Fall 2024 Parent and Guardian Information
Hello SCI Parents and Families!
As the seasons change, we're excited to offer engaging and educational experiences at the Science Center of Iowa this fall.
Winter Camps: Our Winter Camps are perfect for keeping young minds active during the break. SCI Winter Camps are one-day camp experiences for children in Kindergarten-6th Grade
Schools Out @ SCI Day Camps: When school is out, the fun continues at SCI! Schools Out @ SCI day camps are available when DMPS is out of session, but children from any district can attend. These new camps are for Kindergarten-5th grade in a combined environment.
Click here to learn more and register for SCI Camps!
Health & Safety
The health and well-being of your camper are our highest priority, which is why we require a health and consent form on file. Health and Consent Forms are good for the entire year but need to be submitted before the first day of camp. This is the best place to let us know about medications, allergies, and ways that we can help your camper have a great time.
Communication
Camp communication will be handled through email. The email used is the one that was used to register for camps. If you are having trouble receiving camp emails please check your spam filter. To email our team, please send your message to scicamps@sciowa.org.
Communication about illness, accidents, and bad weather will happen via phone call. Please make sure we have the best phone number to reach you when filling out the Health and Consent Form. To call SCI Camps Staff, please reach out to (515) 274-68686 ext. 204.
Weather and Outdoor Time:
SCI Camp staff use this chart to determine whether or not it is safe to go outside and for how long. If the weather allows, campers will spend time outside each day to play or do activities. In the event of unsafe weather, campers will not go outside. Campers will be sprayed with sunscreen before going outside.
Clothing
Be sure to send your camper in appropriate clothing so they are comfortable and prepared to participate in activities. We recommend:
- Clothing that allows for play, exploration, and hands-on activities.
- Closed toed shoes
- Jacket/sweatshirt for inside the Science Center
Lunch & Snacks
Hot lunch is not available for Schools Out @ SCI or Winter Camps. Campers must bring a peanut-free sack lunch.
Pick up/Drop Off Times/Locations
The camp drop-off location will be in the east Science Center bus lane, directly between the Science Center and the parking garage. Drop-off will begin at 8:50 am and last until 9:10 am.
For drop off, camp staff will greet each car and check your camper in. We will be asking cars to please pull forward as cars ahead of you complete drop-off. Camp staff will take this opportunity to distribute color-coded pick-up sheets which are to be displayed for pick-up. Please stay inside your vehicle to keep this process moving rather than coming to the camp doors.
Pick-up will be in the bus lane beginning at 3:50 and extending until 4:10 each day. Camp staff will approach vehicles looking for pick-up sheets or ask who is being picked up. Camp staff may ask to see an I.D. for pick up at any time. We do this for the safety of campers.
What if we are running late?- If you are running late, have an appointment, or need to miss part of camp it is always helpful to let us know via email. Your camper is welcome to join us when they can. Simply bring them in through the front doors of SCI and ask the box office to call for camp staff. We will then accompany your camper to their group.
Authorized Adults- If your camper is being picked up by a family member or friend who is not a parent or guardian please let us know! The best place to do that is on the Health and Consent Form.
Behavior Expectations and Big Behavior Processes:
Our camp team is committed to making camps accessible for as many children as possible while maintaining a safe environment. We love getting to know your camper and do everything we can to make sure that they have the tools they need to be successful at camp. Campers must be able to function in a group environment to be successful at SCI.
If big behaviors occur families will be contacted and in some cases, campers may be sent home. If you have questions or tips about how to make your camper successful, please tell us on the Health and Consent Form or contact us via email before the start of camp.
If at any time, you have questions about the camp experience, please feel free to reach our team at scicamps@sciowa.org or mena.ramm@sciowa.org
Thank you for your continued support of SCI and we’re looking forward to another amazing summer camp session!
Mena Ramm
Camps Manager
Science Center of Iowa