Summer Camp FAQ - Irvine Nature Center

Questions and Answers
What kinds of camps will you be offering and for what ages and/or grade levels?
	We offer camps for children as young as 2 years old up through 15. Our camps strive to get children of all ages outdoors into nature as much as possible and may include trail walks, animal encounters, puppet shows, crafts, nature stories, games and more. Please refer to the Camp Brochure for more details.
What are the dates and times of the camps -- are they half day or full day?
	This summer (2010), our camp season will run from June 14 through August 27. The specific dates and times vary depending upon the camp session. Camps for younger children run anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 hours, while camps for older children run part to full days. Please refer to our Camp Brochure for more details about specific sessions.
How much do your camps cost?
	That depends on the particular camp session, the age of the child, the length of the day, the activities involved, etc. It also depends on whether or not you are a member of Irvine Nature Center. Members do receive savings on camp fees. For 2009, our camp fees range in price from $90 to $420. Please refer to our Camp Brochure for more details.
Do you offer discounts for families sending more than one child to camp?
	No, we do not offer discounts for families sending multiple children to camp.
Do you offer scholarships?
	At this time, we do not offer scholarships to the general public. However, if grant monies become available, we will offer scholarships for children who are eligible for the federal lunch program.
What is the ratio of campers to leaders?
	Our group sizes are small with a camper/staff ratio of at most 6 to 1.
How many children are in each session?
	That depends on the particular session. Camps for younger children may have as few as 8 or 10 spaces, while camps for older kids may have up to 20 spaces per session or anywhere in between.
Can my child attend more than one camp session during the summer?
	New in 2010, there are multiple themes offered for different age groups. Your child may attend all of the different theme options within their age group, but may not repeat the same theme more than once.
Are these drop-off camps or must I accompany my child?
	All of our camp sessions, with the exception of the Buds Camp (ages 2 and 3), are drop-off camps. Children in Buds Camp need to attend with a parent or adult guardian.
I would like to register my two/three year old child for Buds Camp. I know that I have to accompany him/her, but it is alright if I bring along a younger sibling as well?
	No. Since the parent or adult guardian will also be actively participating in these camps, it is vitally important that your attention be fully focused on the camper so that he/she will get the most out of their camp experience.
Do you offer before or after camp care?
	Yes. New in 2010, we will offer before care starting at 7:45 a.m. and after care for camps ending at 3:00 p.m. or later, extending until 6:00 p.m. The fee for before camp care is $30 per week, and after camp care is $50 per week. If you sign your child up for both before and after camp care, the fee will be discounted to $70. Pre-registration for before and aftercare is required. See camp brochure for more details.
When does registration begin?
	There is no official registration start date this year. You may begin submitting your completed registration forms as soon as you receive them.
How can I go about registering?
	Registrations may be mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered. Phone registrations are NOT accepted. You will need a completed 2-page registration form and payment in full or in installments (see brochure) either in the form of check or credit card. We accept Visa or MasterCard. (Separate forms are required for each child.)
Do members receive priority registration?
	Yes, members receive priority throughout the entire registration process, and priority on wait lists. A member is anyone who is a current member or anyone who chooses to join at the time of registration.
How much is membership and what are the benefits?
	The camper may join at the $50 Individual level or the family may join at the $75 Family level. Members receive a 10% discount in Irvine’s Nature Store, priority registration and a discount off children's summer nature camps, discounts on facility rentals and nature birthday parties, and discounts and priority registration on various special events.
How long will it be before I know whether or not my child got into camp and how will I be notified?
	You will be notified via e-mail as to your child's camp status and should receive word within one week of submitting your application.
All of the camp sessions I'm interested in are filled. Can I place my child on a wait list?
	Yes. To place a child on a wait list, you will still need to submit a completed 2-page registration form along with the deposit payment. Payment is NOT processed unless the child gets into camp. If a space does become available, you will be notified via telephone.
Your wait list is already long. Is there really any chance a space will open up? Does anyone ever get moved off the wait lists?
	Absolutely! There is always hope and every year, a handful of children do get moved off the wait lists. Since it doesn’t cost anything, it’s worth sitting tight to see what happens. Be advised that spaces can open up at any time, even the Friday before a camp session begins. If your schedule is flexible, placing your child on a wait list is certainly a viable option. And in all honesty, it doesn’t matter where you are on the wait list. Whether near the top or near the bottom, getting into camp is always a possibility.
I placed my child on a wait list, but now I've made other plans. What do I do now?
	Even though your child is on a wait list, you are under no obligation whatsoever. You can call anytime to have your child removed from the list and your camp fee will be returned. If we contact you because a space has opened up and you are no longer able and/or interested in attending, you have right of first refusal.
What is your cancellation policy?
	Irvine reserves the right to cancel a camp session due to insufficient enrollment. If Irvine cancels a session, all monies will be fully refunded. If you remove your child from a camp session before it begins, membership dues are non-refundable and the following refund policy applies to the camp fee (per session and per child): CANCELLATION POLICY # Of Days Before Camp Session Begins Non-refundable Amount 28+ $75 deposit 27-21 50% of camp fee 20-14 75% of camp fee 13-0 100% of camp fee In order to remain fair and equitable, we are unable to make exceptions, regardless of the circumstances.
I'd like further information, to request a brochure and/or be added to the mailing list for next year. Who do I contact?
	Download a Summer Nature Camp brochure here. Click here for a registration form. Contact Courtney Sagal, Education Assistant at 443-738-9224 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .