Summer Camp FAQs

No. Children can only participate in camps designed for their age group. This ensures the best possible academic and social environment for all campers. Children should be registered based on the grade they will be entering into next school year.

After purchasing a camp registration, you will be sent a confirmation email. A welcome email with an individual registration sheet along with a liability and release form for each camp will be sent in the month of the camp. DGCM reserves the right to cancel your registration if these forms are not submitted at least one week before the first day of camp. These forms can be printed, completed and/or emailed to the camp coordinator.

Cancellations made more than two weeks will receive a full refund. Cancellations made two weeks before the start of camp will receive a refund minus a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellations made one week prior to the start of camp are not eligible for a refund.

You can contact the Admissions Desk at 801-456-5437 ex 100 and they will connect your child to you via the classroom phone.

Drop-off and pick-up will be at the entrance of the museum Learning Center located on 100 South in the 45 degree parking just south of the North Parking Garage. A museum staff member will be stationed there to assist with sign-in and sign-out.

For safety reasons, parents and guardians (or those that they designate in advance) must sign for their child at drop-off and pick-up each day. You must provide a federal issued photo identification and be on the list of people to pick up your child every time they are picked up. Please be prepared to show photo ID to the staff member at the sign-in/sign-out booth. Parking is available in the North Parking garage if you would like to come into the museum.

Pick-up time is within 15 minutes after the camp ends. If you need an additional hour, you may purchase that for $20. Failure to purchase in advance or picking up later than the paid one hour will result in a $25 charge for each additional 15 minutes. Campers are not allowed to leave the camp on their own.

The maximum number of students in a camp is 15 for a full day. Camp size depends upon how many students register and if we are working with a community partner who may be able to accommodate more campers. DGCM reserves the right to cancel any camp if less than 4 children sign up.

Parents are always welcome to stay a few minutes into the camp or arrive a few minutes early for pick up to observe the program. At any time, parents are welcome to contact the camp staff for any questions or concerns that they may have.

We do not restrict what a camper can wear, however, clothing should not be a distraction to other campers or inhibit their active engagement in any of the daily activities. Offensive slogans are not permitted on any clothing item. Most camps will include active periods when campers should be wearing comfortable clothing including shoes that allow for active movement – no slip-on or flip-flop style shoes.

Some camps include creative projects that may include messy materials such as paint or markers. We encourage clothing that can get slightly messy.

We ask that campers bring a small backpack or school bag to keep lunches, projects to go home, and cellphones, along with 1 change of clothing in the case that a messy project requires a dry shirt or pants. Label all items with your camper’s name.

Camp educators review camper expectations on the first day of each camp session.

Our expectations are as follows:

• Listen and follow instructions
• Actively participate in camp activities to the best of your abilities
• Respect others and museum property
• Use positive language when speaking to others like you would in school
• Have fun learning and making new friends!
• Discovery Gateway reserves the right to send a camper home due to inappropriate behavior without a refund. A child may be allowed to return to camp the following day at the museum’s discretion.

If your child has a special need or has consistent challenging behaviors please conference privately with our Camp Coordinator prior to the start of the camp so that you, the child, and the camp staff can work together to have the camp be a rewarding and positive experience for all.

Discovery Gateway is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items. To keep personal items safe leave all unnecessary items at home. We do ask that campers leave cell phones turned off and stored in backpacks.

Due to the contagious nature of some illnesses, children with the following symptoms should not attend camp. Please notify the Discovery Gateway camp staff if your child contracts a contagious disease, such as whooping cough, German or regular measles or has come into contact with someone that tests positive for COVID-19. We will then need to notify families. Campers should stay home if they have any of the following symptoms:

• Any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, sinus congestion or runny nose)
• Elevated temperature
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Undiagnosed rash
• Sore or discharging eyes or ears, profuse nasal discharge
• Sore throat or cough
• Diagnosed contagious diseases such as COVID-19, strep throat, or chicken pox