Together Outdoors, Great Adventures Registration begins at 9am on February 7th! amp TOGA
2 WWW.SRYMCA.ORG 518.583.9622 THIS BROCHURE IS UP TO DATE AS OF 01.20.17. Please check our website for any changes. OUR MISSION The Saratoga Regional YMCA is a charitable association that is dedicated to building a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. *INTRODUCING OUR ADVENTURE ROPES COURSE* Our Adventure Ropes Course and Zip Line will be open this summer. Check out our website for more information as the summer draws near. *INTRODUCING VISITING WORKSHOPS FOR UNITS 1 4* Units 1 4 will NOT be traveling. They will be having visiting programs and workshops once a week. *Please see Summer 2017 Calendar on page 4. *INTRODUCING YOUTH ACTION FOR 9TH AND 10TH GRADERS* This year, 9th and 10th graders attending extended care will have the opportunity to join our teen program, Youth Action. If they have an interest in working with children in the future, or need community volunteer hours, this is the program for them! They will assist staff with keeping campers engaged while acting as an older positive role model. At the end of their time at camp, they will receive a certificate of recognition with the number of volunteer hours completed. Youth Action runs all year long, so if there is NEW THIS YEAR CONTEST WINNER ~ Jackson Holtby, Age 8 Camp TOGA (Together Outdoors, Great Adventures) was named by one of our very own campers, Jackson Holtby, age 8. Here is what he had to tell us about his inspiration: What made you want to submit a name? I wanted to win the free week of camp, because I love camp. My Mom was very excited too! What made you think of the name? It reminds me of Saratoga, and all the adventures from the field trips. And we spend most of the day outside. So it really is what camp is about. Why do you love camp? Because I think it s a fun way for kids to have fun and see friends and the counselors. I loved learning new things, like archery! a continued interest, those campers who are Saratoga Springs High School students can continue their involvement volunteering in various YMCA programs. *INTRODUCING ACADEMIC TIME* For those students attending our extended program there will be a Reading Room and Just the Facts club from 7:30am 8:30am. There will be a quiet space available for those campers of all ages interested in working on their Summer Reading List. We will also offer a second space for campers interested in working on their summer academics. *CAMP TOGA BLOG* Stay connected, information is so important. Our blog is intended to be a window for parents into the happenings of camp. This year we are committed to using our blog to announce: trip changes, trip arrivals and departures, and any changes made due to inclement weather. This will also be a place for photos and program highlights. Be sure to visit this connection for Camp TOGA information daily. $50 WEEKLY DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE
OVERVIEW Welcome to Camp TOGA (Together Outdoors, Great Adventures) located at our Saratoga Springs Branch Outdoor Center. Join the newly named Camp TOGA (formerly known as E.P.I.C. and Travel Camp) for memorable outdoor fun. Camp TOGA runs for 9 one week sessions, serving campers entering 1st grade through entering 10th grade. While the name is new, our programming remains the same with some exciting new opportunities. Campers will participate in games, sports, archery, projects, team building, nature activities, trips, swimming and more! You may choose to attend day camp for one week or any combination of weeks. Trained counselors will supervise campers at a ratio of 1:10 while on land and 1:8 while in the water. These ratios ensure a safe, fun, and quality camping experience. Camp staff is CPR and First Aid certified. Be prepared to experience a busy, fun, active, social summer! Every camper is required to arrive at camp with a backpack. Campers will be carrying their backpack with them throughout the day. Backpacks should hold sunscreen, a swimsuit & towel, a plastic bag for wet items, a NUT FREE sun safe lunch and a refillable water bottle. We suggest these items for day camp success. Optional items would be water shoes, summer reading material, and bug spray. All items must be labelled with your camper s name. Please confirm bus departure times for all of your camper s trips. The bus will not wait for late arrivals. In the event that your camper cannot attend a full day of a field trip, having them stay behind with another unit is not a viable option. Please find alternate care. For scheduled camp trips that have an early departure or late return Option A campers are exempt from late fees. Location: Saratoga Springs Branch Dates: June 26 August 25, 2017; 9 1 week sessions, Monday Friday Camp Fees and Options: Units 1 10 (Formerly E.P.I.C.): Option A: 8:30 am 4:30 pm. Member: $187/ week. Program Member: $287/week. Option B: 7:00 am 6:00 pm Member: $216/ week. Program Member: $316/week. Units 11 and 12 (Formerly Travel Camp): Option A: 8:30 am 4:30 pm. Member: $250/ week. Program Member: $350/week. Option B: 7:00 am 6:00 pm Member: $270/ week. Program Member: $370/week. For your camper to have the optimal camp experience we recommend an arrival time no later than 9:00 am for morning orientation and departure time no earlier than 4:30 pm. Camp TOGA consists of 12 units. Units 1 10 (formerly known as E.P.I.C.) are our elementary school units, ranging 1st 6th grade. Units 11 and 12 (formerly known as Travel Camp) are our middle and high school campers, ranging 5th 10th grade. Units 11 & 12 are grouped upon arrival each week. Units 1 through 10 are grouped by June 1st. Our goal is to keep campers in the same unit all summer, but due to camper cancellations and camper additions this is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed. Units are determined by the grade the camper is entering the Fall of 2017. Within that division, they are placed into units by their birthdate. If your camper is in unit 4 or 5, be aware that there is a possibility that your camper could be moved up or down, affecting whether they travel that week. 3 WWW.SRYMCA.ORG 518.583.9622 Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Online registration begins at 9:00am on Tuesday, February 7th, 2017. To register your camper, they must be an active member of the Saratoga Regional YMCA. For more information, please see the Online Registration Guide on the back page. Unit lists for units 1 10 will be announced via email two Fridays before the Monday start of each camp week. Campers per Unit: Units 1 & 2 Max. of 15 campers each Units 3 10 Max. of 20 campers each Units 11 & 12 Max. of 45 campers each *IMMUNIZATIONS ARE DUE AT TIME OF REGISTRATION*
SARATOGA REGIONAL YMCA S * all trips and workshop
Camp TOGA SUMMER 2017 s are subject to change
6 WWW.SRYMCA.ORG 518.583.9622 CAMP POLICIES PROGRAM DETAILS REQUIREMENTS: Online Registrations cannot be completed without your child s most current immunization records. Immunization information will have to be entered to complete the online process. No physical is needed. If your child is exempt from immunizations, the exemption letter must be submitted before you can register. Please note: records cannot be pulled from previous years or from other programs. POLICIES: UPDATED ARCHERY POLICY: Participants (Units 5 & Up) must have long hair pulled back. Sneakers are a must; the whole foot needs to be protected. CAMP SHIRT POLICY: Your camper will receive one t-shirt on the day of their first field trip. Camp shirts MUST be worn on all designated trip days. If you would like to pre-purchase a secondary shirt, please indicate when registering. This is only guaranteed if the request is made by May 1st. CHILD SAFETY POLICY: Daily, parents and authorized pickups should be prepared to provide a photo ID upon request. For the safety and security of your child, until he/she is signed out by a parent/guardian or an authorized pick-up, he/she will remain with the Day Camp Program. This includes possible encounters with family and friends during field trips. UPDATED ELECTRONICS POLICY: We believe that being at camp is an opportunity for your camper to experience a world beyond the screen. This allows camper s to develop autonomy, independence and a stronger sense of self. It allows them to make new friends, take responsibility for themselves and their fellow camper. This is why video games, ipods/mp3 players, CD/ DVD players, electronic games, and cellphones are not allowed for camp. The ONLY exception is for Units 11 & 12 for their bus time to and from trips. Once off the bus, campers must store all electronics in their backpacks. The YMCA will not be responsible, for any reason, for the loss or damage to your camper s electronic equipment. *See the Parent Handbook for more in depth information on our electronics policy. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY: The Saratoga Regional YMCA will be providing Facebook and Instagram Camp pages. These pages are designed to provide campers and parents with YMCA approved photos and information. Camp administration has a zero tolerance policy pertaining to uploading and posting of any non-approved camp photos or information. These actions are disruptive and result in negative experiences for fellow campers. The camp administrative staff reserves the right to suspend or terminate a camper s participation at any time for failure to adhere to this policy. UPDATED FOOTWEAR POLICY: Sneakers or closed-toe sandals are required at all times. Campers are NOT allowed to wear flipflops or Crocs to camp. Flip-flops or Crocs can only be brought to camp in a backpack and are only worn at the pool or lake. CANCELATION POLICY: $50 deposits are non-refundable or transferable. For cancellations received after the Wednesday payment for the week is drafted, the entire payment for the camp week is forfeit. UPDATED LATE-PICK-UP POLICY: Camp ends at 6:00pm and our staff is scheduled to leave. Out of respect for our staff please notify camp if you anticipate being late; this will ensure the comfort of your camper(s). A late fee of $1.00 per minute, per camper, will be strictly enforced the first time anyone picks up after 6:05pm. You risk dismissal of your camper from camp if you fail to pay the late pickup fee and/or you are late picking up your camper(s) three times. Traffic is not a valid excuse for a late pickup. Have alternate plans ready in the event you cannot pick your camper up on time. Please note this policy is applied to both Option A and Option B participants. If you are having trouble picking up by 4:30pm, if you are utilizing Option A, then there is always a choice of switching to Option B. UPDATED CANCELATION POLICY: All $50 deposits are nonrefundable or transferable. For cancellations received after the Final Payment Deadline, the entire payment for the camp week is forfeited. *Please see Summer 2017 Calendar on page 4 & 5. MEDICATION POLICY: If your camper will be receiving any medications at camp please complete the medication section of the registration. You will also be required to provide a Doctor s note and a Parent note defining how the medication is used and given. The medication must be up to date and in its original container with a prescription label this includes any over the counter medication s i.e. Benadryl. This is due on or before your campers first day of camp. NUT FREE POLICY: WE ARE A NUT FREE FACILITY. All lunches and snacks need to be NUT FREE and produced in a NUT FREE facility. PLEASE read labels for this information. If a food item is not labeled, we ask that you label the package, ie: a Sunbutter sandwich should be labeled as such to avoid confusion. Soy Butter and Sunbutter are used in camp snack and are good replacement for peanut butter or almond butter products. *Please see parent handbook for more in depth information. UPDATED SHOLARSHIP APPLICATION POLICY: DUE TO THE LARGE INCREASE IN SCHOLARSHIP REQUESTS, all scholarship requests specific to summer camp need to be received no later than May 19th. Any scholarship paperwork received after May 19th may not be considered. **THE AWARD OF A SCHOLARSHIP DOES NOT GUARANTEE A CAMP PLACEMENT. YOU MUST REGISTER FOR CAMP AFTER RECEIVING YOUR SCHOLARSHIP LETTER.** UPDATED SIBLING DISCOUNT POLICY: For those families with two or more campers attending the same week of either camp, a $10 discount will be given for the second, third, etc. camper and applied by camp administration. PLEASE be sure to note that siblings are attending on the same week of either camp during your online registration. CAMP CONTACT LIST ELEMENTARY DIRECTOR: Taraya Ostwald / 518.583.9622 ext. 120 / taraya.ostwald@srymca.org MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL DIRECTOR: Patti Laudicina / 518.583.9622 ext. 110 / patti.laudicina@srymca.org CAMP ADMINISTRATOR: Paige Minear / 518.583.9622 ext. 116 / paige.minear@srymca.org SARATOGA SPRINGS BRANCH DIRECTOR: Allison St. Pierre / 518.583.9622 ext. 119 / allison.stpierre@srymca.org $50 WEEKLY DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE
UPDATED SWIM EVALUATIONS: A pre-camp swim evaluation is mandatory for all NEW campers. If your camper attended Summer Camp 2016 OR is age 7 years or younger, a swim evaluation is NOT required. Through your online registration, you will have an opportunity to choose from three evaluation dates; June 5th, 6th, OR 8th 6:00 7:30 pm. Evaluations will be done on a first come first serve basis. Please make note on a calendar of your selected date. If you register after the swim evaluation dates, please contact your Camp Administrator. FRIEND REQUEST POLICY: We do our best to honor friend requests of the same grade submitted by June 1st. No friend request will be accepted after June 1st because we have completed grouping at that time. First and Last name is required in order to honor the friend request. Please submit your request by email to your Camp Administrator. You may only submit one friend request per camper. Please understand that this is not a guarantee. Once groups are made, it is difficult to make changes to staff ratio and rosters. *PARENT HANDBOOK* It is the parent and/or guardian s responsibility to review the Parent Handbook before their camper starts camp. It is located on our website SRYMCA.org CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT CAMP CODE OF CONDUCT The Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment embodying the YMCA core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. To promote safety and comfort for all, individuals are asked to act appropriately at all times when in our facility or participating in our programs. All campers are required to read and sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct. We expect persons using the YMCA to act maturely, to behave responsibly, and to respect the rights and dignity of all others. CARING Campers should treat others as they would like to be treated. Bullying and teasing will not be tolerated. Campers should be conscious of each other and work together. Physical contact with another person in an angry, aggressive, or threatening way is prohibited. HONESTY Theft or behavior that results in the destruction or loss of property belonging to the Saratoga Regional YMCA, trip locations, and fellow campers is prohibited. RESPECT Campers will follow all bus, electronic, and program expectations. Campers will uphold the Buddy System as mandated by the New York State Department of Health. Any use of the internet and/or electronic devices to tease, exclude, humiliate, or hurt will not be tolerated. RESPONSIBILITY Campers should strive to maintain a positive attitude. Inappropriate language, gestures and conversations will not be tolerated. Campers will conduct themselves appropriately on all trips, acting as representatives of the Saratoga Regional YMCA. Campers will leave trip area and bus space as clean if not cleaner than it was found. Each camper should strive to lead others by example. Campers are responsible for being appropriately dressed, ie. sneakers, shorts and a t-shirt for daily wear and flip flops/sandals with a bathing suit for pool/lake wear. 7 WWW.SRYMCA.ORG 518.583.9622 END OF SUMMER SUN CLUBS The SRYMCA offers Sun Clubs for children entering 1st grade through 7th grade. Each child has an opportunity to participate in active play both in the pool and gym. In addition, the children will be engaged in small and large group activities. This program is popular; registration is available on a first come, first serve basis. This is not a drop-in program. Registration: August 14 21, 2017. There will be a $10 charge for anyone registering after 8/21/17. Min. 20; Max. 80 (There must be 20 registered participants for us to host a Sun Club). Located at our Saratoga Springs Branch. Doors open at 7:00 am and close at 6:00 pm $40/day for members Sun Clubs run 8/28/17 8/31/17 All participating children need to bring a swim suit and towel ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP CAMPAIGN The Saratoga Regional YMCA s Annual Scholarship Campaign makes these camp programs possible to all by providing scholarships to families and children who could not otherwise share in the YMCA experience. To make a donation, please contact Allison D Antonio, at 583.9622, ext. 104 or at allison.dantonio@srymca.org. Thank you for your support! *IMMUNIZATIONS ARE DUE AT TIME OF REGISTRATION*
ONLINE REGISTRATION GUIDE R E Q U I R E D I N F O R M A T I O N C H E C K L I S T CAMPER S INFORMATION ~ Campers must be entering 1st grade through 10th grade for the 2017 2018 school year to be eligible for Camp TOGA. Birthday Grade Entering for the 2017 2018 school year T-shirt size PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION Work and Cell phone contact numbers Email address Employer Legal custody If you have any court paperwork defining custody, please provide a copy to the camp director or administrator. EMERGENCY CONTACTS AND AUTHORIZED ALTERNATE PICK-UPS Please note all alternative contacts must be 18 years or older. Relationship to the camper Contact s number HEALTH INFORMATION Most recent immunizations these must be entered at the time of registration you will not be able to complete your registration without this information. Unfortunately, at this time our software company does not have an upload option. If you have come to camp before, please be sure the immunizations on file are up to date. For those claiming a religious immunization exemption, you must turn in your statement letter to the camp administrator before registering. Without this letter, any applications with false dates will be viewed as incomplete and moved to the waitlist. Therefore, the weeks registered for will not be guaranteed. Health History Allergy Information Diseases Information Doctor and Dentist Information Health Insurance Information MEDICATION DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION If your camper will be receiving any medications at camp please complete the medication section of the online registration. You will also be required to provide a Doctor s note and a Parent note defining how the medication is used and given. The medication must be up to date and in its original container with a prescription label this includes any over the counter medication s i.e. Benadryl. This is due on or before your camper s first day of camp. NEW THIS YEAR A pre-camp swim evaluation is mandatory for all NEW campers. If your camper attended summer camp 2016, or is aged 7 years or younger, a swim evaluation is not required. You will have an opportunity to choose from three evaluation dates when you register your camper online. Please make note of this date on a calendar. If you do not have computer access, or are receiving support from Stewart s or DSS, please set a meeting with Paige Minear, Camp Administrator, before attempting to register.