Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

• Hands-on, Minds-on and Hearts-on: No matter what the topic, by weaving together science, art and nature journaling in fun learning activities, Nature Adventures™ ensures that our camps are hands-on, minds-on and hearts-on. Your child will learn while having fun, and even better, they will discover that learning is fun.

• Science: All camps are science-focused and designed in collaboration with multiple on-site experts. Campers will use all of their senses and other science tools to make discoveries about the natural world.

• Time Outside: No matter what the camp topic, we want to spend as much time outside as possible. As a general rule, if the activity can be done outside, it will take place outside. Games, nature exploration, experiments and free time mean that campers spend a minimum of 3 hours outside each day.

All campers must be checked in and out every day of camp by either a parent, guardian, or any other authorized adult. Information for authorized adults can be entered in our registration portal. Any adult picking up a camper must bring identification in the form of a physical ID and be listed as an authorized pick-up individual before Museum staff release the camper.

We know that your child will have the most fun and learn most easily when they are in a safe and caring environment. That is why it is important to us to keep our child to adult ratios low. We ensure lower ratios because we know that lower ratios ensure more frequent, quality interactions between teachers and individual children. We will have two counselors for every session (8 children: 1 adult), plus Counselors in Training and teen interns lower the ratio.

No, parents are not allowed to remain in the classroom during class or camp hours. Nature Adventures™ programs are designed as youth rather than family programs, supervised by education professionals, which aim to promote independent learning and socialization.

It is important to realize that most children quickly adjust and do just fine without a parent present. If you feel that your child is unable to remain in camp without you, it may be best to wait a year before you send them to camp. Limiting a parent’s involvement with camp allows the child to focus on their own growth, limits distractions, encourages group interaction, and supports effective instruction to ensure a high-quality experience. Please keep in mind that all the camp staff have experience and interest in working with children and will strive to make camp the best experience possible for your child. If an issue or concern should arise with your child, the camp manager or education director will contact you as soon as possible.

We welcome 1:1 aid/paraprofessional for youth that need that extra support. We do ask that you inform our staff before sending them to camp, so that we may best prepare for them to have a successful camp experience. Aids should have the appropriate certifications and background checks to be included in camp activities and cleared with the education director or camp manager.

Your child should bring the following items:

• Comfortable clothes that they can move around in and get dirty, tear, stain, etc. Good sturdy, closed-toed shoes they can play in without hurting their feet are recommended. Shoes with extra traction are highly recommended. Crocs are highly discouraged. Pack an extra pair of socks, underwear, shorts, and a t-shirt in case clothes become too wet during explorations. A shorts and camp shirt combo works best for all warm weather camp activities, including beach explorations. Bathing suits are not needed for activities at the Sea Center. Layers, including a sweater, t-shirt and other base layers paired with pants, shoes and socks are the best for the cooler months' adventures.
• Towel (Sea Center Camps only)
• Healthy lunch, drink, and snack
• A backpack to carry belongings
• Full water bottle
• Hat and waterproof sunblock (pre-applied)

Anything valuable! Electronics (including but not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, game systems), trading cards, money, stuffed animals, toys, or anything else of value should be left at home to ensure the safety of your child's belongings, as well as their safety and participation in group activities. No Heelies/Heelys, roller blades, or flip-flops are allowed at camp. Crocs are strongly discouraged as your camper's primary footwear.

We encourage you to write your child’s name on clothing, water bottles, and any items they might bring to one of our programs. If you believe that one of your child’s belongings may be lost-and-found, please notify our camp staff promptly. Nature Adventures™ will keep items in the lost-and-found for two weeks; after two weeks the lost item will be donated to charity.

Summer camps

Cancellations received before May 15 of the current year by 5:00 PM PST will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations after this date are not eligible for a refund.

Cancellations made two weeks in advance of a camp that has a waiting list will be eligible for a 75% refund.

Spring Break Camps

Cancellations made by March 1 at 5:00 PM PST will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations after this date are not eligible for a refund.

For their safety all campers MUST be signed in/out by a parent, guardian, or authorized adult every day. Please bring your (physical) ID at check out and present it to the instructor. Please ask your authorized pick-up person to present their ID to the instructor at check out. Campers will be escorted by a camp staff member and at least one other camper anytime they leave their classroom.

We are unable to accommodate any individual who is not listed as an authorized pickup person without a (physical) government-issued ID.

Yes! All medications (both over-the-counter and prescribed) must be cleared by the camper’s guardian by filling out the medical information section when registering.

We welcome all children to camp and will work with parents and staff to accommodate their unique needs. We do ask that you put any relevant medical information into their profile when you register so that we are able to best accommodate them.

We rarely experience serious disciplinary issues, and participants are kept thoroughly engaged with fun and challenging science activities. However, if a discipline issue arises, we handle it on a case-by-case basis. At first, a staff member will talk with the child to try and resolve the issue. If this does not resolve the issue, the instructor will contact the parent. As a last resort, the child will be removed from the camp and the parent will be asked to pick up their child.

It is important that all campers have a positive and rewarding experience while at camp. In order to ensure the safety and fun for all campers, participants are expected to behave in an acceptable manner and use appropriate language. ANY behavior deemed to be detrimental to or in violation of Nature Adventures™ expectations will be dealt with by thecamp manager and/or director of education. Unacceptable behavior may include, but is not limited to, any form of intended harm to another camper or staff member, bullying, or any form of aggression.

Any situation that involves distracting other participants or disrupting camp activities (including cell phone usage/game playing) will not be tolerated. It is important to remember that there are NO REFUNDS if a child is asked to leave Nature Adventures™ due to unacceptable behavior. By paying your registration fee in full, you signify that you understand and agree to this policy.

Nature Adventures™ strives to maintain a healthy environment for our campers and staff. If your child is sick and there is any chance that he or she is contagious, please do not send them to camp. If a camper becomes ill at camp, we will call parents to pick them up.

If a child becomes injured, the instructor will contact the Nature Adventures™ Education Office and a member of the staff will contact the parent or guardian. We have first-aid materials on site in various locations around the campus. Additionally, all camp staff are CPR-certified. For serious injury or other conditions that require immediate medical attention, the instructor will call 911 and contact the participant's parent or guardian. Medical personnel will be provided with relevant information, such as allergies, as provided on the health and permission form.

Please call the Museum’s Education Office at 805-682-4711 ext. 136 or the Sea Center’s Education Office at 962-2526 ext. 110, and a staff member will deliver your message to the appropriate person.

This is a Nature Adventures™ option that provides flexibility for parents and kids during camps at the Museum. Extended day campers may be picked up between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. Children will be engaged in guided activities with instructors. Activities may not be linked directly to the camp topic, but they will still be educational and fun. Summer camp extended day is a flat rate of $100 for five-day camps and $75 for four-day camps. We cannot pro-rate for late drop-offs or early pick-ups.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Tax ID number: 95-1643378

Morning Camp Check-In: Please plan on driving onto Stearns Wharf, parking on the wharf, and escorting your child inside the Sea Center for camp check-in. Check-in is at 9:00 AM. There is 90 minutes of free parking on Stearns Wharf.

Afternoon Camp Check-Out: Camp pickup will occur between 2:45 and 3:00 PM directly outside the Sea Center. Please plan on driving onto Stearns Wharf and pulling your car into the loading zone adjacent to the Sea Center. Our camp staff will assist in loading campers and their gear directly into your car. There is 90 minutes of free parking on Stearns Wharf.

Extended day campers may check out between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. Please plan on coming inside the Sea Center to check out your extended day camper.

Nature Adventure camps end promptly at 3:00 PM or 5:00 PM for extended day. Late fees will be assessed as follows:

• $15 for arrival between 3:15 and 3:20 and an additional $30 for arrival between 3:20 and 3:35. After 3:35, you will be charged $100, which is the weekly, one-time fee for extended day.
• If you opted in for extended day, you will be charged a $15 late fee for pick up between 5:01 and 5:05 and an additional $30 for every 15 minutes after this (rounded up). For example, if you pick up your camper at 5:30, you will be charged $60.