Summer FAQs

Science Discovery has designed its cancellation policy to minimize the number of program spots that are unused due to last-minute cancellations.

Cancellations made more than 15 business days prior to the start of the camp/class will incur a $35 administrative fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations made within 15 business days of the start of the camp/class. In the event that a program is canceled by Science Discovery, registrants will receive a full refund.

Transfer requests made up to 15 days prior to the start of a camp/class will incur a $15 administrative fee. Transfer requests made within 15 business days will incur a $35 administrative fee.

Due to the unique circumstances surrounding materials distribution and virtual classroom access, Science Discovery is unable to offer refunds for virtual programs once materials have been distributed or shipped.

Please note: CU Science Discovery reserves the right to remove any student from the program if s/he displays any behavior that is harmful to others and/or disruptive to the camp/class. Under these circumstances, a refund would not be issued.

Science Discovery is taking a number of precautions to ensure that all staff, partners, parents and participants remain as safe and healthy as possible while engaging in in-person and field camps and high school classes.

• Masks are required to be worn for all in-person and outdoor/field​ programs. Masks should be appropriately sized to cover the child's nose and mouth.
• All in-person and outdoor/field program participants will receive a short health screening and a thermal temperature check upon arrival to the check-in area each day.
• In order to limit possible exposure for all involved, Science Discovery is limiting adults at pick-up/drop-off to one. Those dropping off and picking up participants will be asked to wear masks and keep a safe distance from staff, other parents, and other children. In an effort to not share writing utensils, staff (not caregivers) will sign children in/out with permission of the caregiver.
• Program participants will stay with their cohort throughout the entirety of each day and will not intermingle with other students during drop-off, pick-up, snack or lunch time.
• Staff will take every possible measure to make sure that proper physical distancing is occurring at all times - including during snack and lunch times. While eating lunch, participants will:
  • Will remain in their cohort for the duration of their program
  • Remain outdoors
  • Remain a minimum of 6 feet apart
• Each program participant will receive their own individual Science Discovery materials kit to be utilized for the duration of their program. Science Discovery materials kits will be properly sanitized between individual student use. 
• All in-person and outdoor/field program participants are required to bring a backpack for carrying personal items and class materials to/from each session. Note: In order to limit individual interactions, all participants will be required to carry their own items.
• All classrooms and furniture used for in-person camps and classes will be properly sanitized at the conclusion of each day.  
• In-person program weeks will be staggered with virtual weeks. This will ensure that there is not an overlap of staff working in-person with more than one cohort of students within a 2-week time period.

Science Discovery will follow all state and county guidelines for youth programs regarding camp and class capacities, social distancing and mask wearing. If guidelines should change prior to the start of summer programs, adjustments will be made to meet the updated requirements.

To see a detailed outline of CU Science Discovery's COVID-19 safety plan, please visit the COVID-19 Safety Plan page. 

If you indicated at the time of registration that your child has a medical condition, severe allergy, behavioral condition or learning difference that Science Discovery should be made aware of, please take immediate action and submit your child's corresponding paperwork*: 

• Allergy Care Plan: Download, complete and submit this form if you indicated at the time of registration that your child has an allergy that Science Discovery needs to be aware of.
• Asthma Care Plan: Download, complete and submit this form if you indicated at the time of registration that your child has asthma. 
• Behavioral Strategies Plan: Download, complete and submit this form if you indicated at the time of registration that your child has a behavioral condition or learning difference and you would like to pass along helpful strategies for Science Discovery staff to use in fostering a positive summer experience for them.
• Plan to Administer Medication: Download, complete and submit this form ONLY if Science Discovery will be required to administer medication to your child during the time in which they are attending a summer program. 

All medical and behavioral forms are due more than 20 business days prior to the start of your child's program. Failure to submit required documentation within this timeframe will result in your child being removed from their program. In this instance, no refund will be issued.

*As a reminder, if you have submitted a detailed health care plan to your child's school, we will gladly accept a copy of that in lieu of our required forms. Please ensure that the health care plan was signed by a physician within the last 365 days and covers all dates that your child will be attending their CU Science Discovery program(s). 

Yes, CU Science Discovery provides free lunchtime supervision for all full-day programs. Please send your child with a sack lunch.

Note: At times, it is necessary that an individual program be nut-free. If that is the case, you will receive a nut allergy notice from Science Discovery. For the safety of students with allergies, it will be necessary for all parties to comply with the nut-free request.

Although most summer camps and classes take place on the CU Boulder main campus, this is dependent upon the individual program. Please refer to the CU Science Discovery website description or your confirmation email for details. Still no luck finding it? Call the Science Discovery registration line at 303-492-7188. 

Yes. If you are in need of arranging a payment plan, please call the Science Discovery registration line at 303-492-7188 in order to complete your registration. 

Although individual camps and classes may vary slightly, below is a general outline for a typical full-day Science Discovery program: 

8:45-9am: Drop-off and walking to classroom location
9-10:30am: STEM activities
10:30-10:45am: Snack break
10:45am-12pm: STEM activities
12-1pm: Lunch, outdoor games and free time
1-2:30pm: Project time
2:30-2:45pm: Snack break
2:45-3:30pm: Project time
3:30-4pm: Classroom clean-up and walking to pick-up location

If your child is in a field camp or class that is impacted by inclement weather, staff will bring them indoors and supplement with indoor activities.

It depends. Campers must have reached their 5th birthday by the start of date of their first camp. All campers must be a minimum of 5 years of age to attend a Science Discovery camp. 

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