The details

Summer Camps assume that the campers have eaten breakfast prior to arriving at CMSM.  We will not be providing a snack during camp.  You are more than welcome to provide your child with a snack if you’d like. 

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. 

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota education team consists of highly qualified and trained program educators. The team is led by Licensed Educators. These Educators work closely to imagine and facilitate experiences that are engaging, unique, developmentally appropriate, and fun for the campers. At least two-three team members (depending on which camp) will always be actively present with the children.  Our typical instructor-to-camper ratios are 1:8 for kids 5-11 years and 1:6 for kids 4-5 years. 

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. 

Most direct communication for camp will be through email or phone. Please make sure that when you register your child, you include the email and phone number for the person who will be the main contact for the camper during their time at CMSM. Please expect a confirmation email after you register that will share details needed for the day. Please always check your junk email to make sure that communication from CMSM hasn’t been sent there.  

Additional communication will be shared at pickup, or via email. Please feel free to reach out to our camp staff with other questions via email or phone. 

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. 

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. 

Drop-off occurs at the front desk. A Museum Staff Member will be at the door starting 10 minutes prior to the camp’s 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 the front door and wait until you see a staff member present.  

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. 

Pick-up will be at the Nidec Group Entrance at 224 Lamm Street. 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 for 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. 

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 before 4pm to let us know.  We will wait at the pick-up doors for 5 minutes past the pickup window and then bring your child to the front desk area and attempt to contact you.

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.  

We do NOT provide lunch or snack for campers. You are more than welcome to provide your own daily snack if you’d like.

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, 911 will be called to provide emergency care as needed.