Curiosity Camp Policies

Behavioral and discipline procedures 

Our priority is the safety of our guests and staff. Behavior and discipline procedures in place are to ensure camper safety and allow for healthy learning environments. 

The following unwanted behaviors may result in the temporary or permanent removal of a camper from a Curiosity Camp: 

• Endangering the health (mental and physical) and safety of children and/or staff 

• Use of profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity (hostile or offensive language) 

• Refusing to follow behavior guidelines or camp rules; disrupting a program 

• Destruction or theft of Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota or personal property belonging to others 

CMSM staff will contact the registered caregiver as needed to work through a plan that can support all involved parties if needed. 

Illness Policy 

In order to protect the health of all campers and staff, The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota has implemented a Communicable Management policy, which incorporates guidelines and recommendations provided by the Minnesota Department of Health, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Alliance of Camp Health.  Children must be kept at home when showing signs of the beginning of an illness or contagious disease, or when feeling too ill to participate in an educational setting. We expect caregivers to communicate with us regarding any communicable illness or infection so that we may notify all caregivers of our campers. These conditions include but are not limited to: pink eye; chicken pox; measles; mumps; strep throat; or lice. If a child develops a fever of 100.0°F or higher, vomits, or has two loose stools while at camp, the caregiver will be called to pick them up.  

We will ask caregivers to keep their child home until we have written permission from a doctor saying the child is well enough to return to camp. These policies are in place to ensure the child’s well-being along with the well-being of the other children at camp and their families. If a child is sent home for illness during the camp week, a refund will not be issued. 

Refund Policy 

If the camp you are registered for is canceled by CMSM, you will be refunded your tuition in full. Please Note: Registration funds may not serve as credit for another CMSM camp or program, and camp sessions are not transferable to other campers. If CMSM cancels a camp, refund options will be shared.  

If my camper becomes ill or is sent home sick for the week, will there be a refund?

No. It is the policy of The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota to not issue full or partial refunds based on the health of a child. By visiting CMSM you voluntarily assume all risks related to any potential infectious or contagious disease. 

NEED TO KNOW

What should my child bring to camp?  

Please have all personal items labeled with the child’s name. Although we do our best to encourage each camper to keep their belongings together, The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please make sure you bring ONLY what your child needs each day.  

In a labeled bag/backpack please provide:  

• Change of clothes
• Reusable water bottle with first and last name 
• Light jacket or sweatshirt 

The following items will not be permitted: 

• Personal electronics and/or valuable, cherished items 
• Mobile phones – use during camp is NOT permitted – if you need to reach your child during camp for an emergency, please call the front desk at 507.344.9109  
• Toys (unless requested for a specific camp experience) 

What should my child wear to camp? 

Each camper will receive a CMSM Curiosity Camp T-shirt to wear while they are at camp.  This shirt can go over the clothes they are wearing or they can change into it.  Every camper must have the t-shirt on while they are attending for identification purposes. These shirts will be collected at the end of the day and washed for the next camp.   

Campers should wear clothes that they can be worn to explore in all of our environments. Closed toed shoes are best for playing in the Museum. Non-strap sandals or flip flops are not recommended. We will be climbing, going outside for each camp, and interacting with water and elements of nature.   

We also recommend sunscreen; if you would like your child to wear sunscreen/bug spray, please apply before dropping off your camper in the morning. You can send it along for them to reapply. CMSM Staff will not be able to supply or apply sunscreen/bug spray for campers.   

Where is drop-off? 

Drop-off occurs at our front desk. A Museum Staff will be at the door starting 10 minutes prior to the camp start time. Do not drop off a child and leave them at the door if no staff member is present. You can pull up outside of the front entrance and wait until you see a staff member present.  

For drop-off, you will need to go to the front desk and check your child in with camp staff. At that time, we will request your booking number, signature, and name of person picking up the child later. During this process camp staff will be able to answer any questions you would have at that time.  

If you arrive past the start of camp time, you will have to bring your child into the Museum and check-in at the front desk so they can contact camp staff.   

Where is pick up? 

Pick-up will be at the Nidec Group Entrance side door at 224 Lamm St. All campers and staff will be gathered by that door for pick up 10 minutes before the scheduled end of the camp.  Please do not come into CMSM through the front doors to pick up unless prior arrangements have been made.   

Our biggest priority is the safety of our campers, so we will reserve the right to verify the ID of the adult picking up each day. If a caregiver arrives to pick up your child who is not listed, please know that we will call the telephone number that you provided during registration for verification over the phone before we release the camper. 

What happens if I am running late for pick up? 

We understand that occasionally caregivers will be late due to situations outside of your control. If you are running late, please contact our front desk to let us know at 507.344.9109.  We will wait at the pick up doors for 5 minutes past the pick up window and then bring your child to the front desk area and attempt to contact you.  

Can my child bring a cell phone to camp? 

Cell phones, video games, and other personal electronic devices can easily become distractions at camp, so we ask that you please keep these items at home. If your child does bring a cell phone to camp, they will not be permitted to use it during the camp day. If there is an emergency and you need to reach your child, please contact the camp staff by calling the front desk or emailing them. 

What are your policies about distributing medicine? 

We cannot administer or store any prescription or over-the-counter medication. If a child takes a daily medication, the caregiver is expected to administer it before or after camp. Epi pens can be stored in the camp instructor’s backpack and will be given only if necessary. A certified doctor’s order must accompany the Epi Pen.    

Will you provide lunch and snacks?  

For half day summer camps: CMSM will NOT provide a snack. Summer Camps assume that the campers have eaten breakfast prior to arriving at CMSM. You are more than welcome to provide your own snack if your child would like. We will make sure they have the time and space to have it if needed.  

What if my child has a medical incident while at camp? 

If a minor injury occurs at camp (cut, scrape, etc.), an Incident Form will be filled out and the appropriate action will be taken by CMSM staff. When necessary, a phone call will be made to the caregiver. If an injury or illness needs more immediate care, staff will contact the caregiver and arrange for prompt early pick-up. If the incident is critical than 911 will be called to provide emergency care as needed.