ESF Camps - Riverdale - Camp Handbook 2024

Dear ESF Families,

At ESF, our mission is to provide the finest education, sports, and fun experiences that ignite optimism and happiness in young minds and those young at heart. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to watch your campers grow and flourish, and we hold the responsibility of caring for their health and well-being with the utmost privilege

We are more than just an organization or a company; we are a team of extraordinary individuals driven by our Core Values: Dreamers, Believers, Achievers, Learners, and Doers. These values are the foundation of everything we do, shaping our approach and guiding our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others

This year, we are proud to introduce the concept of “MAX JOY” to our community. MAX JOY represents our unwavering desire to live life to the fullest It is more than just a lifestyle; it’s an ideology, an attitude, and a way of embracing every moment. For over 43 years, ESF has been home to individuals dedicated to maximizing their own joy and the joy of others. Living the MAX JOY lifestyle is about creating a tapestry of unforgettable memories, cherishing high-quality experiences, and celebrating the sparkle and shine of each precious moment.

Now, as we approach another summer, we eagerly anticipate reuniting with your family We deeply value your continued support and appreciate the opportunity to spend the summer with your child The wait is almost over, and the countdown has begun! If there is anything we can do to ensure you have the most enriching ESF camp experience, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at wecare@esfcamps.com or call us anytime at 1-800-529-CAMP (2267)

Our commitment remains unwavering—to deliver a summer filled with extraordinary experiences that enable your campers to discover the joys of the season and embrace their ultimate “MAX JOY” by having fun, playing together, learning new skills, and forging lifelong memories with friends

We eagerly await your arrival!

See you soon!

MICHAEL J. ROUSE

Executive Director & Co-Founder

2024 CAMP HANDBOOK

PREVENTION/SURVEILLANCE

MANDATORY MEDICAL CLEARANCE

Duetostatehealthguidelines,campersmaynotattend campwithoutacompleted2024MandatoryMedical Clearanceform.

Clickheretodownloadamedicalclearanceformforyour healthcarepractitionertocompleteandsign Allmedical clearanceformsarerequired.

MEDICATION

Ifyourchildwillbetakinganymedicationatcamp,pleasemake sureyourHealthCarepractitionercompletestheMedication ConsentSectionoftheMedicalClearanceform.

ESFNursesaretheonlyteammemberswhocanaccept medicationandcanonlyacceptmedicationforwhichwehave authorizedmedicationconsent

MedicationmustbegivendirectlytoourCampNurseon/before yourchild’sfirstdayofcamp.

Medicationmustbeinitsoriginalcontainerwithyourchild’s nameontheprescriptionlabel.

Anursewillbeavailableon-siteatalltimeswhencampisin operationandourCampDoctorwillbeon-callduringthecamp day

FAMILY COMMITMENTS

Inordertomakesurethatthissummerissafeandenjoyable foreveryone,weaskourfamiliestopartnerwithustoprotect ourcampcommunity.

Submityourchild’sMedicalClearanceFormsaspartofthe registrationprocess

CommunicatedirectlywiththeESFCampNurseopenlyabout anyhealthconcernsorillnesses.

FollowallESFpoliciesandprocedurestosupportahealthy community

CODE OF CONDUCT

ESF encourages fun, friendship and safety in a positive atmosphere. We have established behavior guidelines that revolve around the “Three R’s” that all campers, families and staff follow: Respect for yourself. 1. Respect for others. 2. Respect for our camp environment. 3.

VISITORS

Visitors will be allowed for Summer 2024 All visitors must be pre-approved by the Site Director, Assistant Site Director, Nurse or Administrative Specialist and must check-in at the Camp Office.

COOL KIDS ZONE

IT’S COOL TO BE KIND

SAFE CAMP SITE

DAILY OPERATIONS

LUNCH, SNACKS & REFRESHMENTS

Optional Lunch

We offer an optional Lunch Program for an additional cost Preregistration will be available through your online account The cutoff for ordering lunch for the following week of camp is Wednesday of the prior week. Please note: campers with documented food allergies* may not participate in the lunch program.

*Campers with documented food allergies will need to bring their own lunch and snack to camp since our food service provider cannot guarantee meals or snacks that are peanut-free, tree-nutfree, free from other common food allergens (dairy, gluten, soy, wheat, etc ), or free from any cross-contamination

Bringing Lunch from Home

Campers who wish to bring lunch from home should bring a lunch in an insulated bag/cooler to keep food items cold Be sure to mark lunches with your child’s name and group clearly.

Snacks and Water

ESF will continue to provide all campers with prepackaged individual snacks. Campers should bring their own refillable water bottle to camp each day, as well as a back-up water bottle Designated refill water stations will be available throughout camp and managed by camp staff.

HYDRATION

It is important that our campers stay hydrated, and we encourage them to drink water throughout the day and each night before camp.

Campers should bring their own refillable water bottle to camp each day

Designated water refill stations will be available throughout camp and controlled by camp staff

OUTDOOR FACILITIES

The majority of your camper’s day will be outdoors Please ensure your child is dressed comfortably for outdoor weather

INCLEMENT WEATHER PROTOCOL

Campwillbeopeneveryday;rainorshine

Campersarebroughtindoorsatthefirstsightoflightning/sound ofthunderandwillbekeptindoorsuntilitissafetogooutside.

Camperswillbekeptintheirdesignatedgroupswhileindoors andremaindistancedfromotherbunks/groups/teams

SUNSCREEN TIPS

Besuretoliberallyapplysunscreentoyourchildinthemorning beforecamp Useawaterprooforwater-resistantsunscreenwith SPF30+.

Duringthecampday,camperswillbesupervisedwhilereapplying sunscreenduringdesignatedtimes.

Asunscreenapplicationstationwillbeestablishedinadesignated publicarea,adjacenttotheHealthOffice/AreawhereESFCamp.

FirstAidPersonneloraDirectorcanoverseetheapplicationof sunscreenbydesignatedESFTeamMembers

SWIMMING

ESFhasresearchedandincludedbestpracticesfromthefollowing organizations:AmericanAcademyofPediatrics(AAP),USA Swimming,USSwimSchoolAssociation,AquaticsCoalition,American CampAssociation(ACA)andAmericanRedCross

INSTRUCTIONALSWIM

Designatedstaffwillbeonthepooldecktomonitor protocolsandtrafficflowinpoolarea

Properpoolchemistrywillbemaintainedandchecked throughouttheday.

Progressreportswillbesenthometofamiliesfor:

a.MiniCampDivision

b.DayCampDivision

c.SportsLab–1stGradersOnly

RECREATIONAL SWIM

CamperswillremainintheirassignedgroupsforRecreational Swim.

Camperswillreceiveaninitialdeepwatersafetytestto assesstheirskilllevel.

Lifeguardsarebothinwaterandondeckensuringpool safetyandcamperdistancing

WHAT TO WEAR & BRING + LOST & FOUND

WHAT TO WEAR TO CAMP

WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP

Sunscreen

Lunch and a Drink

Specialty Major and Tech Camps Do Not Swim (labeled with name) in an insulated lunch box or cooler (unless you are enrolled in our Optional Lunch Program)

Towel

Backpack, tote bag, or duffel bag

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

FOR TENNIS CAMP: Tennis Racket

Change of clothes

Pool shoes/ sandals

Please be on the lookout for a weekly reminder to check our camp office for any lost & found items

FOR SPORTSLAB:

1 Baseball glove

2.Soccer Socks

3 Shin Guards (on select days)

WHAT NOT TO BRING TO CAMP

CELL PHONE OR TABLET

TO PROMOTE A HEALTHY CAMP ENVIRONMENT WE ASK THE FOLLOWING:

No cell phones & electronic devices at camp.

If you have an urgent message for your child, please call the camp office.

ESF is not responsible for any electronic devices brought to camp.

DROP OFF & PICK UP

ESF’sdrop-offandpick-upproceduresaredesignedtobesafe, easyandconvenient

Ourstaffwillbetherewhenyoupullupandtheywillopenthe cardoor.

Wehaveseveralsecurityproceduresinplaceforthedrop-off andpick-upprocess,andyouwillbeemailedaPickUpCard priortoyourchild’sfirstdayofcamp.

WeencourageParents/Guardianstoremainintheirvehicles.

Just A Few Reminders

YourPick-UpCardwillincludeapick-uptimeforregularpick-up (doesn’tincludeA.M.OnlyorClubOT).

YourPick-UpCardwillbeemailedtoyoupriortocamp.

Tomakecarlineassafeandefficientaspossible,pleaseprintyour Pick-UpCardandplaceonthedashboardofyourvehicle

Nocamperwillbereleasedtoanyindividualwhoisnotlistedonthe authorizedpick-uppermissionreport.

Pleasereview,updateandconfirmyourpick-uppermissionsfor2024 inyouronlineaccount

Pleasedon’tuseyourcellphoneforpersonalusewhilewaitingincar line.

Early Pick Up

Please call the Camp Office to arrange early dismissal (must be prior to 2:30 PM) In the event your child will be leaving early, please call the Camp Office and a staff member will meet you in carline Please refer to our Visitors' Policy on page 5.

Late Camper Arrival

In the event your child will be late, please call the Camp Office and a staff member will meet you in carline. Please refer to our Visitors' Policy on page 5

EXTENDED DAY SERVICES

Extended Day is offered before and after camp Pre-registration is required through your online account. Drop-in service is unavailable.

AFTER CAMP SWIM ENRICHMENT

After Camp Enrichment will be available for swimming instruction.

Please note: Swim Enrichment lessons are private (1:1).

Semi-private lessons with 2 campers are permitted for siblings only Lessons will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis

Our Aquatics staff will reach out to you to confirm your schedule during Week 2 of camp

Go here here to complete your Aquatics supplemental form