FAQ’s for Kids Camps
WHO IS CAMP FOR?
Kids Camp is for children independent of their parents. Camps are for incoming 1st-5th grade children. Kids Camp provides a safe and fun social setting where children explore nature, science, and culture during extended school breaks.
WHO ARE OUR STAFF?
Each camp is led by a trained instructor. The maximum class size is 12 children with one instructor. Each camp includes crafts, games, activities and tours—all focused around the theme of the week.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Kids Camp registration will be executed as a lottery, a random drawing of all parents who register their children on the High Desert Museum Kids Camp webpage form.
In our lottery system, registrants have an equal chance of being selected regardless of when they register within the registration dates. While caregivers may request multiple weeks of camp, children may not have multiple lottery entries—each child may appear in only one entry. If one child is selected in our random process, their siblings will be accepted for that week of camp as well.
We will do our best to limit families to only one week of camp.
HOW DO I MAKE SURE I RECEIVE MY 20% MEMBER DISCOUNT?
In order to access your Member discount when registering for camp, you must create an online account if you have not already done so. Click here to create an account. Please ensure you use the same email address that was listed when joining as a Museum Member.
Once you’ve made an account, make sure to sign-in before completing your transaction. More details can be found in the Online Registration Guide.
Interested in becoming a member? Click here to become a Member.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY REGISTRATION?
If you must cancel your registration for any reason, please notify the Museum as soon as possible. If you cancel, more than three weeks out, you will receive a 75% refund. A 50% refund will be given to cancellations made two weeks prior to the first day of camp. Cancellations made less than two weeks prior to the first day of camp will not be refunded. Be aware that refunds will not be given for partial or unattended days.
DO I SEND MY STUDENT WITH A LUNCH / SNACKS?
You MUST provide your child with a sack lunch and two snacks every day. Please also send a water bottle. Throughout the day, we make frequent stops at water bottle filling stations.
WHAT IS PROPER CLOTHING?
Please be aware that many class activities will occur outdoors and/or include potentially messy elements, so proper clothing is required. All campers must wear closed-toed shoes for their safety.
Other Information
SIGN IN / SIGN OUT PROCEDURES:
Kids Camp sign-in will occur 8:30 am – 9:00 am every day at the Museum Meadow. Campers can be picked up between 2:45-3:00 pm in the Meadow, or in the classroom(s) in which they were dropped off in inclement weather. The people you have authorized to pick up your child will be asked to show a photo ID upon pick-up EACH DAY and will be required to sign them out. For safety reasons we will not release a child to anyone other than the person(s) you designate. If, on any day during Kids Camp, you need to drop your camper off late or pick your camper up early, please call the Museum at (541) 382-4754.
BATHROOM BREAKS:
Students must be potty-trained and be able to use the bathrooms independently. Our bathroom break policy is to guide the children to the bathrooms, open the bathroom door, and wait outside, continuing vocal contact with the children. We cannot empty out the bathrooms for our groups, because these are public facilities, but we do maintain a safe environment for campers.
PARENTS / GUARDIANS:
Kids Camps are for children only. If you would like to visit the Museum while your child is at Camp, you may do so during open hours only. If you are a member, you may gain admittance into the Museum using your membership card. If you are not a member you will need to pay regular admission price. We ask that you visit the Museum on your own, separate from the camp group.
ANIMAL CONTACT:
All of the classes will have the opportunity to observe up-close one or more of the animals in the Museum’s care. If appropriate and possible, some of the classes will visit the Museum’s behind-the-scene spaces.
PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASE:
Be aware that Museum photographers may take photographs of the campers for potential use in publicity materials. If you do not wish you child’s photograph to be used, please let us know.