Frequently Asked Questions for 2025 Camps

What will a regular day look like for my camper?
What sort of activities will my camper participate in?
Is there a way for me to know what my child will do in their camp?
How many campers are in a group?
Who are your educators?

What is Camp Curiosity?
Where is Camp Curiosity?
Why go to Museum camp at a place that isn’t the Museum?
What will a regular day look like for my camper?
What sort of activities will my camper participate in?

When can I register for summer camp?
How do I register for these programs?
Which age group should I register my child for?
What do I need to make a reservation?
Are there options to set up a payment plan for my tuition?
Is there a cancellation policy?

What type of extended care options do you provide? How do I sign up for AM or PM Care?
Am I able to purchase lunch for my camper (for Museum Camps only)?

Are you able to accommodate my child with medical allergies and/or special needs?
What happens on a rainy day or an extremely hot day at camp?

What precautions are you taking this summer for COVID-19 safety?
Who will be required to wear masks?
When should I stay home from camp?
Are you requiring campers who are eligible to be vaccinated?
What happens if someone shows symptoms of illness at camp?
What should I do if I have symptoms or test positive after attending camp?

How does drop-off, pick-up, and parking work?
What do I do if I need to pick up my child early from camp?
What do I do if I need someone else to pick up my child from camp?

What is included in a boxed lunch (Museum only)?
Can I order a camp t-shirt?
Can I exchange sizes for my camp t-shirt?
What should my child bring to camp?

FAQ

What will a regular day look like for my camper?
Our camp days are filled with a variety of hands-on activities based around each camp’s theme. These activities are designed to be fun and exciting while developing scientific and critical thinking skills.
Actual schedules may vary, based on weather, preferences of camp groups, and other factors.
We design our curricula to include structured activities, and unstructured free-play, taking advantage of both indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate different learning styles and energy levels

What sort of activities will my camper participate in?
Our camp days feature a variety of hands-on activities based around its theme. We design activities to be fun and exciting while helping campers to develop their scientific and critical thinking skills.
Most camps will involve a range of activities – group and independent work, indoor and outdoor activities, as well as museum exploration.

Is there a way for me to know what my child will do in their camp?
The week before camp (typically the preceding Thursday), you will receive an email with your camp name, location, and other information about the week. You will also receive updates through email throughout the camp week with prompts to ask you children about their day.

To ensure you receive these communications, we recommend you add the following addresses to your contact list:

summercamp@lifeandscience.org
ultracamp@lifeandscience.org
reservations@lifeandscience.org

How many campers are in a group?

  • For our Prek – K groups our camps will be capped at 14 campers per class. For all other age groups our classes are capped at 18 campers.
  • Each group has two adult staff and usually a high school volunteer helper.
  • During the day, campers may participate in paired and small group activities, as well as whole group activities. 

Who are your educators?

  • Our Summer Camp staff come from a variety of backgrounds, but all are experienced in working with kids in science and nature exploration. We select our camp staff based on their experience in childcare settings and educational background. Many of our camp educators are full-time teachers during the year.  
  • Both our camp educators and camp counselors undergo training ahead of each summer camp season on topics including basic first aid, positive behavior management techniques, community building, and scientific and critical thinking. 
  • All summer camp staff are over 18 years old.  

Camp Curiosity (Chapel Hill)

What is Camp Curiosity?
We are so excited to return to Camp Curiosity at the beautiful Montessori Community School (MCS) campus located at:
4512 Pope Road,
Durham, NC 27707
We developed Camp Curiosity to capitalize on the amazing space at the Montessori Community School Campus. We’ve taken the best parts of the curriculum you would expect from our Museum camps and mashed them together with a more traditional camp with Morning Meetings, Camp Songs, and all-camp games you might expect from a more traditional camp!
Campers can still expect to experience awesome programming, including animal programs and hands-on demonstrations, that they would at the Museum.

Where is Camp Curiosity?
We are so excited to return to Camp Curiosity at the beautiful Montessori Community School (MCS) campus located at:
4512 Pope Road,
Durham, NC 27707
MCS’s indoor and outdoor learning spaces are set on 13 acres of natural landscape where campers can play, discover, and learn.
Throughout the MCS campus, there are outdoor gardens, wetland habitats, and a wooded forest trail where campers can explore botany, agriculture, ecology, biology, orienteering, navigation and much more.
MCS classrooms are bright, spacious, and open. Each camp group has exclusive use of their own indoor and outdoor learning spaces and various shared natural learning areas, playgrounds to get out energy, and an athletic track and field for good old fashioned “Camp Games.”

Why go to Museum camp at a place that isn’t the Museum?
Well, Camp Curiosity is not just a Museum Camp in a different place. Camp Curiosity does include the great curriculum you’ve come to expect from Museum Camps, but with a greater emphasis on community and play. Camp Curiosity is ideal for campers who are excited about science and love to play in community with others. Camp here is generally a little more relaxed; owing to the lack of additional guests and the abundance of large open areas. Because of these open areas, Camp Curiosity offers more opportunities for more “camp-like” activities such as hide and seek, capture the flag, and relay races.

What will a regular day look like for my camper?

  • Each day, campers will meet up with their small camp group to touch base about the day, get to know each other better, and prepare themselves for the day
  • Campers will then make their way to the morning Curiosity Circle, where campers will meet camp staff, hear what other groups are up to, and have the opportunity to play with campers from other groups.
  • After Curiosity Circle, campers will return to their home base to explore their camp topic with their camp group.
  • Around lunch time, Campers will gather outdoors (weather permitting) for free play.
  • The afternoon will be entirely devoted to camp topics within each group.

What sort of activities will my camper participate in?
In Curiosity Circle
Curiosity Circle is a time for active play in community. This time allows campers to warm up their bodies while the air is still (relatively) cool. Campers will choose from a number of electives, including sports, board games, crafts, and dramatic play. This is a time for campers to follow their interests outside of their theme of the week, meet new people, and explore different group dynamics.

In Themed Sessions
The rest of our day will include hands-on science experiences focused around the week’s themes. This may take the form of short activities, outdoor exploration, or longer form projects. The goal is to create memorable and meaningful connections to science as a way of understanding the world.

REGISTRATION

When can I register for summer camp?

  • January 14, 9:00 am- Innovators Society Presale
  • January 16, 9:00 am- Explorer Member Presale
  • January 21, 9:00 am- Open Registration to the General Public

How do I register for these programs?*
Register for in-person camps
Visit Ultracamp in advance to create your account or retrieve your login information so you’re ready to go! Please do not attempt to save your card information when preparing your account or attempt to enter card information more than twice during your presale. Too many failed attempts can lock your account.

Which age group should I register my child for?

  • Register for the camp appropriate to the grade your camper will enter in Summer/Fall 2025.
  • Four-year-olds must have completed a minimum of six months in a group childcare setting and reach their 4th birthday by April 30, 2025 to attend camp. No exceptions. Proof of age may be required.
  • All campers must be capable of toileting without assistance before attending camp.
  • We understand that many of our campers have extensive knowledge of particular subjects and we write our camp curricula with a wide range of abilities in mind for each developmental stage. We design our camps so that educators can vary their lesson plans based on the interests and levels of campers and camp groups.

What do I need to make a reservation?

  • To register for camp, you will need an UltraCamp account. Please visit the following link to set up your profile:
    Create An Account
  • We highly recommend setting up your profile ahead of the registration date so you can sign up for camp as quickly and easily as possible! Please do not attempt to save your card information when preparing your account or attempt to enter card information more than twice during your presale. Too many failed attempts can lock your account. 
  • Once your registration is complete, add details for every camper in your household. Just choose “Add a person…” It’s that easy! 
  • On the day of the pre-sale, click the Purchase button on the bottom of this page and start a reservation to purchase camps for each of your campers. 
  • If you are experiencing trouble with registering or do not have access to a computer, please call our Reservations Staff at 919.220.5429 ext. 313

I am having trouble logging in to UltraCamp? What do I do?

It is not uncommon for camps other than Museum camps to also use UltraCamp as their registration software. Unfortunately, your accounts used to register for those camps require different log in credentials than your account for Museum Camps. If you use a password manager that stores your password, it’s possible that it will autofill the incorrect credentials. If you are having issues logging in, check to make sure that you are using the correct credentials used to register for our camps.

If you need to update your UltraCamp account information, you can use the “Forgot your login information?” prompt or contact our reservations team for assistance at reservations@lifeandscience.org or by phone at 919.220.5429 ext. 313.

Are there options to set up a payment plan for my tuition?
Yes! We have two options for payment plans for Museum Summer Camps.

Option 1: Monthly payment. Pay $100 at registration, with the remaining balance divided equally between the months remaining until May 16th and auto drafted the morning of the 4th of each month.
Example: You register for 2 sessions at the member price of $340 on January 23. You would owe $200 at registration. On the morning of the 4th of February, March, April and May, $120 will be auto drafted from your card.

Option 2: You choose – $100 due at registration, with the remaining balance automatically drafted May 16th. You can make payments in the amount of your choice in the months between registration and May 16th.
You register for 2 sessions at the non-member price of $370 on February 19. You would owe $200 at registration. You can pay the remaining $540 in multiple installments of your choosing before May 16th or have the full $540 auto drafted on May 16th.

With either plan, your account balance can be paid in full at any time before May 16th, 2025.

Payment plans do not incur a use fee.

Any registrations made after will require full payment of tuition at the time of registration.

If you have an outstanding Ultracamp balance from previous Museum programs, payments will need to be made prior to adding new camp registrations.

Is there a cancellation policy?

The Museum can grant refunds for cancelled camp sessions only up to and including May 16th. No refunds will be issued after this date. Changes to individual camp sessions may be made up to two weeks before a session starts, as available. Refunds and changes will incur a $50.00 fee per camp session.

What type of extended care options do you provide? How do I sign up for AM or PM Care?

You may register and purchase AM and/or PM Care through your UltraCamp account and can be adjusted any time prior to the Wednesday before your camp.
Extended care options are available at both the Museum Camp and Camp Curiosity locations.
If your plans change and you need extended care added to your registration after the Wednesday deadline, please contact summercamp@lifeandscience.org as soon as possible for accommodation confirmation.

Am I able to purchase lunch for my camper (for Museum Camps only)?
Yes! You may pre-register and purchase lunch through your UltraCamp account. Lunch add-ons are only available for Summer Camp at the Museum location.
However, we are unable to add additional lunches to your camper’s registration after the Wednesday prior to your camp week. This weekly lunch deadline ensures our lunch provider has time to put in an accurate supply order.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Are you able to accommodate my child with medical allergies and/or special needs?

ALLERGIES
  • We are happy to work with you to adjust our boxed lunch menu for food allergies/intolerances. See the section below “What is included in the boxed lunch?” for more information on camp lunches (available for purchase at our Museum location camps).
  • In the case of severe food allergies, please be aware that it is not possible for us to monitor the food other children bring into camp.
  • Our staff is trained to use EpiPens in the event of an anaphylactic event. An EpiPen authorization and waiver of liability form is available here. Once complete, please hand this form to the Site Director along with your EpiPen when you check-in on your first day of camp. If you do not have a form, they will be available for you to fill out at check-in.
  • Other than EpiPens, the Museum will not be responsible for administering medication to children.
SPECIAL NEEDS
  • The Museum is committed to full and equal opportunity for children to enjoy the camp experience, and reasonable modifications will be considered.
  • While we hope to offer our camps to as wide a range of children as possible, it is not possible for us to offer one-on-one care.
  • If your child has a personal assistant that you would like to attend with your camper, please contact summercamp@lifeandscience.org to discuss steps to bring them on site.
  • We ask that you provide detailed answers to the questions about your camper in the registration process. This information will only be shared with camp administration and your camper’s educators.
  • You may also contact our Camp Manager at summercamp@lifeandscience.org to discuss your family’s specific needs.

What happens on a rainy day or extremely hot day at camp?
Each day, camp administrators will monitor outdoor conditions such as inclement weather, heat index, and air quality. If these conditions change to concerning levels, campers will follow an amended schedule. Such modifications may include, but not limited to:

  • Groups will utilize indoor exhibit exploration and/or adjust activity locations to limit outdoor travel time.
  • Camp educators already have frequent water breaks integrated into their camp days, but extra attention will be taken to ensure campers stay hydrated.
  • Outdoor activities will be modified for timing and duration. Camp staff will limit outdoor activities to short periods, followed by longer cooling off breaks indoors. If feasible, energetic outdoor activities will adjust to occur earlier in the day, when the morning temperatures are relatively cooler.

What precautions are you taking this summer for COVID-19 safety*?

  • While we encourage masking as an extra precaution of illness, we will not require masks while indoors or outdoors.
  • Whenever possible, learning and activities will take place outdoors.*All precautions are subject to change based on government and health professional’s recommendations

Who will be required to wear masks?*

  • While we encourage mask use as a precautionary measure in the prevention of illness, we will not be requiring masks.  

*Mask use guidelines may differ from other current Museum programs and are subject to change based on government and health professional’s recommendations. We will update this page and email registered families should changes in policy occur. 

When should I stay home from camp?
Please monitor your camper for any indication that they are ill. We ask that campers with any sign of illness stay home until their symptoms improve.

Are you requiring campers who are eligible to be vaccinated?
We encourage all people who are eligible to be vaccinated to do so. This is the best way to protect yourself and the community from the most severe symptoms of COVID-19. While all museum staff are required to be vaccinated, we are not requiring campers to be.

What happens if someone shows symptoms of illness at camp?

  • If a camper appears to be ill, or voices they are feeling unwell at camp, they will be moved to an isolated location under supervision. Caretakers will be notified for immediate pick-up.
  • Any camper who is sent home with COVID-like symptoms will be asked to stay home until receiving a negative COVID test,ORuntil they have been fever free for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, have improved symptoms, AND at least 5 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
  • If a camper, staff member, or volunteer with COVID-19 (symptomatic or asymptomatic) has attended your camper’s group, we will notify families as a courtesy. Caretakers will have the choice to remove their camper from that session, or have their camper continue at camp after receiving a negative COVID test, and mask while indoors for the duration of their camp session.
  • We request that families remain in contact with us post-camp and let us know if they find that their child may have been COVID-19 positive during the camp week. In this case, we will notify campers, staff, and volunteers who may have been in contact with the camper.

*Subject to change based on government and health professional’s recommendations. We will update this page and email registered families should changes in policy occur

What should I do if I have symptoms or test positive after attending camp?

Please let us know if you have a fever or if anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 in the two weeks after attending camp.

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF

How does drop-off, pick-up, and parking work?

At the Museum

MORNING DROP OFF
Morning drop-off will be on our Southside campus, across the street from the main Museum. Drop- off and the sign-in process will start no earlier than 8:30AM and will run from 8:30-8:50AM.
We will have two methods of drop-off at the Museum. You are free to choose whichever method works best for your needs:

  • Carline drop-off will take place in the Museum Parking deck. Drive up to the Parking deck’s 2nd floor and follow the line for drop-off. One of our staff will direct you to the unloading area. Once at the drop-off area, our staff will sign your camper in and walk them over to join their camp group.
  • Caretaker Walk-up will take place outside the Museum Parking deck, along the walkway leading up to the picnic dome. After parking, walk your camper up to the Museum tent, where a Camp administrator will welcome you and check your camper in. We ask that it is a Camper-only zone past the walk-up table, so once signed in, our staff or volunteers will walk your camper to the rest of their camp group.

AFTERNOON PICKUP
Afternoon pick-up will be on our Southside campus, across the street from the main Museum. The sign-out process will start no earlier than 2:50 PM with pick-up running from 3-3:30 PM.
For every day of camp, all adults are required to sign campers out by showing either the Camper Pick-Up Pass or a photo ID whose name is listed on the authorized pickup list. Please have your Pick-up Pass or ID ready to show a camp staff member when you arrive.
We will have two methods of pick-up at the Museum. You are free to choose whichever method works best for your needs:

  • Carline pickup will take place in the Museum Parking deck where you can follow the line for pickup on the 2nd floor. One of our staff will walk the line to check your pick-up pass or ID, sign-out your camper, and call them to the deck. Our staff will then direct you to the loading area where one of our staff will be waiting with your camper, ready to assist them in loading into your vehicle.
  • Caretaker Walk-up will take place outside the Museum Parking Deck, along the walkway leading up to the picnic dome. After parking, walk to the Museum tent where a Camp administrator will be present at the check-out table to check your pickup pass or ID, sign out your camper, and call them to walk-up. We ask that it is a Camper-only zone past the walk-up table, so please stay in the waiting area, while our camp staff walk with your camper down the hill to meet you.
At Camp Curiosity

MORNING DROP OFF
We will have one method of drop-off at Camp Curiosity, we will exclusively make use of our carline. Drop-off and the sign-in process will start no earlier than 8:30 AM and will run from 8:30-8:50 AM.

  • Careline will weave through the Montessori Community School’s parking lot. Follow the directional signs, cones, and the instructions of a camp administrator to the drop-off location at the front of the school’s main building.
  • One of our camp administrators will direct you to the unloading area. Once at the unloading area, our camp staff will sign-in your camper and walk them over to join their camp group.

AFTERNOON PICK UP
We will have one method of pick-up at Camp Curiosity, we will exclusively make use of our carline. The sign-out process will start no earlier than 2:50 PM with pick-up running from 3-3:30 PM.
For every day of camp, all adults are required to sign campers out by showing either the Camper Pick-Up Pass or a photo ID whose name is listed on the authorized pickup list. Please have your Pick-up Pass or ID ready to show a camp staff member when you arrive.

  • Afternoon pick-up will work much the same as drop-off, utilizing the car line through the Montessori Community School’s parking lot. Follow the directional signs, cones, and the instructions of a camp administrator to the loading area at the front of the school’s main building.
  • One of our camp administrators will walk the line to check your pickup pass or ID, sign-out your camper, and call them to the loading area. Our staff will direct you to the loading area where one of our staff will be waiting with your camper, ready to assist them in loading into your vehicle.

What do I do if I need to pick up my child early from camp?

  • We plan our days to make full use of our time. As such, pick-up and drop-off outside of normal hours may lead to missed activities and project time for your camper.
  • We will do our best to accommodate pick-up and drop-off outside of normal hours.
  • We cannot accommodate early pick-up between 2:30pm and 3:00pm.
  • Please let our camp administrators, and if possible, your camper’s educator, know ahead of time so they can have your camper ready to go.
  •  We understand that plans sometimes change. You can email camp administrators at summercamp@lifeandscience.org any time or call our Site Directors during camp hours*

Museum Site Administration: (919) 391-9279
Camp Curiosity Site Administration: (919) 695-3727
Montessori School Administration: (919) 886-4574
*These numbers are only active during Camp Sessions. For camp questions prior to the summer, please call 919 220 5429 x 405
What do I do if I need someone else to pick up my child from camp?

Authorized pickups are entered through your UltraCamp account and can be adjusted at any time.
The week before camp, check your email for the names of individuals authorized for pick up and add anyone else through UltraCamp.
You can also speak with or contact camp staff with changes during the week.

LUNCH AND T-SHIRTS

What is included in a boxed lunch (Museum only)?

  • Museum boxed lunches must be pre-registered and purchased on Ultracamp.
  • All options are subject to change based on product availability.
  • Any substitutions will be made with comparable products.
  • We are happy to work with you to adjust our menu to accommodate for food allergies/intolerances.
  • All boxed lunches are peanut free.
  • We can only sell camp lunches on a week-long basis.
  • We are unable to add additional lunches to your camper’s registration after the Wednesday prior to your camp week. This weekly deadline ensures our lunch provider has time to put in an accurate supply order.
  • As part of our sustainability initiative, we are no longer providing water bottles in camp lunches. Please send your camper with a reusable water bottle. We will have extra disposable water bottles for emergency situations.

Regular Lunch Option:
Sample Menu

Monday – Cheeseburger, Side, Fresh Fruit
Tuesday – Turkey sandwich, Side, Fresh Fruit
Wednesday – Chicken tenders, Side, Fresh Fruit
Thursday – Cheese quesadilla, Side, Fresh Fruit
Friday- Hot dog, Side, Fresh Fruit

Vegetarian Lunch Option:
Sample Menu

Monday – Black bean burger, Side, Fresh Fruit
Tuesday – Grilled Cheese, Side, Fresh Fruit
Wednesday – *Veggie Wrap, Side, Fresh Fruit
Thursday – (Meatless) Cheese Quesadilla, Side, Fresh Fruit
Friday – Cesar Salad Wrap, Side, Fresh Fruit

*Veggie Wrap- Hummus, green peppers, mushrooms, tomato, sweet potatoes, and cucumbers.

Can I order a camp t-shirt?

  • Yes! One Camp T-shirt will be automatically included for all camper registrations at no extra charge. Simply select your preferred t-shirt size during registration and we will make sure your camper gets it during their week of camp!
  • If you are registering for multiple sessions, a t-shirt will be included for each individual registration. For instance, if you sign up for three sessions, your camper will receive three t-shirts unless you indicate you would not like one.
  • If you prefer not to receive a t-shirt for a given week, you may opt out during the registration process.

Can I exchange sizes for my camp t-shirt?
When available, yes! Just email us at summercamp@lifeandscience.org and we will be happy to give you a different size.

What should my child bring to camp?

  • Please label all items!
  • Please send your child with a morning snack, lunch, water bottle and an extra change of clothes. Those purchasing boxed lunches will still need to send a snack.
  • Campers enrolled in our Aftercare program should bring an additional afternoon snack.
  • Campers should dress in comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes for indoor and outdoor exploration.
  • Please apply sunscreen and insect repellent at home before coming to camp, as some activities happen outside. Our staff can re-apply aerosol sunscreen and insect repellent if you choose to send a labeled product with your camper’s name. Although, our staff cannot apply rub-on sun or insect protection.