Camps

COVID-19 Health and Safety Information

Thinkery is doing our part to keep our community healthy and safe by preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The health and safety of our campers and staff remains our top priority. Thinkery’s 2021 camp program will once again feature reduced-capacity weekly camps that meet or exceed the standards outlined by the CDC and Austin Public Health.

To ensure all camp spaces are in compliance with our rigorous health and safety standards, ALL 2021 Summer Camps will be hosted at Thinkery.

While there is no 100% effective way to prevent ilnessess, we’re taking ongoing steps to make our in-person camps as clean and safe a learning environment as possible. There are additional steps that YOU can take to help us provide a clean, safe, and healthy environment.

If you child is sick, please keep them at home.

We’ll be doing daily temperature checks and health screenings for all campers, and any camper showing signs of illness will be sent home. To save yourself an extra trip, it’s best to keep sick campers at home.

Work with your camper ahead of time to practice good hygiene.

Help your camper get familiar with important concepts like:

• Frequent washing of hands with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds each time
• Avoid touching your eyes and face as much as possible
• Maintain physical distance from other campers as much as possible
• Practice wearing a mask as much as possible
• Cover your mouth and nose if you have to sneeze or cough. If you’re not wearing a mask, remember to cough and sneeze into your elbow (the “vampire sneeze”) or into a tissue, not into your hand.

Read all of the caregiver information in your pre-camp packet, which will be sent out two weeks before the start date of your camp.

Observe all written instructions and directions for curbside drop-off and pickup.

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When will campers eat lunch?

Because of our increased safety and cleaning procedures, camp groups will have staggered lunchtimes from 11:45 am-1:15 pm.  Don’t forget to pack two snacks as we have a morning and afternoon snack time as well!

What are Thinkery Camp hours?

Full-day camp hours are from 9 am to 4 pm.

Who are the camp staff?

The staff members in each camp room are excited, caring and creative people. They have a passion and joy for sharing the innovation process with your camper.

We maintain a minimum of 1 staff to 9 campers ratio. Campers will be escorted as a group to and from the bathroom by a Thinkery staff member.

Our staff goes through a multi-stage interview process including reference and national background checks. Those that meet our standards and maintain Thinkery values are invited to join the Thinkery team. Once hired, every Thinkery Camp staff member receives training on Thinkery’s learning philosophy and caregiving standards, with CPR and first aid training for key staff members.

After training, staff receive ongoing supervision and feedback provided by the Camp Management Team.

We are very proud of our dedicated and accomplished Thinkery Camp staff. 

How does Thinkery maintain safety during free play in the museum?

Our youngest campers (Pre-K–K) are always limited to one exhibit space at a time during free play in Thinkery. These campers also wear bright vests during free play so they are always highly visible to Thinkery Camp staff. Additionally, Pre-K–K campers may enjoy a portion of free play before Thinkery is open to the general public.

For our more independent campers (1st–5th graders), free play is always limited to one exhibit space at a time. Our 1st–5th grade campers may also enjoy time in the museum before it is open to the general public.

How do you handle the grade distinction in the summer?

The grades posted for each camp indicate the grade level your child will enter in the 2021–22 school year.

Is there a minimum age for Thinkery Camps?

Yes, campers must be 4 years old by the month before their camp begins in order to participate in our camp program. This age restriction is in place to ensure the success of each individual camper.

If your child does not meet this requirement, consider our Early Learners programs.

Do Thinkery Camps serve children with special needs?

Although Thinkery Camps are not specifically designed to accommodate children with special needs, we make every reasonable effort to serve campers who require special attention or consideration.

If you are interested in enrolling a child with special needs, please contact the Camp Management team (contact information below) and set up a meeting to evaluate our program’s suitability for your child. We also welcome camper aides, but require all aides who attend camp to complete a background check before camp begins.

If your child has a special need or a life-threatening allergy, please contact the Camp Management Team to discuss their needs before the camper’s first day. We want to prepare Thinkery Camp staff and educators in advance so we can make your child’s camp experience as safe as possible.

Contact information: thinkerycamps@thinkeryaustin.org

What is your cancellation policy?

Camp fees include a $75 non-refundable fee. Refunds (minus the $75 non-refundable fee) are given for cancellations made at least two weeks prior to your camp start date.

No refunds will be given for cancellations made less than than two weeks in advance of the start date of your camp. If your child is unable to attend, the cost of your camp will be converted into a tax-deductible donation to the museum.

If you are registered for camp and need to change weeks or sessions, there will be a $50 administrative fee once the change is approved. If the camp you are registered for is cancelled due to low enrollment, you will be refunded your full tuition payment.

If you are interested in booking additional camp weeks, please call (512) 469-6201 or register online! The camp you sign up for is uniquely yours—sessions are not transferable to other campers.

What is included in the price of my child’s Thinkery Camp?

Your camp registration includes five days of Thinkery Camp fun and learning, including hands-on activities, Your registration also includes one Thinkery Camp t-shirt.

Can I transfer my Thinkery Camp session to a different week, or camper?

If you are registered for camp and need to change weeks or sessions, there will be a $50 administrative fee once the change is approved. If the camp you are registered for is cancelled due to low enrollment, you will be refunded your full tuition payment.

If you are interested in booking additional camp weeks, please call (512) 469-6201 or register online. 

The camp you sign up for is uniquely yours. Sessions are not transferable to other campers.

What happens if the Thinkery Camp I want is full?

You will know a Thinkery Camp section is at capacity when there is no option to select a paid reservation on the website. The only option you will see will be to select the “Waitlist.” If you would like to be placed on the waitlist for a particular session, please complete the registration process with that option selected. (You will not be asked for payment at this time).

If a spot becomes available, you will be contacted and charged the full tuition fee at that time. Waitlists are maintained on a first-come, first-served basis.

Do you offer Extended Care?

Due to health and safety protocols, Thinkery is unable to offer Extended Care for 2021 summer camps.

Will my child experience a field trip while attending Thinkery Camp?

Yes. Every camper will enjoy a field trip to the Mueller Lake Park across the street from Thinkery. Due to health and safety protocols, offsite field trips requiring buses to see STEAM in action at Austin-area locations will not occur during 2021 summer camps. More information about field trips to Mueller Lake Park will be available the first day of camp!

Do you offer financial assistance? How do I apply?

Every year, we offer discounted camps through our financial assistance program. If you are interested in applying for this program, please read the application process on our Registration and Pricing page.

Please note: Financial assistance is available on a limited basis. Unfortunately, we are not able guarantee aid to everyone who applies for it.

What do I need to submit to be applicable for financial assistance?

Each interested applicant must submit a completed application, including one form of proof of eligibility. Application details can be found on our Registration and Pricing page.

When is the deadline for financial assistance applications?

Applications must be received by April 30, 2021 for all Thinkery 2021 summer camps. Financial assistance applicants will be notified by May 3, 2021. For more information on financial assistance, please contact scholarships@thinkeryaustin.org.

How can I donate to your financial assistance program?

If you are interested in helping make Thinkery Camps a possibility for all, you can donate here. Your tax-deductible donation will help make Thinkery’s innovative, hands-on STEAM programs available to more aspiring campers with a demonstrated financial need. Click here to make a donation online or call our Reservations team at 512-469-6201 for assistance.

What is your tax ID number?

74-228-8789

What options are there for my teenager at Thinkery Camp?

Unfortunately, due to health and safety protocols, Thinkery will not be offering our VolunTeen program for 2021 summer camps.

I still have questions. What next?

Not a problem, we’re here to help! Email us at reservations@thinkeryaustin.org or call us at 512-469-6201. Your calls and questions are very important to us, and we will respond to all requests in the order they are received, typically within one (1) business day.