WELCOME TO SUMMER CAMP

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1 FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WELCOME TO SUMMER CAMP Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA Summer Camp Handbook 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! You will find important information concerning Fowler s summer camp in this booklet. We ask all parents and campers to read this information and understand the policies and procedures of Fowler s summer camp. If, after reviewing this information, you have additional questions please feel free to contact Javon Clark, Community Program Director at or javonc@ymcaatlanta.org. We look forward to a wonderful summer!

2 WHY IT MATTERS Annual Campaign 2018 The Robert D. Fowler YMCA Summer Camp is committed to providing financial assistance to those who cannot afford the full price of our programs including camp. Last year over 150 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, the Robert D. Fowler YMCA Summer Camp provided $25,000 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-alifetime experience! CAMPER AWARDS In order to recognize campers for their achievements throughout the week, children will receive special character awards. Each award has special meaning. Awards will be presented at all camp assemblies. Campers will have the opportunity to nominate other campers for these prestigious awards. Awards will be given in the following areas: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. For more information or to make a donation, please visit 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 self-confidence. Provide opportunities within the program for campers to develop interpersonal relationships and social skills. Provide campers with activities which offer a progressive experience.

3 ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES All camps require a $25 deposit per session. 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. Call or MJ Westbrook, Membership Director at or mjw@ymcaatlanta.org to inform a change is needed. 2. One-week advance notice will be required for the change to be processed. Payments are due the Friday prior to the start of the session your camper(s) will attend. If payment is not received by the due date, it will be assumed you have chosen to forfeit the nonrefundable deposit and the camper will not be attending the session. The space will be opened for the next wait-listed participant. The deposit will not be refunded under any circumstances. Payments will be accepted the following ways: Mail payments to the YMCA Make payments in person at the Y Visa, Master Card and Discover are accepted Online at ymcaregistration.com WITHDRAWAL/REFUND POLICIES Once the camp session has started, if you decide to withdraw your child from the camp in which he/she is enrolled, the refund will be pro-rated based on the number of days the camper attended. Attending three days will constitute a full week of camp. Fees will not be pro-rated for absences other than illness. A note from a doctor is required. The $25 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. RETURNED CHECKS You will be notified by the YMCA should your check be returned to us for non-sufficient funds. A 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 a Camp Director or the Membership Director. LATE REGISTRATION Registration for all camps end on the Friday prior to the start of the session. Any new registrations afterwards will result in a $15 late registration fee added to the camp fee for the session.

4 SUMMER CAMP 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. WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO CAMP? Backpack Cooler with lunch/snacks/drinks Water bottle Sunscreen/bug spray (if desired) Change of clothes Hat/visor Swimsuit/towel for swim days A positive attitude! ITEMS TO BE LEFT AT HOME Money Video game Trading cards Valuables Weapons Toys Pocket knives CD/DVD players Tobacco, alcohol, drugs Cell phones/ipods/mp3 players Sports Equipment 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: Hat Socks Sneakers/hiking boots T-shirt/shorts Weather attire (rain gear/sweatshirt/jacket) Campers arriving with open-toe shoes will not be allowed to participate in camp activities. THE ROBERT D. FOWLER YMCA CAMP IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PERSONAL ITEMS THAT ARE BROUGHT TO CAMP

5 SWIMMING INFORMATION All swimmers will be required to take a test under the supervision of the aquatic director at the beginning of each session. Swimmers will be given a color-coded band based on swimming ability each swimming day. Campers must arrive each day wearing their swim bands. Campers in Traditional Camp, Sports Camp, and Creative Arts Camps will swim at least twice a week. All morning half day campers will not swim, however swimming will be offered to campers who are registered for the traditional afternoon option camp. 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. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT Please help us teach your children the YMCA values by supporting the staff and program in the following areas: 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. Please help us teach your children the Y 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 and found

6 CAMPER EXPECTATIONS & BEHAVIOR POLICY Promoting social interaction and building interpersonal skills are among the most important goals of The Robert D. Fowler YMCA Summer 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 counselors and lead staff. 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 Robert D. Fowler YMCA 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 FIRST AID & MEDICATION A first aid station is maintained at the camp. A written record is kept of all incidents requiring first aid. 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 precamp or post-camp. Medications must be signed in daily at the front desk 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 first aid certified staff member. Parents will receive notification of all reported injuries at check out.

8 HOURS OF OPERATION 7 A.M. 9 A.M. Pre-Camp 9 A.M. 4 P.M. Camp Program 4 P.M. 6:30 P.M. Post-Camp CHECK-IN PROCEDURES All Campers are to be dropped off at the YMCA Carpool is open 7:00am-9:00am. The carpool entrance is on Peachtree Corners Circle. After pulling into carpool, your child will be checked in and walked by staff into the YMCA where they join their age groups for pre-camp activities. If your child will be leaving camp early on that day, you will inform the staff at the check-in area. All Traditional Camp participants are to be dropped off before 8am in order to ride the bus to the camp site. After 8am traditional camp participants are to be dropped off at the camp site. After 9am, campers must be brought inside the YMCA and checked in by parent inside the Senior Center. SIGN-OUT PROCEDURES Each day campers must be signed out by a parent or another authorized person. All campers will be signed-out via a drive-thru carpool line. Carpool opens at 4pm and closes at 6:30pm. The carpool lane is through the entrance off of Peachtree Corners Circle Anyone signing out a camper will be required to show a photo I.D. before the child will be released. Morning half-day campers who are not staying for the afternoon must be picked up inside the YMCA. The following situations should be addressed 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 complete an early release form at the camp check-in as you sign in your camper. Any camper being signed out before 4 p.m. is considered an early release. ABSENCES: Our Summer Camp will NOT verify camper absences. Campers attending three days during the week will be billed for the full week. Campers missing one or two days due to illness will receive a pro-rated invoice. No-shows will automatically forfeit their deposits for the session. CHANGE IN AUTHORIZATION TO SIGN-OUT CAMPER: Notify check-in staff of any additions or changes to your child s authorized pick-up information. You can also make changes in writing through (javonc@ymcaatlanta.org) or (fax ) MEDICATION: See section on First Aid and Medication. PARENT/COUNSELOR COMMUNICATION: Counselors arrive and depart each day on a staggered schedule. Each camp has a lead staff person. Every effort is made to have this person available during check-in. Parents can leave notes for their camper s counselor at the camp check-in.

9 BULLYING POLICY Y Summer Camps will enforce a zero tolerance policy against bullying this summer. 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 harrassment, 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. Campers will have a pre-determined station available to report all incidents of bullying. A staff person assigned to this camp task force will investigate all reports. All parents will be notified by an incident report, a phone call or an if their child is involved in a reported incident. 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. Thank you for choosing the Y for your child s summer!