Lost and found items will be stored at the front desk of The DoSeum for one week.
Health And Safety:
Q. What is your illness policy?
In order to protect the health of all campers and staff, children must be kept at home when showing signs of the beginning of an illness or contagious disease, or when feeling too ill to participate in an educational setting. We expect caregivers to communicate with us regarding any communicable illness or infection so that we may notify all caregivers of our campers. These conditions include but are not limited to: pink eye; chicken pox; measles; mumps; strep throat; or lice. If a child develops a fever of 100.0°F or higher, vomits, or has two loose stools while at camp, the caregiver will be called to pick them up.
Children must be symptom-free for 72 hours without medication before returning to camp. In some instances, we will ask caregivers to keep their child home until we have written permission from a doctor saying the child is well enough to return to camp. These policies are in place to ensure the child’s well being along with the well being of the other children at camp and their families. If a child is sent home for illness during the camp week, a refund will not be issued.
Please see additional guidelines for 2020 at the end of this document.
Q. What are your policies about distributing medicine?
We cannot administer or store any prescription or over-the-counter medication. If a child takes daily medication, the caregiver is expected to administer it before or after camp. Epi pens can be stored in the camp instructor’s backpack and will be given only if necessary. We are unable to administer Benadryl for mild allergic reactions but will call the caregiver if a situation arises.
Q. Will you provide lunch and snacks?
Yes, One-day camps will have pizza lunch and water provided. If a camper prefers to bring a lunch they certainly can! Lunches should not require refrigeration or microwaving.
We will provide individually packaged snacks throughout the camp day (ex: pretzels, cheese crackers, raisins etc). You are more than welcome to provide your own daily snack if you’d like. We accommodate for all children with food allergies. We do not have microwaves available.
Also, please see the next question for The DoSeum’s policy on nuts and nut products.
Q. How do you accommodate children with food allergies? What is your nut policy?
We DO NOT allow nuts of any kind, peanuts, peanut butter, or any snacks made with nut- products in camp for snack or lunch. This is to ensure the safety of all campers. Please help us keep our campers safe by NOT packing nut products. If a child has a nut product, The DoSeum reserves the right to remove the food from the classroom and contact the parent to provide another lunch option by 11:00am to the front desk.
Please understand that we aim to provide the safest environment for all children and the nut policy allows us to accommodate the needs of most children we serve.
Q. What if my child has a medical accident at camp?
If a minor injury occurs at camp (cut, scrap, etc.), an Incident Form will be filled out and the appropriate action will be taken by camp staff and/or DoSeum Security. When necessary, a phone call will be made to the caregiver. If an injury or illness needs more immediate care, Education staff will contact the caregiver and arrange for prompt early pick-up.
Behavior Policies
Q. What are your behavioral and discipline procedures?
DoSeum Camp’s first priority is child safety. Behavior and Discipline procedures in place are to ensure camper safety and allow for healthy learning environments, providing campers with the best camp experiences. All camps will have five expectations to be honored:
- Share and take care
- Encourage others
- Participate together
- Do your best
- Keep trying - persevere
DoSeum educators strive to make every attempt to be proactive regarding camper behavior. We provide engaging, thoughtful activities, and use research-based approaches when handling common disruptive behavior.
The following behaviors will lead your camper to be removed temporarily or permanently from DoSeum camps:
- Physical harm to others
- Leaving the group
- Hostile or offensive language
- Destruction or theft of DoSeum property
In the event of a behavior infraction, The DoSeum educators will:
- Promptly remove the camper from the camp for their safety and the safety of others.
- Work as a team to contact camper’s caregivers.
- After multiple behavior infractions, The DoSeum reserves the right to call caregivers for an early pick-up.
If the lead educator cannot reach you before camp drop-off the next day, DoSeum educators reserve the right to refuse to accept your child to camp depending on the severity of the behavior.
Please keep in mind the lead educators will not be available to communicate with caregivers directly until the end of the camp day. The lead educator will follow up with the caregiver in one of the following ways: in-person during the conference during pick-up; email; phone call.