YMCA of Greater New Orleans 2015 Summer Camp Parent Handbook

CAMP.

IT’S WHAT’S FOR SUMMER! 2015 Summer Camp YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS

SO MUCH MORE. Day campers are able to explore creativity, teamwork and leadership in a wide range of physically active programs that influence lifelong healthy living.

Day camp builds an interest in community with experiences in local and global cultures where campers gain an appreciation for others different from themselves.

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WELCOME TO SUMMER AT THE Y! We are so glad to be a part of your summer! The YMCA is committed to making sure that every child has the opportunity to have a summer full of adventure with learning opportunities, fun activities and great friends! This guide is designed to help make summer great and give you information about Summer Camp at the Y: what to expect, what to bring, who will be there, payment information and lots more!

CAMP AT THE Y IS MORE THAN A PLACE TO GO Our purpose is to offer a wonderful atmosphere that focuses on creating memories for our campers based on our four core values of respect, honesty, responsibility and caring.

Your child will spend between one and eleven weeks this summer making friends, enhancing social skills, trying new things and gaining self-confidence through positive reinforcement, safe surroundings and fun with our trained and committed staff!

WE HAVE THE BEST STAFF FOR THE BEST SUMMER! All staff is required to attend 30 hours of training before working at camp. Their training hours are spent on CPR, First Aid, Character Development, Age Appropriate Activities, Child Abuse Awareness, and a variety of other topics to ensure your children have a safe and fun experience at camp.

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WEEKS FULL OF WONDER!

May 26-29 ALOHA, SUMMER! June 1-5

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO

June 8-12 GOIN’ GREEN June 15-19 TIME TRAVELERS June 22-26 MOVIN’ & GROOVIN’ June 29-July 3 AMERICAN HEROES July 6-10

CELEBRATION OF NATIONS

July 13-17 IT’S A BUG’S LIFE July 20-24 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

July 27-31 H2WOW August 3-7 SEE YA, SUMMER!

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READY FOR SUMMER! Going to summer camp is a very exciting experience for campers and parents. It’s very natural for everyone to be anxious about the first day of camp and meeting new friends. The YMCA has well-trained camp staff that are focused on meeting the needs of individual campers and are committed to serving as excellent role models.

WHAT TO BRING– (PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING!)  Lunch– Pack a nutritious lunch for your camper, including extra snacks and drinks. Do not pack anything that needs to be heated or cooled.  Water Bottle – Your child must bring a water bottle everyday. If water bottles are not provided, one will be supplied and your account will be charged $1.00.  Clothing- Please send appropriate clothing with your child, taking into consideration the weather forecast and camp activities. We encourage your child to wear play clothes and include a jacket and hat. For safety reasons, sandals, crocs and flip-flops are not permitted at camp.

Please be sure your child wears tennis shoes to camp daily.  Camp Shirt- Campers must wear camp shirts everyday [especially on field trip days]. Campers do have the option to dress up for the weekly theme on Fridays instead of wearing their camp shirt. Campers are provided 2 shirts after which shirts can be purchased for $10 each.  Sunscreen- To help prevent sunburn, it is recommended that parents send sunscreen with their child. Staff will only apply spray sunscreen to children. If you send lotion sunscreen, please make sure your child can apply it themselves.  Backpack- It will help campers keep things together throughout the day.

WHAT NOT TO BRING Please leave the following items at home: cell phones, toys, radios, electronic games, video cameras, makeup, trading cards, iPods, iPads, firearms, fireworks, matches, lighters, tobacco products, canned repellant and expensive items. Any of these items brought to camp will be confiscated and turned in to the office. They can be picked up by the parent at the end of the camp day. The YMCA is not responsible for lost, stolen, traded, or damaged clothing, toys, or equipment.

COMMUNICATION We will send camp e-mails throughout the summer. Emails will contain important information about the week and upcoming sessions. Please make sure to have a valid e-mail on file with the front desk.

SWIMMING  Campers swim daily (except on field trip days).  Campers must bring the proper swimming wear and a towel. Girls must wear a one piece swimsuit.  Campers will be swim-tested at the beginning of every week before they are permitted to swim or participate in any water activities.  The head lifeguard will announce general swimming rules before each swimming period.  Our day camp counselors are required to swim with the campers. Campers will get help learning skills to develop their capabilities during the week.  Campers who pass the swim test will be given a plastic swim band. Children must keep the band on all week. If they don’t have a band, they will be required to wear a life jacket.

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ALL YOU NEED FOR A GREAT SUMMER!

GENERAL RULES

Caring: Keep your hands, feet and other objects to yourself. Take care of equipment property and environment.

Honesty: Tell the truth; do not steal.

Respect: Use appropriate language. Respect the counselors and fellow campers. Treat others like you would want to be treated.

Responsibility: Stay with your group at all times. Keep up with your belongings.

CONDUCT POLICY Please make sure that both you and your child are completely familiar with these policies. The Camp Director may suspend or terminate a child’s participation in the program for the following reasons:  Leaving YMCA program premises without permission, or going into posted unauthorized areas.  Using foul language or being rude and discourteous to YMCA staff or campers.  Defacing YMCA property, vehicles, or field trip facilities.  Engaging in fighting as the means to solve a problem.  Bringing or using illegal substances.  Stealing or defacing another child’s property.  Intentionally injuring another child.  Refusing to remain with the group during outings or on the property.  Refusing to follow check in and out procedures.  Refusing to follow the basic rules of the program.  Refusing to stay seated or wear a seat belt in vehicle.  Any physical or verbal sexual harassment of another camper.

DISCIPLINE The philosophy of our program is based on the character development principles of: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Caring. It is expected that our staff give respect and are courteous to each participant, as we expect to get the same in return.

Camp rules are designed to enhance the happiness and safety of all campers. Children, who do not demonstrate appropriate behavior in the judgment of the directors, will be sent home from camp. Camp counselors are taught positive discipline techniques. They use positive reinforcement, redirection, and short calm down periods/techniques. If behavior persists, counselors seek guidance from the camp director. Disciplinary steps are as follows:  1st incident will result in parent notification by phone and/or writing.  2nd will result in a disciplinary action form and meeting with parent.  3rd incident will result in temporary or permanent suspension from camp without refund.

HEALTH AND SAFETY   

Children with colds or experiencing illness will not be permitted to attend camp.

YMCA Staff are mandated child abuse reporters – this includes physical, sexual, emotional, mental abuse and neglect.

The YMCA will document all bumps and bruises and make the parent aware each time an incident or accident occurs. In extreme cases, we will call right away based on the information provided on the campers registration form. In less extreme cases, we will communicate to the person picking the camper up and they will sign a “bump and bruise” report. If an accident/incident occurs that requires IMMEDIATE medical attention, the YMCA will call 911. The parents will assume fees for the emergency transportation.

MEDICATION & EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Camp prefers that all medications be administered at home before the camp day. Medications that are required during the camp day will be dispensed by a senior staff member.

No medications will be allowed in your child’s lunch box or backpack. All prescription medication must be in the original container that identifies the prescribing physician, the name of the medication, the dosage, and the frequency of administration.

MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION A medication form must be filled out before medication can be administered. Refrigeration will be provided if necessary. Routine scrapes and cuts will be treated by our staff. In the case of serious illness or accident involving your child, the camp will contact you directly.

In the event you cannot be reached, your authorization signed on your health form allows us to secure prompt treatment; outside medical costs will be billed to the camper’s parents. General medications and first aid supplies are provided at no cost to campers.

ALLERGIES All allergies should be brought to the attention of the camp staff. Medications for allergies should be left with the Youth Program or Camp Director.

SPECIAL NEEDS Campers with special emotional or physical needs should be called to the attention of the Youth Program or Camp Director by fully describing any unique requirements of the camper at least two weeks prior the start of your selected camp session. We will make every reasonable accommodation possible to serve your child with special needs.

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ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES    

You must sign your child in daily with signature and time. No child is allowed to be dropped off without a signature!

You must sign your child out daily with signature and time, as well as show your ID to match your child’s registration form. Anyone not on the form will not be allowed to pick the child up.

Anyone under the influence of drugs, alcohol or anger will not be allowed to pick the child up.

You must be at least 18 years old to pick up a child from camp, as well as be on the pick up list.

PICK UP AND DROP OFF Early Drop Off The earliest you can drop off your child is 7:00 a.m.

You will drop off your child at the designated location for your camp (see branch insert). You will need to sign in your child at this time.

Daytime Drop Off & Pick up 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

During these hours, camp groups are already at activities. You will need to sign in and let the employee know your child is here for camp. At this time they will radio an opener/closer, specialist, or director to come get your child and take them to their group. You will need to be patient if you arrive close to the start of camp. A staff member will come to meet your child. You may not leave your child until a camp staff member arrives.

Parents who wish to pick up their camper early may do so at the Membership Desk. The facility property is large. It is encouraged to call ahead or send a note with your child so we may arrange to have your camper waiting for you.

Otherwise, please be prepared to wait at least 10-20 minutes in order to gather your child and their belongings for departure.

Afternoon Pick Up 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The latest you can pick up your child is 6:00 p.m. sharp. Parents who pick up their children after 6:00 pm will be charged a late fee of $1.00 per minute, per child. The fee must be paid before your child can return to camp. Fee should be paid at the membership desk.

AUTHORIZED RELEASE The list of persons authorized to pick up your child must be current and accurate. Changes in persons authorized to pick up your child must be made in writing and submitted to the Youth Program or Camp Director.  Changes in custody agreements will be accepted only with a copy of the court order that specifies the change and designates the person named as having legal custody of the child.  Photo identification is required for any person picking up a child.  No child in our care will be released to persons not authorized by the enrolling parent. In case of an emergency, please contact the site coordinator to make arrangements.  If a person picking up a child displays signs of being impaired or in some way unable to provide safe transportation for the child, the site director will make arrangements for alternate transportation with a private provider.

It is essential that the proper release form and complete enrollment information be on file at the child’s program facility at all times.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS Acceptable payment forms are: Cash, Check, VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. A $25 deposit is due per session at the time of registration. The deposit is non-refundable but is transferable.  No adjustments in the weekly fee will be made for partially attended weeks. Sessions must be changed or cancelled in writing 1 week prior to attendance.  Tuition will not be prorated or refunded for any days missed due to camper nonattendance or illness.

Refunds are at the discretion of the Youth Program or Camp Director.

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YMCA SUMMER CAMP PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS BELLE CHASSE YMCA 8101 Highway 23 Belle Chasse, LA 70037 (504) 392-9622

BURAS PLAQUEMINES PARTNERSHIP YMCA 36342 Hwy 11 Buras, LA (504) 564-0591

EAST JEFFERSON YMCA 6691 Riverside Drive Metairie, LA 70003 (504) 888-9622

WEST ST. TAMMANY YMCA 71256 Francis Rd. Covington, LA 70433 (985) 893-9622

DAVANT PLAQUEMINES PARTNERSHIP YMCA 15577 Highway 15 Davant, LA 70040 (504)279-5720

PORT SULPHUR PLAQUEMINES PARTNERSHIP YMCA 278 Civic Dr. Port Sulphur, LA 70083 (504)564-0911