FAQ

Registration closes as each class fills, rather than on a specific date. The program does fill each year with a long waiting list of families who would like their children to attend. We encourage you to register before the end of May to avoid the chance of being placed on a waiting list. Registration closes as each class fills rather than on a specific date. The program does fill each year with a long waiting list of families who would like their children to attend. We encourage you to register before the end of May to avoid the chance of being placed on a waiting list.

Project Think is a summer only program that utilizes the Pitzer College campus, where Dr. Warren attended and continues to serve on the Alumni Board. Project Think sets up at the college the week before the program begins. College students are on campus prior to that date. We look forward to working with you and your family. If at any time you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact the Project Think Administrative Team at info@projectthink.com before or during the program. You can reach Dr. Warren, the co-founder and director of Project Think at swarren@apu.edu.

Children going into grades TK-2 in the fall of 2025 can register for the Young Thinkers Program. Children going into grades 4-8 can register for the Advanced Thinkers Program. Please note the grade levels for each afternoon class as you register as restrictions apply to certain classes (e.g. Advanced P.M. Technology is for grades 4-8 only).

Project Think has always welcomed all children. However, due being located on an open college campus and short 3-week sessions, not all children should enroll in the program. We do not have staff to support children who elope (run away) or who have severe behavior challenges (e.g., unable to follow classroom directions). Project Think is a stimulating, academically focused program where most children flourish. If you have any questions regarding the appropriateness of our program for your child, please contact Dr. Susan Warren, co-founder and director, at swarren@apu.edu.

Project Think is a 501(c) non-profit organization that depends on tuition to support its operation. There are highly qualified staff (credentialed/experienced teachers and assistants/college interns) in each classroom that are compensated for their hard work. We ask that you only register when you are committed to attending. There are NO REFUNDS for cancellations with the rare exception of a severe medical emergency (e.g., hospitalization).

The program is located on the Pitzer College campus at the Claremont Colleges. Student drop off and pick up is on the grassy mounds just north of the McConnell Dining Hall. A detailed map will be provided for registered students. Parking is in the East Mesa Parking Lot on 9th Street, just west of Claremont Blvd. Parking permits are not required in the summer.

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday Open: June 16 – July 25, 2025 Office Phone: will be provided to registered families

Students must select only one afternoon class per 3-week session. This allows the children time to experience the subject in-depth and, in some classes, complete sophisticated projects (e.g. build a robot, design and 3D print a masterpiece, or learn, rehearse, and record a song or theater performance). Children registered for both sessions often select different afternoon classes for each.

Group size varies at Project Think depending on the grade level and class. All classrooms have an experienced/credentialed teacher, one or more college interns/assistant teachers, and highly recommended high school volunteers so that our Project Thinkers receive individualized support as they learn. There are approximately 22 students per morning class. Children in the Young Thinker classrooms rotate to learning centers and activities in small groups of approximately 8-12. Most afternoon program classes break the children into small groups where they rotate through activities/centers. Swimming groups are 1:3 teacher to student ratio for beginners and 1:5 for intermediate and advanced swimmers.

The Young Thinkers (grades TK-2nd) spend 90 minutes of each morning in a homeroom classroom and 90 minutes with specialists (30 minutes each). During homeroom their credentialed teacher and trained assistant teachers/college interns teach English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies in learning centers. The children experience hands-on activities in each center as they rotate in a small group. They also rotate to three specialists where they engage in art, music & movement, and coding/robotics. There is a 30 minute snack break between the two morning sections. The Advanced Thinkers (grades 3-8) rotate on a block schedule to six STEAM classes: computer coding, makerspace, science, art, drama, and creative writing. They attend three of the six classes daily for an hour each in order to engage in project-based learning. Students attend the same three classes for two days in a row and then rotate to the other three classes for the next two days. This allows the advanced thinkers time to begin and complete a project in each class. Printed and online schedules are available, however, staff guide students with the rotations.

Project Think staff consist of highly experienced/credentialed teachers and instructional assistants/college interns who plan and supervise daily enrichment and educational activities. All classroom and office staff undergo thorough background screening. Highly selected local high school students also volunteer at Project Think. All staff and volunteers wear the program’s red T-shirts and name tags daily. *Please check out our outstanding staff on the About Us page.

Project Think staff members are carefully selected by Dr. Warren and the administrative team. The teachers are masters with degrees in their field, understand good pedagogy, and are passionate about teaching children. Many of the college interns attend the Claremont Colleges and have had experience working in children’s programs. They and the other assistant teachers bring excitement about learning as well as innovative teaching ideas to Project Think. Some of our high school volunteers are former Project Thinkers. All of the high schoolers love helping children and serve as positive role models. All staff receive significant training about the program each year and work in teams to coordinate lessons on the summer’s theme. Dr. Warren’s experience as a PK-8th grade teacher/principal, state-level trainer in science and school leadership, and university graduate school professor/director in education support the innovative academic focus of Project Think. Classes and curriculum are carefully planned to provide students opportunities to explore subjects in depth and in new ways.

All children must be checked IN & OUT by a parent/guardian or adult designee daily. Instructional staff have clipboards and will not release students until an authorized adult comes to the check-out area for this procedure. Morning drop-off begins at 8:15 a.m. unless the child is registered for childcare. We encourage parents/guardians to be on time as groups leave the drop-off area by 8:25 a.m. to get to class on time. *The first day of each session begins at 8:00 a.m. so that families can navigate the campus and program, find their children’s drop-off areas, and students can get to class on time.

Only those people listed on a student’s emergency and/or authorized adults list or those who have been designated by the parent/guardian will be allowed to sign the child out of the program. Be sure to list all adults authorized to pick up your child on the online registration form. Parents needing to add an adult for pick-up can email the office in advance at info@projecthink.com. Pick-up for the morning-only program is 12:00 p.m. in the same area as the drop-off. Afternoon class pick up is at 3:00 p.m. on the grassy mounds. Look for signs announcing each p.m. class. Childcare pick up is any time after 3:00 p.m. in the childcare room.

Due to the varied food allergies of our students, we do not provide any food. Students are asked to bring a morning snack and a drink. Children staying for afternoon classes should bring a lunch and drink that can be kept cold or that does not need refrigeration. Heating and refrigeration are not provided. Students staying for p.m. childcare are encouraged to bring another snack. Students are asked to bring their own reusable water bottle, clearly labeled with their name. There are filtered water stations available throughout the college campus for refills.

Project Think posts on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. All handles are @projectthink, and www.projectthink.com for our website. We post regularly so follow us for more updates on fun events!

Each family will receive an immediate response from Campsite, our online enrollment system upon registration. Parents/guardians will also receive a confirmation email with details about the program, directions for the first day, and a campus map approximately two weeks prior to the first day of each session. If there are any concerns about your child’s registration, please contact our enrollment coordinator or administrative staff at info@projectthink.com.

We realize the need for cell phones for emergencies, however, cell phones are not to be used by children at any time during Project Think. Children must have their phones on silent or off during the day and out of sight in their backpack. This means calls, texting, and picture taking are not permitted. It is the child’s responsibility to ensure that their cell phone is turned off and always secured during camp hours. Apple watches are also not to be used for texting/calling during class. Project Think shall not be deemed responsible for lost or stolen cell phones/Apple watches, or responsible for damage or replacement. All phone/voice contact between children and parents during the day must go through the office. If a child violates this policy, the phone/watch will be taken away and a parent/guardian will need to see the camp administrator when picking up their child.

Please only send suggested items to Project Think and make sure that all items are clearly labeled with the child’s name. Suggested items include a backpack with a daily snack, water bottle, lunch for those in p.m. classes, and notebook/pen or pencil for the advanced thinkers. Swimmers also need the required items. Children should not bring electronic games/devices, Pokémon cards, expensive jewelry, or money as we are not responsible or liable for any personal items that are broken or lost. Students’ belongings must be taken home each day. Project Think provides games and equipment at lunchtime and during childcare.

Please label all items to prevent loss. Unclaimed items that are not labeled or marked with your child’s name will be placed on a lost and found table in the grassy mounds pick-up/drop-off area daily. At the end of the Project Think program, unclaimed items will be donated or discarded.

If your child requires the administration of medication during Project Think hours, we require that you and your child’s doctor complete a permission form and leave all medication in the office. All medications must be labeled and brought in a Ziploc bag with the student’s name and instructions. List all medications on the registration form as well. Please discuss concerns or plans regarding needed medications with the office coordinator(s).

Sick children must be excluded from the program until they are no longer contagious, so that other children are not exposed. Please exercise good judgement and keep children at home while ill, seeking medical attention as appropriate. Children will be sent home if they have any of the following signs or symptoms of illness: • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Loss of appetite • Headache or head pain • Fever over 100.4 degrees F or higher • Abscess or draining sores • Complaints of severe pain • Inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis) • Rash, unless the cause is determined to be non-contagious • Signs of a cold, cough, sore throat, watery eyes, green mucus, etc.

It is imperative that your contact information is current, accurate and complete, including individuals with local contact information. It is your responsibility to update your information with Project Think staff as soon as there are any changes. Accurate phone numbers are required in case of an emergency. If a child needs immediate medical attention, the following steps will be taken: 1. Contact parent/guardian 2. If unable to contact parent/guardian, we will call emergency contacts 3. If the situation warrants, the following actions will be taken: a) Call 911 b) Child will be taken by emergency vehicle to a hospital upon recommendation of paramedics (accompanied by a Project Think staff member). If a child needs to be transported to the hospital by an emergency vehicle, cost is at the parent’s expense. Every effort will be made to contact parents/guardians. Please Note:. Project Think will not assume any financial responsibility for this action.

Daily lessons are provided for every swimming level by trained, experienced instructors. Red Cross certified lifeguards provide safety instructions at the beginning of the session and throughout to ensure the well-being of all children at the pool. The children are assessed on the first day of the session and placed in a group with students in the same swim ability level. Beginners are in a small group of 3 children per instructor while intermediate and advanced swimmers are in a group of 1:5 instructor to student ratio. During the 3-hour afternoon time, the swim students eat lunch, reapply sunscreen, and walk to the nearby Pitzer College outdoor pool. The beginners have a 40 minute lesson in the pool and the more advanced students have a one hour lesson. When the children are not at the pool they are engaged in fun summer activities in shady areas around the Pitzer campus. During the swimming lessons, the children work on skills appropriate for their levels, based on Red Cross recommendations. Since Project Think offers a long swim period in the water, the students make great progress in the 3-week period. Parents are provided with a progress report at the end of the session outlining the skills each child has mastered. Children wear their swimsuits under their clothing to Project Think as we do not use dressing rooms for changing. They also bring a towel and sunscreen labeled with their names. As with our morning program, children needing to use the restroom during the swim class are escorted to a bathroom by a staff member.

Students are excited and engaged at all times at Project Think, so there are rarely any discipline issues. However, we realize that children test boundaries as part of their growth and need guidelines for behavior. All students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and to follow Project Think classroom and program rules. Appropriate behavior includes proper language and respect for all people and property. Disruption of the program may result in dismissal from Project Think. If equipment is destroyed or damaged because of inappropriate behavior, parents/guardians will be held responsible for all costs incurred. Parents/guardians will be notified of severe inappropriate behavior as outlined below. Positive discipline procedures are used by staff to correct inappropriate behavior. They are designed to be fair, consistent, and effective. These include a problem-solving approach, redirection, reflections, warnings, and assertive discipline. The following progressive steps will be followed by staff to correct inappropriate behavior: STEP 1 - Problem Solving: Staff will listen to the children involved to clarify the problem and ask for ideas for solutions, and, if needed, offer follow-up support. STEP 2 - Warning: One warning will be given, specifically informing the child of inappropriate behavior that needs to change and/or stop and the consequences if inappropriate behavior continues. STEP 3 - Parent Notification: Parent is verbally notified of child's inappropriate behavior by the lead staff person. STEP 4 - Termination: When a child presents a real danger to other children and/or staff, there will be an immediate termination from the program. One or more steps in the progressive discipline steps may be skipped at the discretion of the teachers and/or directors in situations that are considered an emergency or are extreme disruptions to the program. The following inappropriate behavior may result in an immediate dismissal from Project Think as determined by a lead teacher or director: • Damage or destruction of personal and/or public property • Graffiti • Assaults, fighting, hitting, or aggressive behavior • Leaving designated areas without program staff permission. • Humiliation of others, put-downs, name calling or harassment • Possession and/or usage of objects as weapons • Profanity or vulgarity • Open defiance toward program staff • Stealing • Repeated minor offenses will equal a major offense.