AT THE CHEROKEE COUNTY YMCA

AT THE CHEROKEE COUNTY YMCA

WELCOME TO SUMMER CAMP AT THE CHEROKEE COUNTY YMCA! Thank you for entrusting the YMCA Day Camp Program with the care of your children this summer. We offer two locations in Cherokee County, in both Woodstock and Canton. This summer, we promise to serve your children with compassion, patience, skill and respect. It is our goal that staff and parents become partners so that we can provide the best camp experience possible for your children. As a parent, you can help us by letting us know of any ideas, thoughts or concerns that you may have regarding camp. The Y is a place for families and we want to do everything possible to strengthen and support your family. Our staff is dedicated to caring for each child as a unique individual with his/her own rate of development. Our goal is to introduce children to as many new experiences as possible and help each child feel confident and secure in a fun, safe camp environment. We are dedicated to molding the lives of our campers and creating friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. REQUIRED FORMS Camp requires campers submit 3231 Immunization Form and Medical Release waiver. The 3231 Immunization is the same form you would submit to the school each year and you can get one from your child s doctor. The Medical Release Waiver is included in the registration process. These forms need to be submitted before the camp week starts. You can submit the forms via email (robertbe@ymcaatlanta.org) or by dropping them off at our registration office. WHAT TO WEAR Please remember, camp is not a fashion show! We encourage our campers to dress comfortably because they will be playing outdoors. Most importantly, as a parent you will need to label all of your child s belongings as things get taken out of backpacks, items may get left behind and we end up with a lot of Lost and Found with no way of knowing who it belongs to. -Shorts - T-Shirt - Swimming Shorts/1piece bathing suit -Backpack - Sunscreen - Bug Spray -Rain poncho (as needed) -Closed Toed Shoes -HORSEBACK CAMP: long pants and hard sole shoes required.

WHAT TO BRING Everything that your child brings to camp needs to be labeled with their name, to ensure that if they lose it, we can find it. Please send your child to camp each day with a backpack containing the following: Sunscreen Bug spray Refillable water bottle Swim Shorts/1-piece bathing suit Towel Lunch (Non-Perishable Items only no refrigeration is available) 2 Snacks Rain Poncho Horseback Camp Long Pants and hard soled shoes WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME Electronic Devices Cell Phones Playing cards Valuables & Money Toys Knives/Weapons Open Toed Shoes DROPPING OFF YOUR CAMPER Valet Drop-Off is offered at Both Location from 7:00AM 8:45AM Canton Drop-Off: Is located in the Heritage Park parking lot by the Waterslide Woodstock Drop-Off: Chipmunk (Kindergarten-1st): is through the main gate and make the first left down to the den. All Other Dens: Go through the gate and proceed straight until you reach the main parking/drop-off area by the Yellow Roof Playground. BRANCH LOCATIONS: Woodstock - On Lake Allatoona 201 East Bells Ferry Road-Woodstock GA 30189- (770) 591-6092 (Camp Office open during June & July) Canton - Off Riverstone Pkwy 151 Waleska Street-Canton GA 30114- (678) 880-3512 (Camp Office Direct Line during June & July) DROPPING OFF AFTER 8:45AM: If you are dropping off 8:45 AM Please bring your child to the Camp Office/Camp Desk and sign them in.

PICKING UP YOUR CAMPER Valet Pick-Up is offered at Both Location from 4:00PM 6:30PM Canton Pick-up Is located in the Heritage Park parking lot by the Waterslide Woodstock Pick-Up: Chipmunk (Kindergarten-1st): is through the main gate and make the first left down to the den. At 5:30p they will move to the main pick-up area. All Other Dens: Go through the gate and proceed straight until you reach the main parking and pick-up area by the Yellow Roof Playground. We understand that parents have work and other needs. We offer Pre-Camp from 7:00am to 8:45am and Post-Camp from 4:00pm to 6:30pm. There is no charge for this service. Campers MUST be picked up prior to 6:30pm. After 6:30pm there will be a $5 late fee for the first 10 minutes and an additional $1 per minute thereafter. This will be adhered to and will affect camper enrollment. If you need to pick up your child early, Please call the camp office at least 30 minutes early so we can have your child ready when you arrive. For the safety of our campers we do not offer pick-up between 3:15p and 4:00p unless it is an emergency or it has been approved in writing by the camp office. Woodstock (770) 591-6092 Canton (678) 880-3512 Anyone picking up a camper needs to be on the child s Authorized Pickup list in SPIRIT. Parent and guardian will not be authorized to pick-up unless they are included on the SPIRIT. Anyone picking up a camper must show a photo-id everyday. To verify Authorized Pick-Ups visit ymcaatlanta.org and Sign-In INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY During inclement weather campers will be moved to a secured covered location. This includes our dining hall, cabins, or large pavilion. Depending on the severity we may begin early pick-up. Which parents will be notified of through Remind-101 a texting app you can join. Please see the communications portion of this handbook for instructions on how to join our camp Remind 101 notification system. POOL/LAKE SAFETY Safety is one of the YMCA s most important responsibilities to our members and campers. During their week every child will get a chance to enjoy our outdoor lifeguarded pools. Our swim test is only offered once a week, each Monday. Camper must pass the swim test to go into the deeper end of the pool or go down the pool slide. Upon completion of the swim test your camper will be issued a swim band identifying as having passed the swim test. This swim band will be valid for the rest of the 2017 summer camp season. If a child is unable to swim, they will stay in the closely supervised shallow end of the pool. At the Cherokee Outdoor YMCA children will also get the opportunity to go out with a Lifeguard on Lake Allatoona. When at the Waterfront or on the lake everyone is required to wear a lifejacket at all times.

OUR COUNSELORS Our staff are all 1st Aid and CPR Certified. In addition to this all our staff are required to attend pre-camp training. Our trainings cover a great deal. Our staff learn about the policies and procedures of operating a safe and fun Summer Camp. They learn how to do proper head counts and how to check in and out campers as well as group cohesiveness. In addition to learning all the policies and procedures of the YMCA Summer Camp program, they learn techniques in child behavior management, positive discipline, team building, group games, how to prevent child abuse, risk management, and other necessary issues for running a safe camp. They learn songs, games, skits, and arts & craft projects. At the end of our precamp summer training, they are ready to use their new skills and knowledge with campers! Trainings are ongoing and continue once a week for the duration of the summer. Getting offered a position as a Camp Leader at the YMCA is very competitive. We feel that after our trainings, your child is with the best of the best. FIELD TRIP INFORMATION Campers leaving the property for any field trips will always be accompanied by camp staff. They will also always be transported via camp vehicles. All policies and procedures that are in place on property will still apply while on field trips, including first aid and behavior procedures. If your camper is scheduled to go on a field trip please try your best to be at camp before 9 am our buses are scheduled to leave at that time. Also, remember to pack your camper a lunch on field trip days may times they are gone all day and eat lunch while on the field trip. If your child s return is delayed to camp a notification will be sent out via our Remind 101 notification system. OVERNIGHT PACKING LIST - Change of Clothes for Friday - Swimsuit - Sleeping Clothes - Toothbrush/Toothpaste - Towel - Personal Toiletries - Sleeping Bag - Sunscreen - Water Bottle OPTIONAL ITEMS - Sleeping Pad - Bug Spray - Hammock - Flashlight - Tent - Friday Snacks FIRST AID If your child becomes ill or injured while at day camp, our staff will contact you. Depending on what has happened we may request you to pick him/her up. Camp is not designed to handle ill children or diagnosis and treat certain injuries, so it is important to tend to your child in a timely manner. If your child is injured, our staff will take whatever steps necessary to administer/ obtain medical care. If we are unable to reach you and your child needs medical attention s/he will be transported to the hospital by an ambulance. All expenses for emergency medical care are the responsibility of the parent or guardian. We strongly encourage parents to go online and verify that we have the correct phone numbers to reach you during the day. You can verify your phone numbers on file by visiting www.ymcaatlanta.org and selecting Sign-In.

COMMUNICATION EXPECTATIONS Creating an open line of communication between our staff and campers families is a top priority. Over the Phone: Every weekend your child s counselor for the following week will call you at one of the numbers listed for your family with YMCA (usually the number listed as the primary authorized pick-up). This call provides you as a parent an opportunity to ask any questions you may have directly to your child s counselor. This also allows them share with you and your child what to expect during camp next week. If we can not reach you we will leave you a voicemail. Via Text: In addition to this we also utilize the text messaging service Remind -101 this is our fastest way to broadcast live updates about camp to all parent s. How to enroll in remind 101: Option 1: If you have a smartphone, get push notifications. On your iphone or Android phone, open your web browser and go to the following link: rmd.at/coycamp Follow the instructions to sign up for Remind. You ll be prompted to download the mobile app. Option 2: If you don t have a smartphone, get text notifications. Text the message @coycamp to the number 81010. If you re having trouble with 81010, try texting @coycamp to (650) 250-0332. Online: We will also be sharing a mid-week newsletter that will go out to everyone on our email list. As well as uploading photos of what s been happening at camp through out the week and listing upcoming events on our Shutterfly share site. You can join our page at: https://cherokeeoutdoorymca.shutterfly.com/. BEHAVIOR & BULLYING POLICY Campers are entitled to a pleasant and safe environment while participating in the Y Day Camp program. We know that everyone is not always going to get along or agree on things. We expect that disagreements will be handled in a non-violent and non-threatening manner. We want everyone at camp to feel that they are in a safe environment where they are valued. All campers should use their number 1 resource when an unexpected altercation happens, that is to self-report to the counselor in charge right away. YMCA reserves the right to withdraw a participant from our program if your child is unable or unwilling to adjust to our schedule and program. On the first day of each session, all camp expectations and guidelines will be covered and explained by camp administrators and staff. Zero Tolerance Policy YMCA Day Camp has a zero-tolerance policy for serious behavior infractions. We strive to provide a healthy, welcoming, safe and fun environment for every camper. The behaviors below are grounds for immediate removal from camp for the remainder of the current day and additional days as deemed necessary by camp staff. Each incident will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine if the child is capable of functioning in a group setting while at camp. The Camp Director will meet with the camper s parent(s) to determine a course of action and the length of the suspension. Serious behaviors that may result in immediate Camp Suspension. If a child is removed from camp, no refunds will be given. 1. Any behavior that endangers the health and safety of children, staff, and members 2. Leaving the day camp program without permission, or refusing to remain with assigned group 3. Inappropriate touching of other campers or sexual misconduct 4. Theft, defacing or destruction of property belonging to the YMCA or others 5. Verbal abuse or threats, bullying, name-calling 6. Any kind of physical assault such as hitting, kicking, biting 7. Gang-related activity,possession of weapons, tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs

LOST AND FOUND Camp Lost and Found can be located at two locations at camp. Lost and Found will be on picnic tables in the Chipmunk Den and by the Drop-off/Pick-up line. Please remember to label all items that your camper brings to camp. We are always on the move and sometimes our campers leave items behind or drop them while on a hike. If found items with names on them will be easier to return to your camper. If your camper comes home and is missing items please feel free to check these areas daily. Please be aware that items in lost and found that are not claimed by the close of camp on Friday will be donated. BUS TRANSPORTATION LOCATION PICK-UP TIME DROP-OFF TIME Publix on Hickory Flat Road 7:00AM 6:00PM Little River Elementary School 7:30AM 5:35PM G. Cecil Pruett YMCA 7:30AM 5:45PM We offer transportation for families who do not live close to camp. To use the bus service, you must sign up for the bus when you register for camp at the Woodstock location. We advise that you arrive 10 minutes early to each location. If you happen to miss your scheduled drop-off or pick-up location, simply notify our camp office and proceed to the next scheduled location. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE Y! We want to make sure that each and every camper has the best summer ever with us! Our staff takes pride in promoting the YMCA s core values of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Honesty throughout the summer. We also look forward to developing the leaders of tomorrow and having your camper with us here at the Cherokee County YMCA s were we strive for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. QUESTIONS? CONTACT US: Bob Bentley Camp Director (E) Robertbe@ymcaatlanta.org (P) (770) 345-9622 Cherokee Y Canton Camp Desk (678)880-3512 Cherokee Y Woodstock Camp Desk (770)-591-6092