Your Ultimate Guide to Summer of STEM Adventures
We understand that as parents, you want the best summer learning experience for your child–one that combines education with fun and excitement. Our program is designed to spark curiosity and ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
To make your experience seamless, we have compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions, aiming to address any concerns you may have. Our goal is to make it easy for parents like you to find the information you need, ensuring that your child’s Summer of STEM Adventure is not only educational but also a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Policies
Medical
If your child will be taking or needs any medication during the hours of the summer program (this includes over-the-counter, inhalers, epi-pens, etc.), please print and fill out the following forms:
- Medical Authorization Form
(to be filled out by your child’s physician) - Medication Drop-off Form
(to be filled out by parent/guardian)
Any medication must be brought by a parent/guardian to the nurse’s office prior to the first day of your child’s program. Medication must be in its original packaging with prescribing information intact. Please put the medication inside a clear ziploc-style bag, labeled clearly with your child’s name, with the medical authorization form and medication drop-off form inside.
Medications can be brought to the nurse (or main office, if the nurse is unavailable) M-F between 8:30 and 4:30.
All students must have a complete medical/permission and behavior agreement on file with TMSC before their child’s program begins. When you register online, these will be completed as part of the registration process.
Students may bring sun lotion with them, but they have to be able to apply it themselves. Do not send bug spray with students to campus.
Illnesses
Masks are optional on campus and on the buses. If your child is COVID positive, has a fever of 100°F or greater, is vomiting, or has other illness symptoms: do not send them to the program. Please call us, and we will have our nurse contact you for next steps.
We are a classroom-based summer instructional program, not a day camp. We follow State and CDC guidelines for all students, parents, caregivers, staff, contractors, vendors, and visitors.
We do not give refunds for days missed due to illness.
Electronic Devices
Please leave student devices (phones, tablets, e-readers, computers, game devices, etc.) at home. We have phones on-site and staff at bus stops in case of any issues. We supply technology for relevant courses, so no personal electronic devices should be brought by students. If you need to contact your child, please call the main office (860) 677-8571 and we will get word to them / get them to a phone. Students who need to call their parents will alert a teacher and will only call with campus phones. Also, not all families grant photo/video permission, so students should not be taking photos or videos of students, staff, etc. If any devices are brought and become a nuisance or distraction, they will be stored for the day and returned to the parent at the bus stop.
Tuition Policy
Tuition is due in full upon registration, payable online by credit/debit card or electronic check through our registration system. Students cannot start class if payment is not made or scholarship award is not confirmed.
Refund Policy
Refunds are offered according to the following guidelines:
- More than two weeks prior to start: 100% TMSC credit or 90% refund
- Less than two weeks, but more than 48 hours, prior to start: 50% refund
- Less than 48 hours before start: NO refund
Refunds will take the form of either a return to your credit card or a mailed check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visiting & Tours
We are having a Summer Open House on Saturday, March 28 – details will be provided closer to the date.
If you would like a private tour, please email summer@tmsc.org and we will schedule a visit for your family.
Volunteering
We are looking for high school student volunteers! Our “Science Center Scholars” are an essential part of our Summer of STEM Adventures team. Each Scholar is assigned to a program where they will assist the teacher with activities, games, preparation/cleanup, and teaching. For more information, please click here.
Prospective volunteers can submit this application or email summer@tmsc.org with questions. After an application has been submitted and approved, a parent must register the volunteer through our online system.
Science Center Scholars are not paid. Registration is free (aside from a $6.50 online fee). Scholars receive a free program t-shirt (please choose size when registering). Scholars should bring a snack and lunch. Scholars should take the bus – bus stop location will be chosen during registration.
How do I register?
Registration is easy through our online registration system. Registration will open at noon on January 20, 2026. Early bird pricing registration will close on Friday, February 20, 2026.
Will you send me any reminders?
You should receive a confirmation email once you have successfully registered online. TMSC will send a separate email the week before your child’s Summer of STEM Adventures program begins to reiterate important information.
What are the program hours?
The program runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We do not currently offer before or after care.
What does a typical day look like for my child?
- 9:00 Arrival and morning announcements
- 9:15 – 10:30 Program activities
- 10:30 – 11:00 Snack Break
- 11:00 – 12:00 Program activities
- 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch and Recess (typically outdoors; indoors if inclement weather)
- 1:00 – 3:00 Program activities
- 3:00 – 3:45 Special activities (outdoor play, tie-dye shirts, contest, planetarium show/movie, surveys)
- 3:45 – 4:00 Dismissal to buses (pick up times depend on the bus stop)
Can I drop off/pick up my child at the TMSC campus?
For daily drop off/pick up: no. Our private residential road is not able to accommodate heavy vehicular traffic on a daily basis. This is why we offer bus stops at two convenient locations: West Hartford, and Avon. Click HERE to see our transportation information.
If you are going to bring a student to a program late, or pick them up early, you can drive to campus – please contact the main office (860-677-8571) to make arrangements.
What should my child bring?
Bring a snack, lunch, and dress for the weather! We do not provide refrigeration, microwaves, or utensils. We have water fountains and water jugs in each building – your child may bring a refillable water bottle (no glass please).
Please make sure all items (lunch boxes, water bottles, backpacks, jackets, etc.) are labeled with your child’s name. By the end of summer we end up with an impressive lost-and-found collection. Please help us keep this to a minimum!
We are not a peanut-free campus, though we do encourage students to keep peanut products to a minimum. During snack and lunch we set up a nut-free table for students with allergies, and may designate others as needed. We have a no-sharing-food policy for all students and staff.
Note about shoes: please no flip-flops. Our campus has variations in elevation and groundcover. Sneakers or other close-toed shoes are encouraged.
For days with inclement weather, please send a rain jacket and/or umbrella. Students often travel between buildings for activities.
My child needs to have medication with them. What should I do?
Please see the Medical Policy section at the top of this page for more information.
My child has special needs. Can they attend your program?
Yes! However, all students must be able to abide by our behavior policy, which must be signed by the parent/guardian during registration. You can see our policy HERE. In addition, all students should be toilet trained and have the ability to follow verbal instructions from staff.
During registration, please be honest when answering questions about your child. The more information we have, the better our teachers can support your child.
We allow the assistance of paraprofessionals hired by families for their child – there will be separate forms for them to complete (please contact us to discuss). We cannot provide our own paras or aides.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s ability to be successful in our programs, please contact us before registering.
Who will be teaching the programs?
Our programs are taught by our full time science center staff, our Talcott Mountain Academy teachers, and outside experts hired for their enthusiasm and experience.
What is the student/teacher ratio?
Our programs have a maximum size of 12 students. Teachers are often accompanied by a Science Center Scholar – a high school volunteer.
We can’t find a program we wanted. What happened?
Several of our programs have been refreshed – with new titles and updated descriptions. We have also added some new programs! If you want clarification on any changes, please email us summer@tmsc.org
How do I contact TMSC?
You can call our main office M-F, 8:30 to 4:30: 860-677-8571 or email summer@tmsc.org. You can also email the Vacation & Summer Program Manager, Dr. Brigette Zacharczenko; or the Director of Science & Innovation, Dr. Jay White.
How do I provide feedback?
During the program, your child will submit their own survey about how they enjoyed the week. After the program is over, the parent/guardian who registered will receive their own satisfaction survey via email. If you wish to contact us beyond that, you can call the main office (860-677-8571) or email us summer@tmsc.org.