CAMP LIFE

Attire

Please provide your child(ren) with the proper attire. Closed-toe shoes are required. Refer to the field trip schedule and provide sunscreen on the appropriate days. Staff is not permitted to apply sunscreen. Time will be set aside for children to apply sunscreen. Shirts and hats should be worn to prevent sunburn.

What To Bring To Camp

Lunch – If your camper will not be participating in the Sarasota County School District food program (lunch will not be available via this program on field trip days). Please note that lunches are not refrigerated or heated, please do not send items with glass or sharp pull tags, please label all lunch boxes/containers with a permanent marker.

Snack – We will allow for snack time twice each day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon.

Water Bottle – There will be ample opportunity to refill throughout the day.

Personal Property

Campers should not bring any personal items or equipment such as toys, cell phones, games, trading cards, sports equipment, electronics, animals, or money to camp unless approved by staff. Staff is not responsible for personal items.

Lost Andfound

Eachcamp will maintaina lost and found area at thefacility. Pleaseadhere to the following guidelines:

✓ Labeleverything your child brings tocamp withtheir full name.

✓ Do not send expensive equipment to camp.(No video games,electronics, phones, etc.)

✓ Haveyour child leave alltoys, games,cards, etc. at home unless otherwisenotified.

✓ We arenot responsible for the loss or damageof items that your child may bring to camp.

✓ Lost and Found itemsnot claimed withina reasonableamount of timewill be donated tocharity.

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Summer Camp Parent Handbook

INDOOR/OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES & CAMPER GROUPS

Campers participate in various activities, both indoor and outdoor. Campers are grouped in similar age groups. We cannot take special requests for grouping campers together. We ask that our staff program in seven different curriculum areas each week to include physical activity, creative arts, safety/wellness, leadership/values, unstructured play, and reading activities, while working to meet the frequency guidelines outlined below.

Daily Camp Programming Guidelines

Active Play (2-4 times daily) - Opportunities for organized “active play” shall exist. This could include, however not be limited to, sports, organized games, playground activity, relays, etc. Based on the nature of activity, children could be divided by age groups.

Quiet Play (1-3 times daily) - Opportunities for quiet play shall exist. Puzzles, individual games, board games, reading, etc. would be appropriate.

Free Play (1-2 times daily) - Opportunities for a 30 minute to 1 hour period of free play shall exist each day. During free play, staff facilitates the flow of activities, initiates games, helps to solve conflicts, takes time to talk with children, is accessible to the children, and provides constant overall supervision. Boundaries are well established.

Weekly Camp Programming Guidlines

Creative Expression (3-5 times weekly) - Opportunities for creative expression shall exist through arts, crafts, drama, music, etc. There shall be at least one opportunity for each participant to take a “project” home each week.

Leisure Activities (4-7 times weekly) - Participants shall be given opportunities each week to learn the rules and basic skills of sports and leisure activities. Lead-up games are appropriate. Tennis, soccer, board games, kickball, card games, etc., fit into this category.

Movies - An option to show or attend a movie shall exist. Movies may only be shown in the morning during drop off from 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and/or in the afternoon during pick-up from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Additionally, movies may be shown during periods of inclement weather. All movies must be age appropriate and have a rating of G or PG.

Field Trips – Two Field trips are planned per week for our Day Camp to nearby sites (Movies, Skating, Bowling, etc.). Four filed trips are planned per weed for our Adventure Camp.

Activity Rotations

The daily activities will be structured around a rotation schedule utilizing various areas of the camp facilities. These rotations will be daily. We ask that all campers bring a water bottle to camp to help keep them hydrated throughout the day. Campers are encouraged to participate in the many exciting activities and events that are provided at camp.

ON-SITE PERFORMERS

Professional performers are scheduled to entertain campers at our day camp programs Check the parent newsletter for weekly on-site performer schedule.

FIELD TRIPS/TRANSPORTATION

The camp program offers a variety of field trips. All children shall participate in these trips, and the camp facility may be vacated. Please check the on-site white boarddaily for field trip departuretimes,as timesmayvary.

Please note the following:

✓ Participants must be able to transfer on and off standard school buses with minimal assistance.

✓ A seating chart will be utilized during all field trips and an orientation to all Sarasota County Transportation Rules will be conducted prior to the first field trip each session. Staff to campers will be 1:12 on all field trips. Seating charts may be adjusted as needed to enhance the overall field trip experience.

✓ Registration fees include the cost of all field trips

Field trip fees cannot be refunded. Refer to the field trip schedule for locations.

✓ Field trips are subject to change without notice. Whenever possible, you will be notified of any changes. Please check the on-site white board and your email daily.

✓ A field trip and general release must be signed by a parent or guardian at time of registration. This will cover all camp programs unless additional permission slips are required by field trip / on-site vendors.

✓ Please check the on-site white board daily for announcements related to field trips and on-site activities. Provide your child(ren) with the proper attire/change of clothes, sunscreen, lunch/snacks and beverages. NO GLASS containers. Label all personal items with your child(ren)’s name(s).

✓ We encourage parents to be frugal if sending spending money with campers. Spending money is not necessary. Staff is not responsible for a camper’s personal money.

✓ For late arrivals or early dismissals, you will be responsible for getting your child(ren) to orfrom thefield trip site. Child(ren)must be signed in or out with camp staff at the field trip location.