AWESOME! The Summer of UNPLUG. EXPLORE. GO! McCleskey & Northeast YMCAs PRE-CAMP INFORMATION PACKET

Transcription

1 The Summer of AWESOME! UNPLUG. EXPLORE. GO! McCleskey & Northeast YMCAs PRE-CAMP INFORMATION PACKET

2 WELCOME! Dear Summer Campers and Parents, Congratulations! You are confirmed for YMCA Summer Day Camp This summer your camper will have the opportunity to swim, play games, participate in special activities, create arts and crafts, meet new friends, and much more! East Cobb Y Camps are traditional indoor & outdoor (when weather permits) day camps. We are here to serve you and your family. You will find important information concerning East Cobb Y Camps in this booklet. We ask all parents and campers to read this information and understand the policies and procedures of camp. If, after reviewing this information, you have additional questions please feel free to call Rachel Singer at or rachels@ymcaatlanta.org. We look forward to the best summer ever! Camp Directors: Rachel Singer-rachels@ymcaatlanta.org Mini-Camp, Pioneer, Explorer, Pathfinder, Navigator, LIT, CIT, Sports Camp (excluding soccer camp), High Harbour, Speciliaty Camp Zach Smagh-zacharys@ymcaatlanta.org Soccer Camp FAMILY CAMPFIRE FOR CAMPERS May 25th, 6:30-8:30 at MCY Come and enjoy a night of smores, campfire, songs, games and more. A great way to meet other families and staff and experience a bit of camp.

3 WHY IT MATTERS ANNUAL CAMPAIGN 2017 East Cobb Y Camps are committed to providing financial assistance to those who cannot afford the full price of our programs including camp. Last year 386 children attended camp because they were awarded scholarships. Money for scholarships is not generated from membership dues. We rely on gifts from friends like you to provide this much-needed assistance. In 2017, East Cobb Y Camps provided $42,773 in scholarships. Through WHY IT MATTERS, local businesses and individuals partner with the Y to ensure every child can be part of the Y and the programs offered. The need for community programs that build character and foster good citizenship continues to grow each day. Please consider sponsoring a camper and providing him/her with a once-in-a-lifetime experience! For more information or to make a donation, please visit ymcaatlanta.org/donations. SPIRIT STICK The spirit stick is awarded to the most spirited group. Spirit can be shown through enthusiasm, helping others, sportsmanship, involvement and more. The Spirit Stick will be awarded on Friday during closing ceremony. INCLEMENT WEATHER In the event that light rain is falling, our camp programming will continue as scheduled. If thunderstorms occur, all groups will take shelter. Staff will provide campers with rainy day activities. If storms arrive during dismissal, campers will be move inside the Y and parent pick-up will take place inside.

4 ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES Please make every effort to finalize your campers summer plans before you submit your registration form. If it becomes necessary to make changes after you have registered, please follow these steps: 1. Rachel Singer at to inform a change is needed. 2. One week advance notice is required for the change to be processed. 3. Any change is subject to session availability. 4. No special request is guaranteed. Payments are due three weeks prior to the start of the session your camper(s) will attend. Payments will be accepted the following ways: Make payments in person at the Y Visa, MasterCard, Discover, checks and money orders are accepted Online at ymcaregistration.com No cash accepted for weekly payments WITHDRAWAL/REFUND POLOCIES Once the camp session has started, if you decide to withdraw your child from the camp in which he/she is enrolled, there will be no refunds given unless excused by a doctors note. RETURNED CHECKS You will be notified by the YMCA should your check be returned to us for non-sufficient funds. A $37 fee will be charged for each check returned by Envision Payment Solutions. After one returned check, the YMCA will accept cash, money order or credit card payments only. Should you experience a financial problem and are unable to make the payment by the due date, please contact Camp Director.

5 SUMMER CAMP STAFF Each YMCA camp counselor is carefully selected. All eligible staff persons and volunteers complete and successfully pass a thorough background investigation. Ongoing training is conducted throughout the summer including CPR, basic first aid, operational procedures for all activities, positive child discipline, and various skill development trainings. Counselors are taught to encourage campers to do their personal best. Counselors assist campers in setting and reaching goals while making sure everyone has a great camp experience. CAMP GOALS Provide a safe, fun, recreational atmosphere for all campers. Promote caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility throughout the day camp program. Promote understanding and stewardship for the natural world. Help campers and staff build their sense of selfconfidence. Provide opportunities within the program for campers to develop interpersonal relationships and social skills. Provide campers with activities which offer a progressive experience. Encourage a sense of belonging and achievement. Provide opportunities to build healthy relationships. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT Please help us teach your children the YMCA values by supporting the staff and program in the following areas: RESPECT: Respect our camp property. Respect all counselors. Respect fellow campers. RESPONSIBILITY: Be responsible for personal items, check lost & found daily. Take responsibility for personal actions. Be responsible for group members and group tasks. Stay on target. CARING: Everyone comes to camp to make new friends and have fun. Take pride in being a good friend to others. HONESTY: Admit when you have made a bad choice. Always tell the truth.

6 CAMPER EXPECTATIONS & BEHAVIOR POLICY Promoting social interaction and building interpersonal skills are among the most important goals of camp. Staff will help campers with this process by providing on-going encouragement and assistance. Counselors are trained to provide corrective action in a positive and supportive manner designed to build self-confidence and teach responsibility. On the first day of each session all camp rules will be covered and explained by camp administrators. Each camper is expected to follow these rules to maintain a safe, well-organized program. If a camper cannot adjust to these rules and expectations, we reserve the right to terminate the camper s enrollment for the summer. If this happens, we will NOT issue a refund. GUIDELINES USED FOR DISCIPLINE Camper will be re-directed Camper will receive verbal warning Camper will be asked to take a personal time-out Camper will lose the privilege of participating in a special activity Parent will be called and asked to sign camper out early Camper will be suspended Campers may be suspended for failure to follow the standards of discipline established by camp staff as outlined below: Refusing to remain with his/her group Using inappropriate language Rude/disrespectful behavior Fighting/hitting/biting/kicking Theft or defacing property of others Verbal threats/name-calling

7 CHECK-IN PROCEDURES Upon arrival the first day of camp, please update your camper s registration form if any information has changed. A staff member will help your child out of the car and check them in. If you need to get out of the car, please park. Please also communicate to staff any needs for the day at sign-in. Your camper will be able to participate in the area of his/her choice. Campers should arrive by 9:00 am. Please make sure each camper is signed in daily. Campers lose program time when attendance numbers are incorrect. Safety is our highest priority. HOURS OF OPERATION 7AM 9AM PRE CAMP 9AM-4PM CAMP PROGRAM 4PM-6PM POSTCAMP DURING CHECK-IN EARLY RELEASE: We understand there will be days when you may need to sign out your camper early. To assist you in a timely manner, please turn in a note at check-in. Any camper being signed out before 4 p.m. is considered an early release. CHANGE IN AUTHORIZATION TO SIGN-OUT CAMPER: Parents must notify the YMCA in writing if their camper will be picked up by someone not authorized to do so on the registration form. Should you forget or should an emergency arise during the day, you may Rachel Singer at rachels@ymcaatlanta.org before 2pm that day. Please include the name of the child and a copy of your photo I.D. PARENT/COUNSELOR COMMUNICATION: Counselors arrive and depart each day on a staggered schedule. This is necessary to provide convenient hours for working families. Each camp has a designated lead staff person. Every effort will be made to have this person available during check-in. Parents can leave notes for their camper s counselor at check-in. SIGN-OUT PROCEDURES Each day campers must be signed out by a parent or another authorized person. Sign-out in the drive thru. Anyone signing out a camper will be required to show a photo I.D. before the child will be released-no exceptions. ABSENCES: Our Summer Camp will NOT verify camper absences.

8 WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO CAMP? Backpack Water bottle(filled with water) Sunscreen/bug spray (if desired) Change of clothes Hat/visor Swimsuit/towel for swim days A positive attitude! WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO CAMP? We want campers to dress appropriately and be comfortable for camp. Campers will be coming home VERY DIRTY. We recommend sending children in old clothing. We suggest the following items: Swimsuit (we swim/play in water almost everyday!) T-shirt/shorts Weather attire (rain gear/ sweatshirt/jacket) Sneakers (socks)/hiking boots Please no flip flops or crocs Hat ITEMS TO BE LEFT AT HOME: Money Cell phones/tablets/mp3 players/video game Trading cards(pokemon) Valuables Weapons Toys Pocket knives CD/DVD players Tobacco, alcohol, drugs Sports Equipment LOST & FOUND Please help us reduce the items in lost and found this summer season. Carefully labeling all of your camper s belongings will help him/her keep up with their gear. Lost and found items are kept until the end of the session. Encourage your camper to check lost and found each day for things possibly left behind the day before. The YMCA is not responsible for lost, stolen or broken possessions that are brought to camp.

9 FIRST AID & MEDICATION The camp director will contact parents or emergency contacts if there is evidence of serious illness or injury. No camper will be allowed to remain at camp with a fever or other visible signs of illness. The camper MUST be picked up IMMEDIATELY when contacted about an illness or injury. In the event of an injury to your child, the camp director will: Call 911 Attempt to call parent/guardian Attempt to call emergency contacts listed on registration form IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT/GUARDIAN TO CARRY PRIMARY ACCIDENT INSURANCE MEDICATION If a camper requires medication of any kind, please follow these guidelines: Medications will not be distributed during pre-camp or post -camp. Medications must be signed in daily during check-in. We will accept a daily dose only. We cannot store medication. Prescriptions must be in their original containers. INCIDENT REPORTS An incident report will be completed for every reported injury received by a camper during the camp day. Minor injuries will be treated by a staff member. Parents will receive notification of all reported injuries at check-out.

10 BULLYING POLICY We define bullying as aggressive behavior manifested by the use of force or coercion to affect others, particularly when the behavior is habitual and involves an imbalance of power. It can include verbal harassments, physical assault or coercion and may be directed repeatedly towards particular victims. Bullying is not an isolated incident. Each child entering our camp program will attend a camp orientation on the first day of the session where staff will discuss camper expectations, our behavior policy and the zero tolerance policy against bullying. BULLYING POLICY CONTINUED.. To be successful with this aspect of our camp community, we will deliver age-appropriate activities that encourage and develop listening skills, working together and understanding others. We are committed to incorporating this aspect to our existing camp program to ensure that our campers have the opportunity to learn and explore in an emotionally safe environment designed to build self-confidence and teach responsibility. On the first day of each session all camp rules will be covered and explained by camp administrators. Each camper is expected to follow these rules to maintain a safe, well-organized program. If a camper cannot adjust to these rules and expectations, we reserve the right to terminate the camper s enrollment for the summer. If this happens, we will NOT issue a refund. QUESTIONS? CONTACT US: RACHEL SINGER CAMP DIRECTOR (E) rachels@ymcaatlanta.org (P) (770) McCleskey-East Cobb 1055 E. Piedmont Road Marietta, GA Northeast Cobb 3010 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30062