Camp FAQs

Download and fill out the registration form and other required documents. One set of forms is required for each child.

Sign the forms using either of these methods:

• Print, sign, and scan all forms.

• Use an electronic signature on form and documents.. (Article on How to Electronically Sign Documents)

You can either email, mail or fax the completed registration forms.

Email: ummnh.camp@umich.edu

Mail:

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
B227A Biological Sciences Building
1105 N. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1085

Fax: 734.647.2767

You may also call the camp office with payment information:  734.647.6421

Scholarships are available for Morning and Afternoon sessions for ages 6-12.

To qualify for a scholarship, a student must qualify for free or reduced lunch at their school and provide a letter showing that. The scholarship covers $100 of the session and is limited to 1 session per child.

Limited scholarships available. Scholarships will be given out on a first come, first served basis.

• Water Bottle

• *Snack (non-refrigerated, non-microwavable, nut-free)

• **Lunch (non-refrigerated, non-microwavable, nut-free)

• Weather-appropriate clothes and footwear

• Hat

• Sunscreen/Bug Spray

• A bag or backpack to hold it all

It is a camper’s responsibility to keep track of all of their belongings while at camp. To support campers’ success in this area, we encourage families to label all belongings with a camper’s first and last name and send all items in a bag or backpack.

* For the safety of our campers and staff, we are a peanut and tree nut free camp.

**Your child only needs a lunch if he/she is enrolled all day.

We ask that all electronics, toys, food products containing nuts etc. be left at home. Children staying for aftercare are allowed to read, but these items need to be kept in the coatroom during camp activities. Camp Explorations is not responsible for lost or broken toys, especially handheld video game systems or valuable trading cards! PLEASE leave these things at home.

Campers are placed in small groups by age and our counselor to camper ratio is 1:9 or fewer.  For the Little Explorer sessions the counselor to camper ratio is 1:7 or fewer.

Your child should bring a non-refrigerated, non-microwavable, nut-free packed meal. Lunch will take place between 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the museum. Your child will be supervised during the lunchtime.

Please make sure you put this information on the registration forms. Campers that have serious allergies that require emergency medication (epi-pen, asthma inhalers) should carry it with them. Other medication must be given to camp staff and stored in the Camp Director’s Office.

You will also need to complete an Over-the-Counter Medication Authorization Form. Please contact the Camp Office for this additional form.

Note: Unless we have parental authorization, we will not administer ANY medications or make OTC medications available to participants unless necessary as part of general first-aid treatment.

We strive to create an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and inspires curiosity for all campers. For this reason, campers must be able to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

• Maintain appropriate language and actions

• Hands to themselves

• Respectful language to fellow campers and camp staff

• Stay with their group

• Listen to camp staff and follow directions

If your camper is struggling, we will have a quiet, friendly space that campers can take a break and calm down or recharge before returning to their group. We do reserve the right to remove any camper that repeatedly cannot meet these expectations.

We greatly appreciate any information, suggestions or tips you would like to share with us. Filling out the registration form with as much detail as possible will give us the opportunity to prepare any special accommodations and give your camper the best experience possible. Camp leaders are not always available to speak to, but you are welcome to email our summer camp team at ummnh.camp@umich.edu or call the Camp Office at (734) 674-6421. Anything you wish to be communicated with your camper’s counselor will be communicated prior to the start of the camp week.

Morning Drop Off and Pick Up

Afternon Drop Off and Pick Up

Afternoon Pick Up

Little Explorers Drop Off and Pick Up

 You will receive an email a week before the camp starts with pick up and drop off information. You will need to sign your child in and out each day.  Please make sure anyone who will be picking up your child is added to the Pick Up Authorization Form. Please be ready to show your ID at pickup.

Aftercare is available for campers enrolled in the afternoon sessions. The cost for after care is $75 a week and is available between 4-6 p.m. If your child is not picked up by 6 p.m., a late fee of $10 per child for 15 minutes or portion thereof that you are late will be charged. Aftercare is also available on a per day basis for $15 per day and can be added the week of camp.

Please let us know ahead of time if you will be dropping off your child late so we can make sure someone is available to sign your child in and take them to their group.

Please let us know ahead of time if you will be picking up your child early so we can make sure someone is available to get your child from their group so you can sign them out.

Camp will go on!  We will change our programs to stay indoors when necessary.

Yes, as long as his/her name is listed on your registration sheet. If the individual is not named on the sheet, we will have to call the adult listed for pickup permission. This includes parents if they are not listed on the registration sheet.  If you need to add a name to the authorized persons pickup list, please call Camp Explorations at 734.647.6421 or send an email to ummnh.camp@umich.edu.

Of course!  We will try our best to keep your child engaged and learning while at Camp Explorations.  However, we are not able to provide interpreters for your child at camp.

We occasionally take our group on walking field trips, but you will always be told well in advance.  On days that we are going on walking field trips, we ask that your child wear comfortable shoes, weather appropriate clothing, and the Camp Explorations T-shirt.  We also suggest that your child bring a water bottle, backpack, bug spray, and sunscreen.

A $15 cancellation fee is applied to all refunds.  Refunds will be given if requested at least 14 days before your camp start date.  No refunds will be given if requested after 14 days of your camp start date. Please notify the camp office in writing for any cancellation requests.

A $15 processing fee will be assessed for any requested registration changes.  Please double-check your schedule and application before submitting your registration.

Campers are placed in age appropriate groups for each session. We make every effort to accommodate requests for campers to be in the same group as a friend, though requests are not guaranteed.

If you would like your camper to be placed in the same group as a friend and you did not indicate it on your registration form, the request can be made in writing to the Camp Director at ummnh.camp@umich.edu.