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Dear Camp Jacobson Families, We are excited to share Summer 2017 with you! Our preparations have been under way all year. Our group leaders, specialists and staff members join us in welcoming you. We are looking forward to seeing you when camp begins on Thursday, June 29. We would like to assist you in preparing for the opening day of camp by providing this Parent Guide. Your understanding of our procedures and policies helps ensure a safe, fun and successful summer for all! We are available to you year-round. We are located at Bernice Jacobson Day School & Camp, 340 Wheatley Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568. If you have any questions, you can reach us at 516-626-1094 or by email at campjacobson@sjjcc.org. Up-to-date information is always available on our website at www.campjacobson.com. If you would like to contact me personally, I can be reached at lmauer@sjjcc.org. Looking forward to seeing you this summer! Thank you, Lindsay Mauer Acting Camp Director 2 2
SID JACOBSON JCC Camp Jacobson is one of the many programs offered by Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center (SJJCC). Our camp program, like all of the Center s activities, operates on the premise that each person is important and learns and grows through formal and informal experiences. Sid Jacobson JCC offers families and individuals a variety of programs at our main campus in East Hills, our Old Westbury campus Bernice Jacobson Day School & Camp, and additional off-site locations throughout Nassau County. For more information about programs or becoming a member of SJJCC, visit www.sjjcc.org or contact SJJCC at 516-484-1545. CAMP MISSION STATEMENT Camp Jacobson is a place where all children flourish in a safe, nurturing environment based on Jewish values and ideals. Camp Jacobson encourages each child to learn and have fun as they grow, teaching sportsmanship and camaraderie while establishing lifelong friendships. CAMP DATES Thursday, June 29 Thursday, August 24, 2017 (Please note camp is closed Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4) CAMP HOURS Office: 7:30am approximately 6:00pm After 6:00pm, email campjacobson@sjjcc.org and your correspondence will be returned as soon as possible. NO CHILD WILL BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND CAMP WITHOUT: Payment received in full or approved and up-to-date payment plan. Health History/Physical Exam completed after August 23, 2016 and returned to camp before your child s first day. 3 3
ACA ACCREDITATION Camp Jacobson is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). ACA is a community of camp professionals who have joined together to share vast knowledge and experience to ensure the quality of camp programs for nearly 100 years. ACA-accredited camps must meet over 300 standards for health, safety and program quality. CONTACTING CAMP We want to make sure that you get the proper attention each time that you contact us. In order to do so, here is some information to help get you to the right person: Camper/Staff-Related Issues: The Group Leader is the primary contact for your camper and their staff. Billing/Registration: Office Staff Transportation/Bus: Elizabeth Williams, Transportation Coordinator Allergy and Medical-Related Issues: Nursing Staff/Allergy Specialist General Inquiries: Office Staff It is our policy to return phone calls and emails in a timely manner. MEDICAL If your child requires medication to be administered during camp: All medication must be labeled (camper s name, group, proper dosage, expiration date) and in its original container, with enough medication for the full 39 days of camp. If your child has asthma or allergies, please supply the camp with an extra inhaler and/or epi-pen. Please note all allergies and medications on your child s Medical Form, even if he/she does not take any medication during camp. Our on-site nursing staff is well equipped to deal with most camp-related illnesses or injuries. You will always be contacted should your child require out-of-camp services. Families must complete a Medication Consent Form (available under Forms in your CampMinder dashboard) prior to administration of any medication. 4 4
CAMPMINDER CampMinder is your online portal for forms, documents, newsletters, photos and more! Familiarizing yourself with this system is essential for staying informed of all camp happenings. 1) Start at www.campjacobson.com 2) Click on CampMinder Login (at the top) 3) Enter your email address and password. If you don t know your password or you are a first time user, click on Retrieve/Set Password. Forms & Documents The top of the page lists the forms specific for each camper. The bottom of the page lists the forms for the family. The computer icon indicates forms that can be completed online. The paper icon indicates forms that are to be printed and returned to the camp office. The arrow icon indicates notices that are for your information. Forms will appear RED when past due, GREEN when successfully submitted, and BLACK when not yet due. Your child can not attend camp unless we receive all forms. Camper Information Update individual camper information such as nickname, school and grade (as of September 2017) to ensure proper communication and administration. Update Address/Numbers Update address, phone number, and email information. *If you change your cell phone number or email, please tell us! Photos You can view and print pictures of your children throughout the summer. Simply select your child s group name from the drop down menu and save the photos you like. Photos are typically uploaded daily for each group by dinner time. 5 5
ABSENCES If your child is going to be absent from camp, please contact the camp office as early as possible at 516-626-1094 or email us at campjacobson@sjjcc.org. PARENT DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES No cars are permitted on our roadway from 8:45 9:30am and 3:45 4:30pm. Campers being dropped off in the morning must arrive after 9:30am. Campers should be dropped off at the Welcome Gazebo. Campers being picked up in the afternoon must be picked up before 3:45pm. Safety is our priority. We will hold visitors at camp until all buses are cleared for morning and afternoon dismissal. If your child will not be going home on the bus, please notify camp in advance and we will have your child ready to be picked up at the Welcome Gazebo. Parents must sign in and out with security at the Welcome Gazebo. BEFORE & AFTER CARE For families in need of extended childcare, we offer Before & After Care from 8:00 9:00am and 4:00 6:00pm. Program includes quality supervisors, special activities and projects, and afternoon snack. For more information or to sign up for this service, login to your CampMinder account, click Forms and Documents, and select Before & After Care. TRANSPORTATION/BUS RULES The bus driver and bus counselor will work with your child to understand the bus rules and ensure his/her safety. Campers are required to sit at all times. There is no eating or drinking on the bus at any time. Children must be greeted at the bus by a parent or approved adult in order to be taken off the bus. Play dates after camp must be arranged through our office, not through your bus driver. Booster seats are provided if needed. You can email our Transportation Coordinator at transportation@sjjcc.org. 6 6
AQUATICS PROGRAM Campers participate in two swim periods per day (mini-day campers will participate in one swim period). The morning swim is an American Red Cross instructional swim period. The afternoon swim is a supervised, recreational swim period. Reports will be sent home periodically throughout the summer to inform parents of child s progress. LUNCH A kosher, nut-free lunch is provided daily, offering one hot item each day as well as a selection of cold item alternatives. Due to allergy restrictions, no outside food is allowed on our campgrounds. Your child will be asked what they want to eat which is why it is necessary all dietary restrictions and allergies are known prior to camp starting. Consult the Camp Menu for daily lunch offerings. HYDRATE! Send in a labeled water bottle that we can refill throughout the day at one of our water stations so your child is cool and refreshed all summer. At home, make sure your child drinks plenty of water each night and in the morning before camp. SUNSCREEN/INSECT REPELLENT Apply sunscreen and insect repellent to your child every morning before camp. Send in labeled sunscreen/insect repellent to keep in your child s cubby so we can re-apply throughout the day. Parents must complete the Sunscreen Authorization form available in CampMinder before your child s first day. RAINY DAYS Send your child to camp in a raincoat and shoes that can get wet and muddy. Campers may go out of camp for a rainy day field trip. Parents are notified via email if a trip is planned. 7 7
CAMP T-SHIRTS All campers receive a t-shirt on the first photo day (Travel Campers receive t-shirts prior to the first camp trip). Camp shirts must be worn on trip days and photo days. Early Childhood through Upper Camp will receive one t-shirt. Explorers (Grades: 5 8) will receive two t-shirts. BIRTHDAY PARTIES Children with birthdays during the summer have the opportunity to celebrate with campmates. You can order baked goods from our approved list of kosher/nut free bakeries. Contact the camp office for more details. TRIPS Campers entering 2-4 grade will attend various trips throughout the summer. Travel Campers entering 5 th grade and up enjoy a mix of day/overnight trips as well as time on camp. Consult the Camp Calendar for a detailed list of trips for your child s group. THEME DAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS Throughout the summer we offer your child the opportunity to show camp spirit by participating in dress-up days. We also have theme days at the end of each camp week with specialty programs and visiting entertainers. Our camp-wide Goodwill Games offer campers and staff the opportunity to participate in athletic and creative challenges to earn points for their teams. Consult the Camp Calendar for a complete list of theme days and specialty events. SOCIAL NETWORKING We encourage you to follow us, like us and view us on various social networking sites to stay updated on camp happenings. Facebook Camp Jacobson Instagram @campjacobson Twitter @campjacobson 8 8
VISITING DAYS Visiting Days are a special part of the Camp Jacobson experience. Parents, grandparents, siblings and friends are invited to partake in special activities and programs with your child and his/her group. Please refer to the Camp Calendar for dates of Visiting Days. If you are unable to make the date for your child s group, you are invited to come another day during the summer through prior arrangement with the camp office. COMMUNICATION We pride ourselves on effectively communicating with you throughout the summer. You should expect to receive correspondences throughout the week to ensure you are aware of all that is going on with your child at camp. Camp News You will receive a weekly email blast to notify you of upcoming important dates, events at camp, online newsletters, visiting day information and more. Text Messages In the event that we need to contact you immediately, we will send a text message from Camp Administration. You are automatically enrolled in this service and can opt out any time by completing the form in your CampMinder account. Letters Home We will be providing each camper with a backpack at the start of the summer. Please make sure to check your child s backpack at the end of each day, as this is a key part of how we will correspond with you. Arts & Crafts projects, swim updates and other communications will be sent home in backpacks. If you find you are missing any of these correspondences, please feel free to contact us. NO TIPPING POLICY We have a no tipping policy at Camp Jacobson. We promote the work our dedicated staff does throughout the summer with a dynamic bonus system. We ask our camp families to refrain from providing cash tips to any staff member. 9 9
WHAT TO WEAR AND PACK EACH DAY... Sneakers to wear at all times except during swim Water bottle Campers should wear a bathing suit every day of the week Full Day Campers should pack an extra bathing suit for their second swim period Appropriate camp clothing that may get wet and/or dirty All campers should pack underwear (and shorts for boys) to change into after swimming Towels are provided and washed each day by Camp Jacobson ALL BELONGINGS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CAMPER S NAME OUTSIDE FOOD IS PROHIBITED 10 10
W HAT TO LE AV E AT CAMP... An extra set of clothing, including underwear, t-shirt, shorts and socks Pool shoes to be worn during swim only Sweatshirt and sweatpants for chilly days Sunscreen/insect repellent ALL BELONGINGS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CAMPER S NAME 11 11
REMINDERS Lunch/snack, transportation, towel service and staff gratuities are all part of your child s tuition. Additional options such as horseback riding, Before & After care and post-camp lessons are offered at discounted rates to camp families. Our Group Leaders will be calling the homes of our campers before camp to introduce themselves and discuss any pertinent information about your child. We care about your opinion. Throughout the summer, we offer families the opportunity to complete online evaluations about the staff, program and your overall camp experience. Please check your email with links for our surveys. We are always interested in speaking with you. Please do not hesitate to call our office any time at 516-626-1094. Thank you for choosing Camp Jacobson! www.campjacobson.com This camp is permitted to operate by the Nassau County Department of Health. As such, the camp is required to be inspected twice per year. Inspection reports on the camp are filed at 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, NY 11501. 12