ALOHA TO SUMMER 2016 SUMMER CAMP Welcome Packet Carl & Linda Grubb Family YMCA FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen.
Dear Camp Families: Aloha to Summer, and Aloha to Fun! I am pleased that you have registered for Camp because Summer FUN Lives Here. The Y makes a commitment to build a camp that your child will enjoy and feel at home at while you are away. As your child takes this voyage with us they will have opportunities to learn and discover, make life-long friendships, and create memories that are rich with fun and adventure. I will be your child s tour guide through FUNtropolis. This will be my third summer with the Carl & Linda Grubb Family YMCA, but my eleventh summer camp experience. I have worked with camps through the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA, YWCA of Greensboro, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Each summer is different, and the fun is never the same. I am especially excited to lead this year s camp at the Y, because I know it s going to be a blast for our energetic kids, nurturing staff, and you our supportive parents. I will be assisted by an outstanding team of Camp Counselors who are trained in CPR & First-Aid, healthy discipline, positive reinforcement, child abuse, supervision, and interactions. Each one brings a special perspective on the summer experience and each one brings a wide array of talents and abilities to share with your child. The thing that ties us all together is the joy of working with your child(ren) and giving him or her the best Summer Camp that they have ever attended! Camp FUNtropolis will be held at the Grubb Family YMCA and will operate Monday through Friday from 7:30am-6:00pm. We will operate for 11 weeks out of the summer. As you work, run errands, or simply just take time to yourself, we will fill the time your child spends with us creating fun-filled moments, playing active games, and making creative crafts. Each day we will have camp songs, assemblies, Character Development, morning and afternoon snack times, lunch, gym games, arts & crafts, and most important Fun! Each week will also have swimming, themed whole-site activities, counselor & group challenges, Spirit Days, and field trips. Field trips are subject to change but a few of the field trips we have planned are the Reed Gold Mine, High Point City Lake Pool, Greensboro Grasshoppers, and Celebration Station Parents are welcomed guests of FUNtropolis as well. This is your camp too, and we want you to get the ultimate Camp Experience. I invite you to look over this packet, as it is designed to be a tool of reference about camp life, policies, expectations, and general information. After reading, if you have questions or concerns please call the Grubb Family YMCA and ask to speak to Avery! I can also be reached via email at asimmons@hpymca.org and, of course, you are also welcome to come see me in person and I will be more than happy to assist you! -Avery Simmons, Childcare Director / 336-861-7788 / asimmons@hpymca.org 2
CAMP FUNTROPOLIS PACKING GUIDE Here s a tool to use when preparing for Camp. *The items with asterisks may be allowed at designated times PACK ME Back Pack/Bag AM Snack Lunch Sunscreen Towel Swimsuit Weather Appropriate Clothing Change of Clothes Closed-Toe Shoes w/ Strap across the heel (i.e. Crocs) Sandals/Flip Flops (Pool/Splash Pad Only) Hat Positive Attitude Smile DON T PACK ME Toys* Electronic Games* Cards* Make Up Gum Cell Phones Revealing Clothing (Halter tops, short shorts, etc.) Clothing with offensive messages or logos Weapons (Real or Artificial) Negative Attitude Frown 3
15 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE COMING TO CAMP 1. Drop Off: Camp will open at 7:30am. No camper is allowed to be released to Camp staff prior to this time. Express Drop-Off will be available until 8:15am. If your account is current you may drive up to the front entrance and staff will greet you, have you sign your camper into camp and then escort him or her to our location. After 8:15, please walk your child into the building enter through the front lobby, and then walk with your child to the gym area. Please make sure you sign your camper in with a camp staff person prior to leaving the building. Make note that if your child is not at camp by 9:00am, we will assume your camper is absent for the day unless communication is given to say otherwise. 2. Snacks & Bagged Lunches: Campers are encouraged to bring a morning snack. This can be an item from their lunch or an extra item that you pack for them (fruit, nuts, yogurt, chips, etc.). They also need to bring a bagged lunch that does not require refrigeration or heat. If you pack a sandwich that has meat on it, please be sure that you have a cold pack in the lunch box, to ensure that it is safe to eat. Camp will only provide one afternoon snack for your child each day. This is typically a dry, individually packaged snack. 3. Medications: All Medications (Prescription and Over-the-Counter) must be brought to the attention of the Camp Director, Avery Simmons. Campers will not be permitted to keep medicine with them (unless it is an inhaler). If your child must take medication, please bring it to the Membership Desk or see the Camp Director. You must provide written instructions as to the quantity, time to be administered, and your name and phone number. The prescription bottle or prescription directions from the pharmacy must be turned in. If your child is taking an OTC medicine we must have the original container in order to administer this to your child. In addition, we also need written clearance that gives us the right to administer the medication. We will provide you with the appropriate form when we receive the medicine. We cannot administer medication without the proper documentation on file. 4. Illness: We want all of our campers to remain safe and healthy. Therefore we ask that you keep your child at home or pick them up early if one or more of the following symptoms are present: (1) a temperature of 101 degrees or higher; (2) a severe cold with fever, sneezing and/or nose drainage; (3) diarrhea; (4) vomiting; (5) impetigo; (6) conjunctivitis or pink eye ; (7) bronchitis; (8) any childhood contagious disease; (9) strep throat, (10) head lice, or (11) ring worm. If a child is diagnosed with strep throat, they must be on an antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to camp. Campers that have a fever can only return to camp after 24 hours of being fever-free without the use of medication to relieve the fever. If a child has head lice, follow up treatment is required and a note from a health nurse at the Health Department that it has been treated is required before the camper is allowed to return to camp. If a child is sent home from the program for any of the above, s/he may not return to the program for at least 24 hours. 5. Custody: In cases of separated or divorced parents, where visitation rights are denied to one parent, we cannot deny releasing the child to such parent unless a court or separation document is in our file expressly forbidding such parent from picking up the child from our program or from picking up at times not allowed by the court decree. The court decree must also be specific to the rights of visitation on the YMCA/Camp property during camp hours. The court document must specify in writing that visitation is permitted by the non-custodial parent. Otherwise, visitation will not be permitted. 4
6. Releases and Pick-Up: To ensure the safety of your child, unless specific releases are given in written form in advance, NO CHILD will be released to anyone whose name does not appear on the child s enrollment form. Telephone calls WILL NOT be accepted to release a child to anyone who is not listed on the registration form. If a person is not recognized by one of our staff members they will be asked to present a photo ID. Please sign campers out at the front desk prior to 4:45pm. Make sure that a camp staff person acknowledges that you are taking the child out of our care. After 4:45, parents can come to the door on the front of the building by the gym to sign out with Camp Staff. All campers must be signed out by 6:00pm. A fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged for late pick-ups. Please be sure to update any contact information in case you have to be contacted for any reason. 7. Weekly Fees: All weekly fees are due by 6:00pm on the Friday prior to the week of camp your child is attending. Fees that are not paid by Friday at 6:00pm will be assessed a $10 late fee. If your account is not current by Monday evening at 6:00pm your child may not return to camp until all outstanding balances have been paid. 8. Withdrawals: Campers are considered enrolled in camp until the parent notifies the YMCA that the child is being withdrawn from the program. A two-week notice is required for withdrawal. Fees are charged, regardless of attendance, until we receive notification of withdrawal. Weekly deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable. 9. Labeling: Please be sure to label all items your camper brings in with his or her FIRST and LAST name. This includes all clothing, lunch boxes, water bottle, book bag, etc. This will help us reconnect your camper with anything that gets left behind. Our lost and found is located at the Membership Desk. All labeled items found will be returned to campers as soon as possible. Any unlabeled items will be kept for two weeks and then donated to charity. Please check for your lost and found items during drop off and pick up! Encourage your camper daily to keep up with his/her belongings. The YMCA is not responsible for any items lost, misplaced, or stolen. 10. Staff: A YMCA Director supervises Camp every day. We recruit our camp staff through local churches, leadership organizations and from area colleges and high schools. We personally interview each candidate, secure a minimum of three personal written references and perform a background check for all counselors. Staff must meet the ideals and values of the YMCA, as well as exemplify the willingness to provide high quality childcare especially in the areas of supervision and interaction. All Camp staff attend over 30 hours of training prior to the beginning of the camp season. We want your camper to feel safe, cared for and liked by the Camp Staff, while maintaining a healthy and appropriate Staff/camper relationship. Please note that YMCA policy prohibits any staff person from babysitting our campers. 11. Toys/Electronics: Camp does not allow campers to bring any electronic devices to camp. This includes, but is not limited to: ipods, cell phones, gaming devices, etc. By the same token, campers are not allowed to bring toys to camp such as action figures, baby dolls, stuffed animals, Pokémon cards, etc. There may be some days throughout the summer where there will be Designated Toy Days and campers will be allowed to use these items during a specific time. Again, labeling is key on such days and the Y is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items. If any toys/electronics are brought to camp, it is subject to confiscation by camp staff. 5
12. Camp Shirts: Each camper will receive one camp T-shirt this summer during their first camp session. Your child is free to wear them whenever they choose, but please make sure they wear them on Wednesdays when we go on trips. This makes it easier for staff to identify Y-Campers and for Y- Campers to identify staff. 13. Swimming: We will swim two days out of the week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) at the Hartley Drive Family YMCA. There will also be times to utilize the new Splash Pad that is located at the Grubb Family YMCA. Please have your child wear their swim suit under their clothes on Tuesdays and Thursdays to maximize time efficiency. On the other days please have it handy in their back pack/camp bag so that they can participate in the play on the Splash Pad during the designated camp time. 14. Sunscreen/Water: The sun is definitely a concern for camp. We are committed to make sure that your child is safe from the sun. We strongly encourage you to pack your camper with SPRAY ON sunscreen that is waterproof and at least SPF 30. Campers should arrive to camp with sunscreen applied and we will reapply throughout the day. If assistance is needed in applying lotion based sunscreen it will be provided from camper to camper. Staff will NOT be allowed to apply lotion based sunscreen to any camper. We recommend providing a water bottle for your child to bring daily to camp. Water will be accessible when needed, and we will remind campers to stay hydrated and take frequent water breaks. Please be sure to label all water bottles. 15. Emergencies: In the case of an emergency, every effort will be made to reach the parent or the contacts listed on the child s registration form. If no one can be reached, we will take necessary actions for the health of your child. Should there be any changes in the emergency contact phone numbers, please notify us immediately. In an emergency, proper officials are called and your child will be transported to the emergency room of the closest appropriate medical facility. 6
WHEN DO I PAY? PAYMENT INFORMATION Payments will be due the Friday BEFORE a child attends camp. If payment is not honored by your bank, a $25 service fee will be charged. If you have an outstanding debt past Monday of the week attending, service will be terminated immediately. It is the parent s responsibility to make sure that there is no outstanding balance. A late fee of $10 will be applied after the payment due date (Friday at 6:00pm). Camp Week Camp Dates Payment Due Week 1 June 13-17 June 10 (Funville, USA) Week 2 June 20-24 June 17 (Are We There Yet) Week 3 June 27- July 1 June 24 (Going Wild) Week 4 July 4-8* July 1 (Defy Gravity) *No camp on July 4th Week 5 July 11-15 July 8 (Rewind) Week 6 July 18-22 July 15 (The Imaginarium) Week 7 July 25-29 July 22 (Dive In) Week 8 August 1-5 July 29 (Grand Slam) Week 9 August 8-12 August 5 (On the Look Out) Week 10 August 15-19 August 12 (The Great Outdoors) Week 11 (The Premier) August 22-26 August 19 7
CAMPER BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS Remember Being a camper means. You have a right to a safe and happy environment AND you have a responsibility to make sure others have a safe and happy environment too! You will have a happy and safe time in Camp if you Always stay with your group. Cooperate with your Camp Counselor and group members. Be helpful. Take care of all games, equipment and supplies. Leave building spaces better than you found them. Follow directions with a good attitude. Talk respectfully and politely to other children and adults. Remember the words Please and Thank You. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself. Play safely and fairly with others. Be willing to interact with all campers. Tell the truth. Stay only in the areas that Camp staff has specified. Be willing to try activities and crafts planned by Camp Staff. Follow all YMCA rules. Be courteous and respectful on field trips and during on-site presentations. Most of all HAVE FUN! 8
HOW IS DISCIPLINE HANDLED? The philosophy of our program is based on mutual respect being shown for and between all campers and staff. We relate to children on an individual basis. Rules, expectations and consequences will be made known to all children upon entry into camp. Should a discipline problem arise: 1. The child will be spoken to in hopes that discussion and redirecting the child to another activity is all that is required to correct the problem. A warning will also be given. 2. If the discussion and redirection do not seem to help, the child will be put in "time-out" for a short period. 3. Should the behavior continue, the parent/guardian will be notified and documentation of the behavior, past and present, will begin. 4. If these steps do not correct the problem, the parent/guardian and Director will meet to discuss corrective procedures. 5. Should this process prove unsuccessful and behavior problems are not corrected, the child may be dismissed or suspended from the program. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL PHYSICAL ATTACKS BE ALLOWED AT CAMP. CAMPERS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY HARMFUL TO STAFF OR OTHER CAMPERS WILL BE DISMISSED FROM CAMP IMMEDIATELY. THIS INCLUDES ANY TYPE OF FOUL LANGUAGE, SEXUAL TOUCHING OR CONVERSATION, OR ANY OTHER BEHAVIOR DEEMED INAPPROPRIATE BY OUR STAFF. In addition the YMCA reserves the right to request the withdrawal of a camper if one or more of the following conditions exist: The camper is not participating in or benefiting from the program. The staff cannot provide adequate or safe care for the camper. The staff cannot provide adequate or safe care to the enrolled campers due to the care needs or behavior of one camper. 9
HOW DOES TIME OUT LOOK? Time Out is the temporary removal of a child from the group and activity for a short period of time - 1 minute for every year of the child s age - from a situation in which the child is misbehaving and has not responded to other discipline techniques. The Time-Out location is away from the group, but within the counselor s sight. During time-out the child has a chance to think about the misbehavior and cool down. After a brief interval, the counselor discusses the incident and appropriate behavior with the child. When the child returns to the group, the incident is over and the child is treated with the same affection and respect shown to the other children. Staff WILL Praise, reward & encourage campers Reason with and set limits for campers Model appropriate behavior for the campers Listen to the campers Provide alternatives for inappropriate behavior Provide natural and logical consequences Treat campers as people; respecting needs, feelings and desires Ignore minor misbehaviors Explain things on a camper s level Stay consistent with our behavior management Staff WILL NOT Spank, bite, pinch, push, slap or other physically punish a camper Make fun of, criticize, belittle, yell at, threaten, make sarcastic remarks, use profanity or verbally abuse a child Shame or punish when bathroom accidents occur Deny food or rest as punishment Relate discipline to eating, resting, or toileting Leave children alone, unattended or unsupervised Allow discipline of children, by children 10
7:30-8:30 Sign In/Drop Off 8:30-9:00 Opening Assembly 9:00-10:00 Activity 10:00-10:30 Morning Snack 10:30-11:30 Activity 11:30-1:00 Lunch/Cool Down 1:00-3:30 Activity 3:30-4:00 Afternoon Snack 4:00-4:30 Closing Assembly 4:30-5:00 Activity 5:00-6:00 Departure/Free Choice Games 11