Featured Programs:
Griffiss Institute’s STEM programs engage students through immersive, hands-on learning beyond the classroom. From after-school programs to innovation challenges, students connect with industry leaders and gain the skills and confidence to explore, create, and innovate.
Griffiss Institute’s STEM programs engage students through immersive, hands-on learning beyond the classroom. From after-school programs to innovation challenges, students connect with industry leaders and gain the skills and confidence to explore, create, and innovate.
Youth STEM Camps
Griffiss Institute’s Youth STEM Camps offer hands-on, theme-based STEM experiences for students across multiple community locations and diverse topics.
School Break Camps
A variety of unique opportunities for STEM learning based around the local school district calendar.
Summer Camps
The learning doesn’t have to stop just because school does! Browse programs offered during the months of June, July, and August.
Sleepaway Camps
More than just an educational opportunity, overnight camps immerse students in a myriad of experimental scientific, nature-based, and socialization activities.
Youth STEM Clubs
Griffiss Institute’s Youth STEM Clubs offer hands-on engineering and robotics experiences for students through interactive, skill-building programs.
Sphero Robotics Club
Sphero Robotics club is designed to teach coding and programming basics to 2-6th graders through the use of Sphero coding robots.
Virtual Engineering Club
Virtual Engineering Club is designed to accommodate 5-8th grade students through virtual learning possible from the comfort of their home. All materials are provided.
After School Programs
PASSPORT
PASSPORT is a daily after-school STEM program for students in grades 2–6, offering hands-on, project-based learning at the Innovare Advancement Center.
Competitions
AFRL Challenge Competition
AFRL’s Information Directorate and the Griffiss Institute sponsor the Annual Challenge Competition, a STEM program that engages students in applying math and science to real-world research challenges.
After School Program
PASSPORT is a daily after-school STEM program for students in grades 2–6, offering hands-on, project-based learning at the Innovare Advancement Center.
Youth STEM Camps
Griffiss Institute’s Youth STEM Camps offer hands-on, theme-based STEM experiences for students across multiple community locations and diverse topics.
Youth STEM Clubs
Griffiss Institute’s Youth STEM Clubs offer hands-on engineering and robotics experiences for students through interactive, skill-building programs.
Terms & Conditions
Welcome to Griffiss Institute’s K-12 STEM Programs! We’re thrilled to have your children experience the excitement of hands-on STEM learning to spark curiosity and unleash creativity. The information below outlines the terms and conditions of registration and provides important information about program expectations, daily operations, and participant guidelines.
Closures, Cancellations, and Refunds
A non-refundable registration fee of $50 is required at enrollment. Refunds for cancellations made more than 30 calendar days prior to the camp start date will be issued to the original form of card payment when possible. Payments made by cash or check will receive a camp credit. No refunds will be issued within 30 days of the camp start date.
All program purchases are considered final sale once the program begins. No refunds or credits will be issued after the start date, except in specific circumstances outlined below.
Please note: In the event of a government-ordered shutdown (e.g., pandemic-related restrictions), participants will receive a pro-rated refund for any unused portion of the program.
Griffiss Institute reserves the right to cancel any program session or offering at its discretion. If Griffiss Institute cancels a session, a full refund will be issued. Program cancellations may occur for reasons including, but not limited to:
- Insufficient funding
- Low enrollment
- Staffing shortages
- Supply chain disruptions
Griffiss Institute will make reasonable efforts to notify families as soon as possible in the event of a cancellation.
Refunds or credits will not be issued under the following circumstances:
- Removal of a child due to inappropriate behavior or parental misconduct toward staff
- Removal of a child who requires 1:1 support not disclosed at the time of registration. Please note: parents must disclose if their child has an Educational Assistant (EA) at school
- Health or safety concerns, including those related to pandemics or epidemics
- Illness or injury that prevents attendance
Lost and Found
All lost and found items will be held at the Griffiss Institute until claimed or until the end of the program. Any unclaimed items remaining at that time will be donated to a local charity. To help prevent loss, we strongly recommend that all personal belongings be clearly labeled and that parents check daily to ensure their child(ren) return home with all items.
Please note: Children who bring valuables to the program do so at their own risk. We strongly encourage families to leave valuables at home. The Griffiss Institute is not responsible for any damage, loss, or theft of personal items.
Health and Safety
For the safety of all participants, children will only be released to approved adults who meet the following criteria:
- Listed on the Approved Pick-Up List
Only individuals listed on the child’s approved pick-up list may sign them out—no exceptions, regardless of relationship. Note: All individuals authorized to pick up children must be at least 18 years old. To update the list, contact Griffiss Institute staff in writing at STEM@griffissinstitute.org. - Present a Physical, Government-Issued Photo ID
Authorized individuals will need to present a valid ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport) must be shown at pick-up until the individual is recognized by staff. If an ID is not presented, the child will not be released. Staff will wait while the ID is retrieved.
Escort Procedure
At pick-up, Griffiss Institute staff will escort children to the designated drop-off/pick-up area to ensure a safe and orderly dismissal.
We take the care and safety of your child(ren) very seriously. Under no circumstances will a child be released without proper authorization and verification.
While staff provides attentive supervision, minor accidents may occasionally occur during program activities. In such cases, staff will administer basic first aid using a stocked first aid kit. Examples of minor injuries include:
- Scrapes
- Small bumps
- Minor bruises
Staff will inform parents/guardians of minor accidents such as these during pick-up on the same day.
In the event of a serious accident or medical emergency:
- Emergency services will be contacted immediately.
- Griffiss Institute staff will make every effort to reach the parent/guardian or emergency contact.
A formal incident report will be filed with the Griffiss Institute. Families may request a copy by contacting STEM@griffissinstitute.org.
If your child requires medication to be taken throughout the day, please note that Griffiss Institute staff do not administer medication with some exceptions, including:
- Assisting a child with the use of an Epinephrine Auto Injector in the event of a life- threatening episode of anaphylaxis
- Glucagon medications for type 1 diabetics experiencing severe hypoglycemia, or
- Inhaler assistance in the event of a severe asthmatic episode, etc.
Please list any medications that your child will be bringing, along with written permission for your child to independently administer medication. Emergency medications must be provided in original packaging with a doctor’s order and parental consent.
The Griffiss Institute is committed to providing a positive and enriching experience for all students. However, please note that our current staffing model does not support one-on-one supervision or individualized behavioral support.
If your child receives support from a 1:1 aide or Educational Assistant (EA) during the school day for behavioral or developmental needs, we encourage you to contact us at STEM@griffissinstitute.org to discuss your child’s specific situation and explore possible accommodations.
Additionally, all students enrolled in a program must be independent in the bathroom and able to manage personal hygiene without assistance.
Creating a Respectful Community
The Griffiss Institute is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all participants. Bullying is not tolerated and includes, but is not limited to actual or threatened behaviors such as the below:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional or psychological harm
- Stalking or cyberstalking
- Deliberate exclusion from activities
- Incitement of hatred or hostility toward others
All participants are expected to treat one another with respect and kindness. Any reports of bullying will be addressed promptly and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the program.
Parents/guardians will be held financially responsible for any theft, loss, or damage caused by their child(ren) to property belonging to:
- The Griffiss Institute
- Third-party partners or host facilities
- Other participants and/or their caregivers
Instances of vandalism, theft, or intentional damage to property belonging to the Griffiss Institute or any host facility will be taken seriously and may be reported to local law enforcement.
For the safety of all participants, hazardous or inappropriate items are strictly prohibited at the Griffiss Institute or hosting facility. These include, but are not limited to:
- Matches or lighters
- Knives or weapons of any kind
- Drugs, alcohol, or illegal substances
- Cigarettes, marijuana, or vaping products
If any prohibited item is found:
- It will be confiscated immediately
- Disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with program policies
- In serious cases, appropriate authorities may be contacted
The Griffiss Institute is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all students, families, and staff. We believe that differences can and should be resolved peacefully and respectfully.
We encourage parents/guardians to bring any concerns to staff or the Griffiss Institute leadership team. Open communication is essential to building a strong partnership in support of your child’s experience.
Just as families expect to be treated with courtesy and respect, our staff deserve the same consideration. If a parent/guardian engages in disrespectful behavior, including yelling, name-calling, threats, or intimidation, staff may interpret this as a form of bullying and will issue a verbal warning. If the behavior continues, staff reserve the right to terminate the interaction and refer the matter to leadership.
In cases of repeated or severe disrespect, the Griffiss Institute leadership team may decide to terminate your family’s participation in our programs. No refunds will be issued in such cases.
Disrespectful behavior is not consistent with the values of the Griffiss Institute. We appreciate your partnership in maintaining a positive and respectful environment for all.
Step One: Verbal Warning & Parent Notification
Staff will issue a verbal warning to the student regarding inappropriate behavior.
The incident will be discussed with the parent/guardian at pick-up.
No formal incident report is required at this stage.
Examples of behaviors may include (but are not limited to): inappropriate language, disruptive conduct, failure to follow instructions, throwing objects, roughhousing, removing clothing, agitated or aggressive behavior, and bullying.
Step Two: Written Incident Report & Parent Consultation
Staff will complete a written incident report detailing the behavior and steps taken to address it.
A copy will be submitted to Griffiss Institute leadership.
Leadership will contact the parent/guardian to discuss the incident and either develop a behavioral support plan or determine if removal from the program is necessary.
Step Three: Program Removal
If a third incident occurs after a behavioral plan has been implemented, the parent/guardian will be contacted to pick up the child immediately (signed out by an authorized adult per the program’s pick-up procedure).
The child will be removed from the program for the remainder of the session.
No refund will be issued.
Immediate Removal Scenario
Staff reserve the right to immediately remove a student without following the above steps if the child poses a direct risk to themselves or others. This includes physical aggression, threats, or other serious safety concerns.
Please note: In accordance with our privacy policy, we will not disclose details of incidents involving other children.
