Arts Camp 2017 Parent Manual. Renaissance Camp

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1 Arts Camp 2017 Parent Manual Renaissance Camp 1

City of Evanston Community Arts Programs 2100 Ridge Avenue Evanston, IL 60201 T 847.448.8263 F 847.448.8051 www.cityofevanston.org Dear Parents: Welcome to Renaissance Camp 2017!

2 City of Evanston Community Arts Programs 2100 Ridge Avenue Evanston, IL T F Dear Parents: Welcome to Renaissance Camp 2017! As summer rapidly approaches, we want you to be informed about our program so your child can have the best possible experience. This 2017 Summer Arts Camp Renaissance Manual contains all the information you need to prepare for camp. Please read it carefully. Our hope is that this handbook will orient first-time Arts Camp families and provide reminders and new information for returning families. First, our Camp Site will be at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in room 106. The central Arts Camp office telephone number is You will be provided with a cell phone number for emergencies on the first day of camp. Second, please complete and return the Camper Information Form, including emergency contact and health information attached to be returned to Angela Allyn, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept, Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Avenue, Room 1116, Evanston IL By July 15, On the first day of camp, we ask for your cooperation and a few extra minutes of time necessary to verify that you have completed the forms correctly. For safety and health reasons, these forms are extremely important, and must be completed before your child may be permitted to begin camp. We suggest you keep this manual in a convenient place for easy reference throughout the duration of the program. As we continue to strive for excellence, we know Arts Camp programming will continue to be a fundamental tool for learning and exploration. Please call us at with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at camp! Sincerely, Angela Allyn Mistress of Renaissance Camp aallyn@cityofevanston.org 2

3 Arts Camp Procedures & Details Goals of Camp: Renaissance camp is a flight of fantasy, a historical immersion in a fascinating time, and a way of bringing summer to a close. Site Information: Renaissance camp is located at the Noyes Center for Cultural Arts (927 Noyes St.) in room 106. The main arts camp office at the civic center is at You will be given an onsite cell number for emergencies on the first day of camp. Staff: Classes are taught by professional artists or teachers who are practicing artists, while each group is supervised by a counselor with an arts background. Lead counselors are required to be certified in Standard First Aid and CPR. Arts Camp maintains a camper/staff ratio of 15/1 at a minimum; most often, our ratio is 8/1. Themes: We are immersing ourselves in the Elizabethan Era. The premise is that we hope to be selected as courtiers in the service of Queen Elizabeth so we need to brush up on our skills. Group Assignments: Campers are assigned to one of Arts Camp groups by age. We feel that campers have the best experience when they are grouped with others of the same developmental range. We accept friend requests for children in the same age range and will try very hard to accommodate them, if notified prior to camp. Each group will create its own house with a family crest and history after learning about some known families from the period. Absent Campers: As a precaution to ensure safety, parents are asked to let us know of absences where possible in advance. Classes: Arts Camp groups rotate through at least four disciplines during the week. On a typical day, full-day campers participate in four classes, while half-day campers participate in approximately two classes in the arts. A brief summary of the content of each class is provided below. All classes are geared to each group s age and abilities. Visual Arts: Projects and artworks to be explored include classical painting, clothing, calligraphy and illustrated manuscripts. Music: Campers will explore period music through singing, percussion, and games. Drama: Campers will learn about Shakespeare acting through role playing, improv exercises, voice projection, memorizing lines, and basic blocking. Movement Exploration/Dance: Human chess, period dances, manners (bowing and curtseying, approaching royalty) and stage combat will be the primary activities relating to movement in an artistic context. 3

4 Daily Schedule: There are several segments in most days and lunch. Most days will have themes such as period dress, medieval architecture, family crests and history, etc. Highlights of this session s special events include a visit from Queen Elizabeth I and also we will host a potluck Renaissance Feast. Special Events: Permission slips are required for all off site activities and there will be one given on the first day of camp. On the last day of camp, Elizabeth I and her courtiers will be visiting the camp while on progress, so that campers may showcase their new talents in hopes of being selected to join her worthy courtiers. On-Site Performances and Workshops: Artists may visit camp to perform for all the campers or lead interactive workshops. Parent Visits to Camp: Parents are welcome to visit Arts Camp anytime. However, we ask that you check with the Arts Camp office to coordinate the timing of your visit. We especially encourage you to visit to meet Queen Elizabeth. Arrival at and Departure from Camp: With many children coming and going at any one time, Arts Camp has developed specific procedures to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Please read the following procedures carefully as they will affect you and your child s daily Arts Camp experience. Daily Sign-In and-out Procedure: As a safety precaution, we ask that parents sign their child in and out of camp each day with the child s group counselor. Each counselor will have a printed list of children in his/her group, with spaces for parents to sign each child in and out. Parents must walk from the parking lot to sign children in and out personally. If someone besides a parent will be picking up your child (i.e. car pool, babysitter, grandparent, etc.), you must provide us with a written release stating that your child is allowed to leave camp with that person. There is space to list people with whom your child may leave camp on the Camper Information Form. You may also sign a release allowing your child to sign himself or herself (and his or her siblings) in and out of camp each day if you feel that they are old enough to do so. Traffic and Parking: Be aware that the parking lot can get crowded and crazy as camp begins and ends. As a consideration for others as well as your own children s safety, please follow all the traffic regulation and to drop off or retrieve your child only at the appropriate curbside. We also ask that you do not park in the lot spaces for any longer than it takes to drop off or retrieve your child. Finally, please escort your child through the parking lot; it is not safe for a small child to run through the lot alone. DO NOT BLOCK traffic in the Noyes lot. Bikes: Children who will be riding their bicycles alone to and from camp must have written permission from parents to do so, which can be indicated on the Camper Information Form. If your child will be biking to camp, please purchase a lock as an added safety measure. Childcare: Childcare is supervised play and not an extended part of camp s art activities. Childcare takes place outside on the playground or inside with board games in the event of rain. If your child is NOT registered for prec-are, we are not staffed to accept children before 8:55 am at Noyes. 4

5 Childcare is available at Noyes for this camp for an additional fee of $30 for pre care from 7:30 to 9:00 in the morning and $40 for post-care from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm in the afternoon daily. Extended care may only be purchased by the week; we do not prorate or refund unused days. You can register for pre and post care online at search for section B7 for pre care and section C7 for post care. You may also register by filling out and handing in the paper registration form. Registration for extended care will cut off the week before camp starts. Late Pick-Up Policy: Camp ends at 3:30pm. If your child is not enrolled in aftercare, After 3:35 late fees apply unless you have prearranged for your child to stay in aftercare. PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE NO LATE PICK-UPS FROM EXTENDED CARE. Children must be picked up by 6pm Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The City of Evanston welcomes the participation of all individuals in our programs, including those with disabilities. We are fully committed to complying with the ADA and providing reasonable accommodations to facilitate participation in our programs. The sooner we know about your special situation, the more time we have to make reasonable accommodations to improve your child s recreational experience with us. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to contact the Camp Director or Myra Gorman, Special Recreation, to make arrangements for any accommodations at the time of registration; those registering closer to the start of camp must make arrangements no later than three weeks before the start of camp; otherwise, camp attendance may be delayed. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Myra Gorman, Special Recreation Inclusion Coordinator, at (847) (voice); (847) (TDD) or (800) (IL Relay Center voice transmission). First Aid and Health Care: The staff makes every effort to provide a safe environment for Arts Camp campers, if your child has an allergy or other medical condition that necessitates them to carry medicine or medical devices, you will need to fill out a medical authorization before the start of camp. Please call our office for the form. Although many staff members are certified in Standard First Aid and CPR, Arts Camp is not equipped to treat serious injuries. There is no nurse on site, and we are not permitted to transport children to the hospital. If an injury occurs that may require advanced medical attention but is not life threatening (e.g. a sprained ankle), the administrative staff will contact parents first, followed by the emergency contact if parents cannot be reached, to arrange for transportation to a medical facility. In the event of a more serious injury (e.g. a head or back injury), the Arts Camp staff will call the Emergency Medical System immediately, followed by a call to parents. Sick Children: Children who have fever, diarrhea, nausea or a suspicious rash should not attend camp. We ask that when a child becomes sick at camp, you make the arrangements to pick them up promptly as we have no place to keep them comfortably if they are not feeling well enough to participate. Lice: If your child is found to have lice, they will be sent home immediately to be treated. Medications: If your child regularly needs medications or might need Benadryl due to an allergic reaction, you must send it in its original container labeled with your child s name and make sure we have a medical authorization form. We do not stock any medications at camp. 5

6 Clothing for Arts Camp: We encourage Renaissance Campers to come in period costumes. However, Arts Camp is an active and sometimes messy place. Please do not send your child to camp in extremely valuable clothing, or clothing that they cannot get dirty. We also discourage the use of backpacks and weapons. We are a peaceful kingdom. What Not to Bring to Camp: Please do not allow your child to bring lots of money, excessive snacks, electronic toys, or other valuable items to camp. We cannot guarantee the safety of such items, and as we are immersed in the Renaissance, anything with batteries or electricity is NOT period. Cell Phone Policy: Personal cell phones and pagers may not be worn or used by staff or by campers during camp hours of operation. We do understand the necessity of carrying cell phones, so they may be kept in a backpack or purse in the off position until camp is over. Food at Camp: Lunch is held from 12:00-1:00 at Arts Camp. On sunny days, we eat on the playground, and inside on rainy days. Children should bring their lunch that does not need a refrigerator, including a drink, from home. Children will not be allowed to leave camp to purchase lunch at neighboring stores. Please contact the Arts Camp Directors if your child has special dietary needs requiring snacks at times other than lunch during the day or if your child has food allergies. Rules and Discipline: At Arts Camp, our rules are based on the City of Evanston Code of Conduct included in on the Parent Manual webpage. Children are expected to treat other people, art projects, and personal belongings with respect. Children who have persistent difficulty with rules respecting others or their belongings will be sent to the office to talk with the Directors. Parents will be notified the day the incident has occurred. Absolutely no physical contact such as pushing, hitting, or kicking is permitted. Parents will be notified immediately if their child is physically aggressive toward staff or another camper. In addition, full participation is expected in all classes. Campers who are too ill to participate or who refuse to participate in a class will be found in the office when you are called to retrieve them. Note: If your child has specific behavior issues (e.g. behavior disorders, learning disabilities, or personality traits that may require extra attention), we welcome your suggestions and advice about effective management and/or instruction. Your assistance can help provide a better experience for your child and the others in his/her group. Lost and Found: Each site has a lost and found box. All items not claimed on last day of the camp session are then disposed of or auctioned to the serfs. Please check on a regular basis. Note: This camp adheres to the City of Evanston Parks, Recreation, and Community Service Code of Conduct as posted on the Parent Manual webpage. 6

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Arts Camp 2017 Parent Manual. Pirate Camp

Arts Camp 2017 Parent Manual. Pirate Camp Arts Camp 2017 Parent Manual Pirate Camp City of Evanston Community Arts Programs 2100 Ridge Avenue Evanston, IL 60201 T 847.448.8263 F 847.448.8051 www.cityofevanston.org Dear Parents: Welcome to Pirate