Policies and frequently asked questions

Registration

How do I make changes to my registration? 

Please send us an email to request any changes to your registration. If you wish to change the language, program, or location, we would be happy to accommodate your request if spots are available. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate camp date changes within less than two weeks of the start of the camp.

I am currently on a waiting list. What is the next step?

Our team will contact you if a spot becomes available and let you know how to proceed with payment. You can contact our team to determine where you are on the waiting list by sending us an email.

If my child and their friend are both registered for the same camp, will they be grouped together?

There are multiple groups within each program, so please indicate in the comments section of your registration if you would like your child to be in the same group as a friend or family member.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that campers will be grouped with friends or family members (especially if the children's language, grade levels, or programs are different). We will do our best to accommodate your request. No group changes will be made after 9 a.m. on the first day of camp.

Can my four-year-old attend a camp?

Children who have completed a full year of junior kindergarten are eligible to participate in one of our camps. Please note that we may request proof of completion.

Maker Mobile

What is the maximum number of Maker Mobile workshops that one can be booked for one day?

We can offer a maximum of eight Maker Mobile workshops in one day, with a maximum of 2 workshops running simultaneously. However, you cannot book two virtual reality workshops to run simultaneously due to equipment availability.

What is the minimum number of workshops I need to book with the Maker Mobile?

There is no minimum. However, if you book only one workshop, you will be charged for a half-day ($335).

When booking the Maker Mobile, can I book four 3D printing workshops for the same day?

No. There is a maximum of two 3D printing workshops per day. 3D printing workshops must be booked as the first workshop in the morning and/or afternoon in order to leave enough time for the printers to complete their printing. For this reason, 3D printing workshops cannot be booked back-to-back.

When booking the Maker Mobile, can I reserve four identical workshops on the same day?

Yes. However, 3D printing workshops are limited to two per day. Any other workshop can be reserved for up to four times in one day.

Do you offer free Maker Mobile workshops?

Yes, we offer a number of free workshops to a variety of non-profit organizations, including community centres, youth groups, Indigenous and Inuit centres, Boys and Girls clubs, at-risk youth groups, girls-only groups, and Girl Guide groups. To find out if your group or organization is eligible for a free workshop, or to book one, please send us an email.

When booking the Maker Mobile, do I need to give the exact number of students participating?

Yes. In order for the uOttawa Maker Mobile to sustain its programs (including workshops at schools), we rely on sponsorships from a number of partners. Therefore, we must provide accurate statistics, including the number of students participating in each workshop.

Can I rent some of your equipment (3D printers, lasers, etc.)?

No. However, the uOttawa Richard L’Abbé Makerspace is open to the general public on Sundays and you are welcome to come and work on your personal projects for free.

Camps and clubs

Do the campers get to go outside and play, or are they inside all day long?

The campers get breaks throughout the day to go outside and play, weather permitting.

Do the students get breaks in enrichment programs? Are they supervised all day?

Supervised break periods will be offered throughout the day during snack time or other downtime. Students who are in Grade 9 or older will be allowed to sign out at the beginning of their lunch period and sign back in at the end of their lunch period. The lunch period generally lasts one hour; it takes place sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and may vary daily according to the instructor's schedule. The University of Ottawa is not responsible for camp participants or students while they are not signed in.

Are the same projects repeated each year / term?

• In our summer camps, similar types of projects, such as 3D printing, are repeated from year to year. The specific projects themselves differ each year. 

• For our spring break camps and PD days, similar types of projects, such as 3D printing, chemistry experiments, and dissections, are repeated from year to year. The specific projects themselves differ each year. 

• Clubs for kids: For clubs, some projects may be repeated from previous years (camps, events, etc.), but we try our best to compile a brand-new curriculum.

• Summer enrichment programs and camps for teens:  

  • The curriculum for the Enrichment Programs will not change significantly from year to year. We recommend trying a new program if you wish to participate for another summer. 

  • Repeated projects each week: Each program has a single curriculum that is repeated a few times throughout the summer. If you wish to participate for more than one week, we recommend trying a new subject.

Why are some camps numbered? (Ex. EngSci 2)

The numbers 1 through 4 simply represent the number of different weeks of camp. For example, there are four different weeks of EngSci. The format and schedule are the same each week, but the projects are different. It is therefore possible for a camper to take part in four consecutive weeks of EngSci without repeating the same projects. The weeks are independent from one another and are non-cumulative. It is therefore possible for your child to attend week 4 before week 2 without a problem. The activities in our satellite locations are different from the ones on campus. The same projects will be repeated at all off-campus locations.

Health and Safety

Scent free zone

Help us keep the air we share healthy and fragrance-free. The chemicals used in scented products can make some people sick, especially those with fragrance sensitivities, asthma, allergies, and other medical conditions. Please do not wear perfume, cologne, aftershave, or other fragrances. Use unscented personal care products. 

What is your behavior policy?

• If a behavioral problem involving your child arises, an administrator will contact you to discuss the incident, and if necessary, they will issue a warning.
• If the problem persists or is unacceptable, the participant may be removed from our programs. We absolutely do not tolerate any violence, bullying, or disrespect in our programs.

COVID-19

As if May 1st, 2022, the University of Ottawa will no longer require proof of vaccination on campus. Therefore, proof of vaccination will not be required for children attending our 2022-2023 programs.

In accordance with University of Ottawa policy, masks will be mandatory for all programs until May 31, 2022.

Please note that these measures are subject to change at any time as we monitor the situation and follow University of Ottawa and government guidelines. Should the situation change, our cancellation policy, which you can view on your program webpage, will take effect.

Cleaning

• Facility custodians will be taking extra care to frequently sanitize all public spaces, including doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons, washrooms, and equipment, throughout the day.
• Instructors and staff will be taking extra steps to clean all equipment and materials.
• Hand sanitizing stations will be available around the facility and in each classroom.
• Campers will be instructed on how to properly sanitize their hands and will be watched to ensure they are sanitizing their hands correctly.
• Equipment and materials will be cleaned before and after each use.

COVID-19 screening

• Prior to their arrival on campus, participants and parents will need to screen for COVID-19 symptoms using the COVID-19 school and childcare screening tool.
• If a participant begins to experience COVID symptoms while at camp, they will immediately be separated from others and placed in a supervised isolation room. We will contact the parent/guardian and ask them to pick up the participant immediately.
• No staff member, instructor, participant, or volunteer who displays COVID-19 symptoms will be allowed to attend camps.

In the event of staff shortages, or if cases are rising in Ottawa, we will send out last-minute cancellation notices to parents by email and issue refunds.

Reimbursement policy

Cancellation and Refund Policy

You may cancel your registration up to two weeks before the start date of the program (camp, course, clubs, etc.) and receive a refund. For cancellations with less than 2 weeks' notice, we do not provide a refund unless it is for a medical or family emergency (death or illness in the family). Medical circumstances require an official written doctor’s note. The refund amount is specific to each camp and may be pro-rated for the time of withdrawal. A $30 administrative fee will be charged for each cancellation.

Coupon Code Details and Exclusions

Coupon codes are only valid online and for specific dates. These codes may not work on all programs and may not be applied to programs that are on sale. To redeem a coupon, enter the coupon code during the checkout process. Please note that only one coupon can be redeemed per purchase. Coupons cannot be applied after the purchase is complete. If you forgot to use your coupon code and it is now expired, watch for new coupons and offers in the future. If the coupon code is not expired, please use the coupon code on your next order. 

Contact

For more information, or if you have additional questions, please send an email to the Engineering Outreach team.