For Scholarship Campers:

• A non-refundable $50 placeholder deposit is required.

• Cancellations:

  • 4+ weeks prior to the session start date: Full refund (minus placeholder deposit).

  • Within 4 weeks prior to the session start date: 50% refund.

  • Within 72 hours prior to the session start date: No refund.

For All Other Campers:

• Cancellations:

  • 4+ weeks prior to the session start date: Full refund.

  • Within 4 weeks prior to the session start date: 50% refund.

  • Within 72 hours prior to the session start date: No refund.

Medical Emergencies:
Refund requests due to medical emergencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis and require documentation from a medical professional.

Processing Times:
Please allow 2-5 business days for bank processing of refunds.

Minimum Enrollment Requirements:
If a camp session does not meet the required minimum number of campers, you will receive a full refund or the option to rebook a different session, subject to availability.

Extenuating Circumstances:
In the event of a session cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., extreme weather), we will offer a full refund or work with you to rebook a different session, subject to availability.

We are not offering a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program this year because we have restructured the camp format and boat capacity. With these changes, there is no longer safe or practical space for CITs on the boat, which is also why sessions are now limited to 12 campers.

If you have an older child who may be interested in helping in a land-based support role or serving as an occasional on-boat fill-in across multiple weeks, please contact Taylor at youngmariner@capecodmaritimemuseum.org to discuss possibilities.

Yes — you may call and request to have your camper added to the waitlist. Families may select up to three weeks to be wait-listed for and must indicate their order of preference. If a space becomes available in a week for which your camper has the highest priority, you will be notified and given the opportunity to complete registration.

We offer an optional extended-day pickup time beyond our regular 3:00 PM dismissal.

Late pickup is available until 4:30 PM for $20 per day or $100 per week. This can be arranged in advance by contacting the Program Director. If your child is picked up after 3:15 PM, a $20 late fee will automatically be applied.

Extended day is a land-based, indoor program. Campers stay inside the museum for quiet activities such as arts and crafts, games, reading, and occasional educational videos. Campers do not go out on the water during extended day.

Snacks are not provided, so please send an extra snack if your child will be staying past 3:00 PM.

Please contact the Program Director Taylor for more information or to arrange late pick-up for your child.

Please send your camper in comfortable clothing that can get wet and dirty. We will have at least one beach day each week, scheduled around weather conditions. Counselors will do their best to let campers know in advance if the next day will be a beach day, but since plans may change, we ask that families always send campers with everything they may need for beach activities.

We also make every effort to get out on the water even when it is drizzling or chilly, so please pack appropriate layers, rain gear, and warm clothing as needed.

Essentials:

• Sunscreen

• Water bottle

• Rain jacket/poncho

• Hat

• Towel

• Bathing suit

• Clean change of clothes

• Sweatshirt

Footwear:

• Close-toed shoes, water shoes, or Crocs are recommended.

• Flip-flops are not recommended.

Lunch:

• A packed, nut-free lunch in a lunch box or bag. Please note that we do not have a microwave available.

• Campers may use a mini-fridge in the classroom if needed.

Snacks:

• We do not provide food at camp; however, we do schedule breaks for snacks. Please be sure to send your child with any snacks they may need for the day.

Please leave all cellphones and electronics at home – we want campers to fully immerse themselves in the maritime world and unplug from their screens!

If your child is feeling unwell, please keep them at home. To notify us, you can contact the camp phone number at 508-360-7030 or email us at youngmariner@capecodmaritimemuseum.org.

Thank you for helping us maintain a healthy environment for all our campers!

Each week of YMP includes a mix of new material and recurring activities. About half of each day focuses on new, theme-based lessons and hands-on marine science activities. The other half of the day is spent on the water, participating in core experiences such as fishing, lobstering, and visiting local beaches.

From time to time, we may also reuse short classroom “time-filler” activities or games as needed. Please keep this in mind if you plan to register your child for multiple weeks, as not every activity will be completely different from week to week.

In the event of inclement weather, we will move activities indoors as needed. However, please pack a rain jacket or poncho for your child, as we aim to continue outdoor activities during light rain or stray showers. Our priority is to ensure that every camper has the opportunity to get on a boat each day. The Program Director and our boat captains will closely monitor weather conditions throughout the day and week to ensure safety.

Making new friends is one of the best parts of a summer camp program, but we understand that having a friend or sibling in a new setting can help children feel more comfortable. Please notify us of your request during registration, and ensure that the buddy you request is no more than two years apart in age from your child. We will do our best to accommodate these requests, but cannot guarantee them due to our small session sizes and distinct age groups. If your child falls into one age group but wishes to be placed in the other, please contact us at (508) 815-4438 to discuss options.

We require full payment for the entire 5-day session, as we assume your child will attend all scheduled days. Sessions cannot be paid for on a day-to-day basis, and unfortunately, we are unable to issue refunds if your child misses any days during the session.

The safety of our campers and staff is our top priority. On the first day of each session, children will be briefed on important safety precautions during orientation. In the event of an emergency, the program director will contact you as soon as it is safely possible.

If you experience an emergency at home, please call our main office at 508-775-1723, and we will promptly notify the program director to ensure the safety of your child.

A $10 late fee will be charged for every 15 minutes a camper is picked up past the designated pickup time. For example, 30 minutes late will incur a $20 fee, and 45 minutes late will incur a $30 fee. This fee must be paid prior to the start of the next camp day. If there is an outstanding late fee, your child will not be permitted to stay for the following session.

We adhere to all regulations set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for staff qualifications. Our team undergoes a thorough interview process, provides references, and passes a CORI/SORI background check. In addition, all staff members are certified in First Aid/CPR by the American Red Cross and participate in a one-week training program prior to the start of camp.

The safety and well-being of your child is our top priority, and we ensure our staff is well-prepared to provide a fun and secure experience for all campers!

You may transfer your camper to another session if space is available. To rebook, please call us directly. Rebooking must be completed at least 72 hours before the start of the desired session.

Each session is designed to maintain a 2:8 instructor-to-camper ratio, both on water and on land, ensuring personalized attention and a high-quality experience for every child.