Whitaker Center
Central PA’s Nonprofit Center for the Arts

Camp FAQs

Know Before You Go

Chaos Theory has its place in science, but not in the way we run our Summer STEAM Camps! Please review the following information below regarding our Summer Camp Program Policies and Procedures. Forward any questions you may have to our Education Department via email at camps@whitakercenter.org.

In which grade group should I enroll my camper?

Please register your child for the grade they will be ENTERING in the Fall of 2024

What are the drop-off and pick-up times for the HALF DAY PreK/K camps?

Drop-Off Time: 9:00-9:30 am

Pick-Up Time: 12:30-1:00 pm

**NEW THIS YEAR - PreCamp Care will be offered from 8-9 am. The cost of pre-camp care is $100 per child, per week. These spots are limited, and are on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Post-camp care is not offered for the PreK-K Half Day Camps. You can register for pre-camp care via the Google form that is sent in our summer camp confirmation email.**

What are the drop-off and pick-up times for the FULL DAY STEAM camps?

Drop-Off Time: 9:00-9:30 am

Pick-Up Time: 3:30-4:00 pm

**NEW THIS YEAR - Pre-camp and post-camp care will be offered from 8-9 am and 4-5 pm. The cost of pre-camp and post-camp care separately is $100 per child, per week. The cost of pre-camp and post-camp care together is $200 per child, per week. These spots are limited, and are on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. You can register for pre-camp and post-camp care via the Google form that is sent in our summer camp confirmation email.**

What is provided to my camper during the day? 

Campers will be provided with a light morning and afternoon snack. They will also be given all materials needed to complete the activities during camp. 

What should my camper bring with them? 

Campers should bring a labeled, reusable water bottle, and a labeled bagged lunch (only if full-day camper). Lunches may be in reusable OR disposable bags. Please keep in mind that refrigeration will not be available. Campers should not bring any additional items, as we do not have the space for them and we cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.

What should my camper wear? 

Please dress your camper in comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. No flip-flops, please. Please also plan for some exciting (and sometimes messy!) activities. 

What is the Late Pick-Up Policy?

We care deeply about all of our staff and students. We want to be considerate of everyone’s time and other obligations outside of the fun we have at Whitaker Center! Please consider signing your child up for PostCamp Care if you feel that will work better for your family’s schedule. Our normal pick-up times for camps are strictly enforced. Please note that you will incur a charge of $15 per every fifteen minutes past the pick-up time for your child’s camp. You will agree to this policy upon completion of your camper's registration. 

What is the Whitaker Center Summer Camp Cancellation Policy and Refund Policy?

Whitaker Center reserves the right to cancel any program due to insufficient registration, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. All registered participants will have the option of attending another camp (pending availability) or receiving a full refund. We will communicate by email if there are any changes to the camps for which you are registered at least two weeks before your scheduled camp.

To accommodate every child and family who wishes to attend our camps, all changes or cancellations to camp reservations must be completed by June 1st. Before June 1st, all cancellations will be subject to a refund of up to the full price of the camp, minus a $10 processing fee per camp. No changes, cancellations, or refunds will be issued after June 1st.

Do you offer any scholarship opportunities?

We are proud to offer scholarship funds to qualifying families for our STEAM Camps, which serve children in PreK through 8th grade. Children of parents who currently qualify for the Pennsylvania ACCESS/EBT Card are eligible. Scholarship funds cover a significant portion of the cost of camps. Families are responsible for the remaining cost, payable at the time of registration.

To serve as many families as possible, scholarship funds cannot be used by the same child for more than one week of STEAM Camps per summer.

Please click the link below to submit your request for scholarship funding. This form will require you to submit your appropriate documentation along with other confidential information. Once your scholarship application is approved, you will be contacted by a member of the Whitaker Center Box Office Team to process your payment. 


Is the camp you were looking at sold out?

Please fill out the waitlist form linked below and we will contact you if a spot becomes available! 

  Waitlist


Questions or Concerns? 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Education Department at Whitaker Center! We are more than happy to discuss questions, concerns, or accommodations needed to make your camper’s experience as wonderful as possible.  

Email: camps@whitakercenter.org

Phone: 717-724-3865

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