We strongly encourage all families to complete the Ontario COVID-19 Self-Assessment prior to each day of camp.

Students who are displaying symptoms of illness will not be permitted to enter the facilities under any circumstances. If your child is displaying any symptoms of illness, please do not bring them to camp as they will be turned away at the door. If your child begins displaying symptoms of illness during the camp, you will be called to pick them up early.

If your child is ill, please contact us at info@stemminds.com to let us know. Given current concerns surrounding COVID-19, we have temporarily amended our refund/cancellation policy to provide a refund to participants who are unable to attend programs due to illness.

If your child has an allergy, medical condition, or takes medication that we need to be aware of, please ensure you fill out this form and either bring a printed copy on the first day of camp or send a digital copy to info@stemminds.com.

If your child has an Epi-Pen, your child must have one on their person at all times. Another Epi-Pen must be provided to our staff to be kept in our allergy/medication storage area. The Epi-Pen will be returned to you at the end of the week. Please ensure that your child’s name is on the Epi-Pen provided to our staff.

Full day camp and morning half day camp begins at 9:00 am. Families may drop off their child as early as 8:45 am with no additional charge. 

Afternoon half day camp begins at 12:15 pm. Please ensure that afternoon half day campers have eaten lunch PRIOR to being dropped off and are prepared to participate in outdoor activities.  

Morning half day camp ends at 12:00 pm. Full day camp and afternoon half day camp ends at 4:00 pm.

Please note that only individuals who have been listed on your child’s registration as a contact or authorized pickup will be able to pick up your child at the end of camp.

If you would like to add an authorized pick up contact who was not originally listed on your registration, please send us an email at info@stemminds.com. 

If your child walks home or will experience a change in their typical pick-up routine, including the need for early pickup, please send us an email at info@stemminds.com to let us know.

If you are going to be absent or late, please call us at 647-846-3154 ext 102 to leave a message or send us an email at info@stemminds.com to let us know. 

In the event that we do not receive prior notification of an absence or lateness, one of our staff members will attempt to call you or other contacts listed on your registration to determine the whereabouts of your child.

We rely on participants and their families to ensure they are present for each day of camp. Please note that no refunds, credits, or makeup classes will be provided for unplanned absences or missed days with the exception of legitimate medical circumstances.

Extended care is available for an additional fee by clicking here. 

Morning extended care is available from 7:00 am – 9:00 am. Afternoon extended care is available from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

We require at least 24 hours notice for before care requests. After care requests can be accommodated at any time, but please endeavour to provide as much notice as possible.

Your child needs to bring the following items with them to camp:

1. 2 nut free snacks and a lunch. 
2. Refillable water bottle
3. Outdoor appropriate clothing (for full day/afternoon half day campers only)
4. Sunscreen (for full day/afternoon half day campers only)
   
5. 2 face masks/face coverings

Campers will not have access to a fridge or microwave. Please be advised that we are a Nut Aware facility. Please be advised that students are not permitted to leave the facility indepedently to purchase lunch. Students are expected to have their lunch with them during drop off. 

If you have children in both age groups, please ensure that they both have their own lunch as there will be no opportunity for them to share items with each other. 

Please do NOT send your child with a technology device. All campers will be provided with the technology they need to participate. 

We will be going outside for one hour each day. Unless there are legitimate medical circumstances, all children are expected to participate in outdoor activities.

All technological equipment required to participate in STEM MINDS programs and camps will be provided by STEM MINDS. Participants are not required to bring their own equipment with them to programs or camps.

In the event that a participant does bring a technological device, STEM MINDS, its staff, and its vendors are not liable for any loss, theft, or damage that may occur. Participants are only permitted to use their personal devices during times specified by staff.

It is expected that technology and technology services supplied by STEM MINDS will be used in an appropriate, responsible and safe manner. This includes, but is not limited to, all technology provided by STEM MINDS and personal technologies connecting to STEM MINDS network and accessing STEM MINDS technology services such as the internet, collaboration tools and digital learning platforms.

Use of personal devices on networks other than the STEM MINDS network when used in STEM MINDS learning and program environment(s) are also subject to these policies and procedures.

All participants in STEM MINDS programs and camps who are given access to STEM MINDS technology and technology services are required to know and abide by the Safe & Responsible Technology Use Policy.

In the event of a breach of this policy, STEM MINDS will take appropriate measures to address the situation. This may include, but is not limited to:

• disciplinary action (please refer to our Behaviour & Safety Policy for more information)
• temporary confiscation of personal devices to be returned promptly at the end of a program
• temporary or permanent revocation of access to STEM MINDS equipment and/or technology services

Summary

STEM MINDS strives to provide the highest level of safety and enjoyment to all participants and staff during its camps and programs. We have developed this Behaviour & Safety Policy to support this mission and make programs and camp enjoyable for everyone.

1. Coarse language, bullying, non-compliance, aggressive or inappropriate behaviour, and behaviour that significantly impacts the safety or enjoyment of staff or other participants are not permitted in programs or at camp.
2. All parents/guardians are responsible for discussing appropriate behaviours with their children.
3. Behaviours that pose a safety risk to the individual or others may result in temporary or permanent removal from activities or programs.
4. No work created by participants should feature violent or otherwise inappropriate themes.

Our staff will make every effort to accommodate your child’s needs and integrate them into programming. However,  actions or behaviours that do not adhere to this policy will be documented, reported, and could result in the permanent removal of a participant from programs or camp. We reserve the right to remove and withdraw your child from the program should their behaviour cause harm to themselves, participants, staff or property.

Progressive Discipline Policy

STEM MINDS promotes a progressive discipline model. Through progressive discipline, staff determine appropriate consequences and/ or supports to help participants improve their behaviour, while taking into account their individual circumstances. The goal is to help prevent inappropriate behaviour from happening again. Within this context, more serious consequences may be considered for inappropriate behaviour that escalates or is repeated.

Staff will consider a range of options to determine the most appropriate way to respond to each situation and help the participant learn from their choices. These will include different supports and consequences.

Supports could include:

• a conversation with the participant
• a review of expectations for the participant’s behaviour
• a change of activity or setting

Consequences could include:

• Revocation of access to certain technology, equipment, or materials
• Change of seating
• “Time Out”
• Behaviour Reflection Assignment
• Conversation with parent/guardian
• Expulsion from the camp/program as per the STEM Minds 3 Strike Policy

3 Strike Policy

STEM Minds strives to provide the highest level of safety and enjoyment to all participants and staff during its camps and programs. It’s important that everyone attending a STEM Minds program is having a fun and safe experience.

Behaviours that are NOT permitted in STEM Minds programs include, but are not limited to:

• Physically striking another participant or staff
• Bullying, harassing, or threating any of the other participants or staff
• Stealing anything from another participant, staff, or location
• Possession of any harmful objects (such as knives, lighters, etc.)
• Purposefully breaking anything that is supplied for their use or belongs to another participant or staff member
• Any behaviour that may pose a safety risk to the individual, other participants, or staff

These behaviours will be documented, reported, and could result in the removal of a participant from camps or programs as per our 3-strike policy.

If the participant’s behaviour is deemed inappropriate by a supervisor, they may be administered a strike. In the event a strike has been given, the parent/guardian of the participant will be notified immediately and the participant will be removed from the program for the remainder of the day. The incident will also be documented and kept on file.

After the third strike, a participant will be removed indefinitely from the current program and from any other programs they may be signed up for.  STEM Minds reserves the right to administer all three strikes at once depending on the severity of the behaviour.

To view a copy of the STEM Minds Behaviour Report, please click here

Student Seating

STEM Minds recognizes that students may have indivudals with whom they would prefer to sit (e.g. school friends attending the same camp). While we will make an effort to accommodate such requests, this is not guaranteed. Additionally, STEM Minds reserves the right to re-seat students at any time in order to promote positive student behaviour and ensure the enjoyment of programs for all students. 

As part of your child’s registration in our summer camps, they have been provided free access to STEAM Hub!

STEAM Hub is our powerful online learning platform for grades 3-12 students. Our 30+ courses offer youth a wide range of opportunities to take a deep dive into the world of STEM. From coding and robotics, to video game design and computer music, to entrepreneurship, and more, there is truly something for every child. 

Your child will have access to the STEAM Hub courses related to the activities explored during the week of camp. Access will continue until December 31, 2021. 

You can learn more about STEAM Hub by going to https://steamhub.ca

It’s easy!

Just go to https://steamhub.stemminds.com

Your child’s username takes the format of childfirstname.childlastname 

Your child’s temporary password is mindstorm

Once you log in, visit the “help” menu for instructions on how to change your password.