Horse Camp. Camp Backcountry Parent/Camper Information Packet

Transcription

1 Camp Backcountry Parent/Camper Information Packet Horse Camp Camp Backcountry 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton, CO

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Camp Backcountry Overview Mission Why Camp Backcountry? Program Types and Quick Answers Sample Camp Schedule Registration Information Registration Paperwork Refund Policy Transfer Policy Camp Policies and Expectations Camper Behavior Visitors at Camp Communication with Camp Backcountry Lost and Found What Can I Bring to Camp Our Camp Staff Health and Safety Camper Health Medication Weather Transportation Camp License Packing Checklist: Horse Camps 10 Drop off/pick up Information What to Expect Before and After Camp Care Directions 11 2

3 CAMP BACKCOUNTRY OVERVIEW Background The Backcountry Wilderness Area consists of 13 square miles of land that was set aside for conservation during the development of Highlands Ranch. The Backcountry Wilderness Area provides important habitat to many different species. Elk, mule deer, coyotes, black bears, golden eagles, great horned owls, bluebirds, wild turkeys, bull snakes, and horny toads are just a few of the species that call the Backcountry home. Located at 5,920 feet in the heart of the Front Range, our 8,200 acre campus serves as the ultimate learning environment. Our facilities include an outdoor amphitheater, three outdoor classrooms, a large free play area with natural playscapes, a learning garden, chicken coop, and horse corrals. Mission The Backcountry Wilderness Area strives to improve wildlife habitat, inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, and ignite a lifelong love of the outdoors for all. Camp Backcountry accomplishes this through teaching scientific inquiry in a collaborative and fun natural setting. As our campers learn about ecosystems, land use, animal care, and survival skills, we hope they will discover the endless adventures the outdoors can offer and the benefits of protecting and conserving open spaces, parks, and wilderness areas. By providing both structured and non-structured activities, campers will develop better decision making, critical thinking, listening, reasoning, personal responsibility, and increased motor and social skills. Why Horse Camp? We believe summers should be spent outdoors. The best summer days end with mud on your boots, campfire smoke in your hair, and a smile on your face. Horse camp allows campers ample time to develop relationships with these gentle giants. Our horse camps are offered in two different levels, allowing each camper to excel no matter their skill or comfort level around horses. Program Types and Fast Facts Camp Backcountry has 11 sessions of horse camp level I and 4 sessions of horse camp level II throughout the summer. At Horse Camp your cowboy or cowgirl is sure to ride into an incredible summer. Grades: 2-8 (ages 7-13) Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday Friday. Drop-off/Pick-up Location: Backcountry Base Camp Weekly Fee: $ Groups: Campers are split by skill and comfort level around horses for appropriate programming Activities: Daily riding in the arena or on the trail, grooming, saddling, barn chores, traditional camp games 3

4 Horse Camp Sample Schedule Below is a typical week-long schedule for our Horse Camp program. This is just a sample schedule. The schedule will vary based on the session, additional special activities, camper needs, and weather. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 7:30-9:00 am: Optional Before Camp Care Chicken Care 7:30-9:00 am: Optional Before Camp Care Chicken Care 7:30-9:00 am: Optional Before Camp Care Chicken Care 7:30-9:00 am: Optional Before Camp Care Chicken Care 7:30-9:00 am: Optional Before Camp Care Chicken Care 9:00-9:30 am: Drop-off 9:00-9:30 am: Drop-off 9:00-9:30 am: Drop-off 9:00-9:30 am: Drop-off 9:00-9:30 am: Drop-off 9:30 am: Opening circle 9:30 am: Opening circle 9:30 am: Opening circle 9:30 am: Opening circle 9:30 am: Opening circle Welcome to camp! Overview of Day Overview of Day Overview of Day Overview of Day 9:50 am: Head to Horse Corrals 9:45 am: Head to Horse Corrals 9:45 am: Head to Horse Corrals 9:45 am: Head to Horse Corrals 9:45 am: Head to Horse Corrals 10:10 am: Sunscreen, Water, Snack, Restroom Break 10:00 am: Sunscreen, Water, Snack, Restroom Break 10:00 am: Sunscreen, Water, Snack, Restroom Break 10:00 am: Sunscreen, Water, Snack, Restroom Break 10:00 am: Sunscreen, Water, Snack, Restroom Break 10:20 am: Meet the horses 10:15 am: Riding time in the arena 10:15 am: Horse Discoveries 10:15 am: Riding time in the arena 10:15 am: Barn Chores Breeds Saddling Domestic Animals Grooming Horse Adaptations 12:00 pm: Lunch 12:00 pm: Lunch 12:00 pm: Lunch 12:00 pm: Lunch 12:00 pm: Lunch 12:30 pm: Riding time in the arena 1:00 Horse Discoveries Horse Health 12:30 pm: Trail Ride 2:00 pm: LIT Lab Games 2:00 pm: Horse Show Horse Anatomy 3:30-4:00 pm: Pick-up 3:30-4:00 pm: Pick-up 3:30-4:00 pm: Pick-up 3:30-4:00 pm: Pick-up 3:30-4:00 pm: Pick-up 4:00-6:00 pm: optional after camp care 4:00-6:00 pm: optional after camp care 4:00-6:00 pm: optional after camp care 4:00-6:00 pm: optional after camp care 4:00-6:00 pm: optional after camp care Snack Snack Snack Snack Snack Games Games Games Games Games 4

5 REGISTRATION INFORMATION Registration Process To register for any of our Camp Backcountry sessions, please visit our website at and click on Sign up for Camp Backcountry. You will need to set up an account with Highlands Ranch Community Association if you have not already done so. To set up an account with HRCA, call member services at Registration Paperwork In addition to registering for camp, registration paperwork is needed for all of our camp sessions. A camper cannot attend camp, and his/her spot is not guaranteed until this paperwork is completed. Once you ve registered, please check your for an invitation to fill out the paperwork. All of our paperwork is now paperless through a company called epact. If you have never used epact, you will be directed to create an account, and then will be able to provide the requested information about your child(ren). If your child(ren) were in camp last year and you already created an epact account, you will be directed to update info and fill out the 2018 waivers. For questions regarding registration and paperwork, please call or CampBackcountry@HRCAonline.org. All paperwork is due by May 1. If registered after May 1, paperwork is due within one week of registration. Cancellation and Refund Policy Before May 1: You may cancel any camp session and receive a full refund (minus a $5 processing fee) before May 1. After May 1: We will hold 20% of your total camp cost for any cancellation made after May 1. Within 2 Weeks of Your Camp Session: Any cancellation made within 2 weeks (14 days) of the camp session is nonrefundable. To request a refund, please CampBackcountry@HRCAonline.org with the following information: your name, your camper s name, the camp session theme and camp session dates you are requesting a refund for, and the reason for cancellation. Refunds are not given for participant dismissal, failure to attend, or sick days. Transfer Policy Transfers may be made at any time assuming space is available in another suitable session. There is no charge for transfers.* *Expedition Camps: Due to the number of expeditions with outside contractors and our responsibility to confirm participant numbers, transfer requests out of an expedition camp will be charged a $75 fee if the request is made less than 2 weeks (14 days) prior to the camp start date. 5

6 CAMP POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS Please read the following material carefully, and share this information with your child(ren) so that s/he also understands our expectations and is prepared for camp. Camper Behavior All campers are expected to follow stated behavior expectations and safety procedures. Our camp staff will communicate with campers about behavior expectations and will address inappropriate behavior as needed. If a student behaves in any way that is considered to be detrimental to the quality and best interest of the camp or other campers, the Camp Director reserves the right to dismiss a camper from the remainder of the session. This type of dismissal may result due to the following behaviors: endangering the health or safety, emotional or physical, of any person involved with Camp Backcountry, or refusal to cooperate with staff members. When a camper is dismissed from camp, the parent/guardian will be contacted by the Camp Director and asked to pick up their child. In such cases no refunds will be provided. It is at the Camp Director s discretion if your child can return for another session that summer or for future summers. Camp Requirements Due to the outdoor and exploratory nature of Camp Backcountry, campers must be able to move around on uneven terrain. We will make every possible effort to accommodate each camper on a case-by-case basis. The HRCA has a wide variety of summer camps and other programs for children if ours will not be a good fit for your child for more information on other camps or programs please call If you have any questions about your child s ability to participate in our camp, please contact the Camp Director at or annakate.hein@hrcaonline.org. Visitors at Camp Visitors will not be allowed at camp at any time. All children present at camp must be registered for the camp, with complete registration paperwork. Please do not attempt to visit your camper during the camp day. Personal visits by family and friends are limited to drop-off and pick-up windows. Communication with Camp Backcountry The camp team will keep you informed for session information updates and reminders throughout the year via . During your camper s session, parents needing to contact the Camp Backcountry staff should call the Backcountry office at Please notify the Camp Director in advance in your camper needs to be picked up at anytime during the session or if a family emergency occurs. Campers are not able to make phone calls during camp, but the camp staff can relay any important messages. Lost and Found At the end of each camp day and each session, we will have a lost and found table. We hold all lost and found items until the end of our summer camp season. At this time, all lost and found items that have not been claimed will either be donated to our gear shed or to a local thrift store. To help avoid your child(ren)s possessions from ending up in lost and found, please write your camper s name on everything that they bring to camp. It also helps if you allow your camper to help you pack so they know what they have with them at camp each day. 6

7 What Can I Bring to Camp Campers are responsible for bringing their own personal gear and equipment for camp. There is no need to buy all new clothing and equipment for camp. Please see page 10 for a full packing list. Electronic Devices Electronic devices are not allowed at camp. We define electronic devices to include: cell phones, ipods or other music players, electronic games, laptops, tablets, or recording devices. Campers will be kept plenty busy in fun outdoor activities and will not need additional stimulation or screen time. Campers will be reminded of this policy at the beginning of the camp session. After this reminder, any electronic device seen out will be confiscated for the remainder of the camp day, and will be given to the parent/guardian during pick-up. What is allowed? Disposable or digital cameras are allowed at camp, but Camp Backcountry is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen items that a camper brings from home. Food Please pack a large, healthy lunch each day, avoiding sugary snacks such as sodas, energy drinks, or candy. In addition to a full lunch, please pack two additional snacks. We keep our campers active, and they tend to get quite hungry throughout the camp day! We encourage the use of reusable containers/tupperware and practice a pack it in, pack it out mentality. Any trash produced from lunch or snacks will be put back in your child s lunchbox or backpack and sent back home. Spending Money Campers should not bring money to camp. If your camper wishes to purchase Camp Backcountry gear, we will have gear for sale on Fridays during drop-off and pick-up and purchases may be made with a credit card. Weapons No weapons of any sort are allowed on Camp Backcountry's campus. Campers should not bring pocket knives with them to camp. Our Camp Staff Our counselors are all hired based on competitive applications, and are selected for their outdoor skills and caring attitude towards children. Counselors are provided with training, educational objectives, tools for outdoor exploration, and lesson plan support. The average age of our camp counselors is 22 years old. To be a counselor you must be at least 18 years old, and to be an expedition trip leader you must be at least 21 years old. All of our staff have a minimum of First Aid and CPR and are trained in the use of EpiPens. Our Camp Director and Camp Logistics Coordinator have their Wilderness First Aid certifications. All staff undergo background checks. Our staff to camper ratio is 1:8 for our nature camps and art camps, 1:5 for horse camps, and 1:6 for expedition camps. 7

8 HEALTH AND SAFETY Camper Health Our number one concern at Camp Backcountry is the health and safety of your camper. Our staff has, at minimum, First Aid and CPR Training, and our staff backpacks include first aid kits that are carried at all times. Sickness We ask that you do not bring your camper to camp if they show or have any of the following symptoms within the past 24 hours: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, chicken pox, conjunctivitis, or any illness making it difficult to breathe. If your child becomes sick during camp hours, you will be required to make arrangements to have him/her picked up immediately. Your child s camp counselor or the Camp Director will notify you of any non-emergency or illness at the end of the camp day. Medication Each camper must give any medications to a camp staff member for safekeeping during drop-off each camp day. Camp staff will return the medication to the camper or parent/guardian at pick-up each day. This includes over the counter pain relievers, prescription medicine, homeopathic remedies, and/or herbal medications. Please be sure any medications are in their original bottles, labeled with your campers name, and that you have the appropriate medication form filled out. No medication may be administered during camp unless we have the proper medication authorization paperwork filled out by a physician. If your child carries an EPI-Pen or an inhaler, you must have the Allergy/Asthma Action Plan form completed by a doctor and uploaded to epact. Camp Backcountry is in compliance with the Nurse Practice Act and employs a nurse consultant that meets monthly at all of our camps. The nurse is supplied through Children s Hospital and has met all qualifications as directed by the Colorado Department of Human Services. Hospital of Choice You are required to provide a hospital name and address of your choice on the medical information form on epact. You may not write in closest or any in this spot. Your child will only be transported to a hospital via ambulance in the case of a severe or life-threatening injury. In the case of a less severe injury, the Camp Director will contact you and you will be required to make arrangements to come transport your child home or to the doctor or hospital. Cost for treatment arising out of an accident or injury at camp is the responsibility of the camper s parent/guardian. Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions Camp Backcountry staff is prepared to manage common food allergies and dietary restrictions if they are properly noted on your campers medical forms on epact. It is harder to protect against food allergies or to accommodate dietary restrictions if we are not made aware of them ahead of time. Please be sure to clearly list all allergies and dietary restrictions on the medical form. 8

9 Weather Rain We spend the entire camp day outdoors regardless of the weather. We do not move indoors due to rain, unless it is accompanied by lightening or thunder. Please send your camper with a raincoat if rain is expected in the forecast. We like to say there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Lightning In case of seeing lightning or hearing thunder we will immediately take shelter in a grounded building. Camp staff communicate with each other throughout the camp day to ensure all camp groups make it back to shelter prior to a storm. If you see green traffic cones out blocking our property entrance during pick-up, simply turn and follow the cones up to the classroom building where you will be able to pick-up your camper. Sun/Heat Activities that take place in the sun or that require lots of movement will be minimized as necessary due to extreme temperatures. All staff are CPR and First Aid certified and are aware of the symptoms of heat exhausted and heat stroke. We have shade structures and many groves of tress where campers may seek shelter from the sun throughout the day. Fire or Flood If there is an emergency or natural disaster such as a fire, flash flood, or tornado at camp, all camp groups will immediately proceed to the nearest secure location. As soon as it is determined to be safe, the campers will be evacuated from the property. If appropriate, parent/guardians will be notified to pick up their child(ren) from camp. Emergency Procedures In the event of an active shooter or other emergency, all campers will be sheltered in place until it is safe to evacuate. In the event of an emergency, all campers will be evacuated from the property when it is deemed safe. All parents will receive a text message and with details pertaining to the emergency and alternate pick-up locations, if necessary. Transportation Campers will be transported in 10 or 15 passenger vans. All campers are required to wear a seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion. Every camper is required to have their own seatbelt. The Camp Director is notified every time a vehicle with campers departs from camp and returns to camp. In case of an emergency while transporting campers, local services will be called immediately, followed by the Camp Director. Camp License Camp Backcountry is licensed by the CO Dept of Human Services. The license indicates that the program has met the required standards for the operation of a childcare facility. Camp Backcountry follows all guidelines to ensure your child s health and safety. For more information, please contact the CO Office of Child Care Services at Colorado state law requires that childcare providers report any known or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. If any camp staff member suspects child abuse or neglect they will report it to CO-4-KIDS. 9

10 PACKING CHECKLIST: HORSE CAMP Below you will find our recommended packing list of what to wear or bring to camp in order to be prepared and safe. There is no need to buy all new clothing or gear for camp. We recommend that your child(ren) wear comfortable, well used clothing (this is especially important for hiking boots) that is appropriate for riding, playing outside, and getting dirty. Synthetic gear and wool socks tend to do best in our active camp setting. Expect your child to have loads of fun and get a little dirty! Please write your camper s name on everything that you send to camp! Clothing Comfortable clothes you can move around in, ride in, and get dirty Long pants for riding Extra layer, such as a sweatshirt or fleece Rain jacket if there is any chance of rain in the forecast Boots, preferably with a heel (NO open toed shoes) Ball cap or bucket hat Sunglasses Optional: sneakers for playing in when not riding Backpack Items Day Pack (Backpack with good shoulder straps, a hip strap, and large enough to carry lunch, two water bottles, and extra layers) Reusable water bottles or Camelbak (2 liters minimum) Lunch (Please pack a large, heathy meal, avoiding soda, energy drinks, or candy. 2 additional snacks Sunscreen (siblings in different groups need their own bottle) Lip balm Daily Prep Breakfast in belly Sunscreen on body 10

11 DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP INFORMATION What to Expect at Drop-off Drop-off begins at 9:00 am. Give yourself extra time for drop-off, especially on Monday. We appreciate your patience on busy days! Come to the check-in table and look for signage for your camper s age group at the table. On Monday, staff members at the table will have you check your approved pick-up list, double check for any missing paperwork, and give your child(ren) his/her camp t-shirt (one per camper per summer). If you have missing paperwork, you will be asked to speak with the Camp Director or Logistics Coordinator, who will be located at a table in the checkin area. Every day at drop-off you or the adult dropping off will be required to sign your child(ren) into camp. Drop-off ends at 9:30 am. All campers are expected to be present at this time. What to Expect at Pick-up Pick-up begins at 3:30 pm. All campers will be at Base Camp at this time. Please come to the check-out table and look for signage for your camper s age group at the table. Every day at pick-up you, or someone authorized on your pick-up list, will be required to sign your child(ren) out of camp. The first time you pick up your camper, you will be asked for photo ID. Please make sure you have that with you. Pick-up ends promptly at 4:00 pm. Please make every effort to arrive on time. We will give you a 5 minute grace period, and beginning at 4:06 pm., a $1 per minute fee will be put on your household. Before and After Camp Care In order to accommodate parents work schedules, we offer early drop-off and late pick-up options. Before and After Camp Care is available at a small additional fee. Both programs are held at our Base Camp in our regular drop-off/pick-up location. Campers are welcome to bring their breakfast to before care, a snack to after care, and a book to read. We will provide activity options such as shelter building, bug hunting, simple arts and crafts projects, horseshoes, checkers, and other group games, or chicken care. You are welcome to drop-off or pick-up your camper anytime during before or after care. Pre-registration is required. Register for before and/or after care at or by calling member services at Before Care Time: 7:30 am 9:00 am Before Care Cost: $45/week or $12/day After Care Time: 4:00 pm 6:00 pm After Care Cost: $60/week or $15/day 11

12 DO NOT ENTER Hilltop (private) Map and Directions to our Base Camp Address: 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton, CO Directions: 1. From Highlands Ranch Parkway and Santa Fe, travel 3.5 miles South on Santa Fe. 2. Turn left onto Ron King Trail. 3. Continue straight on Ron King Trail for 1.25 miles, following our Backcountry Wilderness Area logo signs. 4. Near the end of Ron King Trail you will see a paved road to law enforcement to the left, a paved parking lot straight ahead, a dirt road just to the right of the parking lot, and a private dirt road to the right. Take the dirt road that goes just to the right of the parking lot. Stay straight on this dirt road for 0.2 miles to get to our Base Camp. If the road is not marked with our logo, do not proceed. These roads are private and restricted. Our neighbors thank you for not trespassing. Highlands Ranch Parkway Titan Road Horse Corrals Ron King Trail Law Enforcement Training Facility Sedalia Base Camp 12