Welcome to camp metro Day camp Summer day camp is a wonderful and exciting adventure filled with fun, friends, special moments and plenty of good times. We're glad you're going to be sharing it with us! Please read this packet carefully. It is designed to assist you in preparing for your camp experience. With your help, we can ensure a positive and happy time at camp for everyone! About camp metro Camp Metro is a unique summer day camp, designed to meet the needs of girls and parents in today s busy world. Our camp is located in Berryessa at the Girl Scout Program Center on Penitencia Creek Road. The park-like setting and convenient freeway access, offers parents and girls optimum choices for their camp experience. Our Camp Metro Staff is looking forward to having you join them as they "Explore the World" this summer! Camp Metro officially begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. (A morning program from 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and an evening program from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. are available but require pre-registration and have an additional fee.) For all Camp Metro Programs, the 1/2 hour before and after the program are designed in a flexible format, which allows parents the opportunity to drop-off and pick-up campers at their convenience. Activities during this flexible time will vary each day and will be structured so that campers can join in or depart as needed. Campers in the Morning Metro program will join the flexible activities at 8:30 a.m. Girls who are registered in the evening program will begin their activities at 5:00 p.m. 1
Arrival at camp metro A map to Camp Metro is included in this confirmation packet. Remember: Camp Metro is located at the Girl Scout Program Center at 14131 Penitencia Creek Road in Berryessa. (Berryessa Avenue exit off of Highway 680.) As you drive on Penitencia Creek Road, look for the Camp Metro sign with the address of 14131 Penitencia Creek Road. Turn into the driveway and go across the bridge. The arrival and departure parking lot will be directly ahead. Look for the registration and check in/out table. Please stay with your child until she has been completely signed-in and is with her group. Campers may not be left outside of the program area. NOTE: Bring your daughter s completed health history form and camper information sheet to check-in on the first day. She will not be accepted at Camp Metro without a health history form on site. General camp check in The Camp Director or designated Staff Member will be at the check-in table beginning at 8:30 a.m. Campers will not be checked-in prior to this time. Check-in time is also an opportunity for you and a member of the Administrative Team to meet and discuss any relevant camp news and share information if needed. Once a camper is checked-in, she will join her group for morning activities until the program officially begins at 9:00 a.m. If you arrive early and have not pre-registered for the Morning Metro program, you will be asked to wait. You may enroll your daughter in this program on site, providing space is available. Registration fees will not be prorated for days not used. Early morning metro program When you arrive at camp, please escort your daughter to the camp office in the main building. (Signs will point the way.) The Camp Director or designated Staff Member will be in the office to check in your daughter beginning at 7:30 a.m. Campers will not be checkedin prior to this time. Check-in time is also an opportunity for you and a member of the Administrative Team to meet and discuss any relevant camp news and share information if needed. Once a camper is checked-in, she will join her Morning Metro group for activities. At 8:30 a.m., campers in this program will move to their group stations as girls in the main program arrive. 2
Departure from camp The Camp Metro program ends at 4:30 p.m. All campers not staying for the Evening Metro Program must be picked up by 5:00 p.m. The Evening Metro Program ends at 6:00 p.m. Please be sure your daughter is picked-up by the appropriate time or late fees will apply. IMPORTANT: Your daughter will only be released to those adults you have identified in writing as having permission to pick her up. Refer to the enclosed camper information sheet. When you arrive on site to pick-up your child, please locate her, collect all belongings, and sign out at the registration table. This will be another opportunity to share information and to inquire about your child's day. Campers will only be released to a parent/guardian or person listed on the enclosed camper information sheet. The Camp Director must be notified in writing if someone other than any of the people identified will be picking up a camper; that person will also be asked to present identification. All campers must be picked up from the program. The Camp Staff will not transport campers home from either Camp Metro or one of the transportation sites. Campers not picked up by the time the Camp Administrators leave for the day will be taken to the Girl Scout office at 1310 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose. Late pick up fees Campers must be picked up by 5:00 p.m. unless they are staying over for the Evening Metro Program. If you have not picked your daughter up by this time, a late fee of $5.00 for every 5 minutes will be charged after 5:01 p.m. This fee will be due to the Camp Director or designated staff member at the time of pick-up. Campers in the main program who are not picked up will wait for their parents/guardians in the camp office. If you will be late picking up your child, call the Girl Scout Council Office at 1-800-447-4475 ext 2091 and follow the voice mail instructions to relay a message to the camp. Late pick up fees evening metro Your Camp Metro program ends promptly at 6:00 p.m. At this time our staff will be closing the camp and leaving for the day. If you have not picked your daughter up by this time, a late fee of $5.00 for every 5 minutes will be charged after 6:01 p.m. This fee will be due to the Camp Director or designated staff member at the time of pickup. If you will be late picking up your child, call the Girl Scout Council Office at 1-800-447-4475 ext 2091 and follow the voice mail instructions to relay a message to the camp. 3
Transportation system If you have registered for transportation to Camp Metro from one of the out-based sites, please see the transportation confirmation sheet with these confirmation materials. YOU MUST REVIEW AND SIGN THIS SHEET and RETURN it to the Camp Staff Member on the first day of the session. Remember that the fee for transportation is non-refundable once the camp session begins and will not be pro -rated for any days not used. In addition, once this form is submitted to camp staff, any changes by the parents must be made in writing. Spaces for transportation are filled on a first-come, first-served bases and changes will be accommodated if possible. All changes are at the discretion of GSNorCal. Transportation in Camp vans/buses: When campers are transported in camp vehicles, they will be instructed in safety rules prior to travel. These rules include such things as remaining in their seat at all times, wearing their seatbelt, keeping their hands inside the vehicle and giving their attention to the driver/chaperone as needed. A camp staff member will supervise campers when they are in the van/bus. If your child is under 6 years of age or under 60 pounds you must provide a booster seat if your child is being transported in camp vans. Health and wellness in camp The Camp Metro Staff takes a preventative approach to health care in camp. Special health considerations at Camp Metro are preventing sunburn, dehydration and injuries due to participation in activities. Our Staff makes every effort to ensure the health and well-being of the campers - but you can help! Parents: Please talk with your daughter before she comes to camp about drinking water several times per day, applying her sunscreen throughout the day and wearing her hat. Also encourage your daughter to talk with her Counselors about how she is feeling during the day. Should a camper become ill while at camp or require medical assistance, the parents or emergency contact listed on the Health History form would be contacted by a member of the Camp Staff. CAMPER HEALTH FORM Please complete the enclosed HEALTH HISTORY FORM with current information (within 6 months of the session your daughter is attending), and bring it to check-in on the first day of camp. Your daughter will not be accepted at Camp Metro if a health history form is not on site the first day of her session. You will be asked to complete a form if you do not bring it with you. MEDICATIONS The following applies to ALL medications including vitamins, inhalers, prescriptions and over-the-counter medications: All medications must be listed on the health form. Please bring all medications to the registration/check-in table each day - do not pack them in your daughter's bag, day pack, or lunch. All medications for campers and staff will be kept in the camp office. The camp Health Supervisor will monitor and dispense all medications. Campers may keep inhalers with them. All medications must be in the original container from the pharmacy with the camper's name, address and complete directions on the container. 4
What to bring Remember to bring the enclosed HEALTH HISTORY FORM & CAMPER INFORMATION FORM the first day of camp. (See Health Care in Camp for more information.) Remember to write your daughter s first and last name on everything she brings to camp! (Girl Scouts of Northern California is not responsible for lost or stolen items.) Please send the following items with your daughter each day: Sunscreen Closed Toed shoes and socks, suitable for running and playing out of doors A FULL bottle of water A hat A jacket or sweatshirt A complete bag lunch with a drink A bag or day pack to hold clothes and personal items NOTE: Due to warm summer days, please DO NOT send perishable items in your daughter's lunch. Please DO NOT send the following items to day camp: Pets/live animals Personal sports equipment, bicycles or craft items Sandals (except for shower use) Crop tops/halter tops Aerosols Candy/gum Radios, TV s, ipods, cd or MP3 players Pagers and/or Cell phones Electronic games Knives or weapons Expensive watches or jewelry Money - There is nothing to buy Any illegal item (such as drugs or alcohol and cigarettes, due to age.) Personal vehicles if camper is of driving age 5
Parents Corner on our website New this year is our PARENT S CORNER on www.camprocks.org. Although you ve received all the information you need through the confirmation process we ve hosted all these materials on our website too! This is a wonderful way to revisit everything you need to be ready for camp all in one place! Entry into this password protected portion of the website is only available to CONFIRMED CAMPER FAMILIES! Please do not share your username or password with anyone else. Addresses to our sites and detailed confirmation materials are not published on the web in order to ensure privacy and safety for our staff and campers. Your username and password were in your original confirmation email if you lose it, please contact happycamper@girlscoutsnorcal.org. What happens at day camp As campers arrive between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., they will join in the flexible morning activities organized by the Camp Metro Staff. By 9:00 a.m., all campers will be in a small group with other girls the same age and who have registered for the same program. Our ratio for all Camp Metro groups is One Counselor to every 8 campers. Each group, under the guidance of Unit Counselors, helps to plan their own schedule of activities for the week, based on the Camp Metro themes. Activities might include art projects, sports/games, songs, nature projects and other fun camp activities. Groups will also carry out pre-determined activities based on their program theme (e.g. Fairies Hollow, Kitchenistas, etc.) Camp Metro day winds down with a Closing Circle at 4:30 p.m. followed by flexible program activities until 5:00 p.m. Metro campers can be picked-up any time between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., unless they are in the Evening Metro Program. Remember, you will need to sign your daughter out each day. Refer to the departure procedures for details. Program information Most programs will occur at Camp Metro unless noted. Supplies and equipment will be provided by the camp, unless noted. The following programs have field trips out of camp: Animal Planet- campers will take a field trip to Emma Prusch Park and Happy Hollow. Summer Blast campers will visit a local swimming pool to swim twice during the session. My Secret Garden will visit Emma Prusch Park to see the community gardens. Sweet Inspirations- campers will visit Shurras Candy Factory for a behind the scenes tour. Mona Lisa campers will visit the San Jose Museum of Art. Scuba-Do campers will take 3 in pool scuba lessons with Scuba Steve s Program. Must bring bathing suit and towel. M.E. campers will visit a glass fusion studio and receive a behind the scenes tour of Whole Foods bakery. All campers will be transported in the camp vans or bus to and from the field trip sites. The specialty programs listed on the next pages do require special equipment or clothing to be provided by the camper, or have special instructions. 6
ON THE ROAD AGAIN This program will take a field trip out of camp each day. The campers will be transported in the camp vans and will be under the supervision of the Camp Staff. The current list of field trips is as follows: Winchester Mystery House, Go Cart racing, A day at the beach, The Tech Museum IMAX in San Jose, City Beach indoor ropes course in Milpitas and a day of sports focussed acitivites. The exact list and schedule will be handed out on the first day of camp. ICE DANCERS PROGRAM Please send your daughter to camp with a sweatshirt or jacket and long pants. She needs to be able to move freely in her clothing. You may want to send an additional set of clothes for the remainder of the day. Ice Skating lessons will be taught over four days, by instructors from Logitech Ice in San Jose. Campers will be driven in the camp vans, under the supervision of the Camp Metro Staff, to the Ice Center each day. HANGIN OUT! Hangin Out! Campers will visit Mt Hermon s Canopy Redwood Tour near Santa Cruz. Please complete the enclosed waiver(s) and bring it with you on the first day of camp, along with a photocopy of the parent s/guardian s drivers license, to the Girl Scout office as soon as possible. Your daughter will not be able to participate in the program until a signed waiver has been submitted. The campers will also visit City Beach Indoor Climbing Gym. Camper behavior Girl Scouts of Northern California supports positive reinforcement and encouragement for camper behaviors. Our staff is trained to provide positive support, effective supervision and clear guidelines and expectations for campers. However, should a camper exhibit behavior that is inappropriate, staff members will redirect the camper in a way that emphasizes a more positive and appropriate behavior. At no time will corporal punishment ever be used. If necessary, the Camp Director may discuss a behavior situation with a camper. If the problem continues or the situation is serious, you will be contacted by the Camp Administration. You may be asked to provide insight into why a certain behavior is occurring and possible solutions. It is preferred that campers remain at camp, as long as any behavior situation can be managed and diminished. In extreme cases a parent may be asked to remove their daughter from camp. Please know that our staff members are committed to helping all girls have a complete and positive camp experience. (NOTE: The following situations will result in a camper being sent home: Possession and/or use of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, weapons, physical harm to another person, theft or other extreme behavior determined to be unacceptable.) If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact Sari Van Otegham, Director of Outdoor Programs, at 1-800-447-4475 ext 4005. 7
Fees and payments All camp fees must be paid no later than 3 weeks prior to the camp session your daughter is attending (except for last minute confirmations). You can pay your bill / payments online through www.doubleknot.com. Instructions are included on your receipt. PLEASE NOTE: Your daughter s registration will be cancelled if payment has not been received by the due date. If for any reason you cannot meet this financial obligation, you must contact the Girl Scout Council Registrars immediately at 1-800-447-4475 ext 2091. The Girl Scouts of Northern California has a strict policy on payment of camp fees to the extent that no girl will be allowed to go to camp unless her camp fee is paid in full. If you must cancel your daughter s registration, please notify the Camp Registrars as soon as possible so another girl will have a chance to go to camp. The refund procedures are outlined in the Camp Brochure and on the website at www.camprocks.org. Camp t-shirts and photos Campers will receive a Camp Metro T-shirt the day of pictures for their session. T-shirts will be worn on all field trips, This procedure aids staff in supervising campers when away from the main Camp Metro site. For each Camp Metro session, a photographer will take an allcamp picture. Staff members will be in uniform and campers will be wearing their Camp Metropolis T-shirts. Each 8x10 picture is $7.00. If you would like a picture of your daughter s session, submit a check or money at checkin on Tuesday of her session. Checks should be made out to "Covello & Covello. Pictures will not be available for sale or to order after Tuesday of a session. Communication with camp Should you need to contact camp between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., call the Girl Scout Office at 1-800-447-4475 ext 2091 and ask that they contact the Camp Director at Camp Metro. Before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m., call the Girl Scout Office and follow the directions on the voicemail message. When campers will be on a field trip out of camp, parents will be informed of the estimated time of return via a flyer or communication with the camp staff on the day of the trip. In the unlikely event that a change in program occurs and a field trip will be later than 6:00 p.m. returning to camp, the camp staff will begin contacting parents using the number listed on the camper information sheet. questions If you have questions regarding the information in this packet or about Camp Metro in general, please contact the Council Registrars at 1-800-447-4475 ext 2091. Please hold onto this confirmation packet, as no further information will be sent prior to your daughter attending camp. We are looking forward to having your daughter join us at Camp Metro and share in the fun and adventure of summer camp. See you at camp! 8
HELPFUL HINTS FOR CAMPERS! Here are ten tips that will help make your day at camp more enjoyable! 1. Get lots of sleep each night. Camp is jam-packed with activities and you ll need plenty of energy to make it through the day. 2. Remember to wear your shoes AND socks at all times while you are at day camp. (Except, of course, if you are swimming!) 3. Try getting to know a new person in your unit each day. After all, you can never have too many friends. 4. Bring old clothes. It won't matter as much if they get dirty or lost. Be sure to put your first and last name on everything! 5. Don t forget a day pack or bag to keep all your personal items. 6. Drink extra water and juice at camp so you don t get dehydrated. Bringing your own water bottle with your name on it. 7. Sunscreen is an essential accessory for everyone at day camp! 8. Remind your parents that you ll need a lunch each day. 9. Be sure and talk to your counselors about how you are feeling or what is happening for you at camp. They are there to help make your time at camp as enjoyable as possible. 10. Give new things a chance, whether it s sports or games, an art project or even camp songs. New skills and adventures are what camp is all about!
Camp Metro day camp Located at Rainbow s End Girl Scout Program Center 14131 Penitencia Creek Road in Berryessa If you come to a stoplight while on Penitencia Creek Road, you have gone too far. Turn around and look closely for the driveway. Camp Metro From Highway 680, take Berryessa Road Exit East Turn right onto Capitol (first signal) Turn left at Penitencia Creek Road (first signal) Drive 0.8 miles and turn left at the driveway to the wooden bridge. Look for the Girl Scout signs. Cross the bridge and drive into Camp Metro.