FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.      How do I register my child for an event? 

Registering your child for one of our summer programs, workshops, or events is easy. Please follow this link:

Register for an Event

Then, follow these simple instructions: 

1. Submit a payment for the event.
2. Complete a registration form for each child you are registering. Please be sure to add any additional information you might want to share with the staff. 
3. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional program details and instructions.

Q.    My child’s age is close, can they enroll?

When a child’s age is close to the age requirements for a program, we then look to grade. For programs that have an age requirement of 7 years old, we require the participant has graduated 1st grade. 

If your 14-year old would like to enroll in a program for 7-13-year-olds, because they want to be with a friend or family member, that would be acceptable.

Q.      What is the age range?

Please see event details for age ranges, as the age range can differ depending on the event. For our 2019 summer program, the age range is 7-13. Children will be divided into a junior group (ages 7-10) and senior group (ages 11-13). 

Q.      What does a typical day look like?

A typical day starts with a group activity during the half hour drop off period. Then campers are sorted into their age appropriate groups and their counsellor starts the first group engineering activity related to the daily theme. A break is scheduled mid-way through the morning before campers resume their activity or engage in another group activity. At 12:30pm, half-day campers are sent home and full-day campers enjoy lunch (outside if weather permits) before working on the afternoon engineering activity. The afternoon is different where campers have the ability to choose different small group activities based on our weekly theme.  There are scheduled breaks throughout the afternoon for kids to run around and get some exercise. Since it is the summer we do as many outside activities as possible dependent on weather such as rain and heat. At 4pm, full-day campers are sent home and extended campers stay to watch a movie or play games until 5pm. 

Q.    What types of STEM activities will my child be working on? 

We ensure our summer program encompasses a wide-range of engineering activities, so that children learn about and become interested in different types of engineering branches. Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil/Environmental Engineering, or Biomedical Engineering to name a few! For example, our past summer programs included activities like:

• designing renewable energy systems,
• making and racing robots, 
• building and testing truss bridges,
• designing a water filter that can clean dirty water,
• and constructing rockets that can shoot 200 feet in the air!

As we encourage children who have attended our summer programs to attend again, we ensure our activities are never repeated with the same group of students.

Q.      Is food provided for children during the program?

For students who are attending a full-day program, parents are responsible for providing a take-along lunch for their children to eat each day. It is also recommended to pack a snack for morning and afternoon, as we often take a 10-15 minute break half-way through each morning and afternoon session. Extra snacks will be available in case needed.

Q.      Is food provided for children during the program?

For students who are attending a full-day program, parents are responsible for providing a take-along lunch for their children to eat each day. It is also recommended to pack a snack for morning and afternoon, as we often take a 10-15 minute break half-way through each morning and afternoon session. Extra snacks will be available in case needed. 

Q.      Who are the Staff Members?

We are a team of current students and recently graduated engineers from the University at Buffalo, along with UB engineering faculty and students, and professionals in STEM with four years of experience in operating STEM/engineering youth programs. Read the Founder's and the program director's bio here.

Q.      What do I do if someone else will be dropping off/picking up?

We have a sign in/sign out procedure for parents each day. As long as the same person who’s dropping off the student is the same person picking them up, there is nothing you need to do. However, if there is a different person dropping off vs. picking up, then please let the instructor know when the student arrives.

Q.      How early can I drop off my child and is extended care available?

We ask that students are dropped off no earlier than 10 minutes before a summer program or event begins. This year, we are offering an extended summer program from 9am-5pm. Drop-off and pick-up instructions will be sent out to parents/guardians prior to the summer program. 

Q.      How can I stay in touch with my child while they are at camp?

Children may bring a cell phone to camp if they have one. We do ask, however, that students remain off their phones during the engineering activities and only use their devices when needed. Parents will be given the program directors' contact information so that they may get a hold of their child anytime throughout the day. 

Q.      Will my child be placed in the same group as their friend?

We will do our best to pair your camper with their friend(s). Both campers must be registered for the same week and be in the same age/grade division. Please include a note on your child's registration form that they would like to be grouped with their friend (please list friend's name). 

Q.    Is financial assistance available?

Please print and fill out the financial assistance form to be considered. A digital copy of the completed form should be sent to imhall@ifewny.com upon completion. Forms must be submitted before registration has closed for consideration.

Q.    What is the refund/withdrawal policy?

Refunds are granted in the following circumstances:

• Refund requests received 30 days or more from the start of each individual child’s first week of summer camp will be granted a full refund minus the convenience fee.
• Refund requests received 14 to 30 days from the start of each individual child’s first week of summer camp will be granted a 50% refund.
• We are unable to grant refunds for refund requests that are received 14 days or less from the start of each individual child’s first registered week of summer camp.
• Refunds are not granted in the following circumstances:
  • Inclement weather or unforeseen facility closures.
  • Campers removed from STEM Camp as a result of the three strike policy.
  • A camper simply decides that she or he is “not enjoying” STEM Camp.

Q.    What happens if my child drops or misses a day of summer camp?

We are able to accommodate prorated summer program registration costs/refunds if missed days are communicated with staff members before the summer program begins. There are no prorated refund or credits for unexpected missed classes or for dropped classes. Once class begins, you are in class for the entire session. This is true regardless of your attendance. Exceptions will be made for medical situations.  

Q.    Need more information?

Please reach out to Isabel Hall, Program Director, at imhall@ifewny.com.