School or Organization Groups
Who Can Come?
The Camp-In program is designed for youth, grades 3 to 8, and their adult leaders. An adult-to-youth ratio of 1:10 is strictly mandated. Specially designed Camp-Ins for younger or older groups are also available. A Camp-In can be filled using two options:
- Exclusive Camp-In: Larger schools or organizations can use this option if they would like to be the only participants at that particular Camp-In. The minimum required attendance for this type of Camp-In is 250 participants.
- Multiple Camp-In: This type of Camp-In requires 2 or more groups to meet attendance requirements. Minimum attendance for this type of Camp-In is 15 participants per school or organization.
What Does it Cost?
We have two unique Camp-In rates this season:
- Our Camp-In (without Dinner) rate is $40 per Camp-In participant (Youth or Adult). This rate can be applied to either the Exclusive or Multiple Camp-In option.
- Our Camp-In (with Dinner) rate is $46 per Camp-In participant (Youth or Adult). This rate also applies to either the Exclusive or Multiple Camp-In option, but we do require a minimum number of campers per group to take advantage of the dinner option. Dinner consists of pizza, salad with dressing, cookies, fresh fruit, and drink.
Camp-In CoEd Policy
All Science Museum of Minnesota Camp-Ins are coed. We encourage parents and leaders of both genders to attend with their children or charges. The Science Museum's Camp-In Team is also made up of both males and females. Therefore, all efforts will be made to provide appropriate accommodations, providing a fun and safe experience for all. If you have any questions concerning this policy, please call (651) 221-4553.
Youth Leadership Opportunity - Youth Assistant Program (age 14 or older)
Youth Assistants provide leadership for the Camp-In participants and act as positive role models to the Camp-In participants. During the Camp-In, they work directly with the museum's Camp-In Team, assisting with the logistics and organization of the program. These responsibilities provide an excellent opportunity for youth to develop their leadership skills, while enhancing the Camp-In experience for the other participants. Four youth assistants and two adult chaperones for every 100 participants attend the Camp-In at no charge. Your organization is responsible for appointing the assistants. Description of their specific roles and an informational packet for all youth assistants and their chaperones will be provided at a later date.
Registration Requirements
Exclusive Camp-In:
- If your group registers for an Exclusive Camp-In, a minimum fee based on 250 participants will be charged to your group even if the actual attendance is less than 250.
- The registered organization will be billed for actual number of participants beyond 250 if that number exceeds the expected participants at your Camp-In.
Multiple Camp-In:
- If your group registers for a Multiple Camp-In, a minimum fee based on 15 participants will be charged to your group even if actual attendance is less than 15.
- The registered organization will be billed for the actual number of participants beyond 15 if that number exceeds the expected participants at your Camp-In.
How Do I Pay?
A $50 deposit is required with your registration form. Invoices for the remaining balance, are sent out 1-3 weeks following the Camp-In event and are due upon receipt. Payments must be in the form of a single check, payable to the Science Museum of Minnesota. Indicate your event date, group name, and confirmation number on your payment. You can also pay with cash, by money order, or by check on the date of your Camp-In.
Cancellation Policy
Because your cancellation can affect other groups who might be attending a scheduled Camp-In, written notice of cancellation must be received by the museum 8 weeks prior to the scheduled event. Below are the cancellation fees that will be charged to groups who cancel with fewer than 8 weeks notice prior to the scheduled event:
| Size | Fee |
| 25 | $75 |
| 50 | $150 |
| 100 | $300 |
| 200 | $600 |
| 300 | $900 |
| 400 | $1,200 |
| 500 | $1,500 |
| 600 | $1,800 |
The Science Museum of Minnesota reserves the right to cancel any Camp-In event should inadequate registration make the event economically unfeasible to operate. If this is necessary, a Camp-In Team member will notify the group's contact person one month prior to the scheduled event—we hold open all Camp-Ins as long as possible to try to fill them! If the Science Museum cancels a Camp-In, no cancellation fee will be assessed. Occasionally, we do cancel due to severe weather. If this occurs, a Camp-In Team member will notify the group's contact person immediately and all efforts will be made to reschedule the Camp-In or reassign the group to a different Camp-In date.
When Can We Come?
Camp-Ins are held for schools and organizations on selected Thursday or Saturday evenings between December 2009 and May 2009. Please refer to the attached schedule. These dates & times have been specifically set aside for school / organization registration. (Other dates are set aside for Boy, Cub, and Girl Scouts, community groups, and families.)
- Thursday-to-Friday Camp-Ins: Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. Thursday and concludes at 10:00 a.m. Friday.
- Saturday-to-Sunday Camp-Ins: Registration begins at 3:00 p.m. Saturday and concludes at 8:00 a.m. Sunday.
These Camp-In dates & times are subject to change. Proper notice will be given to your organization if any major changes occur.
How Do I Register?
Again, please review the registration requirements for an Exclusive and/or Multiple Camp-In. If either of these arrangements works for your group and you’d like to book a Camp-In, here is how to start:
- Determine whether your group will register for the Exclusive or Multiple Camp-In option. Will your group choose the Dinner option or will you be responsible for dinner?
- Appoint one person from your group to be the museum contact. The museum contact will serve as liaison between your group and the Science Museum, and will be responsible for:
- completing the registration for your group.
- collecting your participation fees.
- selecting your Youth Assistants (if appropriate).
- arranging payment with the museum.
- providing the Science Museum with final group numbers 1 week prior to your scheduled Camp-In.
- sending in the final roster form and coordinate with troops to send in their Participant Information Forms 1 week prior to your scheduled Camp-In.
- Complete the registration form (Camp-In with Dinner or Camp-In without Dinner) and mail or fax your registration to the Science Museum of Minnesota: Attention Camp-In Program. Send in your $50 deposit. It's that easy!!! Once a completed registration is received and processed, a written confirmation will be out sent. Important: Your group is not registered for a Camp-In unless you have received a written confirmation.
Next Steps
- Approximately 1-2 months before your scheduled Camp-In, your group contact will receive an informational package that will include the following:
- A Final Organizational Roster (To be filled out by each group)
- Camp-In Participant Information Sheets (To be filled out by each class/group)
- Youth and Leader/Chaperone Packets (One for each Camp-In participant)
- Youth Assistant/Chaperone Information
- Maps & Schedules
- Procedure/Photo Release Forms (To be filled out by each Camp-In participant)
- T-shirt Order Forms
- Send in the roster and participant information forms, handout the packets, Procedure/Photo forms, and T-shirt order forms and you are ready to go. See you at your Camp-In!
2008-2009 School Camp-In Dates
- Thursday, March 19, 2009 - Friday, March 20, 2009
(5:00 p.m. Thursday to 10:00 a.m. Friday) - Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Friday, April 17, 2009
(5:00 p.m. Thursday to 10:00 a.m. Friday) - Thursday, April 30, 2009 - Friday, May 1, 2009
(5:00 p.m. Thursday to 10:00 a.m. Friday) - Thursday, May 7, 2009 - Friday, May 8, 2009
(5:00 p.m. Thursday to 10:00 a.m. Friday) - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - Friday, May 15, 2009
(5:00 p.m. Thursday to 10:00 a.m. Friday) - Thursday, May 21, 2009 - Friday, May 22, 2009
(5:00 p.m. Thursday to 10:00 a.m. Friday)
For more information on the Camp-In program, call (651) 221-4553 or email .