RMSC CURIOSITY CAMPS

What are the program hours?

• Mini Camps: Drop-off between 8:45–9:15am. Pick-up at 1 pm. Please note that Extended Care is not available for Mini Campers.
• Full Day Camps: Drop-off between 8:45–9:15am. Campers arriving before 8:45am will need to register for Before Care. Pick up between 3:45 –4:15pm.
  • Campers who are not picked up by 4:15 PM will be placed in After Care, and families will be charged accordingly.
  • Campers who have not been picked up by 5:30 PM will be charged a $10 late fee.
  • Campers who have not been picked up by 5:45 PM will be charged a $25 late fee.
  • If a camper has not been picked up by 6 PM and we are unable to reach an authorized pick-up adult, the Rochester Police Department will be notified.

where do I drop off and pick up my camper?

Pick up and drop-off take place at the Eisenhart Building across from the Museum (Mini Campers check in around the corner at the Gannett Building). Follow the posted signs, park your vehicle, and walk your camper to the check-in table to sign them in using your emailed PIN. Adult visitors are not permitted past the check-in area.

HOW DO I ADD SOMEONE TO AUTHORIZED PICK UP LIST?

Campers will only be released to the authorized contacts listed during registration and on the camper’s profile in our database, CampSite.  Authorized pick-ups who are not the camper’s parent or guardian must present a photo ID each time they pick up a camper.

Drop off and pick up is done via a unique caregiver pincode entered at the check-in table. Each caregiver listed on your camper’s profile has their own code. Please ensure you do not share your code with anyone.

In the event that an unauthorized individual attempts to gain access to a child, the parent/guardian or emergency contact will be notified. Law enforcement will be contacted if necessary.

Please note that a parent, regardless of custodial arrangements, has the authority to obtain a child from camp at any time unless a copy of the Court Order is on file with the camp office.

is camp loud and overwhelming?

Yes, Curiosity Camp is full of energy and activity! The loudest times of day are check-in, lunch, and pick-up, as campers gather in a gym that can get quite loud. While we maintain strong group structure to keep noise levels down during the day, camp is naturally dynamic.

If your child has sensory issues, please reach out to a camp administrator or manager (ca***@**sc.org or 585.271.4320) before their first day. We want to discuss your child’s needs, ensure they will not feel overwhelmed, and help you determine if this camp environment is the right fit.

what happens if my camper gets sick at camp?

Please do not send your child to camp if they are showing signs of illness. Campers must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning, and a doctor’s note may be requested. If a child falls ill at camp, a parent or authorized contact will be called to pick them up promptly.

Reasons to stay home include (but are not limited to): A fever of 100.4°F+, vomiting/diarrhea, heavy nasal or eye discharge, questionable rashes (e.g., chicken pox, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, etc ), or contagious conditions (e.g., pink eye, hand-foot-and-mouth, or lice).

Does my camper need to be toilet trained?

Yes, all campers must be fully toilet trained to attend Curiosity Camps. If a child has two accidents in a single day, a parent or guardian will be asked to pick them up for the remainder of the day. If it becomes clear that a camper is not yet toilet-trained, they may not be able to return to camp.

who are your camp counselors?

Curiosity Camps Instructors are school teachers, museum professionals, and/or experts in the field who share our passion for life-long learning. In addition to the Instructor, each classroom is supported by Assistants, Interns, and Youth Volunteers.

What happens at camp?

Curiosity Camps let your camper discover science as a fun, creative way to explore the wonders of our world. With the RMSC as their playground, campers have access to the RMSC Museum & Science Center’s unique collections and team of specialists, hundreds of interactive exhibits, shows at the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium, and scientists from our community.

Camp can include messy and/or dangerous activities, such as but not limited to:

• Finger painting, baking, and other messy activities
• Science experiments involving chemical reactions, heat, pressurized containers, and sharp instruments
• Encounters with animals such as snakes, lizards, turtles, insects, cats, dogs, birds, or rodents
• Time spent outdoors on the back-40 field, playground, or pavement
• Use of scissors, cardboard cutters, and other sharp instruments
• Use of lasers, 3d printers, glowforge, hot glue, and other technology

All Curiosity Camp activities are led by trained staff and designed to keep students safe. Injuries or damaged property may still occur. By participating in camp programs, you are agreeing to not hold the RMSC, its staff, or partners responsible for any injury, damage, or other events related to camp activities.

What should my camper bring to camp?

• Please send your camper with a snack, lunch, and drink/water bottle, water play clothes, and extra clothes & sneakers. Please note that refrigeration is not available.
• Curiosity Camps is a nut-free program (no peanuts or tree nuts of any kind).  Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our families safe and healthy.
• Campers must bring their own lunch and will not be allowed to share food with their fellow campers.
• Campers are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing that can get messy.
• The RMSC is not responsible for the loss, destruction, or theft of any personal items (including clothing, book bags, purses, toys, games, electronic devices, cell phones, money, etc.) that your child may bring to camp. We highly encourage your camper to keep valuables and other personal items at home.

how do you manage camper allergies and medical needs?

Curiosity Camps strives to provide an accessible and safe environment for all campers. If your camper has a medical condition, severe allergies, dietary restrictions, or a disability, please note this information during registration. Camp Administration may contact you if there are questions or concerns regarding the successful accommodation of your camper. 

Curiosity Camps is a nut-free program (no peanuts or tree nuts of any kind).  Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our families safe and healthy.

Curiosity Camps provides supervised self-administration of medications:

• Prescription & OTC Meds: All medications—including prescription drugs, EpiPens, inhalers, and Over-The-Counter items (e.g., Benadryl, pain relievers)—require a completed Medication Authorization Form signed by both a licensed healthcare provider and a parent/guardian.
• Packaging: All medication must arrive in its original, unexpired container with the pharmacy label clearly showing the camper’s name, dosage, and instructions.
• Self-Direction: Campers must be capable of identifying their medication, knowing their dosage, and taking it under staff supervision. Staff will store medications in locked storage, retrieve them at the designated time, witness administration, and log the details in camp health records.
• EpiPens & Inhalers: Emergency rescue devices are carried by the camper’s instructor at all times. Campers may independently self-carry emergency rescue devices only if an Independent Carry Attestation Form signed by their physician is on file.
• Refusals: Staff will never force a child to take medication. If a camper refuses or misses a dose, parents/guardians will be notified immediately.
• Pickup/Disposal: An adult must sign out all remaining medications on the camper’s last day. Unclaimed medications at the end of the summer season will be safely destroyed per NYS guidelines.

For more detailed information, please review our:

what is the refund policy?

To plan appropriately for staff and supplies and to maintain a safe, healthy environment, it is critical for
us to accurately anticipate enrollment and attendance. Please note that all camp registration fees
include a $75 non-refundable deposit.

RMSC policies regarding cancellations, withdrawals and absences:

Cancellation Policy
Camps that do not meet minimum enrollment requirements are subject to cancellation by the RMSC. If
your registered camp is canceled due to low enrollment, you will be issued a credit towards a future
registration, transferred to another camp that week, or a full refund, including the deposit.

Refund Policy
All camp registration fees include a $75 non-refundable deposit.
● If you withdraw your camper from their registered camp three weeks (21 days) or more before the
start of the camp, you will receive a full refund (minus the $75 non-refundable deposit).

● If you withdraw your camper anytime later than three weeks before the start of camp, you are not
entitled to a refund of any kind.

● The RMSC does not issue refunds or camp credits for dismissals from camp due to behavior,
illness, injury, or other cause.

For example: In order to receive a full refund (minus the $75 non-refundable deposit), for a camp
scheduled July 27 – July 31, withdrawals must be made on or before July 6. Withdrawals made on or after
July 7 will not receive a refund.

what happens if my child is being bullied?

• In order to provide all campers and staff with a positive and safe experience, it is important that all campers exhibit proper behavior and self-control and act respectfully at all times. As necessary, Curiosity Camps will take action steps to manage behavior incidents and/or chronic behaviors as problems arise and progress.
• Camp Administration reserves the right to immediately dismiss a camper from current and future camp sessions at any point for conduct that is deemed detrimental to the well-being of other campers and staff, or to the overall operation of the camp. Refunds will not be given (for current or future camp sessions) if campers are dismissed from Curiosity Camps programs due to behavioral reasons. For more detailed information, please review our:

BEHAVIOR POLICY

All campers are expected to act respectfully and follow safety guidelines. RMSC maintains a zero-tolerance policy for physical violence, bullying, leaving the group, or reckless behavior. Staff address minor issues through redirection and daily updates to caregivers. Chronic or severe behavior issues may result in an administrative review, behavior contract, or immediate dismissal from camp without a refund.

When incidents occur, our staff acts quickly to gather facts, maintain camper confidentiality, and find positive solutions for all involved. We ask parents to partner with us by reinforcing camp rules at home and keeping conversations with our team constructive.

We hold adults to the same standard of respect as our campers. Threatening behavior, foul language, aggression, or intimidation toward RMSC staff will not be tolerated and may result in your child’s dismissal from camp or involvement of law enforcement.

Click here to read our complete Behavior Policy and Parent Code of Conduct & Incident Handling.

do you provide financial assistance? What about payment plans?

• If the camper’s immediate family receives SNAP benefits OR the child is on Medicaid, they are eligible for a 50% scholarship. Each eligible camper may receive scholarship support for up to two weeks of Curiosity Camps per summer. This equals a maximum of four scholarships per family. Families must upload proof of current SNAP benefits to the camper’s profile in the “Forms” section before any scholarship can be granted.
  
  Scholarships are limited. Meeting the SNAP eligibility requirement does not guarantee that a scholarship will be awarded. Families will be notified once their scholarship request has been reviewed and approved.
• Register for camp and apply for a scholarship online. Fillable PDF applications are available here.
• During registration, you can select our payment plan option. You’ll pay a non-refundable deposit when you register, then 50% is due on March 1, 2026 and the remainder on May 31, 2026. Please note that the payment plan is set to auto-pay, meaning you will need to provide a credit card in order to use the plan.