Marine summer camp family handbook 2018 We are looking forward to our 18th year of marine summer camp at the Seattle Aquarium! Here you will find detailed information, policies and procedures regarding your upcoming camp session. Contact info Registration and form questions: (206) 693-6196 registration@seattleaquarium.org Forms Every camper must have the following two forms completed by a parent/legal guardian in order to attend marine summer camp. Please return the forms no later than two weeks prior to your camp session. 1. Emergency authorization, liability and media release form 2. Medical health history and authorization form Please send the two double-sided forms to the Seattle Aquarium using one of the methods below: Mail: Seattle Aquarium Attn: Registration 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59 Seattle, WA 98101 E-mail: registration@seattleaquarium.org 1
Before and after care Contact information for before and after care registration questions: (206) 693-6196 registration@seattleaquarium.org How do I pre-register for before and after care? When you register for summer camp, you will be given the option to sign up and pay for before and/ or after care. If you decide to sign up for before and/or after care at a later date, please contact the registration team. What is the cost for before and after care? Go to SeattleAquarium.org/camp to view extended care options and rates offered during your camper s session, or contact the registration team. At what times are before and after care available? Both are available daily: before care 8-8:45am; after care 4:15-5:30pm. Is the cost of before and after care pro-rated if I do not use the full time? We charge a flat fee for our before and after care options, no matter how much of the time you use, 8-8:45am and/or 4:15-5:30pm. Is there a grace period of time for signing my child in and out during drop-off and pickup times? Drop-off and pickup times can be busy, with multiple families coming and going, and every camper may not be signed in and out at the exact times camp begins and ends. Campers signed in between 8:45 and 9am and signed out between 4:00 and 4:15pm will not be placed in or charged for before or after care. What if I arrive later than 5:30pm to pick up my child? Camp after care ends at 5:30pm sharp. If a camper is picked up later than 5:30pm, a $10 fee will be added for every 15-minute increment thereafter. 2
Sign-in/-out procedures Who oversees sign-in/-out? Marine summer camp staff oversee the mandatory, daily signing in and out of all campers. Staff will not sign in campers prior to 8am. All campers must be signed out by 5:30pm. Do I need to bring legal proof of identity? Yes. You must be age 18 or older to pick up a camper and must be listed on the emergency authorization, liability and media release form, including the parent/ guardian. These listed names need to match the government I.D. card presented at sign-out or we cannot release the camper. Camp staff will ask for proof of identification upon sign-out and match it to each camper s form. What if I need to arrange for someone to sign out my child who is not on the emergency authorization, liability and media release form as an authorized adult to pick up? If your camper is going to be picked up by someone other than those listed on your emergency authorization, liability and media release form, please ask in person to add a new name to the form when you drop your child off in the morning. We cannot accept this permission by phone, note or request from anyone other than the parent(s)/guardian(s) for the safety of the child. As a parent/guardian, do I need to accompany my camper to sign-in at the Seattle Aquarium each day? Yes, your camper must be accompanied to sign-in each day by a parent/guardian age 18 or older by 9am. For the first day this ensures that: both parent and camper know our sign-in/-out procedures for the entirety of the week; all necessary forms are completed and turned in to camp staff; medication is obtained if needed; and any questions you may have can be answered in person by camp staff. On all other days this ensures the camper s family knows the camper is met by a camp staff member, and an adult has signed them into the program. Where is camp sign-in/-out located? Sign-in/-out one location: Sign-in/-out is located in the Seattle Aquarium office, upstairs in Pier 59, outside of the camp classrooms. Signs directing you to marine summer camp will be posted outside the Aquarium and throughout the entry up to the office. Office entry door operating times: 8 9am: Accompany your camper daily for sign-in. 4 5:30pm: Pick up your camper daily from sign-out. Parking and getting here Where can I park? Please allow yourself time to locate parking. Metered spots, garages and pay lots are located directly across from the Aquarium on Alaskan Way and under the Highway 99 viaduct. For more information on driving and parking: SeattleAquarium.org/directions. What if I don t drive? If you bicycle down to the Aquarium, please feel free to walk your bike into sign-in/-out as you drop off or pick up a camper. For more information on walking and public transportation: SeattleAquarium.org/directions. 3
What to bring to ALL camp sessions Each camper is provided a personal cube space to stow their belongings. The following items are highly recommended. Make sure to label all your belongings. Required food Water Clothing Healthy lunch (campers will not have access to a refrigerator or microwave). At least two healthy snacks. We set aside two 15-minute breaks during which campers can rest and eat their snacks brought from home. Reusable water bottle. We have fountains and coolers to refill. Reusable water bottle. We have fountains, sinks and coolers to refill. We also provide cups each day in the event you do not have a water bottle. Play clothes that are appropriate for the weather. Shorts and pants are recommended. Skirts and dresses are not advised. Campers may get dirty! Warm layers/jacket. Rain jacket if desired. Some of our exhibits are outside with limited shelter. Hat to keep any rain or sunshine out of eyes. Change of clothes if desired. Closed-toe, comfortable, walking shoes. Please, no sandals. Camp T-shirts will be given out on the first day of camp. Campers can arrive in their own shirts and change after everyone settles in. Campers are required to wear their camp T-shirts each day. This allows us to recognize campers easily when we are out with the general public. Due to health guidelines, we cannot loan T-shirts. If a camper does not come to camp with their T-shirt any day during camp, you will need to purchase a new one for $10. Sunscreen Please pack enough sunscreen to last your child the entire week. The Seattle-King County Health Department recommends purchasing a level-45 sunscreen and applying it to your child every morning before coming to camp. Before we go outside for lunch or to visit field sites, camp staff will encourage all campers to apply sunscreen Other recommended items Backpack to carry all camper belongings. We ask that campers do not bring money to purchase food in our café or items in our gift shop. All concessions and snack machines will be off limits during camp. Campers and parents are welcome to make purchases at the café and gift shop after camp (based on operating hours). Camps for youth entering grades 5-8 ONLY: what to bring in addition: Camps for youth ages 10-14 also include at least one field site visit during the week. Please send all the items listed above with your camper; we will contact you via email two weeks prior to your camper s start date with details about what is recommended for your child s field site visit. 4
Field trip transportation: Camp sessions for youth ages 10-14 may include a variety of off-site trips. We use many modes of transportation to get us all safely from point A to point B. All campers and staff travel in one group. We may use the following types of transportation during our field trip: school buses, water taxis and walking. Many field trips and transportation arrangements are time-sensitive so please make sure your camper arrives on time. Camp code: Respect the surrounding environment. Respect counselors and all other participants with us. Respect yourself. Have fun! Marine summer camp staff: Camp staff and volunteers are present all week; involved in all lessons, games, projects and activities; and lead all field trips. All paid camp staff are first aid/cpr certified. The registration office organizes your online registration, payment, scholarship applications, session attendance and necessary forms to participate. Please contact registration with your registration-related questions: (206) 693-6196 or registration@seattleaquarium.org. Camp staff is comprised of the following in each camp session: a camp coordinator and camp operations lead; a lead camp instructor for each class; two camp counselors for each class; and volunteer counselors who are part of the Seattle Aquarium high school volunteer program. These volunteers have applied for this position, with the Seattle Aquarium in other programs, and are in their junior or senior years of high school. College interns sometimes join us on projects related to their courses of study. Camp teams: Each camp session has space for up to 20 youth. Youth are placed into groups of a maximum of 10 campers each. One counselor is assigned to each group of campers, and remains with that group all week. Camp schedule of events: You and your camper will receive the final schedule of activities upon sign-in on the first day of camp. In order to focus the camper s experience, each day s activities are organized around a major aquatic theme. 5
Camp medical and emergency policies Parent/guardians of campers needing to take prescription or over-the-counter medications during camp hours must complete and return the medication authorization and administration form on the back of the medical history form. This form provides authorization for designated camp personnel to dispense necessary medications at specified dosages and times. Medications will be collected the first morning of camp and secured in a safe place (with the exception of children with life-threatening conditions needing to selfadminister medications, such as inhalers or epi-pens. These can remain with the child at all times and it is up to the parent/guardian to choose this option). All prescriptions must be current and medications in their original containers, with the child s name, prescribing physician, dosage and instructions for administering clearly printed on the container. If the dosage is different than indicated on the package, a physician s signature is required. Non-prescription medications will be dispensed only under specific written instruction from the parent/guardian or a physician. In order to help ensure camper safety, all camp staff have undergone a background check and are trained and certified in first aid/cpr. If a minor injury (i.e. skinned knee) occurs during camp, your child will be treated according to the discretion of camp staff and an incident report will be filed. You will be notified of the injury during sign-out at the end of the day. If a camper suffers a non-life-threatening injury (i.e. broken arm) we will notify the parent/guardian and transport the child to a nearby medical facility. In the unlikely event of a serious injury or illness, emergency personnel will be notified immediately, after which the parent/guardian will be notified. Please note that all medical treatment is at the discretion and judgment of camp personnel. Medical expenses incurred while participating in Seattle Aquarium s marine summer camps are the sole responsibility of the camper s parent/guardian. Emergency procedures: In the rare event of a serious illness/injury the following procedures will be followed: 1. Contact 911. 2. Administer immediate first aid/cpr. 3. Report incident to camp coordinator, who will call parent/guardian or emergency contact. 4. Transport to nearest hospital (if necessary). 5. File accident/medical report with Seattle Aquarium. If an emergency arises and you need to contact a child during camp, please call: 1. Registration at (206) 693-6196. 2. Aquarium front desk at: (206) 386-4300. Note: this number is for emergencies only. An Aquarium staff member will locate camp staff and the child for you. Reporting absences or illnesses: Call camp (we are not always available to pick up the phone, but will return your call). You can leave a message for camp staff at the Registration number: (206) 693-6196. The parent/guardian is responsible for notifying marine summer camp staff when a child will not be in attendance for the day or any part of the day. Illness: Children not well enough to follow the day s activities will not be allowed to attend camp. This includes children with the following symptoms: vomiting, fever, early cold, discharging eyes, stomach pain, active rash, diarrhea, sore throat and/or nausea. While attending camp, if a child exhibits signs of illness they will be isolated from other campers and kept comfortable while the parent/guardian is notified. If they cannot be reached, emergency contacts on their form will be called. If no party can be reached and symptoms persist, the child s physician will be notified and their directions followed. 6 Medical and emergency policies continued next page
Contagious disease: Adults should inform the camp coordinator immediately if a child contracts a contagious disease or is exposed to one. This includes, but is not limited to: chicken pox, conjunctivitis, mumps, measles and viral infections. Marine summer camp will post a notice to alert others. Children being treated with antibiotics for a contagious disease may not return to our facility until they have been using the medication for 24 48 hours and/or until the danger of infecting others is over. Incidents of contagious disease are reported to the King County Health Department at (206) 587-2774. Behavioral guidelines To maintain a safe and cooperative setting, Seattle Aquarium marine summer camp has specific policies and limitations that govern our facilities, program staff and the behavior of each child. Compliance with imposed limits and policies of the facility and program is expected. Should it become necessary to correct or resolve any dangerous or disruptive behavior, marine summer camp staff will follow these steps: 1. Reasoning: Verbal communication between the child and staff where problems and solutions are identified. 2. Time away: Removal from specific activity for a short period of time followed by child/staff conference. 3. Parent or guardian/child/staff conference to discuss the situation and group concerns. 4. Dismissal from program if the first three steps have been taken and the issue is unresolved. Marine summer camp staff use a positive behavior reinforcement system to encourage appropriate behavior. No form of physical discipline or spanking is allowed. Our aim is to minimize the need for disciplinary methods. Your registration and attendance at marine summer camp demonstrates your agreement to these discipline guidelines. Participants with accommodations: The Seattle Aquarium is committed to providing programs and services accessible to individuals with needs for accommodations. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Registration at (206) 693-6196 or registration@seattleaquarium.org with at least 14 working days notice prior to your program date to discuss how we may best accommodate your needs. Statement of inclusion The Seattle Aquarium does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, employment decisions or policies, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, visitors and program participants. Service animals and pets: Service animals are the only outside animals permitted inside the Seattle Aquarium. Please do not walk or bring in your pets when dropping off or picking up your child. This is for the health and safety of our campers (who may not be able to come in close contact with pets), our marine animal collection, and the general public enjoying our facility. 7
Toys and valuables: Please do not allow your child to bring any personal valuables to camp. Our facility and staff will not be held responsible for items that become lost or broken. If your child carries a cell phone we ask that they use it only to call parents/guardians if necessary. If you require your child to have their cell phone on we ask that it remains on a vibrate/silent setting. Toy weapons, weapons and fireworks are not permitted. Lost and found items: Found items will be kept in the marine summer camp program s room until the end of that week s camp session. Camp staff can check to see if lost items have been found. After the weeklong camp session has ended, any found/unclaimed items will be held at the Seattle Aquarium Guest Services desk at the main entrance for 30 days. Hours: 9:30am 5pm daily. Phone: (206) 386-4300. Celebrating campers birthdays: If your child s birthday falls during the camp session and they would like to celebrate it at camp, please follow these steps: 1. Notify camp staff of your child s birthday. 2. We will celebrate all birthdays on the last day of the session. 3. Families may bring in treats of their choice to share. Up to 30 servings total. 4. Camp staff will ask authorized adults if they would like to pick out a treat for their camper at sign-out. 8 Pro-rating camp fees: We do not pro-rate tuition fees for illness, absence, behavioral suspensions or unannounced vacations the week your camp session occurs. Whether or not they actually attend, children enrolled in marine summer camp are reserving time, space, supplies and staff. Cancellation policy: No refunds are given for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the first day of camp. For cancellations made more than 14 days prior to first day of a program, an 90 percent refund will be given to reflect administration costs. The Seattle Aquarium reserves the right to cancel any program. In the event that the Seattle Aquarium cancels a program, all program fees will be refunded. Friday: Campers are welcome to take their families into the exhibits after camp sign-out to share what they ve learned about the animals they spent the week with. Questions (206) 693-6196 registration@seattleaquarium.org Thanks and see you this summer!