Check back closer to camp for all the details about Monday check-in and carpool drop-off and pick-up.

Please label all items with your camper's name.

• A backpack with a lunch, water bottle, and a beach towel for snack and lunch seating.
• You are welcome to send in an extra set of clothes if you wish. Camp Marbles is a hands-on interactive camp that occasionally includes messy play. Reminder that all campers must be fully potty-trained. No pull-ups.
• Apply sunscreen prior to camp.  Campers may spend time outdoors each day.
• Snack is not provided. Please send in one snack for half-day campers and two snacks for full-day campers.
• Do not send in any food for lunch or snack that contains nuts or nut butters. Camp Marbles is nut-free. If you use a nut alternative such as sun butter (made from sunflower seeds), please label it so we know it does not contain nuts.

• Are there any restrictions for the lunch I send in?
  • Camp Marbles is a nut-free program. Do not send any food/snacks containing nuts or nut butters. If you use a nut alternative such as sun butter (made from sunflower seeds), please label it so we know it does not contain nuts.
• Is there a specific time that campers eat?
  • Each camp group will eat at a time that fits into their daily routine.
• Do I send in a snack?
  • Yes, please send one snack for half-day campers and two snacks for full-day campers. Remember, do not send in any food containing nuts or nut butters.
• Can I purchase a lunch option to be provided at camp?
  • Yes, summer camp lunches from our onsite Bean Sprouts Café will be available for purchase. Look for details in an email closer to camp.
  • You will need to set up an account with Bean Sprouts during the ordering process to purchase camp lunches. Your Marbles account is not linked to Bean Sprouts.
  • Lunches are available only by the week.
  • Gluten and allergy-free options are available.
  • Your camper’s lunch will delivered directly to them each day.
  • If you have questions about the lunches they are providing, please call them at (919) 857-1108 or email MKM@beansprouts.com.
• What if my camper has allergies? How is that handled at camp?
  • We are a nut-free camp. If there are other allergies, we ask to be made aware of it ASAP and we will make accommodations as needed.
     

Marbles staff members do not assist in the toilet for your child’s safety and their own.  Our staff members will give prompts from the door and be available to take children to the restroom whenever needed. 

What does being potty-trained at Camp Marbles mean?

 Your child should:

• Wear underwear—no pull-ups or diapers
• Be able to tell an adult when a restroom break is needed
• Use the toilet on their own, including sitting/standing and wiping
• Be able to pull down/up underwear and fasten clothing on their own
• Be able to wash and dry hands on own
• Be able to take off clothes and change into new ones in case of an accident without assistance.

Help your child get ready for independent toileting at Camp Marbles:

• Talk through using the bathroom at camp and identify worries they may have. Talking and practicing going to the bathroom will help reduce stress when at camp.
• Practice pulling up/down underwear and adjusting clothes.
• Practice using a regular-sized toilet.
• Practice wiping.
• Practice handwashing.
• Practice telling an adult when there is a bathroom need.
• Talk about trying even if you do not have to go during scheduled bathroom breaks

What about accidents?

If a child has an accident, they are given clothes and cleaning wipes along with support and understanding. We want all campers to have a positive experience at camp, and will work with children and their families to provide support.

The camp team will reach out to the adult, if or when:

• A camper has repeated accidents at camp
• A camper expresses anxiety around the bathroom
• A camper has difficulty cleaning themselves in case of an accident

If you have any questions about your camper using the bathroom at camp, please reach out to our team at camps@marbleskidsmuseum.org.

Marbles Kids Museum is committed to providing high quality, safe, fun, and educational camp experiences. As an important part of this, we focus on the emotional well-being of all campers through positive behavioral expectations. To help with this, please discuss the following with your camper.

Stick together.

We will provide safe supervision and conduct regular headcounts of camp groups, especially during times of transition and play in the exhibits.

• Help your camper understand the importance of sticking together! That means staying with the group and within a counselor’s supervision.

Care for yourself, each other, and the museum.

We want everyone to have a safe and positive experience at camp! Counselors will focus on supporting inclusive and fun camp environments.

• Encourage your camper to show kindness through their actions, choices, and words. This means keeping their bodies to themselves, playing with museum materials safely and appropriately, and meeting group expectations.

Use your listening ears.

Counselors are trained to create group expectations on the first day of camp to have fun in a safe environment.

• Help your camper practice using listening ears whenever someone else is speaking, especially in a larger group. Let them know to pay attention to the counselors and what they are communicating throughout the week.

Our staff utilizes positive behavioral supports by:

• Establishing and communicating clear and appropriate expectations.
• Supporting campers in practicing and mastering these guidelines.
• Discussing concerns and strategies openly with the child and their adult(s).
• Counting on families to openly share information about their camper to ensure a successful week at Marbles

We’ll reach out to you, the adult, if or when…

• Your camper gets hurt or is involved in another camper getting hurt.
• Your camper is having trouble staying with the group.
• Your camper is having a hard time getting along with their peers or adjusting to the camp day.

We will always work with families to formulate a plan that best meets a camper's needs. We encourage you to share any information about your camper that will help create a successful experience for them.

If significant behavioral issues arise and are unable to be resolved, we reserve the right to ask a camper to leave. In this case, no refund will be issued.

• What is a typical camp day experience?
  • Campers will engage in weekly themed activities, play in the museum exhibits, participate in large, gross-motor games that help grow their socio-emotional skills, and eat snack/lunch with their camp group.
  • K-5 campers will enjoy an IMAX movie one day of the week.
  • Remember to apply sunscreen each day for your camper as they will spend time outdoors.

• Who are your camp educators?
  • Our qualified educators range from teachers off for the summer to high school and college students.
  • We have several high school students from our Teen Play Corps program that are very excited to move into this new role.
  • All of our educators have a love of play, learning, and childhood enrichment, with some returning summer after summer!

• What are the educator to camper ratios?
  • Preschool camps have a 1:6 educator to camper ratio
  • 5-6 year old camps have a 1:8 educator to camper ratio
  • 7-9 year old camps have a 1:9 educator to camper ratio

• Can parents stay in the classroom?
  • Only campers, staff, and approved volunteers are allowed in the camp room. If you feel that your child is unable to remain in camp without you, it may be best to wait until next year before you send them to camp. Camp Marbles provides independent learning and socialization to all campers.

• What if my camper doesn’t want to attend the IMAX movie?
  • If your camper would like to opt out of the IMAX movie the week of their camp, let your counselor know at Monday drop-off and arrangements will be made for an alternate activity.
  • Preschool campers do not attend IMAX movies.
• What if I'm late to pick up my camper?
  • Marbles reserves the right to assess a late pick-up fee of $2 per minute beyond camp hours at the discretion of the camp director. Re-occurring late pick-ups may result in a camper forfeiting the remainder of a camp week with no refund.

• You will receive reminders for camp as you get closer to your start date, including camp details, lunch options and helpful hints. 
• If you have opted out of communications from Marbles in the past, you may not receive all camp information. Please opt back in at this link.

• What precautions are you taking this summer for COVID-19 safety?
  • We keep our camp environments clean, encourage frequent handwashing, and follow CDC guidelines for our staff.

• Who will be required to wear masks?
  • Masks are optional for all campers, staff, volunteers and guests.

• What happens if someone at camp displays symptoms of illness, including COVID-19?
  • Campers who show any sign of illness or fever during the camp day will need to be picked up immediately. Siblings will also be required to leave camp for the day.   
  • Camp Marbles adheres to CDC and American Camping Association guidelines for COVID-19 and we align our procedures with WCPSS practices and policies.

• Are you able to accommodate my child with medical allergies and/or special needs?
  • Yes; please contact our team to ensure that we can be the best fit for your child.

• Will my children interact with other museum and theater guests?
  • Campers are with counselors at all times in our shared spaces around campus and will interact with the general public.

For a safe camp experience, Marbles requires staff and campers to meet certain health screening criteria. Please review these requirements carefully to ensure that your child is eligible to participate in Camp Marbles before registering and prior to attending.    These measures may be revised to align with changes to local, state, and CDC guidelines.    

Can Participate  in Camp

• All campers must be potty-trained. No pull-ups.     

• No symptoms of any contagious illness, including COVID-19.    

Cannot Participate  in Camp

• Diagnosed with any contagious illness, including COVID-19.    

• Showing symptoms of any contagious illness, including COVID-19. Symptoms of contagious illnes include, but are not limited to: fever, coughing, vomiting within the last 24 hours, pinkeye, diarrhea, lice, etc.

If your camper has had a contagious illness and you would like to know when they can return to camp, please contact us at camps@marbleskidsmuseum.org.