2023 Camp Ulbrich Parent Handbook

MEET THE CAMP ADMIN TEAM

ROB NEWTON

CAMP DIRECTOR

rnewton@wallingfordymca.org

ALYSSA MARTIN

CATHERINE LIBRADO-MARTINEZ, LPCA

ASSISTANT CAMP DIRECTOR amartin@wallingfordymca.org

FIRST AID DIRECTOR cunurse@wallingfordymca.org

ERIC SKINNER

KIM CLINI, MSW

CASSANDRA ALLEN

ALTERNATE DIRECTOR

OUTREACH COORDINATOR

ALTERNATE DIRECTOR

ABOUT THE Y & CAMP ULBRICH

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to strengthen the foundation of the community through programs, services and relationships that build a healthy spirit, mind and body. We aim to be an effective resource and influential community partner by building meaningful, caring relationships and promoting healthy, productive lifestyles for generations. We strive to fulfill this mission by providing proven programs like Camp Ulbrich.

OUR VALUES

All programs at the Wallingford Family YMCA are designed to promote positive values. YMCA staff members are hired based on their commitment to accept and demonstrate these positive values in their own lives. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Our core values drive everything our staff & volunteers do to live out our mission and make a meaningful and long lasting impact in our greater Wallingford community. By holding ourselves accountable to build character around our core values, we build a healthy spirit, mind and body FOR ALL.

CARING

We demonstrate sincere concern for others, their needs and well-being.

HONESTY

We tell the truth and demonstrate reliability & trustworthiness.

OUR GOALS

RESPECT

We treat others as we would want to be treated and value the worth of every person

RESPONSIBILITY

We do what is right and are accountable for our choices & actions

• To instill the Y mission and character values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility through our programs and activities

• To give all campers a day camp experience that is safe and fun, where they can grow as individuals

• To focus on specific developmental needs of each age group by offering a variety of age appropriate activities through camp programs

• To provide programs and activities that build leadership, self-confidence, independence and socialization skills in all campers

PROGRAM INFORMATION & HOURS

HOURS OF OPERATION

Camp Ulbrich operates from 9:00AM-4:00PM, with the option of Extended Care in the mornings and afternoons.

CAMP OFFICE & PHONE

The Camp Office is located at the KinderHouse at 16 Wallace Street behind the YMCA. During the summer, the Camp Ulbrich phone number is 203-269-4497 x303. This number can be used to relay information to staff, ask questions or to get a message to your child. In the case of an emergency, you may also call the Welcome Center at 203-269-4497.

CAMP GROUPS

Camp Ulbrich has is made up of five groups:

• Rascals (entering Pre-K & Kindergarten)

• All-Stars (entering grades 1-5)

• AdventurTeens (entering grades 6-9)

• Upward Bound (entering grades 5-10)

• C.I.Ts (entering grade 10)

All-Stars, AdventurTeens and Upward Bound are separated into smaller groups by grade. Please note that you cannot request specific groups. While your child’s friends may be at camp, one of Camp Ulbrich’s goals is for campers to meet & make new friends. As groups are by grade, groups of similar ages do tend to participate in activities together, so we are sure that your child will be able to see their friend throughout the course of the camp day.

SWIMMING

The Wallingford Family YMCA prides itself in offering free swim and swim lessons to all of our campers each day. Campers swim time is broken into 20 minute lessons, followed by 20 minute of free swim. Swim times get campers out of the sun and cooling down with their friends. Our camp aquatics staff offer a wide variety of swim lessons ranging from beginner to advanced.

All campers are swim tested at the beginning of each session. Lifejackets are available for those campers who need flotation. DO NOT bring any flotation devices from home. Swimmers must wear a bathing suit. T-shirts, shorts, cut offs etc. may not be worn in the pool. Goggles and towels are not provided for swimming.

FIELD TRIPS

Parents will be notified in advance of any field trips and a permission slip will need to be signed for campers to attend. Information will be listed on the permission slips with items they will need to bring. They are also not allowed to bring any of the items listed in the “What to Keep at Home” portion. Campers are required to wear their camp shirt on all field trips.

PROGRAM POLICIES

WHAT TO BRING

Campers should bring a backpack to and from camp each day. In the backpack should be a lunch including a drink (ice packs should be included in their lunches), a bathing suit and towel, and a water bottle. They should also bring multiple snacks and an extra drink. ALL CAMPERS NEED TO WEAR SNEAKERS or CLOSED TOED SHOES at all times. Sandals, flip-flops, Crocs, and open-toed shoes are prohibited for safety reasons. Campers are encouraged to wear a hat on sunny days. All items should be marked with the camper’s name. For younger campers who are prone to having bathroom accidents, we recommend packing extra clothes.

WHAT TO KEEP AT HOME

We believe that certain items are best left at home to maximize your camper’s camp experience. Campers may not bring cell phones, iPads, handheld electronics/video games, jewelry, trading cards, personal sports equipment, pets, knives, guns/weapons, matches/lighters, drugs/alcohol, cigarettes, illegal substances or clothing with offensive messages i.e., drugs, alcohol, sex, vulgar language. Cell phones are only allowed at camp upon the Camp Director’s approval. Camp Ulbrich is a drug/alcohol and smoke free facility. Any camper found with tobacco, drug or alcohol will be immediately suspended from camp. We strive to keep a clean, healthy image at our camp.

LOST & FOUND

Lost and Found items accumulate very quickly. Please make every effort to label ALL of your child’s belongings. Have your camper look for their missing items at our lost and found located in a bin at the KinderHouse. Socks and underwear are immediately discarded - everything else is held for two weeks and then donated to a local charity.

PAYMENT

To ensure that your camper maintains a spot on the camp roster, please make sure that the balance due for each session is paid in full. If you are using the Bank Draft payment option, payment will be drafted the Friday before the session your child is enrolled. If you are NOT using the Bank Draft, payment is due the Friday (10 DAYS) prior to the start of each session. For example, if your camper is signed up for Session 2 starting July 10, the balance is due on Friday June 28. Campers may not attend the session if payment in full is not received.

Any session changes made after June 10, 2023 will result in a $20 change fee. Changes & withdrawals require two weeks notice prior to each session. Camp fees (excluding deposits) will be refunded if the child is withdrawn one week prior to the start of the session due to medical reasons. A doctor’s note is required. Camp fees will not be refunded if a child is dismissed from camp due to behavioral or other problems.

For any payment questions or concerns, please contact the Childcare Billing Coordinator at 203-269-4497 x114 for more information.

PROGRAM SECURITY

MORNING DROP OFF PROCEDURE

Sign-in for all campers will be across the street from the YMCA at Doolittle Park in our drop off car line. Your camper should be dropped off by 8:45AM. If you have NOT registered for extended care you CANNOT drop your child off before 8:45AM. Parents are expected to drive into the car line and sign in with our camp staff before releasing their child from the car. Please be aware of other cars dropping off campers.

EXTENDED CARE: Drop off is between 7:00 and 8:45AM, no earlier, at the Doolittle Park Pavilion.

AFTERNOON PICK UP PROCEDURE

Pick-up for your camper is at 3:45PM at Doolittle Park. You may pull into the parking lot and park your car. Parents are asked to wait in line at the designated area by the pavilion. You will be able to sign out your camper after our closing ceremonies. Parents will be given a Camp Ulbrich parent pass upon successful signout and you will need to hand this to your child’s counselor so they know you have signed out. If you have NOT registered for extended care you MUST pick up your child BEFORE 4:00PM.

EXTENDED CARE: Pick up is between 4:00 and 6:00PM, no later, at the KinderHouse (the house in back of the YMCA)

The YMCA respects the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, we will release a child from our program to a non-custodial parent. It is imperative that a custody document be submitted upon enrollment if necessary. If, for whatever reason, there is someone who is legally prohibited from picking up your child, we MUST have copies of court documents on file.

Should any person arrive to pick up a child who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, staff may have no recourse but to notify police of their concerns.

LATE DROP OFF & EARLY PICK UP

If you are dropping a child off after 9:15AM or picking them up before 3:00PM please go to the KinderHouse, located in back of the YMCA. If someone is going to be picking up your child and they are not on the pick-up list, prior notification to camp staff is required. If notification is not given, the camper will not be allowed to leave until authorization is given by the parent or guardian.

If you are picking your child up at a different time than usual, please give a staff member a note or call the Camp Office at 203-269-4497 x303 so the appropriate accommodations can be made.

LATE PICK UP

If your child is not registered for extended care, you MUST pick up your child by 4:00PM. If you know that you will be detained, please notify the program so that we can reassure your child and provide appropriate coverage. Any children who are not picked up by 4:15PM will be taken to extended care at the KinderHouse.

Extended care for Camp Ulbrich ends promptly at 6:00PM. If you know that you will be detained, please notify the program so that we can reassure your child and provide appropriate coverage. A $1.00 per minute late fee will be charged per child for those parents who fail to pick up their child by 6:00PM. The following steps will be taken in the event that a child has not been picked up by 6:10PM and we have had no contact with the parent/guardian:

1. YMCA staff will attempt to contact the child’s parent/guardian.

2. YMCA staff will attempt to contact the other emergency contacts.

3. If the child has not been picked up by 6:30PM and no contact has been made, the YMCA staff may make the decision to contact the Wallingford Police Department for assistance. This assistance will come in the form of aiding the staff to locate the parents and/or in the form of contacting the Department of Children and Families to take custody of the child. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE STAFF TAKE THE CHILD WITH THEM.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY

The safety and well-being of all participants is of utmost concern to the Wallingford Family YMCA. All staff attends annual child abuse prevention training and we have a very detailed staff code of conduct to which all staff must adhere. This policy covers the required steps involved in the hiring, training and supervision of staff, appropriate conduct related to the supervision of children, reporting procedures of suspected abuses, responsibilities to parents and recommendations for good practices related to the above. A copy of this policy is available upon request. Camp Ulbrich is mandated by the State of Connecticut to report any suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families. No staff is allowed to have any planned outside contact with a child in any YMCA program including, but not limited to, babysitting and social networking. Parents should report any suspicious behavior or concerns to the Camp Director.

HEALTH & SAFETY POLICIES

HEALTH FORMS & MEDICATION

Each camper must have a physical exam by a licensed physician within the past three years. No child may attend the program without an up-to-date immunization record on file. School health forms are accepted. The Parent Medical Authorization must be completed each year. Forms are available at the Welcome Center and at www.wallingfordymca.org/camp. If a camper requires any medication, the proper paperwork MUST be on file before the camper can attend camp. This medication will be kept locked with our First Aid Director. In the case of EpiPens & other emergency medication, your child’s counselor will have these on hand at all times.

SUNSCREEN & INSECT REPELLENT

We recommend that campers wear sunscreen. Campers should apply sunscreen and/or bug repellent before coming to camp each morning. If your child is unable to apply sunscreen themselves, we can help to apply it so long as you have given permission on your child’s health form for us to.

FIRST AID

All staff members at Camp Ulbrich are certified in CPR and First Aid. In addition, we employ the services of a first aid provider who is on site during all normal camp hours. In the event of an emergency or illness, the Camp Director or First Aid Director will notify parents/guardians. In the event of a minor injury or accident parents will be notified with an Injury/Accident form at pick-up. Smaller injuries just requiring a Band-Aid, parents will be notified with an email.

EMERGENCIES

We devote much time and attention to emergency procedures during our staff training. We have specific procedures for lost campers, severe weather and medical emergencies. We practice these procedures during staff training & throughout the summer so campers and staff will be prepared in the event of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, the Camp Director or First Aid Director will notify parents/guardians.

ILLNESSES & INJURIES

We want your child to enjoy their time at camp. It is in the best interest of your child and the other campers that everyone at camp be healthy. If your child does not feel well the night before or the morning of camp, or has an injury or fever, we suggest that your child stay home from camp that day. Having your child come to camp while ill can prolong the illness, as well as, spread the illness to other campers. This is very important if your child is exhibiting symptoms of chicken pox, the flu, strep throat or any other contagious illness. If your child becomes ill or is injured during camp, the camp nurse will decide if it is severe enough to contact you.

HEALTH POLICY

It is very important that parents conform to the Health Policy for the benefit of the sick child as well as for the protection of other children and staff in the program. Symptoms or conditions that justify keeping a child home or sending a child home are:

SYMPTOM/CONDITION CHILD MAY RETURN

Chest or Bronchial Cough

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Coxsackie

With a Doctor’s note

With a Doctor’s note & 24 hours on medication

24 hours fever-free & sores in the healing stage

Diarrhea When normal bowel movements return

Fever of 100F or higher

Head Lice

Impetigo

Pinworm/Ringworm/Chicken Pox

Rash/Skin Eruption

Scabies

Strep Throat/Tonsillitis

24 hours fever-free

After first treatment & head check

With Doctor’s note & treatment for 24 hours

With Doctor’s note & treatment for 24 hours

With Doctor’s note

With Doctor’s note & treatment for 24 hours

With Doctor’s note & treatment for 24 hours

Vomiting 24 hours after vomiting has stopped

Children with symptoms are isolated under the care of the Camp Staff and in an area of the camp within view of others. Parents or emergency contacts are notified and the child must be picked up within an hour. If your child is not feeling well enough to fully participate in the daily program, such as going outside, please keep your child at home.

Please notify the camp if your child has a contagious disease. We must exercise precautions in order to maintain a reasonably healthy and safe environment and to avoid any epidemic situations. Children may return to the program when all symptoms disappear as noted above or the child’s physician signs a statement as to the lack of contagious disease.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

MANAGING A CHILD’S BEHAVIOR

The Wallingford Family YMCA staff are trained based on the following disciplinary policies, and are reviewed during staff development and upon new hire orientation. The goal of discipline is to help the child to develop inner control so that they may move toward appropriate social behavior.

1. In order to work effectively with children, we must first try to understand his or her motives for inappropriate behavior. Straight forward rules and clear guidelines have been established for a uniform set of appropriate behavior. Consistency is paramount in effective discipline and is stressed throughout our programs. Positive guidance and the use of redirection as an initial technique to change negative behavior is used by staff in addition to providing a clear explanation of the inappropriate behavior displayed.

2. Staff will not be abusive, neglectful, or use corporal, humiliating or frightening punishment to discipline children in our programs. A child will not be hit, spanked or slapped by any staff, nor will any child be handled roughly. Staff will not shove or shake any child nor pull their ears or hair at any time as a form of discipline. No child shall be physically restrained unless it is necessary to protect the safety & health of the child or others.

3. If a child does not respond to redirection and continues to display inappropriate behavior the child may be removed from the activity. The child remains within full view of the staff and may not be able to see the activity during this period. The limit is five minutes and is determined by the amount of time the child takes to display appropriate behavior or on the severity of the inappropriate act. During this time, the staff will ask the child what happened, why did they behave that way, and what will they do next time to avoid the situation happening again.

4. If redirection of the child and counseling is ineffective and serious behavioral problems continue to disrupt the program, the parent may be called to pick-up their child early. The YMCA also reserves the right to remove or suspend a child without reimbursement if the parents, counselor, Camp Director, Assistant Camp Director, First Aid Director, Outreach Coordinator and/or Chief Operations Officer cannot mutually get the child to behave in an appropriate manner

BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION RUBRIC

This Rubric is subject to interpretation, may be adjusted based on judgment and severity of infraction, and ultimate consequences decided are at the discretion of the Camp Management Team.

MILD/MODERATE BEHAVIOR EXAMPLES

Arguing Over a Game

Picking Up Rocks & Sticks

Teasing/Name Calling

Parents will be notified at the end of the day by their child’s counselor if there have been repeated mild/ moderate infractions that have disrupted the camp day.

SERIOUS BEHAVIOR EXAMPLES

Being Defiant to Staff

Excluding Others

Inappropriate Gestures/Language

Pulling Pranks

RASCALS

Discriminatory Language/Behavior

Ganging Up on Another Camper

Inappropriate Physical Interaction (low level)

Pushing/Shoving

Disruption to Program Area

Gossiping/Spreading Rumors

Peer Pressure

Throwing Objects

SEVERE BEHAVIOR EXAMPLES

Cyber Bullying

Leaving/Bolting from Group

Stealing

RASCALS

Defacing & Destroying Property

Lewd Behavior/Sexual Harassment

Threatening/Tormenting

Fighting

Physical

ADVENTURTEENS

ZERO TOLERANCE BEHAVIOR EXAMPLES

Immediate Expulsion from Camp