Camper & Parent Policies

The Makery Studios LLC
Last Updated: October 7, 2026

At The Makery Studios, our goal is to create a camp environment where kids feel comfortable trying new things, getting a little messy, learning real skills, making new friends, and becoming more confident and independent along the way.

A safe and successful camp experience is a partnership between our staff, campers, and families. These policies help everyone know what to expect.

Our Camp

The Makery Studios is a hands-on day camp for children ages 6–13.

Camp is currently held at:

Holy Spirit Retreat Center
4316 Lanai Road
Encino, CA 91436

The Makery Studios LLC independently operates and supervises our camp programming. Holy Spirit Retreat Center serves as our host facility and does not operate The Makery Studios programs.

Our programs are day camps only. There are no overnight stays.

AM & PM Camp Blocks

Camp is offered in separate AM and PM blocks.

Families may register for:

• The AM block;

• The PM block; or

• Both blocks.

Each block is a separate registration and reserves a camper’s space only in the specific camp block purchased unless otherwise stated during registration.

Holiday camp weeks, including Thanksgiving and Winter camps, may consist of three camp days. Summer camp weeks may consist of five camp days.

Please refer to the individual camp listing for exact dates, activities, and schedules.

Campers registered for both the AM and PM blocks during the same camp week may remain with us between blocks and receive complimentary lunchtime supervision.

Drop-Off & Pickup

AM Block

Drop-Off: 8:45 AM
Pickup: 12:00 PM

PM Block

Drop-Off: 12:45 PM
Pickup: 4:15 PM

Please arrive and pick up your camper on time.

Campers registered for the AM block only must be picked up at 12:00 PM.

Campers registered for both AM and PM blocks do not need to be picked up between blocks and may remain under our supervision during the complimentary lunch period from 12:00 PM–12:45 PM.

Campers will only be released to a parent, legal guardian, or authorized pickup adult.

We may request photo identification before releasing a camper. Please make sure your camper’s Authorized Pickup & Release information remains current.

Late Pickup

Campers must be picked up by the end of their applicable camp block.

For AM-only campers, pickup is at 12:00 PM.

For PM campers, pickup is at 4:15 PM.

A late pickup fee of $2 per minute, per family begins immediately after the applicable pickup time.

If you know you will be late, please contact us as soon as possible and arrange for another authorized adult to pick up your camper when necessary.

The late fee still applies if you notify us that you will be late.

Repeated late pickups may affect continued participation.

Staying Between AM & PM Blocks

Campers registered for both the AM and PM blocks during the same camp week receive complimentary supervision from 12:00 PM–12:45 PM.

There is no additional charge for this supervision.

Campers staying between blocks must bring a packed lunch from home clearly labeled with their name.

The Makery Studios does not provide lunch.

Parents and guardians are responsible for packing food appropriate for their camper’s allergies, dietary restrictions, medical needs, and preferences.

If reasonably necessary to help protect a camper with a serious allergy or dietary need, we may ask families to avoid sending particular foods. Any applicable restrictions will be communicated to families.

Campers should not share packed lunches or other food brought from home.

Cooking, Baking, Tasting & Eating

Food is meant to be experienced at The Makery Studios—not just looked at.

With parent/guardian authorization, campers may taste, sample, nibble, and eat appropriate ingredients and foods throughout supervised cooking and baking activities.

This may happen while preparing a recipe, during taste-testing, or after something has been completed. Food tasting is not necessarily limited to a designated snack or meal period.

Parents must complete our Allergy & Food Authorization so we know about allergies, celiac disease, dietary restrictions, medically required diets, food-related needs, and the level of food participation authorized for each camper.

Food prepared or eaten as part of camp programming is separate from lunch.

Food Allergies & Dietary Needs

Please disclose all known food allergies, celiac disease, medically required diets, and relevant dietary restrictions before your camper attends.

Cooking and baking activities take place in a shared commercial kitchen environment.

We will make reasonable efforts to follow the allergy and dietary information and precautions provided by families, but we cannot guarantee an allergen-free or completely cross-contact-free environment.

If your child has a significant allergy or dietary need, please provide complete information on the required forms.

We may contact you before camp to better understand your child’s needs and determine what reasonable precautions or accommodations may be appropriate.

Celiac-Friendly Camp Option

The Makery Studios offers a Celiac-Friendly camp option for children with celiac disease or other medically required gluten-free diets.

Our goal is to give Celiac-Friendly campers the same hands-on camp experience as other campers while taking additional precautions intended to reduce the risk of gluten cross-contact.

For campers registered for the Celiac-Friendly option, The Makery Studios will make reasonable efforts to:

• Use gluten-free versions of ingredients used in applicable cooking activities;

• Store and prepare gluten-free ingredients separately;

• Use separate preparation areas or countertops;

• Use dedicated or separately maintained ovens, pots, pans, utensils, and other cooking equipment when appropriate;

• Closely monitor Celiac-Friendly campers during cooking and food-preparation activities; and

• Pair Celiac-Friendly campers in small teams with another gluten-free camper when reasonably possible.

Important Information About Our Kitchen

Our commercial kitchen is not a dedicated gluten-free facility.

Gluten-containing ingredients may be present or used in the facility at other times.

Although we take additional precautions for Celiac-Friendly campers, we cannot and do not guarantee a completely gluten-free or cross-contact-free environment.

Accidental gluten exposure or cross-contact remains possible despite the precautions we take.

Parents and guardians are responsible for determining whether they are comfortable with their child participating in this environment.

Celiac-Friendly Pre-Camp Phone Call

Every family selecting our Celiac-Friendly option will have the opportunity to speak personally with The Makery Studios before their child’s first day of the applicable camp block.

During this conversation, we can discuss:

• Our Celiac-Friendly procedures;

• The shared commercial kitchen environment;

• Your child’s individual needs;

• Additional food allergies or dietary restrictions; and

• Any questions or concerns you may have.

We want families to understand our procedures before deciding whether their child should participate.

If, after speaking with us, you are not comfortable having your child participate in the Celiac-Friendly option, you may cancel the affected registration and receive a full refund of the tuition paid, provided the cancellation occurs before your camper first attends the applicable camp block.

This is a special exception to our standard Cancellation & Refund Policy.

Once your camper has attended any portion of the applicable camp block, our standard cancellation, illness, missed-day, and withdrawal policies apply.

Please review our Terms & Conditions, Cancellation & Refund Policy, Allergy & Food Authorization, and Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk for additional information regarding Celiac-Friendly participation and the risks of accidental gluten exposure or cross-contact.

Hands-On Activities

The Makery Studios is intentionally hands-on.

Depending on the programming, campers may participate in:

• Cooking and baking;

• Food preparation;

• Sewing and textile projects;

• Arts and crafts;

• Woodworking;

• Building and maker projects;

• Design activities;

• Practical life-skills activities;

• Team challenges; and

• Other practical and creative projects.

Campers may work with real, age-appropriate tools and equipment under supervision.

This may include kitchen appliances, ovens, hot surfaces, cooking utensils, age-appropriate knives and food-preparation tools, scissors, needles, sewing equipment, hand tools, woodworking equipment and materials, adhesives, and other equipment appropriate to the activity.

Parents must complete our Equipment & Activity Authorization and required Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk before participation.

Tools & Equipment Safety

Parent authorization does not automatically mean a camper will be permitted to use every tool or piece of equipment.

Our staff will determine what is appropriate based on:

• The camper’s age;

• Maturity;

• Ability to follow instructions;

• The particular activity;

• Available supervision; and

• Overall safety.

Campers must listen to safety instructions and use equipment only as directed.

Staff may modify an activity, provide additional assistance, substitute equipment, or stop a camper from using a particular tool whenever we believe doing so is appropriate for safety.

Clothing & Footwear

Campers should arrive dressed for active, hands-on activities.

Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended and may be required for certain activities.

Long hair may need to be tied back during cooking, baking, woodworking, or other activities when appropriate for safety and food handling.

Clothing should be comfortable and appropriate for activities that may involve food, paint, glue, wood, crafts, or other potentially messy materials.

Staff may modify a camper’s participation in an activity if clothing, footwear, jewelry, or another item presents a safety concern.

Getting to Know Your Camper

Every child comes to camp with a different personality, set of strengths, comfort level, and way of approaching new experiences.

Some kids jump right in. Others may need a little more time, explanation, reassurance, movement, structure, or encouragement.

Our Camper Behavioral & Support Information form gives families an opportunity to tell us what helps their child be successful.

We encourage you to share information about:

• Communication;

• Sensory needs;

• Transitions;

• Attention;

• Anxiety;

• Frustration;

• Behavioral needs;

• Developmental needs; or

• Anything else that would help our staff understand and support your camper.

A diagnosis is not necessary simply to tell us what works well for your child.

Helping Us Support Your Camper

We welcome campers with a variety of needs and will make reasonable efforts to support successful participation.

Because The Makery Studios is a small, hands-on group program, there may be circumstances in which a camper requires a level or type of support that cannot safely or reasonably be provided within our staffing, facility, activities, or program structure.

The Makery Studios does not routinely provide dedicated one-to-one supervision.

If your child has medical, allergy, dietary, behavioral, developmental, sensory, communication, or other support needs that could affect participation, please let us know as early as possible.

We will consider each camper individually and reasonable accommodations when appropriate.

Consistent with applicable law, we may modify or restrict participation in a particular activity or determine that certain needs cannot safely or reasonably be accommodated within our program.

If The Makery Studios determines before the applicable camp block begins that we cannot reasonably and safely accommodate a camper and therefore cannot permit the camper to attend, tuition paid for the affected block will be refunded.

If you are unsure whether we can accommodate your child’s needs, please contact us before camp so we can discuss them with you.

Camper Behavior

We want The Makery Studios to be a place where campers feel safe taking creative risks, making mistakes, asking questions, learning new things, and trying again.

Campers are expected to:

• Treat campers and staff respectfully;

• Follow reasonable staff directions;

• Follow safety instructions;

• Use tools and equipment appropriately;

• Remain within designated supervised areas;

• Respect the facility and other people’s belongings; and

• Avoid behavior that creates a significant safety concern or substantially disrupts the experience of others.

Kids sometimes have difficult moments. When reasonably appropriate, our first approach will be to redirect, support, problem-solve, and help the camper reset.

Behavioral or Safety-Related Pickup

Certain behavior may require a parent or authorized adult to pick up a camper.

Examples may include:

• Physical aggression;

• Bullying or harassment;

• Threats;

• Intentionally dangerous behavior;

• Unsafe use of tools or equipment;

• Leaving or attempting to leave a supervised area without permission;

• Repeated significant disruption; or

• Serious or repeated refusal to follow safety instructions.

When appropriate, we will attempt reasonable intervention and redirection first.

However, when behavior creates an immediate or significant safety concern, we may require immediate pickup without first using progressive behavioral interventions.

Parents, guardians, or authorized emergency contacts must remain reasonably reachable while camp is in session and arrange prompt pickup when requested.

Except where otherwise required by applicable law, missed camp time resulting from behavioral or safety-related removal is not refundable and cannot be made up.

Parent/Guardian Availability

A parent, legal guardian, or authorized emergency contact must remain reasonably reachable throughout the camper’s time with us.

We may contact you if your camper:

• Becomes ill;

• Is injured;

• Is significantly distressed;

• Has an allergic reaction or suspected food-related reaction;

• Has a behavioral or safety concern; or

• Otherwise cannot safely continue participating.

If we ask that your camper be picked up, a parent, guardian, or authorized adult is expected to make reasonable arrangements for prompt pickup.

Illness

Please keep your camper home if they are experiencing a contagious illness or are too sick to comfortably and safely participate in normal camp activities.

If a camper becomes ill during camp, we may require pickup.

This may include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, significant respiratory symptoms, or other symptoms that reasonably raise health or safety concerns.

Campers should generally be:

• Fever-free without fever-reducing medication; and

• Free from vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours before returning,

unless otherwise directed by an appropriate healthcare professional or applicable public-health guidance.

There are no refunds, credits, prorated tuition, rescheduling, or make-up days for camp missed because of illness once the applicable cancellation period has passed.

For Celiac-Friendly campers, illness, symptoms, suspected gluten exposure, or concerns regarding possible cross-contact after participation has begun do not automatically qualify the registration for a refund, credit, rescheduling, or make-up day.

Nothing in this policy is intended to limit any right or remedy that cannot legally be limited.

Medications

If your child may need medication while attending camp—including an epinephrine auto-injector, rescue inhaler, or other emergency medication—please tell us before camp.

Parents must complete our Medication Authorization and follow our medication procedures.

Please do not send medication loose in a backpack or ask a counselor at drop-off to administer medication without the required authorization and instructions.

Emergency Medical Care

Parents must complete our Camper Medical & Emergency Information before participation.

In an emergency, our priority is your camper’s safety.

Depending on the circumstances, staff may:

• Provide basic first aid within their training;

• Contact a parent or emergency contact;

• Call 911 or emergency medical services; and

• Provide relevant camper information to emergency responders when reasonably necessary.

In a serious or potentially life-threatening situation, we may contact emergency services immediately before or while attempting to reach a parent.

Authorized Pickup

Campers will only be released to a parent, legal guardian, or appropriately authorized adult.

Parents are responsible for completing and keeping current the Authorized Pickup & Release Form.

The Makery Studios may request photo identification and may delay release while authorization is verified.

If there is a court order, custody arrangement, restraining order, or other legal restriction affecting who may pick up or have access to a camper, please notify us before camp.

We may request applicable documentation when reasonably necessary.

Cell Phones & Electronic Devices

Campers may bring a cell phone to camp, but phones should remain stored in backpacks unless a counselor or staff member gives permission for their use.

Our goal is to keep campers engaged with their activities and one another.

Please be aware that cellular service at the retreat center may be limited or unreliable.

If you need to reach your child during camp, please contact The Makery Studios rather than relying on your camper’s phone.

Personal Belongings

Please label belongings whenever possible.

Campers are responsible for personal belongings, including:

• Backpacks;

• Clothing;

• Phones and electronic devices;

• Water bottles;

• Lunch containers; and

• Other items brought to camp.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Makery Studios is not responsible for belongings that are lost, misplaced, stolen, or damaged during camp.

We recommend leaving valuable or unnecessary items at home.

Damage to Property

We understand that accidents happen during hands-on activities.

Families will not be charged for ordinary wear and tear or accidental damage occurring during normal supervised participation.

Parents or guardians may, however, be financially responsible for significant damage to equipment, materials, host-facility property, or another person’s property resulting from a camper’s intentional conduct or serious misconduct.

Missed Days

Registration reserves your camper’s space in the specific AM or PM block purchased.

We do not provide refunds, credits, prorated tuition, rescheduling, or make-up days for missed camp time due to:

• Illness;

• Vacation or travel;

• Sports;

• Scheduling conflicts;

• Transportation issues;

• Late arrival;

• Early pickup;

• No-shows;

• Voluntary withdrawal;

• Behavioral or safety-related removal; or

• Other personal circumstances.

Please see our Cancellation & Refund Policy and Terms & Conditions for complete cancellation and rescheduling rules, including the special pre-participation cancellation provision for families selecting the Celiac-Friendly option.

Photos & Videos

Our Photo & Media Release is optional.

Parents may choose whether The Makery Studios may use identifiable photos or videos of their camper on our website, social media, advertising, emails, printed materials, or other promotional materials.

Declining the Photo & Media Release does not affect a camper’s ability to participate.

Changes to Activities

Part of camp is being flexible and creative.

Activities, recipes, projects, instructors, materials, rooms, equipment, or schedules may occasionally change because of:

• Safety considerations;

• Staffing;

• Facility needs;

• Material or ingredient availability;

• Camper needs;

• Weather; or

• Other operational circumstances.

Registration does not guarantee a particular recipe, project, activity, instructor, material, ingredient, or piece of equipment.

Required Camper Forms

Before attending camp, families will be asked to complete all applicable required forms, which may include:

• Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk

• Allergy & Food Authorization

• Equipment & Activity Authorization

• Camper Medical & Emergency Information

• Camper Behavioral & Support Information

• Authorized Pickup & Release Form

• Medication Authorization, when applicable

• Celiac-Friendly disclosures or acknowledgments, when applicable

• Any additional forms reasonably necessary for safe participation

The Photo & Media Release is optional.

All applicable required forms must be completed before a camper may participate.

Questions or Something We Should Know?

We want to know the things that will help your child have a safe, comfortable, successful, and fun experience with us.

If something has changed since you completed your camper’s forms, there is something you would rather discuss privately, your child has a new medical, dietary, allergy, behavioral, or support need, or you are unsure whether we can accommodate a particular need, please reach out before camp.

The Makery Studios LLC
4184 Lanai Road
Encino, CA 91436
info@themakerystudios.com