Camp Quality Guidelines

Updated April 2023

Camp Overview

 

Frost Science’s award-winning camp programs offer opportunities to explore, experiment, investigate, invent, discover, and make friends through animal encounters, planetarium shows, interactive exhibitions, live science demonstrations and engaging hands-on activities. Frost Science Camps are fully inclusive and presented by teachers, scientists, and museum staff in our unique, spectacular, and safe facility. We guarantee our camps will build memories that will last a lifetime.

Camp Objectives

 

  1. To provide an educational experience for camp participants.
  2. To foster an increased interest in science topics for camp participants.
  3. To have measurable science learning outcomes for camp participants.
  4. To provide participants with opportunities to construct their own knowledge of science
    concepts through museum exploration, social interaction, and project-based and
    inquiry-based learning.
  5. To offer a safe environment for participants that is held to high quality safety standards
    that meet or exceed state and national regulations for childcare.

Quality Guidelines

 

To provide a program of the utmost quality, Frost Science Camps will abide by the following guidelines:

  1. Programs will serve campers 5 years of age and older. Aligning with camper minimum
    age, Frost Science Camps will comply with Chapter 409.175 and 435 of the Florida Statutes (2022).
  2. Each class will maintain a ratio of 1 counselor to 10 campers as supported by the U.S.
    Health and Human Services Department, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care (OCC) (Ratios and group sizes, 2022). Counselors are defined as museum educators, teaching aides, and Education volunteers.
  3. Each class will maintain a maximum capacity of 25 campers per classroom as supported by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care (OCC) (Ratios and group sizes, 2022). The maximum number of students recommended by the U.S. department is 24 children in one classroom. We have modified this to a maximum of 25 campers because we want our camps to reach as many children as possible but still maintain a safe, high-quality environment with a low student to teacher ratio. We cannot have more than 25 campers in our classrooms.
  4. Frost Science Camp commits to the following bathroom guidelines: Camp staff will ensure that campers are the only users in an intended bathroom by clearing room beforehand and asking guests/staff to use an alternate bathroom, Camp staff will provide easily accessible, clean bathrooms at a height usable by children. Platforms are provided if needed.
  5. Frost Science Camp management will allow a break period of 30 minutes for minors (age 17 or younger) after 4 hours of work per the American Camp Association guidelines (2022). To ensure a healthy environment for both campers and staff, we will require that full-time counselors also receive a 30-minute break and that our staffing model reflects this.
  6. In alignment with Florida Department of Children and Families, our staffing model will include the required number of staff with Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification (Childcare Facilities Handbook, 2021).

Youth Protection Guidelines

 

  • Zero Tolerance Policy Statement: Our institution maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against verbal or sexual
    abuse, and we are committed to taking immediate action against any offenders to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all.
  • No Child Left Alone: We are dedicated to ensuring that no child is left unsupervised at any time by maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios and implementing designated pickup and drop-off areas for children.
  • Appropriate Physical Training for Staff: We require all staff working with minors to undergo mandatory child safety
    training, including first aid and CPR certification, and to understand the importance of age-appropriate physical contact.
  • Investigation and Follow-up Procedures: Our institution is committed to promptly and thoroughly investigating all
    allegations of misconduct, taking corrective action when necessary, and providing ongoing support and resources for victims.
  • Reporting to Law Enforcement or Child Protective Services: We adhere to mandatory reporting requirements for suspected abuse or neglect and collaborate with law enforcement or child protective services as required, ensuring all staff are properly trained in reporting procedures and guidelines.

Camper Code of Conduct

 

Good behavior is a key component to a successful camp experience. To provide all campers with a safe and fun filled camp experience, it is important that all campers exhibit proper behavior and self-control. Campers are expected to respect their instructors, staff and fellow campers always. Examples of inappropriate behavior include, but are not limited to hitting, fighting, name calling, foul language, bullying, reckless endangerment, disrespectful actions, and stealing.

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science reserves the right, upon notification of parents, to dismiss any student for conduct that is deemed detrimental to the well-being of other students, staff, or to the overall operation of the camp. No refund/credit will be issued if a camper is dismissed.

References

 

2022 Florida Statutes. Statutes & constitution: Online sunshine. (2022, October 11). Retrieved October 11, 2022.

Child Care Facilities Handbook. Child Care – Florida Department of Children and
Families. (October 2021). Retrieved October 11, 2022.

Ratios and group sizes. Ratios and Group Sizes | Childcare.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved
October 11, 2022.

State Regulations for Florida. American Camp Association. (2022, August 22).
Retrieved October 11, 2022.