School Break Camps 2024–2025

Colorado Shines is the state’s quality rating and improvement system. Colorado Shines rates Colorado’s early learning
programs, connects families with quality programs, and helps programs improve their quality level. It’s free for
programs, professionals and families to use.

Colorado Shines rates programs from Level 1 to Level 5. We are a Colorado Shines Level 1 rated program, which
means we are licensed in the State of Colorado and we meet basic health and safety requirements.

Visit www.ColoradoShines.com for more information.

When school is out, Science Camp is in!

Looking for something amazing for your kids to do during school breaks? At the Museum, your child will experience fun and wonder, see Infinity Theater and planetarium shows, and explore the marvels of our Museum exhibitions. Each day will be something new as we bring together our favorite camp themes and activities for 2024–2025 Science Camps! 

Camps offered for children currently in grades K – 1, 2 – 3, and 4 – 5. 

 

Break Camp Dates

9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., daily

Fall Science Camp 2024
$225 members | $245 nonmembers
November 25th to 27th
3-day Camps

Winter Science Camp 2024
$300 members | $330 nonmembers
December 30th to January 3rd (No Camp January 1st)
4-day Camps

Spring Science Camp 2025
$375 members | $410 nonmembers
March 24th to 28th
5-day Camps

Scholarships are Available!

If you qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch, you may qualify for a scholarship that covers 50% or 100% of your camp fees. Scholarship registration is by phone only, call Guest Services at 303.370.6000, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

DMNS Camp Safety

Face Coverings

We are adhering to all CDC, CDPHE and DPHE orders around face coverings. At this time, face coverings are not required for DMNS Science camps. 
Those that wish to wear a face covering while at camp may do so. Face coverings will be removed during snacks, meals, and some outdoor activities. If a child needs help removing or replacing a face covering, staff will use gloves to help and/or immediately wash hands before and after helping.
 
Please note our policies and procedures are being updated to align with the current state health order for face coverings in child care settings, including camps.

Hand Washing 

To help campers stay healthy we will have set times for washing hands, including when campers arrive at the Museum, before and after eating food, after using the toilet, and touching items or surface that may be frequently touched by other people. 

DMNS Camp Registration Form Policy

Check out our updated Camp Policies and Procedures (español)
Log into CampDoc here.

Once you have purchased your camp(s), you will receive an email from CampDocs with an invitation to create a CampDoc account to then complete your CAMPER REGISTRATION FORMS. To complete your registration form, you will need information required of all State-Licensed child care programs. Each child you registered will need one form filled out, regardless of how many camps they will be attending. We encourage you to have your form completed at least three weeks before the camp start date to allow plenty of time for review and any necessary edits. 

To ensure that your child has a great experience at camp and for their safety, any Camper Registration Forms not submitted for review or confirmed as “Approved” by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science one week prior to the upcoming registered camp date will have their camp registration for the purchased week forfeited without refund. The purchaser of the camp will be asked to provide the email of the individual responsible for the completion of any and all registration forms.  

If your child(ren) attend public schools in the state of Colorado, there is a good chance that we already have access to their updated immunization forms in the correct format.  We will not need immunizations from your camper(s).  If your campers are coming from out of state, or do not attend public schools, we will need this information before they can start camp.  You will be notified if we require you to submit your immunization records via your Camper Registration Form. 

Additionally, DMNS Camp staff are routinely trained in administering emergency medication relating to asthma and/or allergies; including inhalers, oral and/or topical allergy medications, and epinephrine for anaphylaxis. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to contact Camp Director staff to discuss all other medications that may accompany your child to camp. At least 3 weeks’ notice is required as some medications may call for additional trainings and/or medication administration delegation to meet a camper’s individual medical needs. Camp Director staff can be reached by phone at 303.370.6455.

FAQ

Please complete registration by filling out the required registration forms and emergency information for each camper. These items will be sent out to participants in a separate email, linking to DMNS Camper Registration Forms in the CampDocs.com portal. (Log into CampDoc here)

Once you have purchased your camp(s), you will receive an email from CampDocs with an invitation to create a CampDoc account to them complete your CAMPER REGISTRATION FORMS. To complete your registration form, you will need information required of all State-Licensed child care programs. Each child you registered will need one form filled out, regardless of how many camps they will be attending. We encourage you to have your form completed at least one month before the camp start date to allow plenty of time for review and any necessary edits.   

To ensure that your child has a great experience at camp and for their safety, any Camper Registration Forms not submitted for review or confirmed as “Approved” by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science one week prior to the upcoming registered camp date will have their camp registration for the purchased week forfeited without refund. The purchaser of the camp will be asked to provide the email of the individual responsible for the completion of any and all registration forms.  

If your child(ren) attend public schools in the state of Colorado, there is a good chance that we already have access to their updated immunization forms in the correct format.  We will not need immunizations from your camper(s).  If your campers are coming from out of state, or do not attend public schools, we will need this information before they can start camp.  You will be notified if we require you to submit your immunization records via your Camper Registration Form. 

  • sack lunch including a drink (the museum does not provide refrigeration)
  • water bottle labeled with your child’s name (water bottles not labeled will be labeled with permanent marker by camp staff)
  • comfortable, closed-toe shoes (no sandals)
  • sweatshirt or jacket
  • change of clothes
  • backpack or tote bag
  • Please leave any and all valuables at home, including expensive outerwear, electronics, and money, as children will be moving throughout the Museum - the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is not responsible for lost or missing items.

Break Camp curriculum is designed for children currently attending the grades listed for each camp. For instance, if we list a camp as a K-1 camp, it is intended for kids in kindergarten or first grade during this school year. For full day camps, children must be at least 5 years of age on or before their first day of camp.

During our break camps, we do not plan activities for our campers to do outside due to unpredictable weather through the fall, winter, and spring seasons. However, if weather is acceptable to take camp groups outside, we do encourage our groups to take advantage of the nicer weather and head out into City Park- this is camp, after all!

Along with a camp t-shirt, each day’s activities, and activity materials, children in full day camps will be given a snack each day. If your child has food allergies or preferences, please send a snack with your child.

All drop offs and pick ups are done inside of the Museum. Please park your car and enter through the North entrance, inform guest service staff you are here for break camp drop-off/pick-up and proceed to the designated area. Please allow plenty of time for parking and entering into the Museum.

Children must be accompanied into the Museum and dropped off with DMNS camp staff each day. 

Children must be signed out each day by one of the adults listed on your child’s Trusted Contacts in CampDoc. Photo ID is required every day in order to pick up a child.

Drop-off will occur from 8:45 - 9:10 a.m. If your child arrives after the scheduled drop-off time, please park and bring your child to the security desk, inside the staff and volunteer entrance near the flag pole on the north side of the Museum. A camp representative will be contacted to meet you to sign in and escort the child to the correct camp.

Pick-up will occur every day from 3:15 - 3:40 p.m. If you are running late, please call 303-370-6455 to let us know you’re coming.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd. Denver, CO 80205. Directions to the museum can
be found on our website at dmns.org.

Each group will be supervised at all times by trained adult educators. All educators have previous experience working with children. Throughout the week, your child may also work with Denver Museum of Nature & Science staff. 

At the beginning of the week, you will be provided with a schedule of camp activities. If you would like to know more about specific activities, please call the Children’s Programs line at 303.370.6455.

Camps may include a variety of animal dissections. Dissection are an elective activity - parent/guardians and campers may opt out at any time. 

Please call 303.370.6455 or 303.370.6343 and the staff member who answers will be able to assist you and/or locate your child.

Camp staff and many Denver Museum of Nature & Science staff members are trained in CPR and First Aid and are able to deal with emergencies as they occur. Should your child need medical attention, we will follow the information provided on your Emergency Card. Parents will be notified of any incident, regardless of its severity.

If possible, please administer medication to your child outside of camp hours. If it’s necessary for your child to receive prescription or over-the-counter medication during camp, your child’s physician must complete a Medication Authorization Form, found at the top of this page. Please note that medication can be dispensed only on written order or a prescription from a physician to the child’s parent or guardian, or to the camp, with knowledge and written consent of the parent or guardian. Medication must be kept in the original container. Prescription medicine containers must bear the original pharmacy label that shows the prescription number, name of medication, date filled, physician’s name, child’s name, and directions for dosage.

In order to distribute medication to your child, we must receive the Medication Authorization Form a minimum of one week prior to the start of child’s camp session. Upon review of the form, it may be necessary to meet with the parent to develop a Health Plan. (Log into CampDoc here)

Additionally, DMNS Camp staff are routinely trained in administering emergency medication relating to asthma and/or allergies; including inhalers, oral and/or topical allergy medications, and epinephrine for anaphylaxis. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to contact Camp Director staff to discuss all other medications that may accompany your child to camp. At least 3 weeks’ notice is required as some medications may call for additional trainings and/or medication administration delegation to meet a camper’s individual medical needs. Camp Director staff can be reached by phone at 303.370.6455.

All sales are final. The Museum has a “no refund” policy. Full refunds will be given only if the Museum cancels a camp.

Please feel free to contact the camp director at 303.370.8315 with any concerns about your child’s experience at Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Break Camps. If you wish to file an official complaint, please contact the Colorado Department of Early Childhood; 710 S. Ash St., Denver, Colorado; 80246; 303.866.5958.

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