Museum Camps FAQs

What are the hours of Museum Camp?

Museum Camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Check-in: 8:45 to 9:15 a.m.

Check-out: 3:45 to 4:15 p.m.

Do you have before and after care available?

Unfortunately, we will not be offering before or after care at this time.

How many campers will be in a group?

Group sizes are below.

• Grades K: up to 14 campers per classroom
• Grades 1-2nd: up to 20 campers per classroom
• Grades 3-4th: up to 20 campers per classroom
• Grades 5-6th: up to 12 campers per classroom

Do campers wear masks to camp?

Masks are not required. Some of campers and staff may choose to continue wearing masks, and others may not. We will continue to support individual camper families’ decisions.

Is there a discount for Cincinnati Museum Center members?

Yes! CMC Members receive $25 off Museum Camps.

Does my membership need to be active in the summer in order to purchase member-priced camps?

Yes, an active Membership through the dates of camp is required to get the Member discount. Be sure your Membership is active through August and renew the day or week before purchasing camps to make the camps purchasing process even easier!

Members will additionally get a chance to register for camps earlier than the general public!

How do I register my child for Museum Camps?

You can register for Museum Camps online at https://www.cincymuseum.org/museum-camps/. Please have your payment information, membership number (if you are a member) and child’s information ready to make registration quicker and easier.

Registration cannot be completed over the phone. If you need assistance with your account or online registration, please call (513) 287-7001. Our phones are open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What is the cancellation policy?

There is a $50 processing fee for cancelling 15 or more days in advance of the first day of camp. There will be a $100 fee if you inform us 7 to 14 days before the first day of camp. 25% of your camp registration will be refunded if you inform us fewer than 7 days in advance; No refund is given after the first day of camp.

To cancel, please call (513) 287-7001. A refund will be issued to the same credit card used to register for camp. Please have the card in hand when calling to cancel.

Does my camper need paperwork to participate in Museum Camps?

Yes! Please fill out the Museum Camp Permission Forms when registering for Museum Camps online at https://www.cincymuseum.org/museum-camps/.

If your camper has an epi-pen please bring epi-pen form acquired from registration to the first day of camp.

EpiPen Authorization Form

What do we need for check-in and check-out?

For camps at Union Terminal: You will pull up to the front doors of Cincinnati Museum Center and remain in your car. During check in camp staff will greet and check-in campers and walk them inside to their group.

During check out any adult picking up a child is required to show a photo ID as well as be listed on the Museum Camp Permission Form. Parents also need to be listed on the Museum Camp Permission Form and show ID every day when picking up campers. Changes to Museum Camp Permission Form must be made in person with an ID, or through correspondence with Camps manager through email, camps@cincymuseum.org

Incident Reports are a form of communication between camp staff and camper parents and caregivers. Incident reports will be shared during check out, and the authorized pick-up person will review and sign it. Please check in with your authorized pick-up person if your camper has any for the day.

For camps at Blue Ash Recreation Center: Please park and walk your camper to Maple Shelter, the outdoor shelter to the right of the parking lot. There, a Camps staff member will check them into their camp and walk them over to their group.

For Cincinnati Observatory: Please walk your camper up to the building on the right. Camp staff will check them into their camp and walk them inside to their group. For check-out, campers will either be outside in the grass, or inside the building on the right. A camp coordinator will check be there to check out your camper.

What if my child will need to arrive late or leave early?

If you need to pick your camper up early or drop off late, please contact us at (513) 728-0082 or camps@cincymuseum.org at least 24 hours in advance.

What if my child will be absent?

If your child will be absent, please notify the Camp Manager at (513) 728-0082 or camps@cincymuseum.org as soon as possible.

What will my child do at camp?

The activities during camp are based on the different camp themes. Your child will be participating in a variety of activities such as science experiments, arts and crafts, games, animal encounters, interactive presentations, conversations with guest speakers and more! For more information about a specific camp theme, please contact the Museum Camps Manager at camps@cincymuseum.org or (513) 728-0082.

Which grade should I sign my camper up for? Can I sign my camper up for a younger/ older group?

Camper grades are based on the 2023/2024 school year. If your camper is entering 1st grade this fall (2023), they may register for any 1-2nd grade camps! Camps are designed with child development in mind. To ensure each camper has an engaging experience, campers must be entering the grade they are entering of 2023 and will not be able to register for a younger/older group.

Can I enroll my child in a camp for a younger/older age group?

No. Camps are designed with child development in mind. To ensure each camper has an engaging experience, campers must fall within the camp’s grade band.

Do Museum Camps serve children with disabilities?

Cincinnati Museum Center’s Camps makes every reasonable effort to accommodate campers of all abilities and needs.

Museum Camps does offer several accessibility amenities, such as fidgets, weighted blankets, and noise cancelling earmuffs, that campers canto use during the week. For a full list of CMC’s Accessibility amenities please see our Accessibility webpage ( https://www.cincymuseum.org/accessibility/). As we know personal items may bring extra comfort, campers may bring accessibility items to camp. All items should be discussed at check-in when the child arrives.

If your child will require supports or has a life-threatening allergy, please contact the Camp Manager to discuss their needs before the camper’s first day. Please also let us know of any additional tools or techniques we may use to help your camper have a great time at camp. The more we know about your camper in advance, the better equipped we can be to make your child’s camp experience the best possible!

If you are interested in enrolling a child with disabilities and have further questions, please contact the Camp Manager to set up a meeting to evaluate our program’s suitability for your child.

Museum Camp Manager Contact Information:
Emily Bertolo
(513) 728-0082
camps@cincymuseum.org

Can my child and their friend be in the same group?

Yes! When you register your child, there is a section of the online registration where you can put friend request names. Please make sure to have their friend’s name ready and be sure that their friend has registered for the same camp. Campers must be in the same grade band. If you would like to make a change after registering, please contact the Camps Manager, camps@cincymuseum.org, prior to the start of your first day of camp.

What should my child wear/bring?

Children should wear typical play clothes. Please keep in mind that some days we may have messy activities. Some areas inside can get chilly, so a sweater or jacket is recommended. Since we often have games and physical activities in addition to 30 minutes of recess, please send children in shoes that are appropriate for running and playing.

Bathroom accidents can happen in the case of a bathroom accident, please feel free to include an extra set of clothing for your camper or extra clothes can be provided, and the Camps Manager will call to notify you.

All electronics, toys and valuable items should be kept at home, with the exception of items used for accessibility purposes. Cincinnati Museum Center is not responsible for any lost, broken or stolen items.

All campers MUST bring a packed lunch and water bottle. An hour break will be taken for lunch and recess each day. Lunches should not contain any items that need to be refrigerated or heated. Campers may NOT purchase food or items from our retail spaces during camp. Campers should NOT be sent to camp with money.

My child must take medication. How can they do this at camp?

The Cincinnati Museum Center is not permitted to administer medicine to children with the exception of Epi-pens. It is important that you inform us of any medical conditions or special needs. Please contact the Camp Manager to discuss their needs before the camper’s first day. We do our best to accommodate needs and requests.

Museum Camp Manager Contact Information:
Emily Bertolo
(513) 728-0082
camps@cincymuseum.org

How can I get in contact with Museum Camp staff if there is an emergency?

If you need to contact Museum Camps right away, please call the Museum Camps Manager at (513) 728-0082. You may also call our Public Safety office at (513) 287-7048.

What happens if my child becomes ill during camp?

If a camper exhibits signs of illness during the camp day, the camps manager will call the emergency contacts listed on the camper's registration. The camper must be picked up immediately (45-minute grace period may be granted based on parent/care givers locations) after Museum Camp staff communicates with the camper’s parent or caregiver. If necessary, our Public Safety officers will assist with injury or illness.

Do you provide snacks?

Yes! We provide an afternoon snack for all Museum Campers. Snacks are simple, peanut-free items such as Nutri-Grain Bars or Goldfish Crackers. If you know your camper is a picky eater or has certain dietary restrictions, please feel free to pack an additional snack with them. Please send a note to camps@cincymuseum.org to update any food allergies on your camper’s online forms before camp starts.

Do you provide lunch?

No. Each child must bring a packed lunch and a water bottle. An hour break will be taken each day for lunch and recess. Lunches must be brought from home and should not contain any items that need to be refrigerated or heated up. Campers may NOT purchase food from the food court or vending machines. Campers should NOT be sent to camp with money, food service locations do not take cash, and campers will not be given time to visit these locations.

Can my child purchase food or items from the food court or gift shop?

No. Campers are not permitted to purchase any items from the food court or any of our gift shops. Please do NOT send money with your camper for any reason. Our food service vendors and gift shops do not take cash, and campers will not be given time to visit.

My child is in Kindergarten/First Grade and needs a rest in the afternoon. Do you provide resting time?

Yes! In addition to lunch and recess, our younger campers (Kindergarten through second grade) will be given 30 – 45 minutes of quiet time in the afternoon. During this time, they may rest while watching an age-appropriate movie or reading a children’s book.

What are the behavior expectations at camp?

At the beginning of camp, campers and instructors work together to set the rules. This time allows for everyone to set expectations and boundaries. Both campers and instructors are always expected to be respectful to each other, their peers and their surroundings.

The more we know about your camper, the better equipped we are to help your child meet behavior expectations and have the best time at camp! Please let us know of any tools or techniques we may use to help your camper have the best camp experience. You may share this with camp staff during drop-off or on the permission form. Please contact the Museum Camps Manager at (513) 728-0082 or camps@cincymuseum.org

All electronics, toys and valuable items should be kept at home, with the exception of items used for accessibility purposes. Please notify us ahead of time if your camper will be bringing an item for these purposes. If a non-accessibility item brought from home disrupts camp, the item may be confiscated until the end of the day. Cincinnati Museum Center is not responsible for any lost, broken or stolen items.

How does Museum Camp manage behavioral issues?

If campers are participating in disruptive behavior, our instructors may first use positive reinforcement and redirection to help them make better choices. In cases where disruptive behavior continues, the following steps are taken:

Reminder of Expectations

1. Conversation with instructor
2. Calm-down time (sit out from activity)
3. Speak with Coordinator or Manager
4. Call home/conversations with parents or guardians
5. Removal from camp

Campers are given three chances to follow directions after a reminder or conversation with instructor. In cases where Museum Camp staff are concerned that the behavior of a camper is harmful to themselves, others or their surroundings, steps may be bypassed, and this will be communicated with families as needed.

What are the qualifications of your Museum Camp Instructors?

Museum Camp Instructors are Cincinnati Museum Center staff, college graduates and upper-level college students. All of our instructors are experienced educators and have taught in classrooms, camps, museums, art centers, etc. Museum Camp Instructors must pass a background check, and are required to attend Museum Camp training. Please contact our Museum Camps Manager, Emily Bertolo, at (513) 728-0082 or camps@cincymuseum.org for more information.