Summer Camps

Priority registration for Summer Camps 2021 is early access to register for camps, it does not guarantee a spot. Due to limited capacity, registration for summer camps in 2021 will be limited to one week per child.  

Priority registration applies only to the campers the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has identified from 2020 camps that were cancelled by the Museum, or to campers who were on the waitlist for a camp, had their registration forms completed and approved, and did not get placed in their camp for 2020. 

To best serve our community and campers, after the priority registration period has ended, the Museum will review all camp registrations for 2021 to ensure that only children with priority registration status are placed into a camp, and no child is registered for more than one week of summer camp.  

If any child without priority registration status is found to be registered that child will be removed and all orders for that child’s household are at risk of being cancelled. 

If any child is found to be registered for more than one week, any and all orders for summer camp for that child and/or household are at risk of being cancelled. 

We cannot guarantee the availability of specific weeks, themes, or age groups. Priority registration cannot be transferred to another individual or a later date. 

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.

Check out our updated Summer Camp Policies and Procedures for 2021.

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 two weeks 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. 

Curriculum is designed for children entering into the grades listed for each camp. For instance, if we list a camp as a K-1 camp, it is intended for kids entering kindergarten or first grade. For full day camps, children must be at least 5 years of age on or before their first day of camp.

• 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)
• Face covering that fits your child
• Sunscreen (labeled with your child’s full name)
• Hat/sunglasses
• Sweatshirt or jacket
• Change of clothes
• Backpack or tote bag
• Full day camps only: a sack lunch including a drink (the museum does not provide refrigeration)

Denver Museum of Nature & Science is not responsible for lost or stolen items and we request that personal items remain at home.

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.

In the event that your child’s sunscreen is not readily available, DMNS will provide Rocky Mountain Sunscreen Sport SPF 30 if you gave permission on the Emergency Card.

This year, we will be doing Curbside Pick Up and Drop Off on the Southeastern side of the building near City Park. Those dropping off and authorized to pick-up will be asked to stay in their cars and a DMNS staffer will come to the vehicle to check in or check out campers.  

There will be a designated check in location in the same area for those who walk to camps.  

For inclement weather instances, we may need to use an alternative indoor drop-off or pick-up location. Communication will be sent outlining changes and signage will be posted.  

To sign a camper out of camp, adults must present a valid photo ID when picking up any camper at any time.  

Drop-off will occur from 8:45–9 a.m for full day camps. 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 times will be staggered for age groups, with the first group pick up starting between 2:45pm and 3:00pm. Parents/guardians will be notified of camp pick up time the week prior to the start of camp. 

If you are running late, please call 303.370.6455 to let us know you’re coming.

Full Day Summer Camps are offered from 9 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.

The cost for members is $260/week and the cost for nonmembers is $290/week.

For the week of July 4 (July 6 – 9), the cost of members is $210 and the cost for nonmembers is $235.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science is not offering Early and Late care for summer camps 2021.

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.

Friday afternoons will be wet and wild with a few hours at the end of the day for outdoor water activities! Send your campers with clothes you don't mind getting wet, comfy shoes, a towel, and sunscreen!

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 and contact 911 if needed. Parents will be notified of any incident, regardless of its severity. If 911 is called, parents and emergency contacts will be contacted as quickly as possible.

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 two weeks 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.

If you have additional question around medications at camp, please call 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 team at 303.370.6455 with any concerns about your child’s experience at Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Summer Camps. If you wish to file an official complaint, please contact the Colorado Department of Human Services; 1575 Sherman St., Denver, Colorado; 80203-1714; 303.866.5958.