2021 Camp FAQ

Registration

Payment & Cancellations

Quest Summer Camp costs $300 for each half day, weeklong session. A discount of $50 is applied when a participant registers for two sessions. Payment is due at the time of registration in the form of a credit or debit card.

Date or time change requests can be made up to seven days before the start of camp and will be honored if space is available for a $20 fee. Paid camp fees are transferable to another child up to seven days before the start of camp for a $20 fee. Contact camp@quest-science.org for these types of requests.

Cancellations can only be made before June 11, 2021 and are subject to a $50 per session penalty. No refund of fees for camp are available after June 11, 2021 for any reason, including illness. If a child is sick or needs to miss a portion of the week for any reason, those days cannot be made up on a different day.

Full Day

If you are interested in a full day of camp, sign up for a different morning and afternoon session and pack a lunch.  The camps will be at the same location and students will be provided a place to eat lunch outdoors between 12-1 pm.  We will provide minimum supervision during this time. You will also receive a discount of $50 on the camp fees.

Age

Camp curriculum is designed for middle school students aged 11- 14 years old.  If you have a slightly younger or older teen that is comfortable around this age group, we welcome their participation.  Just keep in mind that we cannot significantly modify the activities.

Camp Program

Typical Daily Schedule*

8:50      Drop-Off
9:00      Introduction to Day
9:15      Opening Activity or Design Challenge
9:45      Extended Activity or Project
10:30    Break
10:40    Extended Activity or Project
11:50     Clean Up & Wrap Up
12:00    Pick-Up

*The afternoon sessions will mirror this schedule from 1-4 PM. Each day’s schedule will vary slightly based on the specific activities of the day. Participants will be emailed more program details one week before your session start date.

Group Configuration & Staffing

Each session will have a maximum of 20 participants and will be led by a lead teacher and four camp counselors.  Each participant will be assigned a camp counselor for the week and guest scientists and engineers will visit during camp to provide additional instruction and guidance.

If you have any requests for siblings or friends to be in the same group, please register for the same session.

Visiting

We ask that adults not attend camp with their child. If there are special circumstances, please contact us directly.

Daily Logistics

Drop-Off

Drop-off takes place 8:50-9:00 AM or 12:50-1 PM prior to the start of camp. Please park and bring your child to the registration table on the first day.  Enter through the fence opening on South G Street to reach the back door of the Bothwell Arts Center.  We will not be using the main entrance.  If you need an address for navigation purposes, use 776 S G St, Livermore, CA 94550 and look for the entrance across the street.

Subsequently, we will provide curbside drop off. If you arrive after camp has started and no one is at the back entrance, please bring your child inside.

Pick-Up

Pick-up takes place at 12 pm or 4 pm. Please sign out with a photo id before leaving. Your child must be picked up by 12:10 PM or 4:10 PM.  Beyond this time, a $1/min late fee will be assessed. If you need to pick up your child early, contact the camp director.

Parking

There is free street parking on the neighboring streets. Please be sure to park in legal spaces and secure your vehicle.

Preparing for Camp

Snacks and Lunch

Please pack a daily water bottle as there is no potable water on site.  Snacks can be consumed during the break and after the camp session. No food will be provided by Quest Science Center. Participants may not share food with others due to safety and health considerations.

Clothing and Personal Items

The camp will be mostly indoors with some outdoor activities. We will provide advance notice if a significant outdoor activity will take place.  Monitor the weather and dress appropriately with clothing that can get dirty. Additionally, please wear closed-toed shoes and socks.  When outdoors, wear sunscreen and a hat as needed. Students are requested to provide their own masks, or masks will be provided by Quest to comply with any Covid-19 protocols in place at the time of your camp session.

A camp T-shirt will be provided as a part of the program.

Please label everything with your name. We will do our best to track lost items and have a lost and found bin at the end of each day.

Please leave all candy, gum, toys, electronics, games, and valuable items at home. Quest will not be responsible for these items. If a cell phone is absolutely needed, please ask the child to leave it in their backpack, only to be used for emergencies. We do not allow drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, or any other illegal or inappropriate items at camp.

Safety

Public Health during the Pandemic

Safety and health is our top concern.  We will follow all state and county guidelines for in person summer camp programs.  This likely includes wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing for all participants.  All staff will be required to be vaccinated and physical spaces will be well ventilated and cleaned between groups.  The rooms used for camp will only be at 25 % or less of max capacity.

Behavioral Expectations

We want to create an exciting and positive environment for learning and exploration. This is only possible if everyone feels safe and respected. We have the following camp rules:

Use appropriate language at all times. No teasing or put-downs.
Listen to the instructions of the instructors and camp counselors.
Respect the materials, equipment, facilities, and the outdoor environment.

If there is minor misbehavior, the participant will first be given a warning. If the behavior continues, we will call you to explain the situation and ask you to talk to your child on the phone. Ongoing disrespectful behavior may be cause for dismissal from the program. Additionally, we have a zero tolerance policy for participants who deliberately physically harm other people or damage property. Please review these expectations with your child prior to camp.

Medication, Accidents & Illness

Staff is not permitted to administer medication. However, if your child requires medication during camp, we can store it in a secure location and provide it to the child for self-administration at the appropriate time. This includes inhalers and EpiPens.

When using tools and equipment, safety procedures will be provided and followed at all times.  All accidents will be documented with an incident report. For minor scrapes or cuts, we will provide small bandages. For more serious injuries or medical emergencies, staff will contact you and/or your emergency contacts immediately. You may be required to pick up your child. An ambulance or paramedic will be called if necessary.

If your child is sick, please do not send him or her to camp so we can maintain a healthy environment for other participants. If your child becomes sick or injured during camp, we will notify you to come pick them up.

Confidentiality

All registration information submitted will be held confidentially except in emergency situations that require contact and sharing critical medical information.