Camp FAQs

+ What qualifications do your instructors and counselors have to lead summer camps?

All summer camp instructors are CPR/First-Aid certified, background-checked, and experienced environmental educators with college degrees. Counselors and counselors-in-training are college students, high-school graduates, or high school students with an interest in working with children in an outdoor setting. If a 15 passenger van is used for camp transportation, the lead instructor will have a commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement.

+ What is the camper to staff ratio?

Our camps have no more than seven campers for every summer camp staff to ensure that campers receive individual attention.

+ When is the deadline for registration?

We encourage early registration to ensure your child’s spot in camp. There may be open spots leading up to the Friday before camp, but the earlier you register your child, the better. If we do not have enough campers signed up 10 days before a camp, we may need to cancel that camp (there may be interested campers that would bring the number up to our minimum, but we have no way of knowing if they aren’t signed up). Registration will not be confirmed until we have received payment.

+ What is your refund/payment due policy?

No refunds will be given for one-time classes, trips, tours or special events. If requested at least 30 days in advance of the first day of camp/class, a partial (50%) refund or a full credit towards a future class or a TINS membership may be issued. No refunds or credits can be issued if registration is cancelled with less than 30 days notice. Payment is due at registration to reserve your spot. Please make checks payable to Tahoe Institute for Natural Science. If a camper's cancellation forces TINS to cancel a camp, we cannot refund the fees for that camper(s).

+ Do you offer scholarships for camp?

Scholarships are available, but limited. Please contact Sarah Hockensmith at sarah@tinsweb.org or 775-298-0067 for more information.

+ My child attended camp last year, and he remains in the same age group as last year's camp. Is it worthwhile for him to go to the same camp again?

Yes! Every year, we learn new games, activities, and things about the natural world. Our camps usually have one or two guest instructors that keep the camp content fresh from year to year. While we have our usual pool of destinations for camp, we do like to mix things up with visits to new locations. The individual campers change every year as well, creating a different bonding experience for campers. Lastly, every year, indeed every day, brings a different set of environmental circumstances that presents different experiences with nature that makes a trip to the same location a fresh and exciting experience!

+ My child wants to attend camp, but we have a conflict with the dates. Are there other options?

We offer camps based on demand and the availability of our staff and we do our best to avoid scheduling conflicts with other popular camps. We have added additional camps in the past and may be able to do so if there is enough interest. We need at least eight campers to make a camp happen. We want to provide high quality, nature experiences for children, so please inquire if we can help make this happen for your child.

+ I want my child to go to a camp that is outside their age bracket. Is that possible?

Our goal for camps is to create a cohesive group of campers that is capable of handling similar experiences. If we get too wide a range of ages, the attention spans and physical abilities of campers becomes too varied. This ultimately takes away from the great experiences that we want to provide for all of our campers. Thus, we strongly recommend against placing students in an age bracket that is outside of their age range.

+ Is transportation provided?

Transportation varies by camp:

For Bug and Explorers camps, parents will need to provide transportation to the park or nature area of the day, all of which are easily reached within the South Lake and Truckee communities. Carpooling with other campers is encouraged, and we may be able to help with arrangements.

For the Youth Backcountry Camps with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, campers are dropped off and picked up at the same location and transportation is provided to the trailhead and back to the pick-up location.

+ My child has never been camping. Are the backcountry camps suitable for beginners?

You do not need prior backpacking experience before participating in a YBCC program. These camps are intended to introduce teens to backpacking and camping.

+ What should my camper bring to camp?

Day campers should bring a light pack with sunscreen, lunch (if the camp goes beyond noon), snacks, and plenty of water. Bug spray could be handy as well as this is Tahoe in the summer. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes for exploring nature. Hats are recommended for sun protection. Last, but not least, bring an open mind and your enthusiasm for adventure!

+ What should my camper NOT bring to camp?

We discourage cell phones, MP3 players, and tablets at camp as they create a distraction from the purpose of camp—getting outside and enjoying nature with other campers!