Summer FAQs

Yes, Science Discovery provides scholarships for many programs, depending on availability of funding and financial need. To apply, please submit a scholarship application as soon as you're able. Scholarship application links can be found on individual program pages. 

Scholarship applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served rolling basis.

Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of a camp/class will incur a $35 administrative fee per cancellation. (i.e. if a student is signed up for 3 camps/classes and they need to drop all of them, this action will incur a $105 fee). No refunds will be given for cancellations made within 30 days of the start of the camp/class. 

In order to remove your child from a camp/class, you must call the Science Discovery registration line at 303-492-7188.

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

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 been prescribed an EpiPen or 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 been prescribed an inhaler due to asthma. 
• 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. Note: There is no need to complete this document if your child's medications are covered by the Allergy Care Plan or Asthma Care Plan. 
• Learning Difference and 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.

All medical and behavioral forms are due 30 days prior to the start of your child's camp/class. Failure to submit required documentation within this timeframe will result in your child being removed from their camp/class. In this instance, no refund will be issued.

*If you have submitted a detailed health care plan to your child's school, Science Discovery will gladly accept a copy of that in lieu of the above 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). 

If you elect to send your child to camp/class without their prescribed medication, a Refusal to Provide Medication form will be required. Please note: The Refusal to Provide Medication form is not permitted in regard to some medical conditions. The CU Science Discovery nurse will have final approval on all medical form and health care plan submissions. 

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

While at Science Discovery, participants are expected to store their personal belongings in their backpack. Space is limited so please limit the number of personal items brought from home. All items should be labeled with the participant’s first and last name in case an item is misplaced.

For all standard camps/classes, please send your child with the following items each day:

• A backpack (sized to fit your child) for carrying personal items and any camp/class materials they will be bringing home
• Filled water bottle(s)
• 1-2 snacks, depending on the child's needs
• A sack lunch that does not require refrigeration (for full-day camps/classes only)
• Closed-toed shoes
• A hair tie to hold back lengthy hair, if applicable 
• All camps/classes spend a portion of each day outside. Please send your child with clothing appropriate for the days forecasted weather (jacket, sweatshirt, rain poncho, etc.)
• Optional: 
  • A mask or any additional Personal Protective Equipment the child wishes to utilize
  • A full set of extra clothes in a Ziploc bag

For all field camps/classes, please send your child with the following items each day:

• A backpack (sized to fit your child) for carrying personal items and any camp/class materials they will be bringing home
• A full, shatter-proof water bottle(s)
• 1-2 snacks, depending on the child's needs
• A sack lunch that does not require refrigeration (for full-day camps/classes only)
• Clothing for a wide range of weather that can take place in any given Colorado summer day:
  • A warm layer, such as a fleece jacket (not cotton because it gets cold when wet)
  • If rain is forecasted, an outer waterproof layer, such as a rain jacket or poncho that won’t soak through in heavy rain, is recommended
  • Full change of clothes in a large Ziploc bag
  • Sun hat and sunscreen (SPF 15+) clearly labeled with child’s name
  • Close-toed shoes appropriate for outdoor activity
  • Water shoes or old sneakers for days near a creek or stream
• Optional: 
  • Sunglasses
  • Binoculars
  • Nature Guides
  • A mask or any additional Personal Protective Equipment the child wishes to utilize in an enclosed setting
  • A full set of extra clothes in a Ziploc bag

One of Science Discovery’s goals is to provide a summer camp/class environment so engaging, interactive and fun, that participants fail to remember that cell phone in their back pocket (even if for only for a little while!). Although cell phones and electronics are not prohibited, Science Discovery asks that you speak to your child about limiting the use of such devices. We assure you that your child will be busy enough without them! If your child brings a phone to camp/class, please have a conversation with them in advance about not utilizing the device during camp/class hours. Additionally, CU Science Discovery does not assume responsibility for any damage or lost electronic devices.

Finally, please do your best to prevent participants from bringing toys or other personal items to camp/class. CU Science Discovery does not assume responsibility for any damage or lost personal items.

Science Discovery considers the sign-in/sign-out process integral to operating a safe summer program. 

When signing children in at drop-off, it will be necessary to have the name of the camp/class they’re attending and the name and phone number of the person responsible for picking them up. If this person is anyone other than a legal parent/guardian, they must be 18 years of age or older and provide a photo ID at pick-up. Children will not be released to any person not indicated on the sign-in sheet.

If your child is 12 years of age or older and you wish to have them sign themselves in and out without parental supervision, please complete a Drop-Off/Pick-Up Exemption Form, linked here and also attached to your registration confirmation email. Exemption forms may be submitted at any point prior to the start of your child’s camp/class, at sign-in on the first day or via email to scidisc@colorado.edu.

At the end of the day, participants will return to the same area where sign-in occurred. It is required for students to be signed-out each day unless a Drop-Off/Pick-Up Exemption form has been submitted.

If you are late dropping off, please go to your regularly scheduled drop-off location and call 303-492-7188. A Science Discovery staff member will meet you there as soon as possible and walk your child to their camp/class classroom. 

Note: The only exception to this process is if your child is in a field camp or class. Field programs will typically wait at the drop-off site for about 10-15 minutes before beginning their trek for the day. If you arrive after that window, there is no guarantee that your child will be able to join the camp/class.

Due to the nature of Science Discovery’s classroom and activity locations, we ask that parents/guardians do not visit their child/ren during the day. If special circumstances require that you visit your child’s camp/class site, all visitors are required to arrange their visit prior to arrival (303-492-7188; scidisc@colorado.edu). Upon arrival, visitors will be required to check-in with Science Discovery staff and show identification.

Unfortunately, CU Science Discovery is unable to provide aftercare for the summer season.