Q: When does camp start and end?
K+1st Grade Camps
A: The camp day starts at 9:00 am each day. It is recommended that children arrive between 8:45 am and 8:55 am but they may be dropped off as early as 8:30 am. K+1st camps end at 1:15 pm with the option to add Math Mania! from 1:15 pm to 3:30 pm. For those campers who need to extend the day beyond 3:30 pm check out the late pick-up option to stay as late as 5:00 pm.
2nd-4th & 5th-7th Grade Camps
A: The camp day starts at 9:00 am each day. It is recommended that children arrive between 8:45 am and 8:55 am but they may be dropped off as early as 8:30 am. Camp ends at 3:30 pm. For those campers who need to extend the day beyond 3:30 pm check out the late pick-up option to stay as late as 5:00 pm.
Q: Where does camp take place?
A: We offer camps at 2 locations:
UWS 65th Street – 3 W. 65th Street
UWS 81st Street – 173 W. 81st Street
Please note that not all age groups are offered at both locations. Be sure to check your registration details during check out.
Q: Do you offer early drop-off?
A: Yes, early drop-off is available at no additional cost. With this option campers are allowed to arrive as early as 8:30 am.
Q: Do you offer late pick-up?
A: Late pick-up until 5:00 pm is available at an additional cost. For those campers who elect the late pick-up option, it’s all fun and games! From challenging board and card games to engaging math puzzles, campers enjoy fun activities that keep the excitement of the day rolling along! The program starts shortly after camp ends at 3:30 pm and continues until 5:00 pm. Kids may be picked-up at any time after 3:30 pm. The fee for late pick-up is $100 for the week.
Q: What is the Math Mania! program for K+1st grade campers?
A: The Math Mania! program offers age-appropriate thematic curriculum woven into engaging mathematics-based projects and activities. Using themes such as Carnival Games and Safari Adventures, campers explore topics ranging from money and measurement to data collection and probability – all with a big blast of fun! Math Mania! is an optional offering for K+1st grade campers only. Add this offering to your registration at checkout.
Q: My child has a friend attending camp the same week. Will they be in the same group?
A: Generally, Launch considers all available information and makes decisions about camper groups based on variables like age, grade, and experience. If you have a special request regarding the pairing of kids you must email us at info@launchmath.com as soon as possible after registration and we will do our best to accommodate (please note that submitting a request does not guarantee a child’s placement). Q: Do you offer busing?
A: Unfortunately, we do not offer transportation services to/from camp at this time.
Q: Can my child participate in the same camp twice?
A: We offer four different camp themes for each grade group that rotate throughout the summer. Children may participate in all four of the camps in any order, however enrolling in the same camp theme more than once is not recommended (projects will be repeated).
Q: Which camp group is most appropriate for my child?
A: Your child’s placement is determined by the grade which they will be entering in the fall of 2023. EXAMPLE: If your child is currently in 4th grade and will be entering 5th grade next fall they should join one of our 5th-7th grade camps. We understand in some cases private and public school calendars may differ. If you are unsure of which group your child should join please contact Launch (info@launchmath.com) for help determining the proper placement before registering. Q: How old does my child need to be to attend camp?
A: Children who want to join us for our summer camps must have turned 4 years old no later than 12/31/22 (in other words, turning 5 years old in 2023). If you have questions or concerns, please contact Launch (info@launchmath.com) for help determining your child’s eligibility before registering. Q: What is the camper-to-staff ratio?
A: The camper-to-staff ratio at Launch camps is 4:1, allowing for each child to receive attention at every level.
Q: What happens in a typical day at Camp?
K+1st Grade Camps A: Launch packs the camp day full of activities and challenges including STEM Projects and STEM Discoveries (refer to additional FAQ below for details). Campers should come with lunch, a water bottle, snack, and sneakers. When the weather cooperates K+1st campers may go outside for lunch, therefore we recommend the pre-application of sunscreen. K+1st camps end at 1:15 pm but you can extend the fun with our Math Mania! add-on (3:30 pm), and even later with the late pick-up option (5:00 pm). For additional information please refer to the Sample Daily Schedule found on the Summer Camps 2023 page on the Launch website.2nd-4th & 5th-7th Grade Camps
A: Launch packs the camp day full of activities and challenges including STEM Projects, STEM Discoveries, and Launch Studios (refer to additional FAQ below for details). Campers should come with lunch, a water bottle, snack, sneakers, and sunscreen pre-applied. All 2nd-4th and 5th-7th campers spend about half of the day outside in Central Park engaging in low-energy STEM-related educational games and activities. For additional information please refer to the Sample Daily Schedule found on the Summer Camps 2023 page on the website.
Q: What happens during STEM Project time?
A: Each STEM Project combines a science, technology, or engineering lesson with a creative hands-on project that reinforces the principles learned from the lesson. Projects may be kits that each camper assembles on their own and takes home after camp, they may be coding projects that can be accessed later from any Internet-connected device, or they may be experiments performed individually or in groups.
Q: What happens during STEM Discoveries?
A: STEM Discoveries engages campers in challenge-based learning through independent and/or group problem-solving activities. Kids explore a variety of STEM topics and related activities that require creativity and critical thinking skills. Projects range from physical builds using common, everyday materials to mental puzzles that involve collaborative, problem-solving methods.
Q: What happens during Launch Studios?
A: Lights! Camera! Action! The Launch Studios program puts campers in the director’s chair, in the leading role, and in the cutting room. With a camera in-hand, kids document their activities at camp, plan out entertaining “How-to”videos, design and perform fun skits, and produce a camper-run newscast. Launch instructors lead the way as they educate campers on the tech and techniques required to make cool short videos.
Q: Is there a snack time?
K+1st Grade Camps A: Yes, approximately halfway through the morning activities there is a break for snack time. There is also a break for snack during the Math Mania! add-on program. Neither snacks nor lunch are provided by Launch. We recommend that children bring two snacks if they are attending the Math Mania! program and that the food be packed in an insulated lunchbox. Please note we require that parents provide nut-free snacks and lunches.2nd-4th & 5th-7th Grade Camps
A: Campers will have the opportunity to break for snack if needed. Neither snacks nor lunch are provided by Launch, and we recommend that parents pack food in an insulated lunchbox. Please note we require that parents provide nut-free snacks and lunches.
Q: What should I consider when packing lunch for my child?
A: We recommend sending your child’s lunch in an insulated lunchbox with ice packs, when appropriate. However, we cannot warm or reheat lunches. All campers should be sent to camp with a water bottle in addition to any drinks included for lunch. Please note we require that parents provide nut-free snacks and lunches.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Launch offers flexibility when your child’s availability to join us hits a snag:The Flexibility To Switch
Your child can no longer make it to camp on the week that you purchased? Launch allows campers the opportunity to switch camp weeks up to two weeks prior to the start of a session (subject to availability).
The Flexibility To Transfer
Your child can no longer make it to camp at all this summer? Launch allows a transfer of camp fees to a sibling or family member or friend.
If All Else Fails… Canceling Is An Option
A $100 per camp non-refundable deposit is required to register. Canceling up to two weeks prior to the start of a camp session is allowed (but deposits are non-refundable). No refunds are provided for cancelations within two weeks of the start of a camp session. If a camper is unable to start or finish a camp week due to medical-related issues, Launch will provide a refund less the deposit and the cost of any days attended (a minimum of 1 prorated camp day is charged, whether or not the camper attended for 1 day). A doctor’s note is required for any medical-related cancelations.
All requests to switch/transfer/cancel camps must be sent via email to cancel@launchmath.com. Please include your name, your child’s name, the camps affected and your reason for the change.
Q: Do you offer early bird, sibling, or any other discounts?
A: Yes we do! We offer substantial savings including up to $100 per camp with our Early Bird and Multiple Camp discounts (Multiple Camp provides discounts for siblings and all other multi-camp purchases). Please refer to our pricing and discount charts on the Summer Camps 2023 page on the website. Q: Do you offer scholarships?
A: We offer partial need-based scholarships to offset the cost of camp. Scholarships are limited and will not cover the full cost of camp. The scholarship application is available (as of April 15th) by following the link below the pricing section on the Summer Camps 2023 page on this website. Q: How do I get in touch with my child or a Launch instructor in the case of an emergency?
A: In the event of an emergency only, campers can be reached at the appropriate phone number for each camp location. Location phone numbers are provided in the welcome email that is distributed each week prior to camp. If you are unable to reach a Launch representative at any particular location, please call the Launch flagship center on 81st Street at 212-600-1010 and we will contact the staff for you. For non-emergency needs, please call the Launch flagship center number first.
