Science Club Information Package

Three children work together on a science project.

Join our Science Club!

What to Expect

Expect lots of fun! Participants will participate in hands-on activities and create lasting memories.

Science Club Location

Science Club will take place at the Ontario Science Centre in dedicated rooms.

Science Club Hours

Science Club runs from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Participants should be signed in and out up to 15 minutes before and after Science Club, respectively:

  • Sign-in time is between 4:15 and 4:30 p.m.
  • Sign-out time is between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m.

If your child is not signed out and picked up by 5:45 p.m., additional fees may apply.

Drop-off and Pick-up Information

We ask all Science Club families to enter the Centre from the front entrance at 770 Don Mills Road. Participants will be signed in and out from the lobby. Parking is free of charge during the sign-in and sign-out times listed above.

Sign-in and Sign-out Procedures

Participants must be signed in and out before and after each session by their parent/legal guardian or an authorized pick-up person assigned at time of booking. Self-sign privileges will not be available.

Proof of age will be required for 5-year-old participants, as we are unable to accept children under 5 into our care. Please have government-issued proof of age available for your child on the first day of Science Club.

All parents/legal guardians, authorized pick-up persons and emergency contacts will be required to present photo ID each day before participants are released into their care. This ID must match the name provided on the participant’s application. Please provide legal names, not preferred or chosen names (e.g., do not write “Mike” for “Michael”), on the application.

At Science Club

We expect all Science Club participants to respect each other, their group leaders and supervisors, as well as their environment while at Science Club. We also expect that no participants will exhibit behaviour that is harmful to themselves or others.

If a participant does not adhere to our Participant Code of Conduct or behaves in an unsuitable or unsafe manner, we will notify their registering parent/legal guardian. If it becomes necessary to remove the participant, a partial refund will be considered. Violent behaviour or actions jeopardizing the safety of others will not be tolerated and will result in termination of the enrolment.

Participant Code of Conduct

  • Respect fellow participants and group leaders.
  • Treat people the way I would like to be treated.
  • Cooperate with Science Club staff and follow their instructions.
  • Stay with my group, unless I have special permission not to be with them.

What to Wear to Science Club

Participants must be dressed comfortably and appropriately. Because the temperature varies throughout the Ontario Science Centre, we recommend bringing a sweater or sweatshirt. Indoor shoes are also required.

For health and safety reasons, open-toe shoes, roller shoes and Crocs are not considered safe for Science Club.

Participants should not bring personal items such as iPods, electronic games, cellular phones, toys or sports equipment to Science Club. There are no lockers available for storage and the Ontario Science Centre cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged goods.

Please do not send money with your participant, as there will be no opportunity for them to visit the vending machines or restaurant while at Science Club.

Safety Measures

The Ontario Science Centre operates Science Club in accordance with public health guidelines. At this time, masks are not required in the Science Centre, but we support all visitors and participants who choose to wear a mask. Similarly, we encourage self-screening prior to each Science Club workshop.

Please note that masking mandates and other COVID-19-related measures may change as public health guidelines evolve. We will communicate any changes to Science Centre policy as they occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get there?

Please find driving directions, TTC instructions and map links for getting to the Ontario Science Centre here. 

What if we need to arrive late or leave early?

If your participant is going to arrive after 4:30 or leave before 5:30 p.m., please contact the Recreational Programs Office at 416-696-3256 or by email. 

How do I report an absence?

If your participant cannot attend Science Club, please contact the Recreational Programs Office at 416-696-3256 or by email before 3:30 p.m. to report their absence.

What is the cancellation/refund policy?

Cancellations received prior to Wednesday, April 19, 2023, and all modifications are subject to a $15 administration fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations made after Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Refunds due to medical reasons may be considered if a written request accompanied by a doctor’s note is provided within the first two weeks of Science Club.

Please note that the Ontario Science Centre reserves the right to terminate the registration of any participant if, in the opinion of the manager, it is in the best interest of the participant and/or Science Club. If the Ontario Science Centre terminates a participant’s registration, a refund will be considered

How do I change my contact information?

Only a parent/legal guardian can register a participant. This individual (the “Registering Adult”) is the only person permitted to make changes to the participant’s booking and contact information before or during Science Club.

If you are the registering adult and wish to make changes, including changes to your contact information or to the list of authorized pick-up persons, please contact our Recreational Programs Office with your confirmation number at 416-696-3256 or by email.

What happens to lost items?

Any lost items will be placed in the Science Club’s lost and found, located in the Camp Office. Any unclaimed items will be taken to the Centre’s main lost and found, which can be reached by calling 416-696-1000.

Safety and Security

Participant Care

Participant safety and supervision is of the utmost importance. Science Club programs are delivered by responsible, enthusiastic and caring group leaders with a broad range of expertise and experience working with children in an educational and/or recreational environment. Our diverse staff members include teachers, science educators, and university and high school students with a science or education-related background. All Science Club staff have valid Vulnerable Sector Screening Checks.

Visitor Access to Science Club

Ontario Science Centre visitors, including parents/legal guardians of Science Club participants, are not permitted to enter program rooms or to join in Science Club activities.

First Aid and Medical Intervention

All members of the Ontario Science Centre’s protective services staff, as well as all Science Club staff, are trained in First Aid and CPR-C.

Ontario Science Centre staff cannot administer medication to participants. If your participant must take medication during their Science Club workshop, please see a Science Club supervisor or your participant’s group leader to discuss options. While we will do our best to remind participants to take their medications, we cannot guarantee this.

Participants with Special Needs

The Ontario Science Centre recognizes the individual needs of participants. To help us accommodate your participant’s special needs, we recommend that you complete this optional form in advance of Science Club. After receiving your form, we may reach out for more information or to discuss if/how we are able to support your participant’s needs.

The Science Centre does not provide one-on-one supervision or specific medical support. However, participants with special needs may have an adult support person accompany them free of charge. Please inform us of your plan to provide a participant with a support person in advance so we may prepare accordingly.

If there is information you want to share with us about your participant that will help us support them medically or behaviourally, please send us a completed
Medical and Camper Support Form or telephone us to arrange a conversation no later than April 19, 2023.

Please submit your form in person or via mail. Do not email personal or private medical information.

Contact Info

Address
Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Road, North York, M3C 1T3

Recreational Programs Office
Phone: 416-696-3256
Email