Summer Camps

Art + Ingenuity

This summer, the CMA is offering a variety of unique camps to capture the interest of any young artist. Having your child participate in summer camps is a great way for them to think creatively, practice problem-solving skills, and have fun!

See All Camps

Summer Camp FAQs

Which age group should I register my child for? 

The CMA offers camps for the following age groups: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-18. 

What happens if the week of camp I want to sign up for is full? 

Please reach out to Dana at dwitkoski@columbiamuseum.org to be put on a waitlist. 

What is the cancellation policy? 

The CMA has worked diligently to meet changing protocols and to protect the health and safety of our staff and your young artists. If your child is registered for a camp that the CMA has been forced to cancel, staff will reach out to you. We will make every effort to alert you to any changes at least one week before the camp is scheduled to begin. You'll have three choices for your registration fee:

1. Receive a full refund
2. Choose a different camp to apply the registration fee towards
3. Support the CMA by letting your registration fee become your donation to the museum

The CMA reserves the right to cancel any camp that does not meet minimum enrollment (five campers) or for other unforeseen circumstances. We will do our best to notify families at least one week prior to the start of a camp session if a particular camp is canceled. Any payments made toward a week of camp that the CMA cancels will be eligible for a refund or can be applied to another camp if space permits.

Can I sign up my child for more than one week? 

Absolutely! Registration is by week, and each week of camp is a separate session with its own theme. You are welcome to register your child for as many weeks as you like.

Do you offer before care or aftercare? 

We do not offer before or aftercare. 

Should my camper bring a lunch? 

Only campers signed up for Lunch Buddies bring their own nut-free brown bag lunch, must be registered for both morning and afternoon camps, and pay a $25 fee. As always, food sharing is never permitted at camp. Campers not attending Lunch Buddies are asked to eat their lunch either before or after camp each day.

What does my child need to bring and wear? 

We encourage campers to dress for a mess in clothing that they are comfortable creating in. Close-toed shoes are encouraged but not required. Some inside areas can get chilly so some campers may want to bring a sweater or cardigan. All campers will be required to wear a face covering. 

Where do I drop off and pick up my child and what are the drop-off and pickup times? 

Drop-off and pickup is on Hampton Street in front of the museum, using the bus lane. Staff will be curbside ready to assist you. For morning camps, drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 9:00 a.m. and pickup is at noon. For afternoon camps, drop-off begins at 12:45 p.m. and lasts until 1:00 p.m. and pickup is at promptly 4:00 p.m. Caregivers of teen students can elect to sign a driving authorization form so that they can check themselves in and out. Please have your ID ready for every pickup so that CMA staff can verify your identity. 

What should I do if my child is ill? 

Any signs of illness should be taken seriously, and the camper must be kept at home. Please consult your pediatrician for treatment advice based on your child’s symptoms. If your child is diagnosed with COVID-19 after attending camp, please alert CMA staff.

What is the CMA protocol if a child or teacher shows signs of COVID-19? 

If a child or CMA staff member has a temperature of 100°F or higher, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell, that person will be separated from the group immediately and required to leave the museum as soon as possible. If a caregiver is contacted and asked to pick up their child, that caregiver should come to the Welcome Desk where CMA staff will bring their child to be signed out.

What is the CMA’s protocol if someone at camp tests positive for COVID-19?

Family of the camper will be notified immediately. Unvaccinated campers or staffers who have stayed home sick will not be permitted to attend or return until they have had a negative COVID-19 test, have been fever and fever medication free for 72 hours, other symptoms have improved, and at least 5 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Fully vaccinated and boosted campers can return after 5 days after the onset of symptoms.

Where and when should I drop my child off for camp? What is the pickup/sign-out process like? 

Drop-off and pickup is on Hampton Street in front of the museum, using the bus lane. Staff will be curbside ready to assist you. For morning camps, drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 9:00 a.m. and pickup is at noon. For afternoon camps, drop-off begins at 12:45 p.m. and lasts until 1:00 p.m. and pickup is at 4:00 p.m. Please have your ID ready for every pickup so that CMA staff can verify your identity. During drop-off we will be taking temperatures and asking caregivers to fill out a brief health screening. We ask that you be patient as we implement these safety measures, which we have incorporated into the daily curbside drop-off for your convenience. Caregivers of teen students can elect to sign a driving authorization form so that they can check themselves in and out and will fill out their own health questionnaire with caregiver consent.

What if my child leaves their lunch or gets sick during camp and I must pick up my child? 

Please call the Welcome Desk at 803-799-2810 and let them know of the situation. CMA staff will bring your child to be signed out or will meet you at the Welcome Desk to pick up their lunch. 

How will you ensure handwashing happens throughout the day? 

Campers will be required to wash their hands after restroom breaks, before and after lunch/snack breaks, and between art activities.

Will activity spaces be sanitized? 

Yes. All spaces will be sanitized after each use. 

Can my child bring nuts or food containing nuts to camp? 

No. Due to sensitivity to nut allergies, CMA camps are nut-free. If anyone in your child’s camp has a severe allergy to a particular food item we will alert you prior to the first day of camp to ensure everyone’s safety.

Will the CMA be providing lunch or snacks for campers? 

The CMA provides a nut-free snack during each camp. The CMA does not provide lunch, but some camps for ages 7 – 12 have the Lunch Buddies option, which means these campers can stay all day from morning camp through afternoon camp. Lunch Buddies bring their own nut-free brown bag lunch, must be registered for both morning and afternoon camps, and pay a $25 fee. As always, food sharing is never permitted at camp. 

Can my child bring a refillable water bottle? 

Campers will need to bring a water bottle each day labeled with their name. We will have bottled water on site in case a camper forgets their water bottle that day.

Where will my child eat snack/lunch? 

If your camper is signed up for our Lunch Buddies program, they will eat lunch in the Theater, Salon, or Boyd Plaza. 

Will my child have access to galleries during camp? 

Yes, all campers will have access to the galleries during camp.

Lunch Buddies

Some camps for Ages 7 to 12  have the Lunch Buddies option, which means these campers can stay all day. Lunch Buddies bring their own brown bag lunch, must be registered for both morning and afternoon camps, and pay a $25 fee. 

More Information

Prices

Ages 4 – 6: $150 / $120 for Solo members and above
Ages 7 – 9: $200 / $160 for Solo members and above
Ages 10 – 12:  $200 / $160 for Solo members and above
Ages 13 - 18: Prices vary

Drop–off and pickup
Drop-off and pickup is on Hampton Street at Boyd Plaza in front of the museum, using the bus lane. Staff will be curbside ready to assist you. For morning camps, drop-off is 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. and pickup is at noon. For afternoon camps, drop-off is 12:45 – 1:00 p.m. and pickup is at 4:00 p.m. Parents of teen students can elect to sign a driving authorization form so that students can check themselves in and out. 

Photography
The museum sometimes takes pictures of students participating in classes for promotional use.  If you have concerns about your child being photographed, please inform us upon registration. 

Registration and Refund Policy
Please note that registration is required for all camps and fees are nonrefundable. 

Summer Camp Forms
Looking to get ahead on your paperwork? Here are some forms you'll need to fill out for your camper:

• Emergency Info
• Driving Authorization Form (only for campers who will be driving)

Scholarships

The CMA offers need-based scholarships for summer camps. You can help a child in need attend summer camp by adding any additional amount to your total, which will go directly to the CMA Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. Call 803-343-2170 about donating to the fund or applying for scholarships.

Deadline: May 16

Apply for a Scholarship