The YMCAs of Québec Day Camps Summer 2018 Parent guide
Give your child the YMCA experience! The YMCA Camp Experience While each YMCA camp is unique in its own way, all of our camps provide opportunities for campers to learn and grow. Campers will learn new skills, develop greater self-confidence and create memories that will last a lifetime. At day camp, we provide a healthy, safe and secure environment for all participants. At the YMCA, we understand that children and youth need positive peer and adult relationships in their lives. We create a camp environment that encourages campers to develop lasting relationships with their peers. At the same time, we want to develop a relationship with our camp parents. We welcome you to ask us any questions and share your feedback. What should my child bring to camp? Campers need the following items: Swimsuit and towel (in a plastic bag). Bathing cap (mandatory) Camp Necessities SPF 30+ water-resistant sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied before camp and reapplied throughout the day. Running shoes or non-slip shoes or sport sandals. Healthy, nut-free lunch and snacks. Clean and refillable water bottle. Clothing suitable for the weather conditions and camp activities. Hats, preferably with a brim to help protect the face and ears from sunburn. Extra clothes are recommended. Should your child already have a monthly STM bus pass, it would be appreciated if campers attending Pointe-Saint-Charles and the Urban Explorers program would use them during their outings. Please label all items with your child s first and last name.
What types of food should I send to camp with my child? Your child will be active at camp, so it is important to send them with enough food to keep them energized. Due to the amount of physical activity, campers may eat more food during camp than they normally do throughout the school year. Campers will be given two snack breaks and one lunch period per day. We recommend that you send lunches in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack to keep them cool during the day. To keep your child hydrated at camp, pack a refillable plastic water bottle. Healthy, nut-free lunches We need your help teaching campers the importance of health and responsibility. Please send your campers to camp with healthy, nut-free lunches that will provide them with the nutrition they need to participate in an action-packed camp day! In an effort to be environmentally responsible, please send your child to camp with lunches that are litter free. Use reusable, washable plastic, fabric or metal containers for lunch items. Campers will not have access to a microwave or refrigerator at camp. Please do not send items that need to be heated up. For safety reasons, glass bottles and thermoses containing glass are forbidden at camp. YMCA day camps participate in the Shape Up program, which is aimed at providing youth with an environment that helps them adopt healthy lifestyle habits. As such, we encourage campers to be physically active and eat healthy lunches. For free recipe ideas, please visit: Go shapeup.ca The YMCAs of Québec The YMCAs of Québec builds strong communities by providing opportunities for everyone to lead fulfilling, active, healthy and engaged lives. By choosing an A.C.Q. certified camp, you are entrusting your child to an organization that complies with the provincial camp norms and standards established by the Association.camps.qc.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions Safety Can I send medication to camp? The administration of medication to a camper requires the parent s written consent and a copy of a valid prescription. A medical authorization form must be completed before the administration of any medication. Prescription medication must be provided in its original packaging and must contain the following information: the child s name, date of the prescription, doctor s name, required dosage and the name of the medication. Every morning, this medication must be given directly to the appropriate staff member at the centre. Over-the-counter medication (Tylenol, Advil, etc.) will not be administered to a child without a written note from the child s parent/guardian. In addition, the above-mentioned procedure must be followed. Depending on the age of the child, if your child has an EpiPen or an asthma pump, they must carry it with them at all times or it must be given directly to the designated day camp staff member. The day camp coordinator and the child s counsellor must be informed. If a child has a medical alert bracelet, it is essential that the parents ensure their child wears it at all times. Please keep us informed of any precautions we may need to take with your child. Illness If a camper is displaying one or more symptoms of illness, they will be denied access to camp. Symptoms for which a camper will be denied access: Fever: temperature greater than 39 C Diarrhea or vomiting Looking pale or flush, skin outbreak, or other concerning signs and symptoms If your child requires medical attention following an incident, the YMCAs of Québec can require a note from a doctor indicating that child can participate normally in day camp activities without danger (for example: if your child attends camp with a cast). In the event of an incident or accident We will inform you of any changes in your child s health and if they shows any of the symptoms mentioned above, you will be required to promptly come pick them up. In the event of an incident or accident, the day camp manager will inform you as soon as possible. In the event of lice If, during the camp day, it is discovered that a child has lice, parents will be asked to pick up their child as soon as possible. To prevent further infestation, parents must follow the treatment recommendations for lice before their child can return to camp. We can refuse access to camp if there is any evidence of lice or nits even after a treatment.
Who swims with my camper? The YMCA aquatics department hires, trains and evaluates a team of lifeguards and instructors who are recruited solely for day camp. As well, it is mandatory that day camp counsellors are in the pool facilitating activities and swimming alongside the campers. All swim activities are supervised at all times. Camper code of conduct Day camp staff use a positive, values-based approach to guide appropriate behaviours and seek to reward and reinforce positive behaviour. The safety of each individual is of the utmost importance to the YMCA. Parents/guardians and campers must recognize that they have a personal responsibility to learn and follow the safety procedures and other rules established by the camp counselors within the group. Any disrespectful behavior towards other campers and staff (violence, harassment or bullying) may result in an immediate suspension or removal from the program. Staff What qualifications do your staff members have? YMCA day camp staff members are chosen for their ability to model YMCA values to campers entrusted to their care. We carefully select staff members for their interest in children and their experience in camping and recreation. All of our employees are over 18 years of age. Our staff members know the importance of a safe environment, which ensures the right combination of fun and challenge. Our team receives more than 50 hours of training which focuses on the personal skills and knowledge necessary to ensure your child s experience is positive, safe and fun. All YMCA staff members hold a valid Standard First Aid & CPR certificate, are subject to a criminal record check and receive training on the YMCA s Child Protection Policy, in addition our employees follow the YMCA Healthy Child Development program in order to ensure your children receive the highest standard of care. Can I meet the camp staff before camp starts? Parents/guardians will receive a camp welcome letter the week prior to their child s registration, the welcome letter will include, the camp coordinator s email. Should a parent/guardian have any questions or concerns prior to their child beginning camp, they are more than welcome to contact the camp coordinator.
Arrival and Departure How do I sign my child in or out? Parents escort their children to a YMCA camp staff member in a designated location and sign them in and out on a camp attendance sheet. Upon departure, parents/guardians, or other authorized individuals, will be asked to provide us with photo ID. This it to ensure the safety of your child. What if someone else is picking up my child? If you intend for another adult to pick up your child, it would be appreciated if you could warn us prior to them picking up the child. The person who will be picking up the child must provide their name and present a piece of identification before leaving day camp with the child. We would encourage the authorized adults to keep a picture of their photo ID on their cell phones. Can my child walk home from camp? If parents/guardians wish for their children to leave camp on their own, an authorization form must be completed prior to the campers signing themselves in or out of camp. Arriving late Day camp hours must be respected. Campers must be registered in pre-camp childcare in order to arrive before the opening of the day camp, or in post-camp childcare to stay after closing. At the end of the day, children who are not registered for the post-camp childcare must leave when the camp day ends at 4 p.m. Parents whose children are registered in this service must pick them up by 6 p.m. at the latest. A fee of $5 per block of 5 minutes late will be applied for latecomers. Personal Items Can my child bring personal belongings to camp? Camp staff plan fun and dynamic programs to ensure campers have a positive experience. The YMCA is not responsible for any items a child loses at camp. Please label all clothing and belongings. Please leave all valuables at home including electronic devices such as ipods, cell phones, digital cameras, etc. What do I do if my child loses something at camp? For health and safety reasons and as a result of the volume of items, lost and found items will be kept at the camp site during the week it was lost. If not claimed, the items are donated to a local charity. If items are identified with the owner s full name, the YMCA will attempt to contact the owner for pick-up.
For more information on the following: - Our Inclusion Program - Reimbursements and Cancellations - Modifications and Additions - Specialty programs offered - Our programming - Meal service - And more Please visit our webpage at, www.ymcaquebec.org/daycamps Questions Who can I talk to if I have questions? When dropping off your child, please feel free to ask his or her counsellors any questions you may have. A newsletter will be e-mailed one week before the start of each camp session. You can also contact the YMCA day camp administration at 514-789-8001, ext. 1524 Who can I talk to if I am not happy with my child s camp experience? If you have a concern about our camps, we ask that you share it with us so that we can attempt to rectify the situation. Please feel free to contact: campsdejour@ymcaquebec.org or at 514-789-8001, ext. 1524 For our inclusion program: Please contact inclusioncamps@ymcaquebec.org or at 514-789-8001, ext. 1524 We hope your child will have an excellent summer with us!