First Day Prep Briefing

First Day Prep Briefing

Everything you need to know before Science Factory Camp Welcome to Science Factory Camp! We’ve put together this First Day Prep Briefing to help families feel confident, informed, and excited for a smooth and successful first day at camp. Whether this is your child’s very first camp experience or they’re returning for another summer of discovery, this guide covers everything you’ll want to know

What to Expect on a Typical Camp Day

At Science Factory Camp, each day follows a thoughtful rhythm that blends experimentation, creativity, movement, and free play. Our schedule is intentionally designed to spark curiosity, encourage collaboration, and create space for both focused learning and joyful exploration.

Each day, campers can expect:

• Welcoming Start & Mission Briefing
  • Campers are greeted by our friendly check-in staff and eased into the day with low-pressure recreational activities and free play. Once everyone arrives, the entire camp gathers for a daily Mission Briefing, where counselors introduce themselves, share the plan for the day, and build excitement around upcoming experiments and projects. This warm group start helps campers settle in, connect with friends, and feel comfortable before diving into hands-on activities. 
• Hands-On, Screen-Free Activities
  • Throughout the day, campers rotate through science experiments, creative art projects, and engaging demonstrations. Activities are intentionally designed to be interactive, encouraging curiosity, problem-solving, and imaginative thinking. We believe kids learn best by doing — testing ideas, making discoveries, and exploring through hands-on challenges.
• Movement & Recreational Play
  • Campers enjoy daily recreational time for group games, helping them release energy, build friendships, and recharge between focused experiments. Movement and play are essential parts of our day and help create a healthy balance of learning and fun.
• Lunch & Snacks
  • Midday, campers gather to connect, refuel, and relax. Lunch and snacks are provided daily.
• Community & Reflection
  • Each day wraps up with group activities and time to reflect on discoveries, projects, and accomplishments, which reinforces learning and celebrates creativity.
• Free Play Exploration
  • In the early mornings and afternoons, campers have access to recreational games and activities where they can choose what best matches their mood — from relaxing with a book to building a LEGO village with friends. This flexibility encourages independence, creativity, and social connection.

Daily Schedule

Each day follows a methodical schedule designed to maximize engagement, learning, connection, and creativity, while still allowing flexibility for exploration and play.

*Please note: Exact schedules may vary slightly by location, age group, and/or weather conditions. 

Weekly Themes & Projects

Each week at Science Factory Camp is built around a fun, engaging theme that helps guide our experiments, art projects, and group challenges. Weekly themes give campers a sense of continuity and excitement while still allowing for flexibility and creativity. 

Themes help us:

• Connect science concepts to real-world ideas
• Encourage curiosity and deeper exploration
• Introduce a wide range of experiments and creative projects

Campers will explore multiple hands-on activities tied to the week’s theme, ensuring that each day feels fresh and exciting. You can see your local camp’s theme schedule on your local webpage.

What to Pack

We provide lunch and snacks for all campers, so families only need to send a few essentials:

• Reusable water bottle, labeled with your child’s full name
• Closed-toe shoes, recommended for both recreational play and hands-on experiments
• Light jacket or sweatshirt, depending on weather (labeled with your child’s full name)

Please Leave at Home

• All electronics (Children are prohibited from bringing cellphones, tablets, game systems, card games, toys or novelty items, project materials or props, valuables, money, animals, illicit substances, weapons or contraband. Smart watches must be in school or airplane mode while at camp. If cell phone features are utilized (calling, texting, gaming/photos) it will be considered prohibited as above.)
• Toys and personal items (to prevent loss or distraction)
• Money (everything your child needs is included at camp)

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Camp Drop-Off Window

8:00–9:00 AM

Campers should arrive by 9:00 AM to participate in the daily Mission Briefing and receive a full introduction to the day’s activities. Joining the daily Mission Briefing ensures campers feel comfortable, connected, and ready to jump into the day.

Express Check-In

To help make mornings as smooth and efficient as possible, please use Express Check-In. Starting your second day of camp, families can complete their camper’s check-in digitally before arriving to camp, allowing our staff to greet campers and quickly scan them into activities. 

Express Check In is available after 6pm local time the day before your camp reservation. To use, navigate to the Express Check In tab of your Science Factory account, and follow the prompts to choose your camper’s lunch entree and get their badge ready for the day.

Where to Go When You Arrive

Look for the Science Factory Camp flag and walk up to the staff members stationed at the check-in area. They’ll greet your camper, complete check-in, and guide them into morning activities.

Please be sure to plan for some extra time for check-in on your child’s first day of camp as we take their image and ensure we have all the necessary information to join camp. After your first day of camp, families are encouraged to use Express Check In for a speedier process. To find your local camp’s exact drop-off location, please check out the camp details listed on your specific camp location page.

Camp Pick-Up Window

4:00–6:00 PM

We recommend picking up campers after 4:00 PM, when our core programming ends, so they can enjoy the full day experience. However, families may pick up campers earlier as needed. All campers must be picked up by 6:00 PM.

Authorized Pickup People

For safety, only pre-authorized individuals listed in your Science Factory Camp account with a valid photo ID may pick up children at camp. 

Families may add and remove people from their pick-up list in their Science Factory Camp account at any time.   

Express Check-Out 

For safety and convenience, we encourage families to use Express Check-Out at the end of each day. Just navigate to the Express Check Out tab of your Science Factory account and follow the prompts to let us know you’re on your way to pick up. Our local team will then get your camper(s) ready to meet at the check-out station at the designated time. 

To ensure a smooth pickup process, please confirm that all approved caregivers are added to your camper’s authorized pickup list in your Science Factory Camp account.

How to Pick-Up

We try and make pick-up just as easy as drop-off: 

1. Head back to your camp drop-off location and look for the Science Factory Camp flag. From there, please walk up to the check-in staff and provide your camper(s) full names.
2. If you completed Express Check Out prior to your arrival, your camper(s) should be waiting for you or on their way to the check-out area. Otherwise, let our staff know who you’re here to pick-up, and we’ll contact the relevant counselor to send your camper(s) over. 
3. To complete check out, you must present a valid photo ID and be listed as an authorized pickup person on each camper’s account. Once your ID is verified, our team will complete the checkout process, and you are free to go!

Food & Snacks

Lunch is included daily for all campers. Our menus are designed to provide balanced, kid-friendly meals. We’ll also provide kid-friendly snacks such as fresh fruit, yogurt, and granola bars in the mornings and afternoons. 

You can find your local menu on your camp page. 

If you decide to pack a lunch or additional snacks, please omit any products containing nuts or shellfish for the safety of other children who may have severe allergies. 

Food Allergies & Nut Policy:

We’ve carefully selected a menu of snacks and lunch entrée items that naturally adhere to as many of our campers’ allergies and dietary needs as possible. No food items provided by the camp contain nuts, or nut products. However, some products may have been packaged or prepared in a facility that has nut products. Still, since all camp food is prepared and/or sourced off-site, we are unable to guarantee that snacks and lunches provided, or ingredients used in food activities are safe for exposure to or consumption by children with severe food allergies. If your child has a severe allergy, please be sure to bring all food from home ready-to-eat (since no refrigeration and heating are available), for your child each day.

If you have any questions or concerns about allergies or dietary restrictions, please reach out to your local director.

Health & Safety

Camper safety is our highest priority. Our programs are designed to provide a secure, supportive, and welcoming environment for every camper.

Our safety practices include:

• Trained and background-checked staff
• Thoughtful camper-to-staff ratios
• Secure check-in and check-out procedures
• Clear emergency and evacuation protocols

In addition, here’s what families need to know for attending camp:

Illness Policy

• Campers should stay home if they have fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other contagious symptoms.
• Campers should stay home for 24 hours after symptoms have cleared.
• If a camper becomes ill during the day, families will be contacted promptly to arrange an early pick-up.

Medications & Medical Needs

• If your child needs medication during the day, we strongly recommend speaking with your local camp team before the first day.
• All medications must be clearly labeled in its original packaging, with your child’s full name and dosing instructions.
• Required medication authorization forms must be completed before camp begins.

Emergencies

• Staff are trained in emergency procedures and maintain clear safety and evacuation plans.
• Families will be contacted via email and text immediately if any emergencies or safety concerns arise. During an emergency, local camp phone lines may be redirected to our central team in order to allow the director to focus on emergency procedures. Our central team will remain in direct contact with the camp at all times.

Required Paperwork (Location-Specific)

Some camp locations are required by state regulations to collect additional paperwork before a child can attend camp.

If your location requires extra forms, you’ll receive an email from SignNow after registering, which will include clear instructions and the next steps to complete them.  You can also find more information  in our FAQ.

How Our Factory WORKS

At Science Factory Camp, we use a simple set of shared values to guide how campers treat one another, approach challenges, and move through the day. We call this How Our Factory WORKS.

WORKS is an easy-to-remember acronym that helps campers understand expectations around:

• Work Together
• Observe Carefully
• Respect
• Keep Trying
• Stay Safe

Counselors introduce these values during our daily Mission Briefings and reinforce them throughout the day through positive encouragement, group discussion, and collaborative problem-solving. This framework helps create a kind, inclusive, and supportive camp community where every camper feels welcome.

Communication

We believe clear communication helps create a smooth and worry-free experience. Registered Science Factory families can expect the following: 

• Pre-Camp Updates – Families may receive emails announcing any major updates to our camp routines or activities that arise.
• Camp Webpage – Your local camp website page will stay up-to-date with weekly themes and activities. 
• On-Site Communication – Your local camp team is available throughout the day to answer questions or handle on-site concerns. You can find their contact information, here.
• Urgent Notifications – If your child becomes ill or there’s an emergency, the camp team will contact you immediately by calling or texting. We’ll also notify guardians of any head, neck, face, or groin injury that occurs during the day regardless of severity.
• General Questions and Registration Help– For non-urgent questions, please reach out via email to your local camp during the camp season so they can focus on camp operations. For general questions or registration help, you can contact our customer support team M–F 8am–9pm ET: 628-203-8848 or [email protected]

Your Science Factory Camp Account

Every family has access to a Science Factory Camp account, which serves as your central hub for everything related to your camper’s experience — before, during, and after camp.

Through your account, you can:

Express Check-In & Express Check-Out

Use your account for Express Check-In and Express Check-Out, allowing for faster, smoother arrivals and departures each day.

Manage Your Camp Plans

Families who book directly through Science Factory Camp can easily manage their reservations online.

To add or cancel camp reservations:

1. Log into your account
2. Click the Plans tab
3. From there, you can add new days, or cancel existing reservations

Manage Emergency Contacts & Authorized Pick-Up

Update emergency contacts and manage your child’s authorized pick-up list within your account.

View Camp Photos

Any photos taken throughout the camp day will be uploaded to your account to give you a sneak peek at what your child is up to at camp. 

Payments & Receipts

View payment history, download receipts, and confirm your registration details all within the ‘Billing’ tab of your account.

Cancellations, Transfers & Refunds

We understand that summer plans can change, and we believe camp should be flexible and low-stress for families. That’s why our cancellation and refund policy is simple, transparent, and generous.

Families Who Book Directly Through Science Factory Camp

Families who register directly through Science Factory Camp can cancel or add camp days at any time through their online account. There are no fees, no penalties, and no processing charges for cancellations.

How refunds work: 

• Families may cancel their reservation at any time for a full, immediate refund. 
• If you end up missing a reserved day, your account will automatically be refunded in full at the end of the camp season—no action required.

Camp days can also be added at any time, as long as availability allows.

Families Attending Through Bright Horizons Back-Up Care

If your child is attending Science Factory Camp through Bright Horizons Back-Up Care, all reservations, cancellations, and schedule changes must be managed directly through Bright Horizons.

• Cancellations and changes should be made using your normal Bright Horizons booking channels.
• Once changes are made through Bright Horizons, our system is automatically updated—no need to contact Science Factory Camp separately.
• Science Factory Camp cannot issue refunds for Bright Horizons reservations, as all payments are processed directly through Bright Horizons.
• Refunds and cancellation policies follow your local Bright Horizons’ benefit program guidelines. 

For any specific policy details, please refer to your Bright Horizons account or benefits teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pick my child up early one day? 

Yes! Families are able to pick children up early as needed. If picking up outside our normal pick-up window of 4pm-6pm, please be sure to call your local team to coordinate before arrival. 

What if my child is nervous?

Totally normal! Our counselors are experienced in helping campers feel welcome, supported, and excited. You can also reach out to your local team ahead of time to ease any pre-camp jitters!

What happens if we’re running late?

All campers should arrive at camp prior to 9:00am to be able to engage in our programming effectively. Families arriving after 9am will not be able to stay for camp. 

On rare occasions we may make an exception to allow for later arrivals if arranged with the local team ahead of time. Please be sure to get in touch with your local director for questions. 

Is there a lost and found?

Yes! Lost and found is located at camp pick-up. We’ll keep all lost and found items for two weeks before donating to a good cause. We strongly recommend labeling all belongings clearly to help us return items quickly if lost.

See You Soon!

We’re thrilled to welcome your family to Science Factory Camp and can’t wait to start experimenting together. If you have any additional questions, be sure to check out our FAQs, and reach out to your camp team, who is always happy to help.