Parent Handbook Camp Programs

Transcription

1 Welcome to the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA Critter! This guide has been prepared to provide you with information regarding our camp program, daily activities and policies and procedures related to our March and Summer Critter. Our Mandate The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA) is a private non-profit animal welfare charity. The HBSPCA protects animals from people, cares for animals in its companion animal hospital, kennels and foster homes and promotes responsible pet ownership. Hamilton/Burlington SPCA Critter Camp HBSPCA Critter Camps provide children with the opportunity to learn about the SPCA and animals. We encourage compassion and empathy for all living things through age appropriate games, crafts, activities as well as special guest animal visitors. Camp Age Requirements We offer full day camps for children aged o Exceptions can be made for children who are turning 6 or turned 12 in the very near future, but this must be discussed with the Manager of Humane Education before registering. March Critter Camp is open to children aged 6 11 for the full week. o During March Break Camp, children are divided by age group and the curriculum differs depending on your child s age. The only times that all age groups will be together is during presentations, some games, field trips and breaks. Summer Critter Camp is divided by age group; one week for 6-8 year olds ONLY and one week for 9-11 year olds ONLY. o Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis, but this must be discussed with the Manager of Humane Education before registering. If you would like two campers to be in the same group, but they are not the same age, it MUST be requested upon registration. 1

2 Staff Qualifications At the HBSPCA, campers are the most important part of camp. To ensure our campers stay safe and have fun, we hire experienced and caring counsellors who possess: CPR and Standard First Aid qualifications Health and safety orientation Behaviour Management Training (includes bullying and ages and stages) Experience working with children The HBSPCA Summer Camp maintains a 1 to 10 counsellor to camper ratio. Our team is made up of: 1 Coordinator of Humane Education 1 Summer Camp Supervisor 3 Summer Camp Counsellors 1 Arts Coordinator 5 volunteer Jr. Counselors (each week) Camp arrival and dismissal We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for campers. Our safe arrival and dismissal policy has been implemented to ensure that campers are only released into the care of their parent/guardian or into the care of an individual designated by the parent/guardian. When registering, please ensure you list all individuals who may be picking up the camper to ensure our lists are accurate. *Everyone picking up a camper is required to show photo identification the first time they drop off and pick up the camper. If a staff member does not recognize you, they will request to see photo identification. 2

3 Camp Hours Camp hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm daily. Extended supervision is available 8:00am-8:30am and 4:30-5:00pm at the cost of $6 per half hour. If not paid in advance, payment (exact change) must be made to the Camp Supervisor upon drop pick up. * All campers must be picked up by 5:00 at the latest. Parents arriving late will be charged a full extra ½ hour. Camp Activities Campers have two scheduled animal interactions every day, games, crafts and more. Below you will find a general break down of all activities. Please be advised campers will not work with animals all day long. During Summer Camp, there is one field trip per week. Before the first week of camp, a Weekly Brochure will be sent via . This will give you specific details for all the activities of the week. SAMPLE CAMP DAY 8:00 8:15 BEFORE CARE 8:30 9:00 DROP-OFF 9:00 9:30 ICE BREAKERS 9:45 10:00 INDOOR GAMES 10:15 10:30 KENNEL BUDDIES 10:45 BREAK/SNACK 11:00 11:15 11:30 GUEST VISITOR WITH ANIMAL 11:45 3

4 12:00 LUNCH 12:15 12:30 12:45 1:00 CONSERVATION AREA GAMES 1:15 1:30 1:45 BREAK/SNACK 2:00 2:15 GUEST VISITOR WITH ANIMAL 2:30 2:45 3:00 BREAK/SNACK 3:15 3:30 ARTS & CRAFTS 3:45 4:00 PICK-UP 4:15 4:30 AFTER CARE 5:00 Emergency Procedures Should an emergency occur, the Camp Supervisor will be your point of contact. The Camp Supervisor will contact the camper s emergency contact (listed on registration form) and Camp Staff will stay with the injured/sick camper until they are reunited with their family. In the case of a life threatening situation an ambulance will be called first and then the contacts will be phoned. Inclement Weather Procedures Closure When inclement weather and other emergencies affect camp programming or the ability for campers, staff and volunteers to safely arrive at the shelter. 4

5 Notification Staff will notify employees and volunteers by phone of the closure through departmental call trees. The camp closure will also be announced: o On our website: o On our Facebook page: o AM900 CHML News o On the Humane Education Department telephone line: Ext. 326 Should camp need to be cancelled due to extreme weather you will be offered a refund for that day only. What to Bring We want our campers to enjoy the outdoors safely. Below is a list of recommended items for campers to bring each day: Water bottle or two! It is recommended to freeze the water bottle the night before so that your camper has cold water throughout the day. Tap water will be available to campers, but cups will not. Towel Outdoor Clothing Hat Extra socks Extra change of clothes Any medication required with instructions (PLEASE SEE MEDICATION INSTRUCTIONS BELOW) Sunscreen: Campers are encouraged to bring sunscreen during summer camp. Campers are reminded throughout the day to reapply, and encouraged to play in the shade when available. Due to potential allergic reactions, we will NOT PROVIDE sunscreen to campers; we will also not allow campers to share sunscreen unless a parent/guardian has given permission. Insect Repellent: Campers are encouraged to bring insect repellent during summer camp. Due to potential allergic reactions, we will NOT PROVIDE campers with any type 5

6 of insect repellent; we will we allow campers to share repellent without a note from parents. For campers under the age of 12, it is recommended that the Deet concentration be 10% or below. Lunch: Litter less lunch, two snacks and lots of drinks daily. ABSOLUTELY NO PEANUT OR NUT PRODUCTS are allowed at camp. * Please label everything! Everything left in our lost and found on Friday afternoons without a label will be donated. What to Wear We encourage campers to dress for weather conditions and dress in layers. Opened toed shoes ARE NOT permitted at camp. Campers wearing flip flops or sandals will need to sit out on certain activities. Please send campers with running shoes. Campers are given a t-shirt on their first day of camp we encourage them to wear the shirt for the duration of the program. T-shirts are required on Field Trip days. What NOT to Bring Valuables (electronics, cell phones, cash) Heelys (shoes with wheels) Open-toed shoes Weapons, or anything that looks like a weapon (sling shots, air guns, water guns etc) Peanut products Live pets must stay home, but a small plush animal is a great alternative. * The HBSPCA is not responsible for lost or stolen items. If any items on the What Not to Bring list are brought to camp, the Camp Director reserves the right to confiscate the items and return to the parents at the end of the day. 6

7 Special Needs and/or Medical Conditions If a camper has a special need, behavioural concern, or health condition, it is important that you indicate this at the time of registration. We would like to ensure every camper has the best time and this helps us place campers in appropriate teams. Campers requiring prescription medication must complete a Medical Consent Form in their registration package. Medication must be stored in its original container with only the one day s dosage in it and submitted to camp staff each morning. Any camper with an Epi-Pen or inhaler must bring it in a separate fanny pack that the they can wear at all times. Staff will not be responsible for carrying epi-pens or inhalers, as the camper s counsellor will not be by their side at all times. Illness We want to prevent the unnecessary spread of common illnesses. If a camper has, if a camper has a communicable disease, please exclude them from camp. If a camper is showing signs of any illness (fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, upset stomach), the camper will need to be picked up. Please DO NOT send a sick campers to camp. Illness Guidelines Chickenpox Minimum of 5 days after the rash first appears Diarrhea 24 hours after diarrhea completely stops Head Lice After treatments are completed Measles 5 days after the rash begins Mumps 10 days after the swollen glands first appear Whooping Cough 3 weeks from onset of cough, or 5 days after antibiotics Pink Eye Until antibiotics have been taken for two days Ringworm Until antibiotics have been taken for two days 7

8 Rubella 8 days after rash appears Scarlett Fever Until antibiotics have been taken for two days Strep Throat Until antibiotics have been taken for two days Behaviour We aim for a safe and positive environment. We expect that all campers be courteous and respectful to all participants and staff and use non-offensive language at all times. Our camp conduct and behaviour policy is as follows: 1st Offense: Camp rules are reviewed with the camper 2nd Offense: Time out from activity 3rd Offense: Call to parent/guardian * If a camper presents a serious risk to him/herself and/or others, he or she will be to be picked up immediately and asked not to return to camp. No refunds will be given. Cancellation Policy All cancellations are subject to a $10 administration fee. Any cancellations after the 14 day timeframe will be subject to a $25 charge per transaction. No exceptions can be made. Contact Should you require additional information, wish to share your comments, or need to contact us in case of an emergency, please contact the Manager of Humane Education at humaneed@hbspca.com 8