Recreation Services Summer 2018 Redhawks Kids Camp (RKC) Parent Guide Everything You Need To Know About RKC! Southeast Missouri State University Recreation Services One University Plaza, MS 7100 Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 www.semo.edu/recservices/events/rkc.html Recreation Services (Main Office): 573-651-2105 Student Recreation Center Operations Center (emergency number): 573-651-2147 1
About Redhawks Kids Camp We provide a safe and educational environment where kids have fun and enjoy their summer days. Days will be filled with activities, arts and crafts, educational opportunities, games, swimming, and much more. Our main goal is to HAVE FUN! Administrative Camp Staff - Graduate Assistant, Brittney Swicionis, RKC Camp Director Recreation Services Staff Mike Buck, Director, Recreation Services Eric Redinger, Associate Director Kim Wilkerson, Senior Administrative Assistant Sara Wagganer, Assistant Director, Fitness & Wellness Christina Essner, Assistant Director, Facility & Camps Chad Sierman, Assistant Director, Aquatics Redhawks Kids Camp Counselors have been through extensive training, so you can feel safe with these counselors caring for your children. All counselors are CPR, AED, and First Aid certified for adults and children. Headquarters We will be utilizing the Student Recreation Center as the camp headquarters. We will always start and end the day at this facility. We will be walking a lot to get around campus and find new places to play! In severe weather conditions, campers will be led to safety in buildings or kept inside the Student Recreation Center. Age Groups of Campers Campers do many activities together; however, campers may be split up to more age-appropriate groups for various activities and projects on any given day. Campers may be split into grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 depending on the week (grades entering fall 2018). Example Day-Subject to Change Time Event Description 7:35am 8:15am Morning Check-in Morning check-in time for campers 8:15am 8:25am Good Morning RKC Given by Administrative Staff 8:25am 10:30am Activity Programmed activity such as swimming, games, or crafts 10:30am 10:45am Morning Snack Time Opportunity for campers to eat snack from home 10:45am 11:45am Activity Programmed activity such as swimming, games, or crafts 11:30am 12:00pm Lunch Designated lunch time for campers 12:15pm 2:30pm Activity Programmed activity such as swimming, games, or crafts 2:30pm 2:45pm Afternoon Snack Time Opportunity for campers to eat snack from home 2:45pm 3:30pm Activity Programmed activity such as swimming, games, or crafts 3:30pm 3:45pm Daily Wrap-Up 3:45pm - 4:30pm Open Play/Pick-Up Campers play while waiting for pick-up 2
What to Wear Dress for outdoor play & activity. Closed-toe shoes are required (sandals, Crocs, etc. are not permitted). Phone calls will be made home to the parent/guardian to drop off closed-toe shoes in order for campers to participate in all activities that day. Hats are encouraged since we will be outside at various time of the day. Checklist for a typical RKC day Backpack with camper s name on it Swimsuit, towel, & plastic bag (swim goggles optional with name on them) Lunch (in a brown paper bag with the camper s name and grade on the front) Two light snacks kept in campers backpack Water Bottle with camper s name on it (required each day) Sunscreen with camper s name on it Any required medication(s) (please inform staff) What not to Pack Electronics (cell phones, tablets, etc.) & money. Lost and Found At various times, children tend to lose things (sock, shoe, swimsuit, etc.). A Lost and Found box is kept in the RKC Headquarters. Parents, guardians, and campers are encouraged to check this location if something is missing. RKC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Swimming and Water Games We will typically swim or play water-themed games daily. Campers will be encouraged to swim each day or be near the pool. Campers will need to bring a plastic bag (to place wet items in after swimming), towel, swimsuit (one or two-piece is fine). No noodles or pool toys are permitted in the water other than those provided by RKC staff. RKC and the aquatics center will not provide goggles. Please send your camper with goggles that have their name on it if necessary. While in the pool environment children that are not good swimmers can bring swim aides to camp, or utilize lifevests that will be available on site. *ALL campers will be tested on their first day of camp to determine swimming abilities. If your child does not pass the swim test, they will be required to wear a lifejacket until they can pass the swim test and they will be kept in the shallow end of the pool at all times. Campers that pass the swim test may be eligible to use the rock wall, zip line, and rope swing at the head lifeguards discretion. 3
Creativity Time Camp is not just about activities, it is also about being creative with arts and crafts. Campers will have many opportunities to let their imagination run wild around the theme weeks. Kids Playing and Respecting One Another Kids will be encouraged to take part in all activities for the day. We will encourage kids to play within the rules, treat each other with dignity and respect, and to respect all equipment and facilities as if they were in their own at home. Those campers not adhering to these standards will meet with an Administrative Staff member and the results could be parental or guardian meetings. Snacks and Lunches It is important that kids eat prior to camp. Please ensure your child has a balanced breakfast each morning. Parents/Guardians must provide a sack lunch. A refrigerator will be available to store items. Campers are asked to bring their lunch in a brown paper bag with their name and grade written on the front. Campers bringing lunches in anything other than a paper bag will be asked to leave their lunches in the activity room. This area is safe; however, these lunches are kept at room temperature. We cannot heat anything up for lunch. During the day, we will provide water to the campers; however, campers must bring their own water bottle. Parents are asked to provide two snacks daily. Please let us know in advance if your child has special dietary needs so that we can assist your camper at lunchtime. It is highly discouraged that campers trade food items or share food at snack or lunch due food allergies. It is important that we are aware of any food allergies. Discipline for Campers The staff of RKC is aware that there will be times when kids may have a rough day. Please be aware that we will quickly resolve all conflicts to keep your child involved in camp activities. On occasion, a break may be needed for campers to regroup. Parents will be notified of any serious or persistant problems we may have with your child by the Camp Director. Not all issues will necessitate a call home to a parent/guardian and will be dependent upon our counselors and Administrative Staff. It is the policy of our staff to communicate with parents as much as we can. We always provide praise when praise is due! Discipline will be handled on an individual basis. 4
RKC Discipline Policy 1 st Offense: Camper will receive a verbal warning from the counselor explaining the inappropriate behavior and written documentation will be made. 2 nd Offense: Campers will be removed from the activity and escorted to the RKC office to discuss behavior choices with the Camp Director. At this time, phone calls to parents may be made. Written documentation will be recorded of the incident(s). 3 rd Offense: If a child has three or more offenses in one day, parents will be called and asked to remove their child from camp immediately for the day. If the incident is severe parent/guardian may be call to remove their child even if it is the 1 st offense. We have the right to terminate the registration (without refund) for any child not abiding or conforming to stated RKC rules, or that is consistently being disrespectfully toward staff or campers. Check-In/Check-Out Campers will be checked-in and out at the Student Recreation Center. One table will be set up at the top of the stairs at the southeast entrance of the building (near the walkway bridge) during check-in and check-out. Late check-in and early check-outs will be at the front desk located just inside the entrance to the Student Recreation Center. Check-In Times: 7:35am 8:15am Check-Out Times: 4:00pm 4:30pm Identification Required* ALL parents, guardians, or friends approved to pick up campers at the end of the camp day MUST show a photo ID in order to pick up a camper. Parents/Guardians need to be aware that we will not release a camper without a photo ID. Please understand this is for the safety of your child. RKC staff has the right to refuse release of camper(s) to any person who may be impaired or incoherent at pick-up. There are no exceptions to this policy. *NOTE: In an effort to make checkout easier, you may leave a copy of your photo ID with us to satisfy the above requirement. Directions and Parking Information Redhawks Kids Camp is located at the Student Recreation Center 750 New Madrid, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Parking is available in the parking lot off of New Madrid by the walkway bridge. If you receive a ticket while dropping off or picking up your camper, please print your name on the ticket and give it to a Camp Director or counselor working the check-in or check-out table. 5
Absences, Late Arrivals, and Early Departures If your child will be late or unable to attend a day, please call us at 573-651-2105, and let us know. Special arrangements for your child can be made allowing him/her to arrive late to camp or to leave early for the day if needed. Please prevent the spread of illness. If your child is sick, please keep them home. If your child becomes ill while at camp, we will notify you as soon as possible to ensure timely pickup. Medications The RKC staff cannot administer any medications unless specific written directions are left with the Administrative staff with the medication, dosage, times, and other relevant information. Tylenol (or headache-like medications) cannot be dispensed without written notification from a parent/guardian. Please let us know if your child has severe allergies or carries an Epipen. Epipens are not provided by RKC, but can be kept with a counselor at all times in case it is needed. List any allergies and/or conditions camp personnel need to be knowledgeable of on the medical/liability release form. Emergencies In the case of an emergency or accident involving your child, you will be notified as soon as possible by a camp administrator. All members of the RKC staff are certified in CPR (adult and child), AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and first aid. In the case of a severe accident, you have given RKC staff approval to contact an ambulance for your child. If you have an emergency and need to reach a camper, please call 573-651-2105. Payments Payment is due at time of registration. If you would like to pay by cash, check, or University Charge please stop by the Student Recreation Center to register. Cancellation Policy In the event that the University would need to cancel your designated camp a full refund will be returned back to participant and/or family in the form of a University check. In the event that you, the participant, and/or family would need to cancel your registration, you will receive a full refund up until 4 weeks from the camp. If you cancel within 4 weeks of the camp you will receive partial refund. Late cancellations fee is $50.00 from your camp registration cost. Tax Information (Child Care Expenses) Redhawks Kids Camp State Tax ID # is 43-6003569. We will only mail receipts to Parents/Guardians upon request after verification of child care provided during the summer. Parents/Guardians can call 573-651-2105 or email kwilkerson@semo.edu to request this information. 6