ASTRO CAMP

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

BASIC PROGRAM INFORMATION

1. What is Astro Camp?

Astro Camp is an extraordinary overnight stargazing camp hosted by

The Mind Museum where you can bask in the cosmos while learning
loads about it, sleep under millions of stars and wake up to the traces
of planets drawn on a lakeside dawn.

2. When and where will it happen?

The Astro Camp will be held on 27 28 February 2016 (Saturday to

Sunday). It will happen in Soloviento, Lake Caliraya, Lumban-Cavinti,
Laguna.

3. Who can join the program?

The Astro Camp is open to groups of families and friends. We highly

encourage participants to join as groups of friends or families where
you get to know each other in a different adventure setting.
We welcome explorers of all ages. However, you may want to consider the following:
(1) Our lineup of activities may extend up to midnight and will start
before dawn the following day to maximize your celestial viewing
pleasure.
(2) Since this is an outdoor camping activity, access to certain privileged amenities (e.g. shower, air conditioning, bed) will be limited.

4. Can I join as an individual?

Solo participants may join, however, you may be asked to bunk with
one or two other solo participants. In such cases, we encourage you
to meet new friends.
NOTE:
FOR AGES 17 and below: He/she must be accompanied by at least
one adult (18 and above). He/she strictly cannot participate as an
individual.

REGISTRATION
1. How do I sign up for the Astro Camp?
To enroll in the Astro Camp program, you must fill up the online
registration form. After completing the form, an acknowledgement
email will be sent. Details on the program fee will also be enclosed.
Registration and fee for the program must be completed on or before
February 20 (Saturday). Limited slots are available for the Astro
Camp.

2. How much is the program fee?

Early Bird Rate (until Feb. 15)

PHP 3,500/head

Regular Rate (Feb. 16 beyond)

PHP 4,000/head

*Rates are applicable regardless of number of members in group.

**10% off for all Unlimited Science Pass (USP) holders.
USP members, kindly scan or send an image of your USP card. USP rate
will be extended to whole group.
***Workshop kits, tents, meals, and transportation included.
****Official receipts may be claimed during the registration at the museum
on 27 February 2016.

Once payment has been settled, we will send you a

confirmation email. A succeeding email with reminders will also
be sent a few days before the program proper.

3. What is the payment process?

The program fee can be settled through two (2) ways on or before
February 20, 2016 (Saturday):
OPTION 1: Bank Deposit
Account Name: Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc.
Branch: BPI BGC Branch
Savings Account Number: 1923-1245-58
Account name: Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc.
Current Account No.: 0015-6000-1930
Bank Name: Unionbank of the Philippines
Bank Branch: 2nd Ave. BGC Branch

BPI Online Funds Transfer is also accepted.

Kindly scan or take a photo of your deposit slip/online transaction
confirmation and email to programs@themindmuseum.org.
You can also fax your deposit slip: (+63 02) 909-6461.
Email/fax title format: Astro Camp 2016 / Juan dela Cruz / Deposit
Slip

OPTION 2: The Mind Museum Cashier Counter

Kindly fill out and submit the online registration form at the
Information Desk (Lobby) and settle the program fee at the cashier
counter/ticket booth. Cashier counters are open from Tuesdays to
Sundays, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Once payment has been settled, we will send you a confirmation
email. A succeeding email with reminders will also be sent a few days
before the program proper. *Credit card payments are also accepted.
The Mind Museum, A Project of Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc., is
dedicated to providing an extraordinary educational experience
that inspires the public understanding of science. All proceeds go
completely into supporting science.

CAMPING ARRANGEMENTS
1. How will we get to the campsite and back to Manila?
Were all in this together! We encourage you to be dropped off and
picked up at The Mind Museum. We will be taking a bus from The
Mind Museum, BGC to Soloviento, Lake Caliraya, Laguna and back to
The Mind Museum, BGC the next day. We can give overnight parking
passes so you may park your cars in North Crescent parking area,
BGC.
2. What should we bring?
Tents will be provided per group. Bringing inflatable mattresses and
big luggage is highly discouraged. Note that we will be walking a little
from the bus to the barge ride pick-up point. The barge ride over the
lake will take less than 5 minutes to cross. We encourage you to pack
for the great outdoors, so pack very light!
Participants may bring the following:
Own sleeping bags or thin mattress
Pillows and blankets (if you wish)
Toothbrush, toothpaste, and other toiletries (sunblock optional)
Comfortable change of clothes and own towel (limited shower
stall will be available)
Swimming attire (optional if you will avail of water activities)
Jacket or other warm clothes for the night and early morning
DSLR cameras & tripods for Nightscape Photography session
Personal medicine
Extra cash for additional food and drinks orders from Soloviento
Own small LED light (keychain size)

3. Can we bring our own food and beverages into the campsite?
Meals will be provided (set dinner, breakfast and lunch) but you may
buy other meals from the clubhouse kitchen. BRINGING OF DRINKS
(aside from water) AND MEALS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. However,
you may bring light snacks such as chips and biscuits.
NOTE: Kindly fill out the meal preference portion of the registration
form for each participant in the group.
4. Can we visit the museum before or after the program?
Yes, provided that participants will purchase tickets to the museum on
their chosen dates.
5. Can we try the watersport activities in Soloviento?
You will have free time on Day 1 to enjoy stand up paddleboarding,
kite surfing, kayaking or fishing. Should you wish to do these, please
note the following:
a) You must bring your own snorkeling gear and floatation
devices / vests as Soloviento has limited supply.
b) All activities have corresponding fees and will be charged
on your account.
c) Participation in any of these activities will be at the guests
own risk and would have to sign a waiver.
6. Is there a place to store our bags before and after the camp?
Participants will be assigned tents where they can leave their items;
however, to greatly appreciate the camp and the million stars above
you, it is HIGHLY encouraged NOT TO BRING VALUABLES (especially
your laptops and tablets; WIFI will not be available) to the camp
and we encourage you to pack light. We encourage you to bring your
DSLRs and tripods for the Nightscape Photography session.

PROGRAM
ACTIVITIES
1. What kinds of activities does the program offer?
Participants of Astro Camp can experience the joys of stargazing
while camping under the starry night sky. Activities will include a mix
of workshops, games, storytelling, and observation of the night sky.
A workshop on the basics of stargazing will be conducted by the
resident astronomer of The Mind Museum. During the workshop,
participants will be able to view the brightest celestial objects (plus the
5-planet alignment) through the museums telescopes. There will be
a session on nightscape and night sky photography together with an
introduction to the science of cameras. Participants will also engage
in team-building activities and group storytelling using green laser
pointers to further enhance the interactive, collaborative, and creative
learning process.

2. What are the programs inclusions?

The requested fee for the program covers the following:

Tents
Meals (Set lunch and dinner on Day 1 and set breakfast on Day 2)
Bus transportation to and from Soloviento, Caliraya, Laguna (w/ a
5 min. barge ride to cross the lake going to the resort property)
Workshop materials and kits
Education content: interactive lectures and games on astronomy
and stargazing, telescope viewing, nightscape photography
Overnight parking pass at North Crescent carpark only (only 1 per
registered group)
Use of Solovientos lakeside marina for swimming (all other
watersports activities are on account of pax; we will be giving
some free time during the program for this)

3. What time does the program start? And how long will it
last?

Registration at The Mind Museum will begin at 7:00 AM (27 February).

The bus will leave BGC at exactly 8:00 AM. The program will officially
start at 1 PM after having lunch at Soloviento. Day 1 will end at around
11 PM and participants will be sleeping overnight in the venue. Day 2
will start early (5 AM) to best view the alignment of planets.
Participants will depart the venue at 8:30 AM the next day (28
February) and are expected to arrive at The Mind Museum at
approximately 12:00 NN .
4. Can I just join for a few activities? Will I still get a certificate after
the program?
Sorry, but the program is designed for an overnight activity. Only
attending a few of the activities will disrupt the objective, teamwork,
and overall experience of Astro Camp. We would appreciate your
commitment to complete the program, but of course you may go if
you have a family or health-related emergency. However, you will not
receive any certification if you do not complete the program.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
DAY 1 - FEBRUARY 27 SATURDAY
TIME
7:00 8:00 AM

ACTIVITY
Registration (Lobby, The Mind Museum)

8:00 AM

ETD from The Mind Museum (Drop off Area)

12:00 NN

ETA at Soloviento, Caliraya, Laguna

12:00 - 12:45 PM

Lunch (c/o Soloviento)

12:45 - 1:00 PM

Introduction: House Rules and Schedule

1:00 - 1:45 PM

Blast Off Into the Universe

1:45 - 2:00 PM

Rocket Launch

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Abode Under The Stars

3:00 - 5:00 PM

FREE TIME

5:00 - 6:30 PM

The Night Sky & Starry Waltz

6:30 - 7:15 PM

Dinner (c/o Soloviento)

7:15 - 8:30 PM

Collecting Starlight

8:30 - 9:00 PM

Camp Games

9:00 - 10:00 PM

Star Search & A Sky Full of Stories

10:00 - 10:30 PM

Telescope Viewing

10:30 - 12:00 MN

Campfire Smores | Free Time | End of Day 1

Clubhouse area

A competitive water-rocket-making activity.

Basics of tent pitching and assembling of tents per family/

group.
Lake swimming, stand up paddle boarding, Kayak and Kite
Surfing on account of participants. Participants must have
signed a waiver for this.
Introduction to the motions of the sky.
Clubhouse area

Basics of night sky and nightscape photography, the physics

of cameras, lenses and photography.
A quiz show about the skies and stars around the bonfire.
A competitive game of hunting for stars.
Moon and Jupiter viewing

DAY 2 - FEBRUARY 28 SUNDAY

TIME
5:00 - 6:30 AM
6:30 7:45 AM
7:45 - 8:30 AM

ACTIVITY
Planet Alignment

Viewing of five-planet alignment through the telescope

Breakfast (c/o Soloviento)

Clubhouse area Tent-down and Pack Up

Certificate Awarding | Team Awarding

8:30 AM

ETD from Soloviento

11:00 AM

ETA at The Mind Museum

PROGRAM STAFF
Who will be conducting the program?
The Mind Movers, the resident scientists of The Mind Museum,
together with volunteers will jointly facilitate all the activities included in
the camp.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY

1. Who will take care of my medical needs during the
workshop? What happens if I become sick or injured?

One security and first aid personnel (with first aid kit) will be on site
during the entire program. The first aid response personnel will first
assess the injury or illness, if any.
For specific health conditions, participants must bring their own
medicines but must inform the camp staff. (See Registration Form for
health inquiry).

2. Where will the activities take place?

All activities will be held within the property of Soloviento only. For
more information on Soloviento, kindly visit their web page at:
http://soloviento.ph/
3. How safe is the venue?
It is safe but the participants will NOT be allowed to wander around
the property especially after lights out. Water activities will also be
restricted to the assigned free time only and only upon the guests
signing on the waiver. Please note that parts of Soloviento are private
and the owners request that some areas be off limits. Though the
venue is safe, please be mindful of your own belongings.
4. How is inappropriate behavior handled?
Behaviour that jeopardizes the safety and enjoyment for other
participants and/or staff will not be tolerated. House rules of the venue
and regulations about the camp proper will be discussed on the first
day. The Mind Museum and Soloviento reserve the right to manage
and discipline all participants accordingly. We request that you abide
by the House Rules of Soloviento as well.

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CANCELLATIONS, EXCHANGES,
AND REFUNDS
1. Is the program refundable?
No refunds will be issued. However you may nominate another
participant to take over your slot, but he/she must meet the
requirement of the program (age, etc).
2. How will you let us know about possible cancellations during the
program?
We make every effort to make an announcement about program
changes as quickly as possible. This will be done through email or by
cellular phone. The Mind Museum reserves the right to cancel camps
that do not meet minimum enrolment, and/or pose risks due to severe
weather conditions. If a camp is cancelled by The Mind Museum, all
patrons will receive full refund.

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