Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp

Transcription

1 Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp Parent Orientation Manual Jewish Community Alliance, 8505 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL www. jcajax.org

2 Summer 2018 Dear Camp Gan Yeladim & KinderCamp Parents, Welcome to the JCA s Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp! We have FANTASTIC PROGRAMS planned for your child this summer. Whether it is learning about nocturnal animals or building a sand castle on the beach, your camper is destined to have a FUN SUMMER full of excitement! At Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp, young children are nurtured and guided by some of the FINEST COUNSELORS in the area. JCA counselors are mature, enthusiastic, and safety conscious. They are specifically trained to help your young camper develop self-esteem, confidence, friendships, and lifelong skills. Camp activities take place in our large, modern FABULOUS FACILITY. All campers enjoy daily water experiences, cool air-conditioned cabins, clean play spaces, and creative playgrounds. In addition, our program is FULLY ACCREDITED by the American Camping Association. We received a score of 100% on our last site visit! To ensure an organized summer for you, your child, and our staff, please read all the information in this orientation packet. Fill out and return all necessary forms as soon as possible we need those two weeks before the beginning of your camper s first session. Please plan on attending our Camp Cookout on Sunday, June 11, 2018 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity for you and your camper to get acquainted with camp staff and the facility. Please call the office if you have any questions about any of the information you have received. We look forward to having your child join us while we make lifelong friendships and memories! Sincerely, Theresa Levy, Director Camp Gan Yeladim & KinderCamp 904/ ext. 237 Theresa.Levy@jcajax.org 1

3 Financial Policies A $75, $50, or $25 non-transferable, non-refundable deposit for each child for each session must accompany the registration form to guarantee your space. The registration fees are according to the following enrollment: T/TH M/W/F M-F $25 $50 $75 All deposits are applied to your camper s session fee. Full payment for each camp session is due May 4, If you are not paid in full by this date, your child may be taken off the camp roster, no longer guaranteeing your space. If you register after May 4, 2018 payment in full is due when you register. Please note that non-refundable, non-transferable camp deposits mean that you may not transfer your deposit to other JCA programs outside of camp. All forfeited deposits go into the JCA Camp Scholarship Fund. There will be no exceptions for unanticipated vacations, illness, work schedules, withdrawals, absences, etc. Camp tuition for JCA members during the summer of 2018 is as follows: Patty Cakes K Ton & Tovim Kinder Time Option T/TH MWF M-F T/TH M/W/F M-F M-F 9:00 12:00 $130 $210 $290 $120 $185 $265 9:00 1:30 $160 $235 $365 $355 9:00 3:30 $225 $380 $530 $200 $310 $445 $435 7:30 3:30 $595 $510 $480 9:00-6:00 $600 $515 $500 7:30 6:00 $620 $530 $515 Non JCA members must add $45 per camper per session. To receive membership rates for camp, parents must be current JCA family members in good financial standing. Please note: Occasional extended care is not available during summer camp. 2

4 Camp Gan Yeladim & KinderCamp 2018 Session Themes Session I (June 11 th June 22 nd ) Messy Magic Session II (June 25 th July 6 th ) (No camp Wednesday, July 4 th ) Animal Action (Tovim/KinderCamp UNDERnight, June 28 th 6:00-7:30pm) Session III (July 9 th July 20 th ) Mad Science (Tovim/KinderCamp UNDERnight, July 18 th 6:00 7:30pm) Session IV (July 23 rd August 3 rd ) Wild about Water If you have siblings in any of the upper camps, they may be dressing up on Wednesdays and Fridays. If your Gan Yeladim or KinderCamp Camper wishes to participate they can, but younger campers typically do not. Camp Daily Schedules A typical daily camp schedule is as follows: 7:30-8:15 Good Morning! Breakfast time (parents provide) 8:15-9:00 Table Toys/Manipulatives 9:00-9:40 Art and Centers 9:40-10:05 Water fun or Swim Lessons 10:05-10:30 Clean Up/Diaper or Toileting 10:30-10:55 Snack/Music & Movement 11:00-11:30 Special Events 11:30-11:50 Great Outdoors/Story time 11:50-12:00 Carpool Camp Groups Group Name Age by 9/1/18 Adult: Camper Ratio Patty Cakes 2 2:10 K Ton 3 2:13 Tovim (must have fully mastered toilet learning) 4 2:16 KinderCamp 5 2:17 All groups have more than one cabin. Every full cabin has a head counselor and an assistant counselor. All camp counselors are at least 18 years or older and have been through 24 hours of camp training. They are educated in safety and trained in building self-esteem in young children. All groups participate in a wide range of age-appropriate activities including music, art, science, cooking, Judaic activities, nature, water play, and more. 3

5 Resource Days/UNDERnights All campers enjoy camp wide festivals and resource days throughout the summer. Check your session newsletter and cabin calendar for specific details regarding these resource days and events. Tovim and KinderCamp campers enjoy special resources brought in once a session. Information regarding these special days will be in the session newsletter and cabin calendars. These campers are also invited back to camp twice during the summer for camp UNDERnights. Campers return to the JCA at 6 p.m. for art, keepsake photo, swimming, dinner, and activities. After swimming they dress in their pajamas and are ready for pick-up at 7:30 p.m. Appropriately aged campers may attend whether enrolled in that session or not. The first UNDERnight is on Thursday, June 28. The next UNDERnight is on Wednesday, July 18. The cost for each UNDERnight is $18.00 for members and $27.00 for non-members. You will receive more information on this program in your camp newsletter and via separate flyers. What to Bring 1. On each camp day, your child should carry a labeled bag or labeled backpack with the following items inside: KinderCampers & Tovim Campers: An extra labeled change of clothes (including socks, shirt, shorts, & underwear) in case of an accident or messy craft activities! K Ton Campers & Patty Cake Campers: a. An extra labeled change of clothes (including socks, shirt, shorts, & underwear) in case of an accident or messy craft activities! b. Three diapers (per morning) and a container of wipes - only applicable, of course, to those K Tons using diapers. If your child is staying for extended care, please send three additional diapers. c. One disposable and one reusable swim diaper for those campers in diapers. Regular disposable diapers cannot go in the pool. d. Two pairs of underwear for campers who have mastered toilet learning. Children should come to camp dressed in their bathing suit under their clothes. Bring a labeled towel, plastic bag, and two pairs of labeled underwear (if applicable). 2. Please label everything! Sharpie Markers are great for this. 3. Please apply sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher before arrival each morning. 4

6 4. Children should wear comfortable clothing and closed toe shoes, suitable for outdoor play. Please do not send your child wearing dangling jewelry, platform sandals or slide-on shoes. Please label, very clearly, the outside of your child s carry bag or backpack. This helps assure that everything you send to camp returns home. Clothing Your child should wear comfortable play clothes with shoes and socks at all times. Please send your children dressed in clothes that can get dirty! It is advisable for children to wear closed shoes and no dangling jewelry. Please send a labeled bag containing a complete, seasonal change of marked clothing, including socks. Accidents do happen and art and activities can be messy! Please label each piece of clothing as well. Remember that all children should come to camp dressed in a bathing suit under their clothes unless otherwise instructed by your camp counselor. All campers receive a camp T-shirt to wear on Fridays Shabbat celebration. Swim Program The JCA prides itself in offering a top-notch aquatic program for summer camp. KinderCamper, Tovim and K Ton campers (who have mastered toilet learning) benefit from swimming five days per week (four days of lessons and one water fun or free swim day). Our enthusiastic aquatic instructors have Red Cross WSI certification or JCA Instructor s certification as well as teaching and lifeguard experience. Flotation devices that are worn, such as water wings or vests, are not allowed during swim lessons. Those K Ton campers who have not yet mastered toilet learning may participate in water activities such as playing in the wading pool and in the sprinklers; provided they are wearing swim diapers and rubber pants under their bathing suits. The Sports and Recreation Department does not allow any child still in diapers into the wading pool unless he/she is wearing a disposable or non-disposable swim diaper and rubber pants. Swim Evaluation for K Ton, Tovim, and KinderCamp In order to ensure your child is properly placed in our swim program, we ask parents to complete the summer camp Swim Evaluation Form included in the back of this orientation packet. Please make sure you complete your form and submit it with your balance payment due on Friday, May 4, 2018 or as soon as possible before your child attend camp. Parents of Patty Cake campers do not need to fill out this form. Parent/Staff Communication We maintain a strong belief in the value of good and open communication. On the first day of each session, you receive a camp newsletter outlining the plans for the session and 5

7 informing you of changes and other important information. If your camper does not come home with a newsletter on Monday (or Tuesday for Tues. /Thurs. campers), please call the office immediately. You also receive a written calendar from your camper s head counselor at the beginning of each session telling you about their specific plans for that session. Patty Cake and K Ton campers signed up for a full day receive a form detailing their entire day at camp. We encourage you to come to the office to speak with us or to arrange a conference with your child s counselor if you feel it is needed. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. At carpool times (9:00 a.m., 12 noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.) our office employees are occupied making sure your children are safely taken from and to your car. Please try to visit the office at least ten minutes before or after those times. If no one is available to answer your call, please leave a voic at extension 235, 256, 242 or 237, and we will contact you as soon as possible. If you need to reach a staff person immediately at any time regarding your child in our care, please follow these guidelines: 1) Call and enter an extension (235, 242, 256 or 237) 2) If no one answers, press 0 for the receptionist 3) Tell the receptionist you were not able to get through and need to speak to someone at Camp Gan Yeladim or KinderCamp 4) Ask the receptionist to use the walkie talkie to page a Camp Gan Yeladim or KinderCamp employee JCA Website Go to the JCA website at and click on JCA Summer Camp to get the latest calendars, newsletters and schedules for your child s individual camp. JCA Facebook Check out the JCA Facebook page at to view photos from our camp. Like us on Facebook! Staff Babysitting Great care is taken in our hiring process to ensure we have the finest staff available to work with your children and provide a culture of safety in our camp environment. All staff are required to sign a Code of Conduct as part of the expectations we hold them to as staff members. Among other things, staff are not permitted to be alone with children they meet in camp outside of the JCA. This includes babysitting unless there is a prior relationship with the family. Therefore, we request that you do not ask our camp staff to babysit for your children. Any exceptions require a written explanation before the fact. 6

8 Parent Evaluation/Feedback At the end of each camp session, parents are asked to go on-line to complete a questionnaire that provides useful feedback on a consistent and immediate basis. Additionally, always feel free to talk to camp directors, counselors and administrators with any feedback you wish to share. It is very important that the JCA provides the highest quality camp program. All comments, both positive and constructive, are eagerly awaited welcomed. Camp Discipline Policy It is a state requirement that parents are informed of discipline procedures. At Gan Yeladim & KinderCamp, if a child behaves in an unacceptable manner, he or she is redirected, shadowed, or removed from the activity for a brief period. Positive reinforcement and guidance are used as much as possible. Redirection and pro-social skill guidance is used when a camper is behaving in an unacceptable manner. Techniques may vary with each situation, however, physical punishment or inappropriate language or manner is never used and never acceptable. All campers are expected to behave properly, work cooperatively within the camp group, and follow the directions of the camp staff. When and if there are behavior challenges, the camp staff contact the parents. Parental cooperation is expected in handling these issues. If the behavior continues, the JCA reserves the right to dismiss the camper from the program without a refund or financial credit. Behavior challenges are defined as behaviors that are unmanageable, disruptive to the group, or endangering the welfare and safety of other campers, staff or themselves. Under no circumstances, if brought to the attention of JCA staff, is bullying behavior tolerated. JCA reserves the right to dismiss a child who bullies another child or children from the program without a refund or financial credit. Bullying behavior is considered harassment that may be verbal, written, graphic or physical causing another child to feel unsafe or fearful of being in camp and interferes with their ability to participate in or benefit from the camp program. Food Policies All campers receive a snack with filtered water. KinderCampers participate in the JCA camp lunch program and do not need to bring any food to camp. Campers in other age groups need to bring a lunch with a drink if staying past 12:00 noon. We observe the kosher dietary guidelines enclosed in this packet. If you have any questions regarding these policies, please call. Lunches for Patty Cakes and K Tons are refrigerated. Tovim lunches are not. Please print names clearly on the outside of the lunchbox or bag. All food sent to camp must be pre-cut for the younger children and age-appropriate. For example, please do not send your child with yogurt and a spoon if they cannot manage it independently. Popcorn, nuts, and uncut grapes are choking hazards and are not permitted. Please be sure to include all utensils. Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp areas are peanut and tree nut free. If your child is a Patty Cake, K Ton, or Tovim camper staying beyond 3:30 p.m., please send an afternoon snack with a drink. Camp Gan Yeladim does not provide afternoon snacks. 7

9 Children arriving before 8:15 a.m. may bring their breakfast with them to eat at camp. Breakfast is not served to children who arrive after that time. Good nutrition is an important part of our program. We request that only nutritious lunches, afternoon snacks or breakfasts are sent to school. Please do not send candy or carbonated beverages. Dietary Policies The following dietary guidelines are observed in the Camp Gan Yeladim. Please ask for help in the lower camp office if you have any questions. Any food provided by JCA camps adheres to these guidelines. Any food handled in our kitchens must follow these guidelines: 1. Meat products of pork origin are not permitted. 2. Shellfish is not permitted. 3. Meat and milk products may not be packed together for the same meal. For example, a turkey sandwich is fine, but not a turkey and cheese sandwich. A turkey sandwich is fine with juice, but not with a container of milk. However, you may send dairy products for snack time and meat products for lunchtime, but they must be packed in separate containers. 4. Full time children leaving breakfast food products in the kitchen must be sure those products are marked with an accepted kosher symbol (See symbols at the end of this section.) 5. Packaged foods sent for snacks and lunches must be marked with an accepted kosher symbol. 6. All food that is served to others for birthday parties or special events must be purchased from acceptable vendors such as Entenmann s, Krispy Kreme, and Carvel ice cream. Winn Dixie in Lakewood also has a large Kosher section. Fresh fruit is always nice too and more healthy! 7. Due to life threatening allergies, ALL Gan and KinderCamp rooms and areas are peanut and tree nut free. Some cabins and age groups are also whole egg free. Please check with your child s counselor for the allergy status in your cabin. 8. Always check the package label for the seal or sign of certification. Not all runs of a given product are necessarily Kosher. Sometimes certification is discontinued unexpectedly. In some lines, only certain flavors or varieties are kosher. 9. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always acceptable. 10. Snacks and lunches sent from home are to be packed in closed containers or bags. 11. The following symbols are acceptable: 8

10 Medication Medication is only given when accompanied by a completed medication form (available in the office.) Medication must be in its original container with the child s name on the prescription label. Health Forms Summer camp is 39 days in duration. Any children registered for more than 39 days of camp must submit state required health form 3040 and a current immunization chart. These forms are available at your doctor s office. Sick Policies 1) Parents, or designated caretakers, of children who exhibit any of the following symptoms will be called to come to the JCA to pick up their child within a one hour time period: fever of degrees and above diarrhea vomiting abnormal behavior 2) Please do not bring your child to camp with any of the above mentioned symptoms. If in doubt about your child, please keep your child at home. It is highly unfair to healthy campers and counselors to expose them unnecessarily to illness. Once a virus begins in a group, it becomes very difficult to control. Please be considerate of others. 3) Please alert the office when your child develops a communicable disease (like chicken pox) or a highly contagious illness (pink eye, strep, etc.) so that we can notify the other families (anonymously of course) via Health Alert . 4) We understand that it is sometimes difficult for working parents to make arrangements for their sick children, but JCA programs are for well children only. We are not set up to care for sick children. It is the responsibility of the parents to have advance alternative plans. 5) Children sent home with fever are not allowed back into the program for at least 24 hours after being discharged. A note is made of dismissal time. In order to return to the program, your child must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. These policies exist for the benefit of the campers and take the cooperation of all parents in the program in order to be effective. 9

11 Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures 1. Staff members are available to greet your child in your car at the side door (awning) entrance of the JCA (to the right of the main entrance) from 8:50 a.m. until 9:05 a.m. and then take campers directly to their cabins. For safety and security reasons, parents must walk in through the main entrance with Patty Cake campers. If your child is a first-time camper or needs you to walk him/her into camp, please feel free to do so by parking your car and using the main entrance only. When entering through the main entrance, the receptionist scans your JCA photo I.D. card. If you are not a member or forgot your card, the receptionist needs to scan another form of photo I.D. and print you a visitor badge or issue a temporary membership pass before you will be allowed to enter. This process applies to everyone including JCA staff. 2. Occasionally, during inclement weather, the assistant counselors and other early bird campers are in the gym. It is your responsibility to put your child s things away in their cabin and escort them to the group. Please do not leave your child until a camp employee has signed them in! The head counselors are busy preparing for the day, and are not responsible for the children in their cabins before 8:55 a.m. Early bird campers are brought to their rooms when camp begins. 3. Patty Cakes scheduled to arrive before 8:55 a.m. go to a designated cabin in the Patty Cake/K Ton area or on the playground. 4. We have afternoon carpools at 11:55 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. We will bring the children down to the end of the hall, put them in your car, and buckle them up as you come through the carpool line. Please remain in your car during this process. 5. All carpools end when the last car in line leaves so please be in line at the time carpool starts. For example, afternoon carpool starts at 3:20p.m.. If the last car in line leaves at 3:35 and you arrive at 3:36, you will need to park and walk in through the main entrance to get your child. 6. You may park your car and walk up to the door for your child if you do not wish to use the carpool line. Those who are waiting in the carpool line are given first priority in receiving their children. 7. Please do not get out of your cars to talk if you are in the line! This helps dismissal be as speedy as possible. 8. If your child is to go home with any adult other than yourself, written permission, along with a brief description of the person (if unfamiliar to us) and their car (if they are using carpool,) must be sent to camp each time. Please remind the person to bring a photo I.D. Our counselors are required to ask for proof of identity if the person picking up is unknown to them. 10

12 9. Please note that for the security and protection of your children, the side entrance is only open at carpool times. At all other times this door is locked and alarmed. Adults must enter and exit the building through the front lobby kiosk only. Late & Early Fees Our early and extended care camp counselors are hired according to registration received for that time of the day. When children arrive earlier or stay later than their scheduled times, it can jeopardize the adult-to-child ratios. We ask that you abide by the times for which your child is registered. To enforce this policy, we charge $1.00 for each minute of care which is not pre-registered. For extenuating circumstances, or to change your child's schedule, please call the camp director. Challah Program We are pleased to offer a take-home challah program to you and your family. This gives you the opportunity to have a delicious, fresh kosher challah in your home each week for Shabbat. Below is the order form you will need during the summer. Orders must be in the office at least one week in advance of the Friday listed on the form. Checks must accompany your orders, and they should be made payable to the JCA. You may also order challah at the JCA website at You may order for as many weeks in advance as you wish. Please include this form along with your check. 11

13 Summer Challah Order Form 2018 Camper Name: Gan Yeladim KinderCamp Theatre Camp Sabra Habonim J Teen Friday, June 15 $5.50 each = Friday, June 22 $5.50 each = Friday, June 29 $5.50 each = Friday, July 6 $5.50 each = Friday, July 13 $5.50 each = Friday, July 20 $5.50 each = Friday, July 28 $5.50 each = Friday, August 4 $5.50 each = Total due payable to the JCA: $ All challah is unsliced. 12

14 Swim Evaluation Form For K Ton, Tovim & KinderCampers (Due back by May 4 or as soon as possible before camp starts) We are pleased to offer a top-notch aquatic program for summer camp. KinderCamper, Tovim and K Ton campers (who have fully mastered toilet learning) benefit from swimming five days per week (four days of lessons and one water fun or free swim day). To expedite the placement of campers in swim groups according to skill level, please fill out and return this evaluation form by Friday, May 4, Please answer all questions as objectively as possible. Thank you. _ Parent s Name: Camper s Name: K Ton (3 by 9/1/18) Tovim (4 by 9/1/18) KinderCamp (5 by 9/1/18) Attending Camp Sessions: I II III IV Previous Swim Instruction: Place: Instructor: Water Entry (please check all that apply): Will not get in Will get in with assistance Gets in without assistance Water Comfort/Skills (please check all that apply): Puts face in water Blows bubbles Can bob up and down 5 times Can kick with a flotation device (kick board, noodle, etc.) Swims independently for 5 yards Freestyle arms for 5 yards Can float supported on back Beginning backstroke Please return this form to: JCA Camp Gan Yeladim, 8505 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL