FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WELCOME TO SUMMER CAMP YMCA of Metro Atlanta Summer Camp Handbook Dear Summer Campers and Parents, Congratulations! You are confirmed for YMCA Summer Day Camp 2018. This summer your camper will have the opportunity to swim, play games, participate in special activities, create arts and crafts, meet new friends, and much more! The Cowart Y Summer Camp is a traditional outdoor day camp. However, we will have access to the Y for swim groups and during inclement weather. We are here to serve you and your family. You will find important information concerning The Cowart Y summer camp in this booklet. We ask all parents and campers to read this information and understand the policies and procedures of the Cowart Y Summer Camp. If, after reviewing this information, you have additional questions please feel free to call Keisha Scott or Tami Hane at 770-451-9622. We look forward to a wonderful summer! PARENT MEETING May 10th 7:00 PM Parents and campers are encouraged to attend this pre-camp event. Meet the camp directors, counselors, other campers, and parents as you tour our camp. Staff will be available to answer last- minute questions, distribute group schedules and meet campers. This will be a fun and exciting day for all who attend. SEE YOU THERE!
WHY IT MATTER Annual Campaign 2018 The Cowart Family YMCA is committed to providing financial assistance to those who cannot afford the full price of our programs including camp. Last year 49 attended camp because they were awarded scholarships. Money for scholarships is not generated from membership dues. We rely on gifts from friends like you to provide this much-needed assistance. In 2018, the Cowart Family YMCA provided $ 35,000.00 in scholarships. Through WHY IT MATTERS, local businesses and individuals partner with the Y to ensure every child can be part of the Y and the programs offered. The need for community programs that build character and foster good citizenship continues to grow each day. Please consider sponsoring a camper and providing him/her with a once-in-a-lifetime experience! CAMPER AWARDS In order to recognize campers for their achievements throughout the week, children will receive special character awards. Each award has special meaning. Awards will be presented at all camp assemblies. Campers will have the opportunity to nominate other campers for these prestigious awards. Awards will be given in the following areas: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. For more information or to make a donation, please visit. INCLEMENT WEATHER In the event that light rain is falling, our camp programming will continue as scheduled. If thunderstorms occur, all groups will take shelter under the pavilion. Staff will provide campers with rainy day activities. If severe weather exists, children will be relocated to the YMCA. If thunderstorms and flood conditions persist throughout the week, campers may be transported to alternate locations for field trips. Parents will be notified should this option be executed. *If storms arrive during dismissal, campers will be moved to the teen center for check-out.
ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES Please make every effort to finalize your campers summer plans before you submit your registration form. If it becomes necessary to make changes after you have registered, please follow these steps: 1. Call or e-mail the Childcare Admin., Keisha Scott at keishas@ymcaatlanta.org or Tami Haney at tamih@ymcaatlanta.org to inform a change is needed. 2. One-week advance notice will be required for the change to be processed. 3. Any change is subject to session availability. 4. No special request is guaranteed. Payments are due two weeks prior to the start of the session your camper(s) will attend. If payment is not received by the due date, it will be assumed you have chosen to forfeit the nonrefundable deposit and the camper will not be attending the session. The space will be opened for the next wait-listed participant. The deposit will not be refunded under any circumstances. Payments will be accepted the following ways: Mail payments to the YMCA Make payments in person at the Y Fax payments, along with a credit card and expiration date, to phone number Visa, Master Card and Discover are accepted Online at ymcaregistration.com WITHDRAWAL/REFUND POLICIES Once the camp session has started, if you decide to withdraw your child from the camp in which he/she is enrolled, the refund will be pro-rated based on the number of days the camper attended. Attending three days will constitute a full week of camp. Fees will not be pro-rated for absences other than illness. A note from a doctor may be required. The $35 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. RETURNED CHECKS You will be notified by the YMCA should your check be returned to us for non-sufficient funds. A $37 fee will be charged for each check returned by Envision Payment Solutions. After one returned check, the YMCA will accept cash, money order or credit card payments only. Should you experience a financial problem and are unable to make the payment by the due date, please contact a Camp Director or the Childcare Administrator. CAMP GOALS Provide a safe, fun, recreational atmosphere for all campers. Promote caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility throughout the day camp program. Promote understanding and stewardship for the natural world. Help campers and staff build their sense of self-confidence. Provide opportunities within the program for campers to develop interpersonal relationships and
social skills. Provide campers with activities which offer a progressive experience.
SUMMER CAMP Each YMCA camp counselor is carefully selected. All eligible staff persons and volunteers complete and successfully pass a thorough background investigation. Ongoing training is conducted throughout the summer including CPR, basic first aid, operational procedures for all activities, positive child discipline, and various skill development trainings. Counselors are taught to encourage campers to do their personal best. Counselors assist campers in setting and reaching goals while making sure everyone has a great camp experience. WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO CAMP? Backpack Cooler with lunch/snacks/drinks Water bottle Sunscreen/bug spray (if desired) Change of clothes Hat/visor Swimsuit/towel for swim days A positive attitude! ITEMS TO BE LEFT AT HOME Money Video game Trading cards Valuables Weapons Toys Pocket knives CD/DVD players Tobacco, alcohol, drugs Cell phones/ipods/mp3 players WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO CAMP? We want campers to dress appropriately and be comfortable for camp. Campers will be coming home VERY DIRTY. We recommend sending children in old clothing. We suggest the following items: Hat Socks Sneakers/hiking boots T-shirt/shorts Weather attire (rain gear/sweatshirt/jacket) Campers arriving with open-toe shoes will not be allowed to participate in camp activities. YOUR CAMP IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PERSONAL ITEMS THAT ARE BROUGHT TO CAMP
Sports Equipment
SWIMMING INFORMATION All swimmers will be required to take a test under the supervision of the aquatic director at the beginning of each session. Swimmers will be given a color-coded band based on swimming ability each swimming day. Campers must arrive each day wearing their swim bands. Non-swimmers will be provided with a life jacket and are allowed in designated areas only. All groups will swim twice a week. Explorers may not be swim tested since they swim in the outdoor pool using only the zero-entry and mushroom fountain area. These groups will have access to the areas provided for non-swimmers. All other groups will swim indoors at the YMCA. SWIM SCHEDULE Summer Swim Schedule for YOUR CAMP TBD in May LOST & FOUND Please help us reduce the items in lost and found this summer season. Carefully labeling all of your camper s belongings will help him/her keep up with their gear. Lost and found items are kept until the end of the session. Encourage your camper to check lost and found each day for things possibly left behind the day before. The YMCA is not responsible for lost, stolen or broken possessions that are brought to camp. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT Please help us teach your children the YMCA values by supporting the staff and program in the following areas: CARING: Everyone comes to camp to make new friends and have fun. Take pride in being a good friend to others. HONESTY: Admit when you have made a bad choice. Always tell the truth. Please help us teach your children the Y values by supporting the staff and program in the following areas: RESPECT: Respect our camp property. Respect all counselors. Respect fellow campers. RESPONSIBILITY: Be responsible for personal items, check lost and found.
CAMPER EXPECTATIONS & BEHAVIOR POLICY Promoting social interaction and building interpersonal skills are among the most important goals of the Cowart Y Camp. Staff will help campers with this process by providing on-going encouragement and assistance. Counselors are trained to provide corrective action in a positive and supportive manner designed to build self-confidence and teach responsibility. On the first day of each session all camp rules will be covered and explained by camp administrators. Each camper is expected to follow these rules to maintain a safe, well-organized program. If a camper cannot adjust to these rules and expectations, we reserve the right to terminate the camper s enrollment for the summer. If this happens, we will NOT issue a refund. GUIDELINES USED FOR DISCIPLINE Camper will be re-directed Camper will receive verbal warning Camper will be asked to take a personal time-out Camper will lose the privilege of participating in a special activity Parent will be called and asked to sign camper out early Camper will be suspended Campers may be suspended for failure to follow the standards of discipline established by Camp Big Creek staff as outlined below: Refusing to remain with his/her group Using inappropriate language Rude/disrespectful behavior Fighting/hitting/biting/kicking Theft or defacing property of others Verbal threats/name-calling FIRST AID & MEDICATION A first aid station is maintained at the camp. A written record is kept of all incidents requiring first aid. The camp director will contact parents or emergency contacts if there is evidence of serious illness or injury. No camper will be allowed to remain at camp with a fever or other visible signs of illness. The camper MUST be picked up IMMEDIATELY when contacted about an illness or injury. In the event of an injury to your child, the camp director will: Call 911 Attempt to call parent/guardian Attempt to call emergency contacts listed on registration form IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT/GUARDIAN TO CARRY PRIMARY ACCIDENT INSURANCE MEDICATION If a camper requires medication of any kind, please follow these guidelines: Medications will not be distributed during precamp or post-camp. Medications must be signed in daily at the front desk during check-in. We will accept a daily dose only. We cannot store medication. Prescriptions must be in their original containers.
INCIDENT REPORTS An incident report will be completed for every reported injury received by a camper during the camp day. Minor injuries will be treated by a first aid certified staff member. Parents will receive notification of all reported injuries at check out. A green dot marked by the child s name in the sign out book will be used to indicate the child has an incident report for the day.
HOURS OF OPERATION 7 A.M. 9 A.M. Pre-Camp 9 A.M. 4 P.M. Camp Program 4 P.M. 6:30 P.M. Post-Camp CHECK-IN PROCEDURES Upon arrival the first day of camp, please update your camper s registration form if any information has changed. Sign-in tables will be set up by camp. You will sign in your camper(s) at the designated table. You must initial in the attendance book by your child s name. The camper will then receive a camp label and group sticker. This system is used to minimize time spent arranging groups. Your camper will then be taken to the program area his/her group will be in for the day. Campers who are checked-in before 8 a.m. will be escorted to the pavilion for pre-camp activities. Please make sure each camper is signed in daily. Campers lose program time when attendance numbers are incorrect. Safety is our highest priority. We thank you in advance for your attention to this important detail. The following situations should be addressed during check-in: EARLY RELEASE: We understand there will be days when you may need to sign out your camper early. To assist you in a timely manner, please complete an early release form at the camp front desk as you sign in your camper. Any camper being signed out before 4 p.m. is considered an early release. CHANGE IN AUTHORIZATION TO SIGN-OUT CAMPER: Parents must notify the YMCA in writing if their camper will be picked up by someone not authorized to do so on the registration form. Should you forget or should an emergency arise during the day, you may fax these requests to the Cowart Family YMCA at (770) 451-4210. Please include the name of the child and a copy of your photo I.D. Please confirm receipt of the fax. PARENT/COUNSELOR COMMUNICATION: Counselors arrive and depart each day on a staggered schedule. This is necessary to provide convenient hours for SIGN-OUT PROCEDURES Each day campers must be signed out by a parent or another authorized person. All campers will be signed-out via a drive-thru check-out line. Anyone signing out a camper will be required to show a photo I.D. before the child will be released. Video Production campers will check out of the YMCA facility until 4 p.m. After 4 p.m., Video Production campers who are attending postcamp will be escorted to the pavilion area for check out. Parents should check the sign out sheet daily for colored dots which indicate there is a note to go home with the camper. This is very important! Camp staff will use this method to communicate minor injuries, behavior reports, account information, and to inform parents of upcoming events by group. ABSENCES: Our Summer Camp will NOT verify camper absences. Campers attending three days during the week will be billed for the full week. working families. Each camp has a has lead staff person. Every this person check-in. notes for the effort is made to have available during Parents can leave their camper s counselor at camp front desk. MEDICATION:
See section on First Aid and Medication.
BULLYING POLICY Y Summer Camps will enforce a zero tolerance policy against bullying this summer. We define bullying as aggressive behavior manifested by the use of force or coercion to affect others, particularly when the behavior is habitual and involves an imbalance of power. It can include verbal harassment, physical assault or coercion and may be directed repeatedly towards particular victims. Bullying is not an isolated incident. Each child entering our camp program will attend a camp orientation on the first day of the session where staff will discuss camper expectations, our behavior policy and the zero tolerance policy against bullying. Campers will have a pre-determined station available to report all incidents of bullying. A staff person assigned to this camp task force will investigate all reports. All parents will be notified by an incident report, a phone call or an e-mail if their child is involved in a reported incident. To be successful with this aspect of our camp community, we will deliver age-appropriate activities that encourage and develop listening skills, working together and understanding others. We are committed to incorporating this aspect to our existing camp program to ensure that our campers have the opportunity to learn and explore in an emotionally safe environment designed to build self-confidence and teach responsibility. On the first day of each session all camp rules will be covered and explained by camp administrators. Each camper is expected to follow these rules to maintain a safe, well-organized program. If a camper cannot adjust to these rules and expectations, we reserve the right to terminate the camper s enrollment for the summer. If this happens, we will NOT issue a refund. Thank you for choosing the Y for your child s summer!