What do I need to do to prepare for Break Camp?
Please complete registration by filling out the required registration forms and emergency information for each camper. These items will be sent out to participants in a separate email, linking DMNS Camper Registration Forms in the CampDoc.com portal (Log into CampDoc here)
Once you have purchased your camp(s), you will receive an email from CampDoc with an invitation to create a CampDoc account to then complete your CAMPER REGISTRATION FORMS. To complete your registration form, you will need information required of all State-Licensed child care programs. Each child you registered will need one form filled out, regardless of how many camps they will be attending. We encourage you to have your form completed at least 3 weeks before the camp start date to allow plenty of time for review and any necessary edits. Please note: if you attend fall/winter break camp and spring break, your CampDoc information will expire and need to be reviewed before the spring session begins.
To ensure that your child has a great experience at camp and for their safety, any Camper Registration Forms not submitted for review or confirmed as "Approved" by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science one week prior to the upcoming registered camp date will have their camp registration for the purchased week forfeited without refund. The purchaser of the camp will be asked to provide the email of the individual responsible for the completion of any and all registration forms.
If your child(ren) attend public schools in the state of Colorado, there is a good chance that we already have access to their updated immunization forms in the correct format. We will not need immunizations from your camper(s). If your campers are coming from out of state or do not attend public schools we will need this information before they can start camp. You will be notified if we require you to submit your immunization records via your Camper Registration Form.
What should I send with my child?
- sack lunch including a drink (the Museum does not provide refrigeration)
- water bottle labeled with your child's first and last name (water bottles not labeled will be labeled with permanent marker by camp staff)
- comfortable, closed-toe shoes (please, no sandals)
- sweatshirt or jacket
- change of clothes
- backpack or tote bag
Please leave any and all valuables at home, including expensive outerwear, electronics, and money, as children will be moving throughout the Museum. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is not responsible for lost or missing items.
What grade do I register my child for?
Break Camp curriculum is designed for children currently attending the grades listed for each camp. For instance, if we list a camp as a K-1 camp group, it is intended for kids in kindergarten or first grade during this school year. For full day camps, children must be at least 5 years of age on or before their first day of camp.
Will my camper(s) be going/playing outside?
During our break camps, we do not plan activities for our campers to do outside due to unpredictable weather through the fall, winter, and spring seasons. However, if weather is acceptable to take camp groups outside, we do encourage our groups to take advantage of the nicer weather and head out into City Park - this is camp, after all!
What will the Denver Museum of Nature & Science provide?
Along with a camp t-shirt, each day's activities, and activity materials, children in full day camps will be given a snack each day. If your child has food allergies or preferences, please send a snack with your child.
How do I drop off and pick up my child?
All drop offs and pick ups are done inside of the Museum. Please park your car and enter through the South entrance and proceed to the designated area. Please allow plenty of time for parking and entering the Museum.
Children must be accompanied into the Museum and dropped off with DMNS camp staff each day.
Children must be signed out each day by one of the adults listed on your child's Trusted Contacts in CampDoc. A state-issued photo ID is required every day in order to pick up a child.
Drop-off will occuer from 8:45 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. If your child arrives after the scheduled drop-off time, please park and bring your child to the security desk, inside the staff and volunteer entrance near the flag pole on the north side of the Museum. A camp representative will be contacted to meet you to sign in and escort the child to the correct camp.
Pick-up will occur every day from 3:15 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. If you are running late, please call 303.370.6455 to let us know you are coming.
Who will be supervising my child?
Each group will be supervised at all times by trained adult educators. All educators have previous experience working with children and must pass childcare background checks. Throughout the week, your child may also work with Denver Museum of Nature & Science staff.
How do I know what my child will be doing during the week?
Basic camp group schedules can be found in our Weekly At A Glance section. If you would like to know more about specific activities, please call the camps line at 303.370.6455
Camps may include a variety of animal dissections. Dissections are an elective activity - parent/guardians and campers may opt out at any time.
What if I need to contact Denver Museum of Nature & Science or my child during the session?
Please call 303.370.6455 and the staff member who answers will be able to assist you and/or locate your child. We ask parent/guardians discourage their children from texting or calling on smartwatches or mobile devices during the camp day. If needed, campers may be reached on the camp line.
What happens in case of emergencies?
Camp staff and many DMNS staff members are trained in CPR and First Aid and are able to deal with emergencies as they occur. Should your child need medical attention, we will follow the information provided on your Emergency Card. Parents will be notified of any incident, regardless of its severity. Less sever incidents will be notified at the end of the camp day.
What if my child needs to take medicine at camp?
If possible, please administer medication to your child outside of camp hours. If it's necessary for your child to receive prescription or over-the-counter medication during camp, your child's physician must complete a Medication Authorization Form, linked above. Please note that medication can be dispensed only on written order or a prescription from a physician to the child's parent or guardian, or to the camp, with knowledge and written consent of the parent or guardian. Medication must be kept in the original container. Prescription medicine containers must bear the original pharmacy label that shows the prescription number, name of medication, date filled, physician's name, child's name, and directions for dosage.
In order to distribute medication to your child, we must receive the Medication Authorization Form, Allergy and Anaphylaxis Care Plan, and/or Asthma Care Plan a minimum of one week prior to the start of a child's camp session. Upon review of the form, it may be necessary to meet with the parent to develop a Health Plan.
Additionally, DMNS Camp staff are routinely trained in administering emergency medication relating to asthma and/or allergies; including inhalers, oral and/or topical allergy medications, and epinephrine for anaphylaxis. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to contact Camp Director staff to discuss all other medications that may accompany your child to camp. At least 3 weeks notice is required as some medications may call for additional trainings and/or medication administration delegation to meet a camper's individual medical needs. Camp Director staff can be reached by phone at 303.370.6455
What if we can no longer attend camp?
All sales are final. The Museum has a "no refund" policy. Full refunds will be given only if the Museum cancels a camp. However, camp registrations may be transferred. Please contact our Guest Services team to process your transfer at 303.370.6000, any day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Who should I contact if I have a concern or complaint about Denver Museum of Nature & Science camps?
Please feel free to contact the camp director at 303.370.6455 with any concerns about your child's experience at Denver Museum of Nature & Science camps. If you wish to file an official complaint, please contact the Colorado Department of Early Childhood; 710 S. Ash St., Denver, Colorado, 80246; 303.866.5958