SUMMER CAMP PARENT HANDBOOK CENTRAL BUCKS FAMILY YMCA DOYLESTOWN

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Godfrey Peters
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1 2017 SUMMER CAMP PARENT HANDBOOK CENTRAL BUCKS FAMILY YMCA DOYLESTOWN

2 THANK YOU Dear Valued Families, Thank you for your interest in the Y summer camp program. We are constantly self-assessing and improving our offerings in order to provide your child with the most positive experience possible. Many hours are spent during the non-summer months to ensure that all of the themes, games, and activities are well thought out and properly developed, so that your child can have the best summer ever! However, beyond the fun and excitement, much time is spent focusing on youth development at camp. The definition of youth development is the socialemotional, cognitive, and physical processes that all youth uniquely experience from birth to career. A successful development process fulfills children and teens innate need to be loved, spiritually grounded, educated, competent, and healthy. In order to make this positive impact on your child, friendship, accomplishment, and belonging are constant themes at camp. No matter which camp you are attending in Warminster or Doylestown, your child will learn a new skill, make a new friend, and feel safe while doing so. I look forward to seeing you this summer! Melissa Lollar Camp Director Doylestown Warminster mlollar@cbfymca.org x1117

3 WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING TO CAMP? All campers should come to camp with a water bottle, sneakers, sunscreen, a backpack, and a snack. If your camper is attending camp from at least 9 AM - 4 PM, they will need to bring a lunch, a bathing suit, and a towel. Please, do not bring any valuable items to camp. DOES MY CHILD NEED TO WEAR A CAMP SHIRT? On a regular day a camp shirt is not required. However, as a safety measure, your child is required to wear their camp shirt for off-site field trips, if they are registered for that trip. One camp shirt per child is included with summer registration. Camp shirt pick-up/purchase is available all day Monday & Tuesday, as well as Wednesday morning. All campers registered for the trip that fail to attend with their camp shirt, are required to purchase an additional camp shirt and it will be charged to their account accordingly. WHAT TIME CAN I DROP OFF MY CHILD? If your child is registered for early care, they may sign-in no earlier than 7:00 AM. If your child is registered for a camp that starts at 9:00 AM, they may sign-in no earlier than 8:45 AM. If your child is registered for Afternoon Sports or afternoon only Adventure, they may sign-in no earlier than 12 PM. If your child is registered for an afternoon Speciality Camp, they may sign-in no earlier than 1 PM. WHERE SHOULD I DROP OFF MY CHILD? All campers that arrive before 8:30 AM should be taken to the outdoor courts at the lower end of the Y property for sign-in. After 8:30, sign-in locations may differ for each camp. All sign-in locations will be linked in the Camp Newsletter, which is sent out every Friday. You can ensure you are receiving the newsletter by visiting this page on our website and making sure to pick Yes for Camp News: WHERE DO I FIND MY CHILD IF I HAVE TO PICK-UP DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY? If you are picking up your child from Adventure or Afternoon Camp earlier than the scheduled time, go to the Camp Pavilion and a Camp Leadership staff member will locate your child for you. If your child is in a Specialty Camp, you will pick-up in the same location as drop-off. WHAT IF I AM RUNNING LATE AND CANNOT PICK-UP MY CHILD BY THE TIME HIS/HER CAMP IS SCHEDULED TO END? If you are running late to pick up your child and will not arrive by their camp s scheduled end-time, please call the Camp Pavilion at x1147. The Welcome Center will then relay this information to camp staff. Please know that if you are running late, your child may be signed into another camp group. If you wish, we will notify your child so that they do not worry. WHAT IF I AM RUNNING LATE AND CANNOT PICK-UP MY CHILD BY 6:00 PM? If you are unable to pick-up your child by 6 PM, please notify the Camp Pavilion at x1147. At 6:01 PM, any remaining campers will be taken to the main facility and signed into Child Watch. A late fee of $1 for every minute past 6:00 PM will be assessed. WHY DO I NEED TO SHOW MY PHOTO I.D. WHEN THE COUNSELOR ALREADY KNOWS WHO I AM? For the safety of your child, we require every adult to present their I.D. to the counselor each day. We understand that your counselor may recognize you after a period of time, but we cannot guarantee that the same counselor will be signing your child out each day. With the large number of campers in our camp programs, we find that it compromises safety to ask our counselors to recognize every adult each day. Therefore, to keep every camper safe, we require consistency from our counselors in asking for I.D. s from every adult. WHAT IF MY CHILD TAKES MEDICATION DURING THE DAY? Daily medications must be signed in every morning with the Early Camp Supervisor or Camp Coordinator. Please place only the daily dosage in the prescription bottle each day. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS OR IS TOO HOT OUTSIDE? When the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat warning or when thunder is heard on the Camp site, we will relocate your child s camp into one of our indoor locations. These locations will be communicated to all camp parents as quickly as possible. If your child s sign-in/out location changes due to the inclement wheather, this will be communicated via text message, , and social media. WHAT IF SOMEONE HAS TO PICK-UP MY CHILD THAT IS NOT LISTED AS AN AUTHORIZED PICK-UP PERSON? If you are unable to pick-up on time and instead send someone that is not on the authorized list to pick-up your child, please call the Camp Pavilion at x HOW DO I CHANGE OR ADD INFO SUCH AS PHONE # S, AUTHORIZED PICK-UP PERSONS, ETC.? Any changes or additions to this information can be ed to camp@cbfymca.org. Please write your camper s name in the subject line. Please know that when adding an additional pick-up person from an unrecognized address, you may receive a phone call to confirm, for security purposes.

4 IMPACT FOR LIFE ACCOMPLISHMENT Discovering skills to help realize their passions, talents and potential. BELONGING Being a place to belong where kids feel safe, welcome and can express their individuality. FRIENDSHIP Building friendships to demonstrate the role positive relationships play in the well-being of child. HOW WILL I RECEIVE UPDATES AND INFO ABOUT CAMP? Information is communicated in many different ways at camp. When you provide your address at registration, you will begin to receive the camp newsletter which includes specific camp details for each upcoming week. When there is a last minute change such as inclement weather, in addition to , you will receive a text alert if you provide your cell phone # at registration. You will also receive hard copy messages periodically to remind you of upcoming family nights and events. In addition to all of this, our social media sites will be a constant feed of what is going on at camp! CAN MY CHILD MEET THEIR COUNSELOR BEFORE CAMP STARTS? Meet Your Counselor Day is on Saturday, June 18th from 10 AM to Noon. This event will take place in the Camp Pavilion. You and your camper will have the chance to meet a majority of the camp staff. Please know, that due to staff availability/vacation camp- staff may change the group they are working with during the summer. No specific staff are guaranteed to work with a specific age group. DO THE CIT/LITS WORK AT THE Y? No. Participants in both our Counselor and Leader in Training programs are campers. These teenagers, especially the CITs, are involved with our camp groups on a daily basis. These campers are looking to gain leadership skills, learn responsibility, and perhaps one day work at camp. Please know that CITs/LITs are never put in a position where they are the sole caretaker of your child. WHERE DO I FIND ITEMS THAT MY CHILD MAY HAVE LOST? The Lost & Found will be located next to the Camp Pavilion. During inclement weather, the Lost & Found will be located under the Camp Pavilion. Items lost in the Main Facility (pool area, locker room) may be taken to the Lost & Found behind the Welcome Center. DOES MY PRESCHOOLER NEED TO BE POTTY TRAINED? Yes. All campers must be potty trained.

5 WHY CAN T I CHANGE MY CHILD S CAMP AFTER A CERTAIN DAY? For the safety of your child, we must maintain a specific staff to camper ratio. To ensure that we stay true to these ratios, we must know the amount of children we will have in each camp by a certain date. WHAT IF MY 3-DAY CAMPER WANTS TO ATTEND A TRIP OR SPECIAL EVENT BUT IS NOT REGISTERED FOR CAMP THAT DAY? If your 3-day camper wants to attend a field trip but is not registered for that day of camp, you will need to request a camp change through Melanie Spratt at mspratt@cbfymca.org at least 1 week in advance. If your 3-day camper would like to attend the Special Event but is not registered for that day of camp, they are welcome to attend with an adult. IF MY CHILD IS SIGNED UP FOR 3-DAY CAMP, CAN I CHANGE WHICH DAYS THEY ATTEND? Yes. Changing the specific day in which a 3-day camper will attend requires the same process as changing a camp. An must be sent to mspratt@cbfymca.org at least 10 days to the start of the specific week of camp. A $20 processing fee will be assessed for any camp change. WHAT AND WHEN ARE FAMILY NIGHTS? Family nights allow our campers to show their families what they have been doing at camp and provide the opportunity for families to participate in a variety of activities together. Family nights will be held on Thursday, July 7th and August 11th from 6-8 PM. WILL MY CHILD SWIM AT CAMP? All campers that are registered for Adventure Camp and Afternoon Aports will swim every day (unless they are registered for a trip). Girls are given swim lessons every Tuesday. Boys will be given swim lessons every Thursday. In order to ensure safety, all afternoon Adventure and Sports campers must swim each day unless a doctors note is provided. HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE? 1. First, register for all of the camps you are requesting assistance for by: Completing all camp registration paperwork (can be obtained on-line or at the Welcome Center). Paying a discounted deposit of $10 per camp, per week, per child, to hold your spot while your financial assistance request is being processed. Example: If you are requesting Early Care, Late Care, and Full Day Camp for Week 1 for one child we re quire a $30 deposit for that week. If you are request ing separate morning and afternoon camps for any week, you will need to pay a deposit for each of those camps. Camps that run in two week sessions require a $10 deposit per week, even though they are listed as one session. 2. Next, submit the completed Financial Assistance Application with all required paperwork (2015 tax return and current financial information pay, support, welfare, social security, unemployment, etc.) to the Welcome Center. 3. Allow at least 3 weeks for processing of the financial assistance application. June camp requests must be submitted by June 1, July camp requests must be submitted by June 15, and August camp requests must be submitted by July 1. Steps 1 and 2 above MUST be completed by these deadline dates. 4. After receiving your qualification for financial assistance, if you would like to register for more camps than you initially requested, please visit the Welcome Center and register for the additional camps at least 10 days prior to the start of those camps. There is no additional paperwork required - just the additional deposits. WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS AN ALLERGY? If your child has an allergy that requires an Epipen, the Epipen must be signed in each week with the Early Camp Supervisor or Camp Coordinator and kept in your child s bag. If your child s allergy requires Benadryl, the Benadryl must be signed in each week and given to the Early Camp Supervisor or Camp Coordinator. WHAT ARE CORE VALUE CARDS? Core Value Cards are given to campers that demonstrate our Core Values with acts of honesty, responsibility, respect, or caring. These Core Value Cards can be traded in at our Core Value Store each week for small prizes in the camp Pavilion. CAN MY CHILD TAKE A PRIVATE SWIM LESSON DURING THE DAY? Yes. Private swim lessons can be arranged through our Aquatics department. Once scheduled, you will add YMCA swim instructor to the list of persons allowed to pick-up your child. The swim instructor will pick-up and return your child from/to the camp group. You can schedule lessons with Ashley Coticchio acoticchio@cbfymca.org HOW DO THE FIELD TRIPS WORK?Field Trips are a separate registration from Adventure Camp. Your child must be registered for a full day (at least 9 AM-4 PM) of camp on the same Wednesday of the desired trip. Camp trips must be paid in full at the time of registration. No changes or cancellations can be made to trip registrations. Campers that do not attend the trips will still participate in the same fun activities as on non-trip days. Trip registration must be completed at least a week in advance. HOW DO I CHANGE OR CANCEL A CAMP? All cancellations and changes must be made through Melanie Spratt Camp Administrator. Please, all change/cancellation requests to her at mspratt@cbfymca. org, at least 10 days prior. See the camp Financial Terms and Conditions for additional details.

6 STAFF Who do I call if I have a question or need? Running late? Someone else picking up your child?: CALL THE CAMP PAVILION! x1147 Camp Information Melissa Lollar Associate Director mlollar@cbfymca.org Melissa will oversee all operations at the Doylestown Camp site in During the school year, Melissa provides leadership to Child Watch, Birthday Parties, Parent Nights Out, Teen programs, Skatepark, Dance programs, and Arts & Humanities programs at the Y. Her leadership skills and work ethic serve as the backbone to the process of creating a safe, fun, and enjoyable environment for over 1,300 children and over 100 staff. Melissa Lollar lives and breathes Camp at the Y! Financial Assistance: Catherine Refice x1139, crefice@cbfymca.org Catherine C. Refice, the Financial Assistance Coordinator, is responsible for communicating, processing, and supporting our financial assistance program. She has been with the Y for over 10 years, nine of them in the Accounting/Finance department and one year serving in the Welcome Center. She graduated from LaSalle University with a Human Resource and Psychology degree. Her and her husband have lived in the area all of their lives and their children attend(ed) Central Bucks School District. Swim Lessons and Testing at Camp: Ashley Coticchio Camp Aquatics acoticchio@cbfymca.org Changes, cancellations, payments: Melanie Spratt Camp Administrator mspratt@cbfymca.org In her 11th year with the Y, Melanie is responsible for registration changes, cancellations and payments. A married mom of four great kids, Melanie enjoys working directly with campers and parents to ensure a successful summer. Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business/Accounting from Delaware Valley College and is employed part time at the college as their Assistant Director of Admission. The Y offers so many unique camps for all ages. It is a place where your child will grow and learn everyday core values from a group of great mentors and role models. AbilityCamps: Meghan Halberstadt Associate Director of Ability Programs x1136, mhalberstadt@cbfymca.org Meghan is a graduate of West Chester University, with a degree in Health and Physical Education, and a national certification as an Adapted Physical Educator. She worked part time at Central Bucks Family YMCA as a STARS Program instructor from , teaching the introduction to adapted sports classes, adapted aquatics classes, and working as a personal trainer. Meghan took some time off to pursue a teaching career, however she returned to the Y family in April of 2013 as the full time Ability Specialist. She is now the Associate Director of Ability Programs, and excited about all of the opportunities we provide to our community! Ashley has been ensuring the safety of Camp swim for the past three summers. A graduate from University of Mary Washington, she is fully integrated in the camp process in order to ensure that the systems in the camp department are synergistic with the aquatics department. In result, this creates the safest camp swim experience.

What qualifications do the staff that are working with my children have? Tyler Mertens Camp Supervisor Tyler is currently a middle school math teacher in the Penn-Delco.

Tim Newton Healthy Living Specialist Tim has been a staple at the Y camp for 10 summers.

Tim s passion for the outdoors will be shared with all of our campers at the Y.

7 What qualifications do the staff that are working with my children have? Tyler Mertens Camp Supervisor Tyler is currently a middle school math teacher in the Penn-Delco. This will be Tyler s 4th summer at the Y. A graduate of West Chester University, Tyler enjoys his role of bringing life and excitement to the camp environment. Tim Newton Healthy Living Specialist Tim has been a staple at the Y camp for 10 summers. He holds a bachelor s degree in early childhood education from Millersville University and is currently a 3rd grade teacher in the state of Virginia. Tim s passion for the outdoors will be shared with all of our campers at the Y. Shannon Ryan Teen Camp Supervisor Shannon earned her Bachelor s degree in middle grades preparation from West Chester University and it will be her fourth year with camp. As a current CBSD teacher, she will oversee all aspects of Teen Camps. I love camp and working with all of our children, helping them find a sense of belonging. Kelly McKinstry Sports & Extended Care Supervisor Kelly has been coming to camp since she was 5 years old. Her experience, compassion, and engagement are what creates a positive environment for the children in her care. A current student at East Strousburg University, Kelly is looking to bring her experience back to sports camp at the Y. Sarah Fetter Admin & Extended Care Supervisor Sarah is currently a Nutrition & Dietetics major at NYU who will serve as a wonderful role model to our Counselors In Training. Her past experiences include serving as the President of Best Budies which works with special needs children. She is a Stand Tall mentor which promotes being drug & alcohol free. Sarah also volunteers at both a preschool and nursing home. Jenny Apple PreSchool Supervisor Jenny is a graduate of North Penn High School and currently attends Penn State Main, majoring in Elementary Education. Jenny s high-energy and caring nature will make a positive impact on the camp environment. I really love the energy and enthusiasm of the children at camp. Ashley Hill Ability Camp Supervisor Ashley is a dual major in Early Childhood Education and Special Education at Slippery Rock University. She serves as a Peer Mentor through the First-Year Leader Scholar Program as a role model for new students to the University, a Green and White Student Ambassador, and participant in American Sign Language classes. She is a dedicated teacher candidate who is passionate about the children she works with and has many past experiences working with children of all ages and abilities, including those on the Autism Spectrum. Counselors All Camp Counselors are at least 16 years of age and complete both a criminal and child abuse clearance. In addition to a 14 hour camp staff training, all staff are certified in CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens and Child Abuse Prevention. Lifeguards Lifeguards monitor pool activities and ensure camper safety. Our lifeguards need to possess certification from the American Red Cross in Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED and Emergency Oxygen. In addition to this they are certified in handling Bloodborne Pathogens. To help prevent incidents and keep everyone safe, lifeguards must enforce all safety guidelines as outlined by the YMCA. All lifeguards are at least 16 years of age and complete a child abuse clearance. Swim Instructors Our Camp swim instructors pull from our year round swim instructors who are trained to help each child learn how to not only swim better, but how to become safer in the water overall. Our instructors have been trained through either YSLI, WSI or our in-house extensive training program that teaches instructors how to challenge each child, while providing them with a comforting and safe swim lesson.

8 CHECK OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AT CAMP IN facebook.com/groups/cbfycamp ENSURE YOU ARE RECEIVING THE NEWSLETTER... Visit this page and make sure to pick Yes for Camp News. ASK QUESTIONS, MEET CAMP STAFF AND TOUR OUR FACILITIES at our Open House Events: MON 1/9 4-6 PM SAT 1/21 10 AM-12 PM TUES 2/7 4-6 PM SAT 2/25 10 AM-12 PM WED 3/ PM THUR 4/ PM SAT 4/29 10 AM-1 PM Healthy Kids Day Camp Pavilion MON 5/8 4-6 PM SAT 5/20 10 AM-12 PM SAT 3/25 10 AM-12 PM

Summer Camp at the Hamilton Area YMCA Sawmill Branch Frequently Asked Questions

Summer Camp at the Hamilton Area YMCA Sawmill Branch Frequently Asked Questions Where is camp located? The Hamilton Area YMCA Sawmill Branch 185 Sawmill Road Hamilton, NJ 08620 What are the dates for camp?