📋 Legal Information

Policies & Legal Notices

Belmont Makers STEM Lab is committed to transparency, safety, and protecting every participant — especially our youngest explorers. Please read these policies carefully.

Last Updated: June 2026 | Belmont, Massachusetts

01 — Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

Welcome to Belmont Makers STEM Lab (“Program,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). By registering for or participating in our summer camp program, you (“Participant,” “Parent,” or “Guardian”) agree to the following Terms & Conditions.

1. Program Description

Belmont Makers STEM Lab is a free, student-run STEM summer camp based in Belmont, Massachusetts. The Program is operated entirely by volunteer student counselors and staff. Participation is free of charge to all registered participants.

2. Eligibility

The Program is open to all children in the Belmont and greater Massachusetts community. We welcome participants of all backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels. Some activities may have age or safety requirements, which will be communicated prior to participation.

3. Registration

Registration must be completed by a parent or legal guardian for any participant under the age of 18. By completing registration, the parent or guardian confirms that all information provided is accurate and consents to participation in all Program activities.

4. Free Program — No Fees

Belmont Makers STEM Lab is entirely free of charge. There are no registration fees, material fees, or hidden costs. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Program venue.

5. Code of Conduct

All participants are expected to treat fellow campers, volunteers, and staff with respect and kindness. Bullying, harassment, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the Program. Participants must follow all safety instructions given by volunteer counselors.

6. Changes to the Program

We reserve the right to modify, cancel, or reschedule any session, activity, or the Program as a whole at any time, with reasonable notice provided to registered participants and their guardians.

7. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Any disputes arising from participation in the Program shall be resolved in accordance with Massachusetts law.

02 — Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Your privacy matters to us. This Privacy Policy explains how Belmont Makers STEM Lab collects, uses, and protects information provided during registration and participation in our Program.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following information during registration:

Participant’s full name and date of birth
Parent or guardian name and contact information (email address, phone number)
Emergency contact information
Relevant medical information or accommodations needed
Photographs or videos taken during Program activities (with consent)

2. How We Use Your Information

Information collected is used solely for the following purposes:

To manage enrollment and communicate Program updates
To ensure the health and safety of all participants
To contact emergency contacts if necessary
To fulfill any required accommodations

We do not sell, rent, or share personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

3. Data Retention

Personal information is retained only as long as necessary to administer the Program and is securely deleted thereafter. We do not maintain long-term databases of participant records beyond what is operationally required.

4. Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect participant information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. However, no method of data transmission or storage is 100% secure.

5. Contact

For questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

03 — COPPA Notice

Children's Privacy (COPPA)

Belmont Makers STEM Lab serves participants including children under the age of 13. We take our obligations under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), 15 U.S.C. §§ 6501–6506, very seriously.

1. Parental Consent Required

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental or guardian consent. Registration for participants under 13 must be completed entirely by a parent or legal guardian.

2. What We Collect from Children Under 13

We collect only the minimum information necessary to operate the Program safely, including the child’s name, age, and relevant health or accommodation information, as provided by the parent or guardian. We do not collect email addresses, social media handles, or other personal contact information directly from children under 13.

3. No Online Accounts for Minors

Children under 13 are not required or permitted to create online accounts or profiles on our website. All digital interactions involving minors under 13 must be conducted by a parent or guardian.

4. Parental Rights

Parents and guardians have the right to:

Review any personal information collected about their child
Request deletion of their child’s personal information
Refuse further collection or use of their child’s information
Withdraw consent for participation at any time

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at: belmontmakers@gmail.com

5. Massachusetts Student Privacy

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 34H (Student Privacy), and the Massachusetts Student Records Regulations (603 CMR 23.00), we handle all student records and information with strict confidentiality and only use them for educational purposes within the scope of the Program.

04 — Liability Waiver

Assumption of Risk & Liability Waiver

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. BY REGISTERING FOR THE PROGRAM, THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN AGREES TO THE FOLLOWING ON BEHALF OF THE PARTICIPANT.

1. Assumption of Risk

Participation in STEM camp activities, including but not limited to building projects, experiments, tool use, and outdoor activities, carries inherent risks. By registering, the parent or guardian acknowledges and accepts these risks on behalf of the participant.

2. Release of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by Massachusetts law, the parent or guardian agrees to release, discharge, and hold harmless Belmont Makers STEM Lab, its student volunteers, organizers, and affiliated individuals from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from the participant’s involvement in the Program, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, except where prohibited by law. Note: Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 231, § 85G) may limit the enforceability of liability waivers in certain contexts. This waiver does not apply to claims arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct.

3. Medical Authorization

In the event of a medical emergency, the parent or guardian authorizes Program staff to seek emergency medical treatment for the participant if the parent or guardian cannot be reached. The parent or guardian agrees to be responsible for any medical costs incurred.

4. First Aid

Volunteer staff are not licensed medical professionals. First aid may be provided by volunteers for minor injuries. Parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure that any relevant medical information (allergies, conditions, medications) is disclosed during registration.

5. Supervision

The Program is supervised by student volunteers who are not credentialed educators or licensed childcare providers. Parents and guardians acknowledge this and agree that the Program is not a licensed childcare or daycare facility under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 28A.

05 — Volunteer Disclaimer

Volunteer-Run Program Disclaimer

Belmont Makers STEM Lab is a community-run program operated entirely by student volunteers. By participating, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. Volunteer Status

All counselors, organizers, and staff involved in the Program are unpaid student volunteers. They are not employees, agents, or contractors of any institution or organization. They act in good faith in their roles as Program facilitators.

2. Massachusetts Volunteer Protection

Volunteer staff may be protected under the Massachusetts Volunteer Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 258, § 13E) and the federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. § 14501 et seq.), which limit volunteer liability for harm caused while acting within the scope of their volunteer responsibilities, provided the harm was not caused by willful, wanton, or reckless misconduct.

3. No Institutional Affiliation

Belmont Makers STEM Lab is an independent program. It is not officially affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Belmont School District, Town of Belmont, or any other governmental or educational institution, unless explicitly stated.

4. Background Checks

We are committed to participant safety. Student volunteers who work directly with minors undergo a background screening process consistent with best practices for youth-serving organizations in Massachusetts.

06 — Photo & Media Release

Photo & Media Release

During Program activities, photographs, videos, and other media may be taken for documentation, promotional, and educational purposes.

1. Consent

By registering for the Program, parents and guardians grant Belmont Makers STEM Lab permission to photograph and/or video record the participant during Program activities and to use such media on our website, social media channels, and promotional materials.

2. Children Under 13

In accordance with COPPA and our commitment to child safety, photographs or videos featuring children under the age of 13 will not be published online with the child’s full name attached, without explicit additional consent from the parent or guardian.

3. Opt-Out

If you do not wish for the participant to be photographed or recorded, please notify us in writing at belmontmakers@gmail.com before the start of the Program. We will make reasonable efforts to honor your request.

4. No Commercial Sale

Media captured during Program activities will never be sold to third parties or used for commercial advertising without explicit written consent from the parent or guardian.

07 — Non-Discrimination

Non-Discrimination & Inclusion Policy

Belmont Makers STEM Lab is free and open to everyone. We are deeply committed to providing an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for all participants.

Our Commitment

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law — including:

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B (anti-discrimination)
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272, § 98 (equal rights in public accommodations)
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Accommodations

We strive to provide reasonable accommodations for participants with disabilities or special needs. Please contact us during registration to discuss your needs and we will do our best to ensure full and meaningful participation.

Reporting Concerns

If you believe you have experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment, or exclusion within the Program, please contact us immediately at belmontmakers@gmail.com. All reports will be taken seriously and addressed promptly.

Questions About Our Policies?

We’re here to help. Reach out to our team and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

📧 belmontmakers@gmail.com