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Forms

Forms are required for all of our programs. These forms are intended to meet licensing guidelines and keep our staff informed of your child’s needs. It is imperative that all forms are completed by their due date.

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Vitamins, Supplements, Medications, etc.

All vitamins, supplements, and medications (both over-the-counter and prescription) must be accompanied by a medication administration permission form completed by a physician. This is a requirement for licensing through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. Participants are not permitted to bring a vitamin, supplement, or medication to camp regardless of who is administering the medication (including self-administered).

How to pack Vitamins, Supplements, or Medications:

1. All medication must be in the original prescription or over-the-counter container. Medication not in the original container will not be accepted.
2. Please bring the exact amount of medication needed for your camp. You will have to count out what is needed. Do not provide extra. Our nurse will help with this at drop-off.
3. During the check-in process, parents will turn the medication in to the Camp Nurse or other leadership staff.
4. Do not pack medication in the child’s luggage. Have it out and ready at check-in.

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Illness Policy

Prior to Programming:

It is best to observe participants for illness at least 7 days before attending the programming start date. All guardians will be asked to follow Colorado’s guidelines, Illness Policy - How Sick is Too Sick (PDF) when assessing their child’s ability to participate in programming. It is recommended that symptomatic students do not attend programming.

During Programming:

If a participant becomes ill during programming, the individual will be monitored and separated from the group. We will follow the How Sick is Too Sick document to determine if the participant is able to return to programming. Rapid COVID tests may be utilized to rule out the possibility of illness due to COVID-19.

Exclusion from Programming:

Should an individual feel too ill to participate in programming or needs to be sent home according to the How Sick is Too Sick document, we will contact a parent or guardian. Guardians of overnight campers must pick up their child within 3 hours of being notified. Guardians of day campers must pick up their child within 1 hour of being notified that the child needs to go home. Refunds for exclusions due to illness will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

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Altitude Sickness

At an altitude of 9,200 feet, the Keystone Science School Campus as well as many areas our programs travel to, are at a high altitude, and our participants may be subject to altitude sickness.

Altitude sickness is the body’s Physical distress from difficulty adjusting to lower oxygen pressure at high altitudes. Symptoms tend to occur within hours after arrival at high altitude and include headache, nausea, shortness of breath, and inability to exercise.

Symptoms:

• Whole body: inability to exercise, fatigue, loss of appetite, or low oxygen in the body
• Sleep: sleepiness or sleeping difficulty
• Gastrointestinal: nausea or vomiting
• Respiratory: rapid breathing or shortness of breath
• Also common: fast heart rate, headache, insufficient urine production, or respiratory distress syndrome

How to help prevent or minimize Altitude Sickness:

• Drink more water leading up to your program
• Avoid caffeine
• Eat carbohydrates
• Acclimate slowly over time - Move to higher altitude over days or weeks

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Dietary Restrictions

We understand the importance of food and food safety. Keystone Science School takes pride in our ability to meet the dietary restrictions of each child and participant in programming. We deal with peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, and a wide variety of other restrictions on a daily basis. Throughout the entire year, we consider ourselves “nut aware” and do not purchase or prepare any food which was made from peanuts or a factory that handles peanuts. If you have questions regarding dietary restrictions, please reach out to our office at (970)468-2098.

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General Risk Management Information

Staff Ratio & Credentials

• We typically have 2 staff for every 13 participants during summer programming and 1 KSS staff member and 1 chaperone per 13 participants during education programming
• Staff are CBI and FBI Background- checked and fingerprinted as an employment requirement.
• At a minimum, all KSS staff members are required to have a current first-aid CPR certification with some positions requiring a Wilderness First Responder certification.

Transportation: We transport participants in 15-passenger vans during all programs. Read our blog about what transportation looks like at Keystone Science School. Keystone Science School utilizes a comprehensive Risk Management Plan. If you have any questions about our Risk Management or other plans, Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (970)468-2098.