There will be no in-person camps this year. Learn more at:  NOAA Science Camp main page

Frequently Asked Questions

NOAA Science Camp 2021

What is the cost of the activities?

What is the cost of the activities?

Our virtual activity weeks this year are free for all participants!

Is it possible to join on certain days over the 2 week camps?

Is it possible to join on certain days over the 2 week camps?

Yes! All of our activities are optional each week. Feel free to join in when you can, or complete all of the activities at your own pace throughout the week!

How much time should I prepare to be engaged in these online activities?

How much time should I prepare to be engaged in these online activities?

Most of our activities will be asynchronous and can be completed on your own time. Some live webinars will also be offered throughout the week. We estimate about 1 to 2 hours of activities per day.

Will there be live instruction and live zooming?

Will there be live instruction and live zooming?

We plan to have at least 2 live-streamed activities per week, which you will need to complete a short online registration for ahead of time to access the links to log-in. Registration instructions will be provided via email in mid June and can also be filled out up to right before the webinar begins.

What materials do I need for my child to participate?

What materials do I need for my child to participate?

When we post the activities the week prior to programming, we plan on including a list of materials needed for each week. We are aiming to keep things simple and inexpensive, using items that you likely already have around the house.

Will these activities be available online after the weeks in July that they are offered?

Will these activities be available online after the weeks in July that they are offered?

Yes! We plan to keep these resources archived for future use and exploration. Any live webinars will be recorded and posted for later viewing. You won’t have an opportunity to ask direct questions to the scientists if you watch the recording, but you will get to hear answers to other kids’ questions!

FAQ for Previous Years

 

Do you have a cancellation policy? If your child is unable to attend camp, a full refund, minus registration processing fees, is available provided we are notified one month prior to the first day of the session. If cancellation occurs after that date, a full refund minus processing fees will be given only if we are able to fill your child’s spot in the session, or your child cannot attend due to illness or injury (physicians note required).

May my child register with a friend? We do not accommodate requests for campers to be grouped with friends. We value that your child is interested in sharing his/her NOAA Science Camp experience with a friend, and we do our best to ensure that the week’s activities enable all campers to work in small and large groups together during formal and informal time at camp. However, one of our goals at NOAA Science Camp is to help facilitate team-building and friendship-making among the group and we feel this is best achieved when campers step a bit outside of their comfort zone and are challenged to meet new people. Additionally, it is logistically challenging for us to honor everyones’ requests in a way that is fair to all campers. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

How are campers supervised? Campers are assigned to a group of 10-15 other participants and led by an experienced Camp Educator assisted by a Camp Assistant. Other camp staff include the camp Director, Coordinator, NOAA and Washington Sea Grant liaisons, and multiple volunteer NOAA staff.  Science activities are introduced by Camp Educators and then led by NOAA scientists with specialties in multiple disciplines of science. NOAA scientists and staff volunteer their time to camp annually and enjoy meeting the campers.


NOAA Science Camp Educators and Assistants are dynamic individuals with experience in teaching youth in formal and informal settings. They participate in multi-day staff trainings, where they work with NOAA scientists and Washington Sea Grant employees to ensure safe, educational, and fun experiences for campers.  All staff must be certified in CPR and Emergency First Aid.

Do you provide scholarships? The goal of NOAA Science Camp is to provide opportunity for all interested youth to attend. Generous sponsors provide scholarships for those who would not otherwise be able to attend because of financial need.

Parents, guardians, or other youth representatives may apply for partial and full scholarships available for individual campers. Community groups may inquire about multiple scholarships and travel stipends. Funding availability varies from year to year.

To apply for a scholarship, download and complete the scholarship application form and mail it to Washington Sea Grant, c/o Maile Sullivan, Education Specialist, 3716 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., Seattle, WA 98105-6716. You will be notified when your application is received. If your request is approved, you will receive registration instructions.