Explorers Camp Parent Information Packet Welcome to Explorers 2017! Explorers Camp is designed to spark your child s imagination, grow new friendships and assist them in discovering new talents each and every day. With creatively-planned activities, campers enjoy their summer to the fullest extent and look forward to returning to camp each year. Every week at Explorers is filled with fun age appropriate activities, trips to local destinations and ends with a Special Event. This Parent Information Pack should cover the basic information about our camp week. Our Trip List can be found on our website at montclairymca.org/camps/ We are looking forward to another fun filled, safe summer in 2017! Cheyenne Bailey Camp Director Mary Clark ssistant Camp Director 973.415.6124 explorerscamp@montclairymca.org cbailey@montclairymca.org
Staffing ll staff at Explorers are interviewed by the camp directors. The hiring process includes a group interview, a panel interview, and a one-on-one interview. Each new staff member must provide 4 references whom we speak to personally. ll staff undergo an annual criminal background check. s part of the State of New Jersey regulations, we also do a Megan s Law search for all camp staff. nnually, each staff member goes through mandatory Redwoods child abuse prevention, blood borne pathogens, first aid, unlawful harassment prevention, social media and digital communications, and unique Explorers Camp staff trainings. Our staff to camper ratio is 1 to 8 or less. Each group will have at least two counselors at all times (1 lead and 1 assistant). Swimming Campers swim 3 days a week. Swim lessons are given Monday and Wednesday in the pool at the Geyer Family Branch. Every Friday campers and staff walk up to the Park Street Branch for recreational swim. Every child is required to wear a swim cap at our Park Street Branch, so please purchase a cap before your child comes to camp. Children are grouped according to their ability for swim lessons. t the Geyer Family Branch there is a 1 to 8 ratio in the pool. There will be at least 2-3 instructors in the water at all times (some of the instructors will be lifeguards). There will be an additional Lifeguard on the pool deck always having a birds eye view ensuring everyone s safety. Our policy is for all children to get dressed into their bathing suit and while we strongly encourage each camper to swim, no children are required to swim if they do not want to. If your child does not want to swim, they are; however, required to stay in the pool area on the benches during the duration of the swim lesson. If your child struggles with feeling comfortable swimming, the camp directors are more than happy to discuss this with you and create a plan. What Should My Child Bring? Swimsuit and towel in a labeled bag/backpack Sneakers with socks. Sandals, Crocs, flip flops, and any other unsupportive foot wear are prohibited unless otherwise communicated. Non-perishable lunch and drink in a labeled bag or lunch box. Please make sure that all food is NUT FREE (no peanuts or tree nuts)! Sunflower Seed Butter, Soy Butter, and lmond Butter are good alternatives for peanut butter. Label all clothing, towels, and belongings- it s amazing how many towels and socks look alike! Hat, sun block, refillable water bottle, and a change of clothes. Electronic devices of any kind are prohibited. If your child brings electronic device(s), it will be confiscated and locked in the camp office until the end of the day. This is to ensure that all campers are actively engaged in the daily activities and that no damage is done to the device(s). Fidget spinners are prohibited. If your child brings a fidget spinner it will be confiscated and locked in the camp office until the end of the day. This is to ensure that all campers are actively engaged in the daily activities and that no damage is done to the item.
Curbside Drop Off Curbside drop is for your convenience. You will not be required to find a parking spot and come inside the facility. You can drive up alongside the curb, where Explorers Camp counselors will be standing. t which time your child will be greeted by camp counselors, checked in, and escorted into the building. If you wish to walk your child into the building, you must find a parking spot, check your child in with a camp counselor outside, and then walk your child in. Please do not bypass checking in with a counselor as your child will not be appropriately logged in for the day and you may miss out on important parent communications. Please do not enter the driveway of the building/parking lot. Early dventures Camp conducts a carline drop off and if you enter the lot, you run the risk of getting caught in the very long, very time consuming car line. Please view the Curbside Drop Off map below: GLENRIDGE VENUE L K W N N P L Z GLENRIDGE VENUE CURBSIDE DROP OFF GEYER FMILY BRNCH
Pick Up Please DO NOT park in the fire lane/no parking zone! Cars will be ticketed and towed by the Montclair Police and Fire Department. You must come into the building to pick up your child. We check ID for everyone picking up. Please make sure you or your authorized pick up person has an ID every day. Pick up begins at 3:30pm. Children do not finish their last activity until this time and must prepare for dismissal. You can sign your child out of camp in the lobby. Children who are not picked up by will be placed in after-care and are subject to a late pick up fee. Snack and Lunch We provide a light snack and water to drink in the mid-afternoon. We only serve nut free snacks. If your child has allergies we can provide a list of ingredients. ll lunches need to be in a labeled bag separate from their backpack. Please send NUT-FREE lunches only. This includes snacks that contain trace amounts of nuts. If you send a peanut butter alternative like soy-butter, almond butter, etc. please label it so not to be misleading. We cannot heat up any lunches. If you want your child to have a hot lunch please pack it in a thermos. Friend Requests We are happy to entertain friend requests, but please know that camp groups are made the Thursday before the camp session, please make any requests far in advance. We will not be able to change your child s group on Monday morning. We will make every effort to accommodate your request, but appreciate your understanding in the event we can t. ftercare ftercare is an extension of the camp day where there is time for individual activities as well as organized group activities. We provide a light snack and water. We only serve nut free snacks. If your child has allergies we can provide a list of ingredients. Children must be picked up no later than 6:30pm. Late fees begin at 6:31pm. Late fees are $1 per every late minute. There will be a 1 time courtesy, and every time thereafter you will be charged for the late pick up. We offer a daily ftercare fee of $20 for families who need the extended care for a day or two and not the entire week. Photo IDs will be checked upon pick up, so please be sure that you or the authorized person to pick up has it. Camp Groups Our small, intimate camp is separated in 4 subgroups based on age: Yellow Tribe, Blue Tribe, Red Tribe, Green Tribe Yellow Tribe: 8 years Blue Tribe: 9-10 years Red Tribe: 10-11 years Green Tribe: 11-12 years Your child will be in the same tribe for each session they are registered. Depending on the total enrollment, their tribe can change.
Example of a week in the life of an Explorer Clubs: Campers get to choose from one of three activities such as: basketball, camp crafts, card game tournament, board games, etc. Club choices change every day and every week. Specialties: Campers rotate between three activities. Gym/Sports, art, science, cooking, Zumba, dance, etc. These are led by a Specialty Teacher that has experience in the area. MINI TRIPS: Examples of mini trips are: bowling, miniature golf, ice skating, visiting a park for field day, roller skating BIG TRIPS: These trips are longer, examples of these are: Bronx Zoo, quariums, The Beach, The Met, New York Hall of Science M T W R F Check in/tribe Huddles (Homebase) Check in/tribe Huddles (Homebase) Check in/tribe Huddles (Homebase) 9:00 Check in/tribe Huddles (Homebase) Check in/tribe Huddles (Homebase) - Camp Opening (LG) - 9:45-11:15 Camp Opening (LG) - CLUBS - 11:15 Camp Opening (LG) - CLUBS - 11:00 CLUBS MEDIEVL TIMES! Leave : 10:00 Return : 3:00 10:00- - 11:30 Camp Opening (LG) Walk up/get changed RCDE: -11 SWIM: 11-11:30 11:15-11:45 11:45-11:55 12:00-12:50 1:00-1:50 LUNCH (CR) 11:15-11:45 Mid-Day Clean up/tribe Huddles RT (CR) 11:45-11:55 COOKING (K) 12:00-2:00 LUNCH (CR) 11:00-11:30 Mid-Day Clean up/tribe Huddles MOVIE ON THE BIG SCREEN! 11:30-12:30 12:30-1:30 LUNCH (CR) Mid-Day Clean up/tribe Huddles OREO BRK OUTSIDE PICNIC TBLES GYM (OUTSIDE/GRSS) 11:30-12:00 12:00-2:30 Get changed/walk back Gold Rush Bonanza!! (Large Gym) 2:00-2:20 Snack (CR) 1:35-2:00 ZUMB WITH MISS ELSIE (LG) 2:30-2:45 2:45-3:15 3:30- Change in Locker Room SWIM 3:15-3:30- Change back Pick up ctivities (CR) 2:15-3:15 3:30-2:00-2:45 Outdoor ctivities 2:45-3:15 Pick up ctivities (CR) 3:30- Snack (CR)/ 2:30-2:45- Change in Locker Room SWIM 3:15-3:30- Change back 3:15-3:30 Pick up ctivities (CR) 3:30- Snack (CR) 2:30-3:00 Pick up ctivities (CR) 3:30- Games/Clean up Pick Up ctivities
Trip Information and Policies On the first day of camp (MONDY) at drop off, you will be given the weekly trip schedule. Explorers generally travel 2 days a week to local museums, attractions and destinations. We prefer to stay in NJ but occasionally do visit NYC or Pennsylvania. Campers generally travel on Tuesday and Thursday. On Thursday we go on what we refer to as our big trip. On big trip days we are usually on a trip for most if not all of the camp day. If we expect to be later than 3:30 we will let you know on Monday before the trip what our ET is so you can make any changes to who picks up your child and when, if needed. Some examples of Big Trips are: Bronx Zoo, the Beach, New York Hall of Science, Laser 1 On Tuesday, we go on what we refer to as our mini trip. These trips are usually closer to the Y and take only a half day. Examples of Mini Trips are movies, bowling, roller skating, ice skating, mini golf, and various walking trips around town. Depending on availability of our destinations, our trip days are subject to change but we will always keep you informed and up to date. Our trip schedule is usually ready for parents by March 20th each year, please check in at that time if you would like specific trip information. Important Contact Information Camp Location: Geyer Family Branch 159 Glenridge venue Montclair, NJ 07042 Phone: 973-783-7640 Main Branch: Park Street Branch 25 Park Street Montclair, NJ 07042 Phone: 973-744-3400 Camp Director: Cheyenne Bailey Director: Mary Clark Phone: 973-415-6124 Phone: 973-744-6161 ext. 254 Email: cbailey@montclairymca.org Email:explorerscamp@montclairymca.org