Summer Camp FAQ's
Last updated: March 2024
We are so excited that you have decided to join us this summer!
Do you have early registration for Museum Members?
Yes, current Museum Members at the Family level and above will receive information about early registration and discounts via email. Be sure your membership and contact information is up to date by clicking here or calling the Membership Team at 801-585-9054. If you are interested in access to priority registration, consider upgrading your Museum Membership to join the Copper Club. Members at the Copper Club level enjoy priority registration earlier than anyone else! Members at the Family level and above receive information on how to register a week before we open to the public.
When does public registration begin?
Public registration opened at 9:00am on March 11, 2024.
Do all membership levels include summer camp pre-sale access?
No. Only members at the Family, Naturalist, Curator, and Copper Club levels will receive information regarding priority and early registration.
What is the deadline to register for an open camp session?
Camp registration closes two weeks prior to each session, unless they fill sooner.
Where is the Museum located?
The Natural History Museum of Utah is located at 301 Wakara Way, in Research Park, south of Red Butte Garden.
What information should I have before I start my child's registration?
You will be asked to supply your personal address, phone, and emergency contact information as well as the grade level they will be entering in the fall of 2024, plus any allergies or medical information we need to be aware of.
Why do we ask the medical questions we do?
Some parents wonder why we ask for certain personal/medical information about your child. After all, in some ways, it is none of our business! What IS our business is your child's success at our camp. The more we know about your child before they come to camp, the better we can prepare our staff, and the more we can work together to make your child's camp experience as positive and rewarding as possible.
When you send your child to camp, you entrust us with their care. We want you to think of us as your partner in your child's well-being. We can only keep our end of the partnership if we have the information to prepare our team and ensure your child is well cared for and free to have the best time ever.
There have been times when, because we didn't know about a particular child's needs, we could not respond to their behavior properly and they were unable to remain at camp. The better prepared we are before camp, the better we can help your child be successful once they are here.
What will your Communicable Disease policies and procedures be?
We are continually updating our Communicable Disease policies as new information and recommendations come out from the American Camp Association and the CDC.
Can I sign up multiple children at the same time?
Yes, but you will need to fill in the information for one camper, then add the next camper by going back to the camp page and adding another camp session to your shopping cart.
How do I know my child is registered in the camp?
You must hit the ‘add to cart’ button to save your spot in the camp and finish the payment process.
How does your wait lists work?
We do not offer a wait list due to the staff time required to manage it. Instead, we'll open a link on the Camp Home Page for any open spots that become available. Spots will be on a first come, first served basis.
Can I show up the day of camp and wait to see if a spot opens up?
No. If a parent has informed us that their child will not be attending a camp, we will re-open the registration link. If we are not informed of a cancelation ahead of time and an individual does not show up on the first day, their spot is held for them until they let us know they are not attending.
Arrival check-in / drop-off
All campers MUST be checked-in each day by a parent/guardian. We highly recommend that only one parent/guardian drop-off the camper each day. Check-in will open 15 minutes before the camp's start time. We offer curbside drop-off. You'll follow the signs to the Museum's turnaround and follow staff directions. Remain in your vehicle and staff will come to your car to greet you, get your name and the name of your camper. Campers will then head to their assigned camp cohort and dedicated staff, who will be waiting outside to greet them.
Thanks, in advance, for your patience as we get kids out of vehicles and checked in to camp each morning. Remember that check in doesn’t start until 15 minutes prior to the camp start time (8:15 for an 8:30 start and 8:45 for a 9am start). In order to speed up the process for our Kinder and 1st grade campers, please have your kiddo unbuckled and ready to get out of the car as you move towards the head of the drop-off line. If at all possible, having your child’s car seat on the passenger-side of the car helps staff get them in and out quicker and then kids don’t have to walk where cars/shuttles/work vehicles may be passing. Please don’t have kids get out until a staff person is at your vehicle. We have a lot of kiddos, and it quickly gets chaotic when that happens, and we may miss marking off that a child is here.
Campers will not be allowed to be dropped-off before their published arrival time. Late arrivals must call and be checked in separately.
Families will receive a placard with their child's name and camp session to place on their dashboard. You will receive these on the first day of your child's first session. If you are attending multiple sessions, feel free to reuse the permits.
Departure, check-out / pick-up
Campers must be checked-out each afternoon. We offer curbside pick-up in the Museum turnaround. Check-out will take place directly after camp has ended. Pull into the Museum's turnaround, follow the signage and staff directions. Remain in your vehicle and wait for staff to come to you. Be sure your child's placard is visible on your dashboard.
If you'd like to walk in to pick up your camper, that is fine as well. Please do to the steps below the Group Entrance doors, located above the turnaround and have your child's placard with you. Outside staff will radio inside staff and have your child brought out.
If campers are not picked up within 15 minutes of their camp session ending and have not made prior arrangements with camp staff, parents will be charged $1 per minute. Cash payment will be collected at the time of pick up.
What if I need a late drop off or need to pick my camper up early?
We have many fun and exciting activities for your child to enjoy during camp and encourage you to be on time and to allow them to stay for their entire camp experience each day. Late drop-offs and early pick-ups impact the camp experience for the entire cohort as we get kids caught up with activities or need to get them ready to leave early.
If you know that you will be late for drop-off or need to pick your child up early, be certain to let the Camp Director know via email so that we can best accommodate you. Use the turnaround, call the number on the sign, and staff will come out to assist you.
Is there an opportunity for parents to meet camp staff?
Yes! Camp staff are always at check in and are happy to talk with you. If you have questions about any portion of the camp experience, reach out to the Camp Director via email at programs@nhmu.utah.edu.
How long is the camp experience?
Camp sessions for 2024 will be Monday-Thursday. We have two short weeks over the July 4 and 24 holiday weeks as well as the week of August 12-14. No camp on Fridays.
How long is each day?
Kindergarten sessions run from 9:00am - Noon and from 1:00 - 4:00pm (full day registration for Kinder is not allowed), first grade sessions from 9:00am - 4:00pm, and second through eighth grade sessions will run from 8:30am - 4:30pm.
May I enroll my gifted child for an older age group?
We create developmentally appropriate camp curriculum and our instructors are comfortable working with a wide range of learning styles and levels within that curriculum. We have found that children have the best experiences at camp when they participate in camps at their grade level. While some children may have the intellectual capacity to understand the concepts presented in camps for higher-grade levels, they usually have the best social interactions with children who are the same age. Since camp involves many group activities as well as time to socialize and make new friends, being comfortable with his/her peers is very important to a child’s enjoyment of camp. Therefore, we adhere to our grade-level groupings and work hard to make each camp an outstanding experience for all participants.
Do you provide lunch?
No. Campers are responsible for bringing their own non-refrigerated lunch from home along with a water bottle. Be sure that campers’ names are clearly marked on their lunch bag or box. We offer a supervised lunch hour from Noon to 1:00pm that includes time to explore outside.
Are drinks made available for my child during the day?
Yes, we provide access to water at all times. Campers will need to bring their own reusable water bottles.
Do you provide snacks?
No, but we will provide time once per morning and afternoon for campers to go outside and enjoy a snack brought from home. Be sure your camper has two substantial snacks (active kids are hungry kids!) and a water bottle.
Can I give my child money for them to purchase snacks or lunch in the Museum Café?
No. Campers should bring their own snacks and lunches, along with a waterbottle.
Who makes up the staff for camp?
Most of our teaching staff are elementary or secondary school teachers. Several also work here at the Museum in our Education and Community Outreach department. We also have teen assistants helping with each camp session and keep a high staff to camper ratio. All staff are selected for their energy, enthusiasm and aptitude for science. All camp staff are trained to work with students in informal settings and have successfully completed a required background check.
How should my child dress for camp?
Campers should dress in comfortable clothing that may get messy. For safety, we highly recommend closed-toe shoes (for some sessions, closed-toe shoes are required). Please dress your camper for the weather. We plan to go outside each and every day, rain or shine!
What will campers need for outdoor experiences?
Many summer camps include outdoor activities, and all camp sessions go outside for snack and lunch times. Please remember to prepare campers with a hat, rain gear or other weather-appropriate clothing along with applied sunscreen.
Who can I contact during the day if I need to leave an emergency message?
Call 801-585-3948 to speak to the Camp Director. If for some reason she is not available, contact our Guest Services staff at 801-581-6927. Messages will be relayed to camp staff immediately.
How are campers supervised?
Campers are supervised at all times and are escorted on restroom breaks. We have once again limited our camp sizes this summer. Camp size will depend upon grade ranges. All sessions will have at least 2 staff, if not 3.
May parents stay in the classroom?
No. Parents/guardians/visitors are not allowed to remain in classrooms. Our camps are supervised by education professionals and aim to promote independent learning and socialization opportunities for your children. If you feel that your child is unable to remain in camp without you, it may be best to wait a year before you send them to camp.
What are the behavior expectations for campers?
Camp instructors review camper expectations on the first day of each camp session. Our expectations are as follows:
- Listen and follow instructions
- Participate in camp activities to the best of your abilities
- Respect others and Museum property
- Have fun learning and making new friends!
The Museum reserves the right to send a camper home due to inappropriate behavior without a refund.
Equal opportunity and accommodations for a disability
The University of Utah's Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action provides a process for all participants of University programs to seek reasonable accommodations for a disability. If you believe your child would benefit from the services offered through OEO, please contact them directly at oeo@utah.edu or 801-581-8365.
NHMU Bullying Prevention Policy
We are committed to fostering a safe, positive, and responsive environment that is free of discrimination, violence, and bullying. With this in mind, NHMU has instituted a Bullying Prevention Policy. If camp staff becomes aware of a situation where camp expectations are not being met, affected parties will be spoken with to resolve difficulties. If tensions still persist, parents will be brought in and steps will be taken to ensure a quality experience is upheld. If things do not improve, the Camp Director has the authority to remove a child from camp, without a refund. If a camper hits or otherwise hurts another camper or staff, they will be removed the camp session, without a refund. Before returning for another camp, parents and their camper are required to meet with the Camp Director to review behavior expectations.
Wondering if your Museum Membership is current?
Check the expiration date on your Museum Membership card. You can also contact our Membership Team at 801-585-9054 or membership@nhmu.utah.edu.
What is the Museum's tax ID number?
In many cases, camp tuition can be used as a childcare tax credit. For your reference, the Museum’s tax ID number is 87-6000525.
What if I want to transfer my child into a different camp?
If you need to transfer your child out of one camp session and into a different camp session, you may do so (if there is space available) until two weeks before the original camp date/time. Please register your child for the desired camp and then email the Camp Director at programs@nhmu.utah.edu. Let us know your camper's name and what camp you need to withdraw them from. A refund, less a $20 transfer fee, will be credited to your credit card for the original camp.
What is the cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel your child’s camp registration, email the Camp Director at least 2 weeks prior to the program start date at programs@nhmu.utah.edu. If we are able to fill your spot, you will receive a full refund, less a $20 fee. If we are not able to fill your spot, we will refund 60% of your registration fee. Registrations canceled two weeks or less prior to the camp start date, will not receive a refund.
What is the capacity of your camp sessions?
For our 2024 season, kindergarten sessions will cap at 10 kids and 2 staff; first grade sessions will cap at 16 kids with 2-3 staff; second through eighth grade sessions will cap between 15 and 18, depending on the session, and will have at least 3 staff.
Further questions?
Contact our Summer Camp Director at programs@nhmu.utah.edu
