FAQ's

We've taken our most curious parent minds to the task of asking all the right questions to help anticipate needs. Check below for more information about our camps and workshops! Feel free to Contact us anytime!

What is Dilettante Extraordinaire

Dilettante Extraordinaire is a for profit host site supporting not-for-profit’s like STEAMobile.org, and Bricks4Kidz® LEGO® building programs. It is a residential education organization serving Redmond, Bellevue, and Kirkland and provides 1- to 5-day camp programs and 1-3 hour workshops and classes.

Where is Dilettante Extraordinaire

Dilettante Extraordinaire’s HQ Makerspace campus is located in the great King County, Redmond, Washington. Nestled amongst Western cedar, Pines, Poplars, and Alders, just 15 miles across Lake Washington from Seattle.

Who will be Working with my Child at Dilettante Extraordinaire?

Dilettante Extraordinaire has seasoned professional teaching faculty that specialize in teaching outdoors and caring for youth in a residential setting. Many hold graduate degrees in education. All of Dilettante Extraordinaire’s full-time teachers are trained medical first responders, have passed a background check, are CPR certified, and passionate about enriching children’s lives through build-play fun.

Do I Send Food with My Child?

Yes, please send lunch for full-day camps plus snacks for morning and afternoon breaks. Always pack a full water bottle! We will have emergency back-up bottles and snacks just in case, but please plan ahead. Also, let us know if you have these or any other dietary restrictions.

What Happens if My Camper Gets Sick at Camp?

We have areas set aside for the isolation of sick campers. If your camper is showing signs and symptoms of a contagious sickness, we will immediately separate them from other campers and begin the process of getting them evaluated and potentially picked up to go home.

Please ensure you or another emergency contact will be available in case an early pickup is necessary.

What is the Wildlife in the Area?

Dilettante Extraordinaire is a great place for some micro wetland wildlife viewing opportunities. We can see salamanders, owls, many different types of birds and occasional great blue herons. When we are in Dirt Diggerland for lessons, we usually will see rolly polly’s, worms, centipedes and more bugs in our discoveries. We do provide hands free digging tools to keep clean. Dilettante Extraordinaire’s faculty is well-trained to help participants respect wildlife and observe safely.

What Happens During Bad Weather at Camp?

Dilettante Extraordinaire’s programs take place outside unless unsafe weather conditions are expected. Lessons will continue outdoors during rain, colder/warmer weather, etc. Before each camp starts, Dilettante Extraordinaire faculty reminds parents of proper attire for oncoming weather and will ensure that each participant has the appropriate clothing and gear for the expected weather conditions. If lightning, high wind, smoke, or other dangerous weather is predicted, the program schedule will be altered to keep all participants safe.

Will my Child Ever Be Left Unattended at Camp?

No. Dilettante Extraordinaire faculty will always be with your child, and no faculty member will ever be alone with your child. During activities, your child may participate in a ‘solo-sit.’ This is a time when the group spreads out in a fixed area to spend a few minutes sitting quietly and observing nature or unwinding. During a solo-sit, campers are still being watched over by faculty. During our free-play time, your child may participate in a ‘solo-time.’ This is a time when each camper has the opportunity to spend a few minutes quietly in the fort pods or by the stream or on the swings. There will always be a faculty member in front of and behind the campers during the solo-time.

What is the Cancellation Policy

We will do our best to process refunds within 48 hours of your request. Full refunds 2-months advance cancellation notice. Refunds will be provided on a waitlist-replacement basis.

What Kind of Communication Can I Expect?

Within 24 hours of completing your online registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing links to the following:

Program Details
Camp Introduction
Communication Expectations

If you do not receive your confirmation email or if you have any questions, please contact us.

Weather Policy

As an outdoor integrated makerspace we enjoy spending time outside, rain or shine, only retreating to indoor spaces (covered spaces) when the weather or activity calls for it. We are unable to offer refunds if any duration of a program is cancelled due to inclement weather (such as extreme rain, extreme heat, fire smoke, etc.) or other circumstances out of our control. We will let participants know by 7 am if a class day needs to be cancelled due to weather or other circumstances out of our control.

Smoke/Air Quality Policy

While we do have limited indoor space with available air filtration available with the increased threat of summer wildfire smoke in Western Washington, it is necessary to have a plan in place to ensure the safety of our campers and staff.

In the case of hazardous air quality, we will monitor conditions and will consult the Washington Department of Ecology website for updates on local air quality. If threat levels at the nearest monitoring sites to our camps are deemed unsafe for staff and campers by the Program Director we will cancel camp. Please see the condition levels from the WAQA Publication which we will use to guide our decision. If conditions are “moderate” or “unhealthy for sensitive groups” we will limit running games and strenuous activities at our camps. If conditions are “unhealthy for everyone” we may cancel camp for the day. We will reach out to all families via email by 7:00am to cancel camp for the day.

If your child has additional health concerns or sensitivities and must be withheld from camp at a lower level of risk, please let us know so we are aware they are taking the day off. We are not able to offer a refund in this case per our usual registration policies.

If two or more camp days in a week are cancelled by WAS due to smoke, fire, or air-quality concerns, you may request a 50% refund per day for the total number of cancelled days. These conditions pose a huge threat to outdoor education organizations, and we are grateful for your support and understanding.