Summer Camp FAQ & Hours

When does summer camp registration open? How long is it open for?

Summer Camp registration is open now! You can register for a camp session up to 1 week before the program runs.

Are there any discounts for summer camps?

Members save $15 on grades PreK-1 camps with code HDCAMP26 and $30 on grades 2-8 camps with code FDCAMP26. Scholarships are also available through the Linny Fowler STEAM Scholarship Fund.

What do the camp grade levels refer to?

Our grades refer to the level that children are entering for the upcoming school year (‘26-27).

Each camp’s curriculum is developed according to the assigned grade level so that each camp is developmentally appropriate.

Do you offer before/after care for summer camps?

We do not offer morning care.

Afternoon care for grades 1-8 runs from 4:10-5:30 p.m. and is $50 per week.

During this time, campers will take part in activities such as watching educational videos, playing games, coloring, and other hands-on activities. Campers that remain past their designated pick-up window will be charged a late fee.

Afternoon care is not available for PreK-K camps.

What is the camp drop-off procedure like?

Camp drop-off takes place at the Groups & Reserved Programs entrance located on W. Court Street. 

PreK-K camp and grade 1 PM camps drop-off takes place from 12:45-1:15 p.m.

Drop-off for grade 1 AM camps takes place from 8:45-9:15 a.m.

Drop-off for grades 2-8 takes place from 8:15-8:45 a.m. 

Parents/Guardians may utilize curbside drop-off for their camper(s) on W. Court Street during the above designated timeframe only. Parents/Guardians will not need to enter the building during curbside drop-off.

For late drop-offs, parents/guardians must walk their child(ren) into the building (using the Groups & Reserved Programs entrance) to be checked in and must park their vehicle in a nearby parking garage.

What is the camp pick-up procedure like?

Camp dismissal for PreK-K runs from 2:45-3:15 p.m.

Camp dismissal for AM grade 1 camps runs from 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Camp dismissal for PM grade 1 camps and grades 2-8 runs from 3:45-4:15 p.m. 

Parents/Guardians may utilize curbside pick-up for their camper(s) on W. Court Street during the above designated timeframes only. Parents/Guardians will not need to enter the building during curbside pick-up.

For late or early pick-ups, parents/guardians must park their car in a nearby parking garage and utilize the Groups & Reserved Programs entrance on W. Court Street.

Children will be released from their classrooms only after photo I.D. has been checked and confirmed against our list of authorized pick-ups.  Individuals are expected to bring their photo I.D. with them each day.

Do I have to pay for parking if I'm dropping off or picking up for camp?

Parents/Guardians may utilize free curbside drop-off and pick-up during the designated timeframes. Any early or late drop-offs and pick-ups will require parents/guardians to park in a nearby parking garage. For parking garage rates, please visit the Allentown Parking Authority’s website.

The two closest parking garages are the Spiral Deck (directly across from the Groups & Reserved Programs entrance on W. Court St.) and Maple Street Parking Garage (about a 2-3 block walk).

What is your camp cancellation policy?

• Registration can be cancelled/transferred with a full refund/no charge up to 30 days prior to the start of camp.
• Cancellations made 8-29 days before arrival date: 50 percent refund
• Cancellations made 7 days or less before arrival date: No refund

Refunds can be made to the card used for payment.

What if my child can only partially attend the week or gets sick?

No tuition adjustments or pro-rates will be made for participants who are only able to partially attend a camp program.  If a child becomes ill prior to the start of a camp and can no longer attend, please notify our team.  A camp transfer or credit to attend a future camp can be applied to the participant’s account.

For example, if your child catches the flu on Sunday and you notify us and do not report to camp that week, we can extend the credit for a future camp week.  If your child catches the flu on Tuesday but already attended the session on Monday, no credit for the rest of the week can be given.

Is food provided at camp?

For grade 1 camps, snacks are provided. For grades 2-5 camps, snacks and lunch are provided. For grades 6-8 camps, snacks and lunch are NOT provided. Campers will need to bring their own food.

Snacks and lunch through Da Vinci Science Center are provided by Aramark. Provided lunch options will be made available the last week of the month preceding the camp.

Note: We are not an Allergen Free Facility. Foods prepared in our kitchens or fryers may contain or may have come into contact with these food allergens. Items listed as “Allergen Friendly” were prepared without the addition of allergen ingredients. We rely on our vendors’ allergy warnings and ingredient listings. Because ingredient substitutions, recipe revisions, as well as cross-contact with allergens are possible, we cannot guarantee any food item will be completely free of allergens.

What staff do you have supervising campers?

All of our educators are trained Science Center staff hailing from a variety of backgrounds. We have Ph.D.s, engineers, teachers, and college students pursuing teaching and STEM degrees who offer their talent to our campers over the summer. In addition to having clearances and background checks, our staff is trained in strategies and techniques for incorporating inquiry-based learning into an informal classroom learning experience, classroom management, accessibility, and safety.

I got put on the camp waitlist. When will I know if I get into the camp?

Unfortunately, it is hard to know if or when a spot will open up on a waitlist.  If your place on the waitlist becomes eligible for a camp opening, you will be notified as soon as it becomes available.

Where are the camps for my child entering Kindergarten?

Children entering kindergarten in fall 2025 should register for the Little Learners camp programs. The regular camp programs are designed for children who have completed at least one year of primary school.

These camps all have the same names, even though they're different grade levels. Are they actually different?

Yes, they are different!  We are doing theme weeks this year, so every camp will focus on the same topic, but with activities and information appropriate to their grade level. Your second grader and your sixth grader will not be doing the same things in their camps…we promise!

I'm not comfortable with my child going on a field trip. Can I get a discount if they stay home the day of the trip?

Field trips are an exciting benefit we get to offer many of our campers this summer!  We understand if you do not want your child leaving the Da Vinci Science Center facility.  Unfortunately, no camps will be prorated or discounted based on missed days.  If you have concerns about any activities, please speak with our STEAM Programs Manager.