BEST SUMMER EVER! Achievement, Relationships, Belonging SUMMER DAY CAMP, WEST VALLEY FAMILY YMCA
www.ymcala.org/wv
ACHIEVEMENT, RELATIONSHIPS, BELONGING At Y day camp, we are here to make your kids feel welcome. To help them quickly realize this is a place where they belong & can be themselves. Try new things, make new friends, & be a part of something great. The Y. Grow, Learn, Thrive.
2 2
DAY CAMP LICENSED CHILD CARE June 8 - August 14 (10 weeks) Monday-Friday | 7:00am - 6:00pm For children entering Grades K-9
$50 per child (one-time annual fee, not discountable) $170 per child, per week $195 per child, per week $17 off ($19.50 for Good Times) per additional child, per week (about 10% discount)
* Good Times is our camp for incoming 6th—9th graders, formerly known as Teen Camp ** Siblings must be on the same account / memberships.
DAY CAMP AT THE Y June 8 - August 14 (10 weeks) Monday-Friday | 8:00am – 6:00pm For children entering Grades K-5
NEW!
FEES: REGISTRATION FEE: K-5 Day Camp: SIBLING DISCOUNT*:
BAY LAUREL ELEMENTARY Does not offer Good Times Camp 24740 Paseo Primario, Calabasas, CA 91302 818 223 9528 Facility # 191231094 WOODLAKE ELEMENTARY 23231 Hatteras Street Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818 348 8284 Facility # 191200082
FEES: REGISTRATION FEE: K-5 DAY CAMP : 6-9 GOOD TIMES*: SIBLING DISCOUNT**:
Day Camp Licensed CC Locations
$50 per child (one-time annual fee, not discountable) $155 per child, per week $15.50 off per additional child, per week (10% discount)
* Siblings must be on the same account / memberships.
POMELO ELEMENTARY 7633 March Avenue West Hills, CA 91304 818 703 6560 Facility # 197408524 VANALDEN ELEMENTARY 19019 Delano Street Reseda, CA 91335 818 996 8564 Facility # 191226194
Day Camp at the Y Location WEST VALLEY FAMILY YMCA 18810 Vanowen Street, Reseda, CA 91335 818 774 2840
Specialty & Sports Camp Location LEMAY STREET ELEMENTARY 17520 Vanowen Street, Lake Balboa, CA 91406 818 705 5733
Camp Leadership Contact Info CHRISTOPHER JEFFERSON Senior Program Director, Child Care 818 668 2611 ChristopherJefferson@ymcala.org Area: Day Camp Licensed Child Care & Specialty
TABLE OF CONTENTS School Age Day Camps (kids entering grades K-9) Specialty & Sports Camps Pre-K Half-Day Pre-K Camp (ages 3 & 4) Important Parent Information & Frequently Asked Questions Resident Camping Programming (Camp Whittle)
Page 4 & 5 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10-12 Page 13
NEW!
HALF-DAY PRE-K CAMP AT THE Y!
SAMANTHA BLOOMER Youth & Family Program Director 818 668 2606 SamanthaBloomer@ymcala.org Area: Day Camp at the Y CASEY WEST-BANKS Senior Director, Resident Camp Director 818 763 5126 CaseyWestBanks@ymcala.org Area: Resident Camp DIANA NIETO-PEREZ Assoc. Program Director, Child Care 818 668 2622 DianaNieto-Perez@ymcala.org Area: Licensed Camp & Specialty
The West Valley Family YMCA is proud to introduce our Pre-K Camp for children ages 3 & 4! Our Half-Day Pre-K Camp is the perfect camp option for your child. More details on page 7.
3
VEENU AGARWAL Office Manager II 818 668 2612 VeenuAgarwal@ymcala.org Area: Licensed Camp and Specialty Camp Accounting & Billing
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE School-Age Day Camps for children entering K - 9th grade
NEW
DAY CAMP AT LICENSED CHILD CARE FOR KIDS ENTERING GRADES K-5 Day Camp at licensed child care will be like no other. Kids will be active & engaged with our full-day, theme-based curriculum to capture their attention & build a love for learning. Add the fun of field trips, enrichment classes & water days, & parents will be thrilled with the stories their children share each day. Having peace of mind, knowing that your children are cared for in one of our licensed facilities makes it even better! Top that off with arts & crafts, skill development, sports & games, group time, STEM & all the activities we know & loved as a child. Come & experience what a little creativity, innovation & ingenuity can produce.
DAY CAMP AT THE Y FOR KIDS ENTERING GRADES K-5 Day camp at the Y is an organized camp that provides youth with supervised activities that teach core values, conflict resolution, & leadership skills. Children will enjoy the summer making new friends & creating memories that will last a lifetime. Daily activities will include arts & crafts, wonders of wilderness, group games, specialty activities, reading enrichment and camp opening & closing councils. Our specialty activities include STEM activities, music & drama, cooking classes & special guests. Children will also get to enjoy water play & swimming weekly. Join us for a summer you’ll never forget!
GOOD TIMES DAY CAMP FOR KIDS ENTERING GRADES 6-9 Welcome to the new & improved Good Times Camp, formerly known as Teen Camp! Good Times is the perfect camp experience for your older youth, entering 6th—9th grade this fall. Through field trips, excursions & on-site activities, Good Time campers will discover who they are & develop the social & leaderships skills they need to be successful & productive adults. Summer Good Times is just another pit stop on their journey towards success. By the end of camp, campers will feel empowered to be leaders in their communities today & the leaders of the world tomorrow. Campers will build up their character, learn to work as a team & develop their creativity.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU! The West Valley Family YMCA offers financial assistance for those who qualify. Funding is provided from the generous gifts of our donors & members like you. Not all programs are eligible. Please ask for more details. 4
SUMMER DAY CAMP
DAY CAMP AT LICENSED CHILD CARE JUNE 8 - AUGUST 14, 2015 Summer Day Camp licensed by the state of California. Our licensed, off-site programs are designed with your child in mind. Camp includes weekly enrichment, skill building, fitness, sports & games, reflections, STEM, Literacy & group time. Weekly swimming & weekly visitors or excursions / field trips.
DAY CAMP AT LICENSED CHILD CARE HIGHLIGHTS Week
Theme
Highlight
Week 1
Let the Games Begin
Gamer’s Paradise
Week 2
Welcome to the Jungle
Scooter’s Jungle
Week 3
Fantastic Voyage
Blue Submarine
Week 4
Art Safari
Color Me Mine
Week 5
Ocean Commotions
Water Week!
Week 6
I Want to Be Like Mike
Sparks Game
DAY CAMP AT THE Y—NEW! JUNE 8 - AUGUST 14. 2015 Are you READY for summer? Get SET, because the West Valley Family YMCA is ready to CAMP! Summer day camp at the Y provides youth with organized activities that teach core values, conflict resolution, & leadership skills. A typical camp day includes arts & crafts, wonders of wilderness, reading enrichment & field games. Weekly swimming, STEM activities & cooking projects are also part of our line-up.
Week 7
Super Science
Discovery Cube
Week 8
We Bought a Zoo
Moorpark Zoo
Week 9
Space Cases
Mad Science
Week 10
On the Farm
Underwood Farm
Grades: Locations: Hours/Days: Fees:
DAY CAMP AT THE Y HIGHLIGHTS
Grades: Locations:
Hours/Days: Fees:
Kids entering grades K-5 Woodlake Elementary School Pomelo Elementary School Vanalden Elementary School Bay Laurel Elementary School (Closed Week 1) 7:00 am—6:00 pm, M-F $170 week (10% sibling discount available)
Kids entering grades K-5 West Valley Family YMCA 8:00 am-6:00 pm, M-F $155 week (10% sibling discount available)
Week
Theme
Highlight
GOOD TIMES SUMMER DAY CAMP—REVAMPED! JUNE 8 - AUGUST 14, 2015 Let the GOOD TIMES roll! Welcome to the new & improved Good Times programs. Returning families, you may have known this program as Teen Camp. Well, for 2015, we not only have a new name, but a new & improved program. Weekly field trips, excursions, visitors & swimming await. Come & discover who you are by developing new skills & making new friends.
Week 1
Ignite Your Summer
Summer Kick Off
Week 2
Hear Me Roar
Special Guest
Week 3
Let’s Get Physical
Fitness Obstacle Course
Week 4
Passport Around the World
Special Guest
Grades: Locations:
Week 5
Holiday Hulabaloo!
Dress up days
Week 6
H2 Whoa!
Water play ALL week!
Week 7
Strut Your Stuff
Talent Show
Week 8
Artful Antics
Tie Dying
Week 9
Pay it Forward
Special Guest
Week 10
Aloha to Summer
Hawaiian Luau
Kids entering grades 6-9 Woodlake Elementary School Pomelo Elementary School Vanalden Elementary School Hours/Days: 7:00 am—6:00 pm, M-F Fees: $195 week (10% sibling discount available) * This program is NOT available at Bay Laurel Elementary School SPECIALTY & SPORTS CAMPS—NEW! EVERY WEEK IN JULY 2015 Week 5: July 6 -10 Superhero Science Camp Week 6: July 13-17 Sports & More Camp Week 7: July 20-24 LEGO® Engineering Camp Week 8: July 27-31 LEGO® Star Wars / Jedi Camp Grades: Kids entering grades 1st—6th Locations: Lemay Street Elementary School Hours/Days: 7:00 am—6:00 pm, M-F Fees: Varies, based on camp See more information on page 6
GOOD TIMES DAY CAMP HIGHLIGHTS Good Times Camp themes & highlights are available at the Welcome Center & via our website. Please visit us at the branch or online to view their scheduled activities & field trips for the summer.
Please note that all field trips, vendors & visitors are subject to change and/or are subject to cancellation by the YMCA, without notice, for all day camps at licensed child care, day camp at the Y, Good Times & Pre-K camp programs.
5
A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA Specialty & Sports Camps for children entering 1st—6th grade
LEGO® ENGINEERING CAMPS WITH PLAY-WELL TEKNOLOGIES Join us for a fun-filled week or two at LEGO® Camp! LEGO® Camp is one of the most popular camp programs throughout Southern California. Learn the fundamentals of engineering, while having fun! Our LEGO® camps include 3 hours daily of guided instruction from Play-Well TEKnologies, in addition to other fun activities provided by the YMCA. Please sign up based on your child’s grade group: Group 1: Kids entering grades 1st & 2nd Group 2: Kids entering grades 3rd—6th Camp Fees: $215 per session. Session is M-F, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Camp Location: Lemay Street Elementary School LEGO® ENGINEERING CAMPS—SESSION 1 JULY 20-JULY 24 (WEEK 7) Grades 1st & 2nd: Join our LEGO® Pre-Engineering camp & let your imagination run wild with over 100,000 pieces of LEGO®! Build engineer-designed projects such as boats, bridges, mazes & motorized cars, & use special pieces to create your own unique design! Explore the endless creative possibilities of the LEGO® building system with the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instructor. This is an ideal way to prepare young builders for the challenge of Engineering Fundamentals. Grades 3rd—6th: Join our Engineering Fundamental camp & power up your engineering skills with Play-Well TEKnologies & over 100,000 pieces of LEGO®! Apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, & architecture through engineer-designed projects such as arch bridges, skyscrapers, motorized cars, & the Battle track. Design & build as never before, & explore your craziest ideas in a supportive environment. An experienced instructor will challenge new & returning students to engineer at the next level. LEGO® STAR WARS / JEDI CAMP—SESSION 2 JULY 27—JULY 31 (WEEK 8) Grades 1st & 2nd: Young Jedi will explore worlds far, far away & engineering principles right in front of them. Defeat the Empire by designing & refining X-Wings, R2-units, & settlements on far-flung edges of the galaxy. Imagination & engineering combine to create motorized & architectural projects such as energy catapults, shield generators & defense turrets. A new offering of original designs for young Jedi from Play-Well TEKnologies. Grades 3rd—6th: The Force is strong in this class. Build complex machines & structures based on the best designs from a galaxy far, far away. Projects include X-Wings, AT-AT walkers, Pod Racers, Star Destroyers, Cloud Cities, settlements, & fortresses. Play-Well’s Jedi instructors reinforce key engineering concepts such as gear trains, worm drives, pneumatics, eccentric motion & more as students tap into the powerful forces of imagination & engineering. Typical Daily Schedule 7 AM – 9 AM: Extended Care Activities 9 AM – 12 PM: Guided LEGO® Class by Play-Well Teknologies** 12 PM – 1 PM: Lunch 1 PM – 4 PM: Traditional Day Camp Activities* 4 PM – 6 PM: Extended Care Activities
SCIENCE CAMP WITH DESTINATION SCIENCE Introducing, Destination Science Camp! Our science camp is full of science explorations & experiments. Come out & experience hands-on STEM activities as well as traditional day camp activities. Kids entering grades 1st—6th Camp Fees: $215 per session Session is M-F, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Camp Location: Lemay Elementary School AMAZING SUPERHERO SCIENCE JULY 6—JULY 10 (WEEK 5) Build your own Super Hero mobile & unmask the science behind super gadgets. Become a caped crusader as you build your own electronic Super Racer Mobile & get ready for race day. Put your super senses to the test as you discover the truth behind spy ears, iron power, & flash lightning speed. Come face to face with super insects. Get your own cape, electron light arm band & mask & find the hero in YOU! Typical Daily Schedule 7 AM – 9 AM: Extended Care Activities 9 AM – 12 PM: Guided Science Class by Destination Science Inc. 12 PM – 1 PM: Lunch 1 PM – 4 PM: Traditional Day Camp Activities* 4 PM – 6 PM: Extended Care Activities * Arts & Crafts, Sports & Games, Skill Building, Fitness
SPORTS CAMP Do you have a child who loves to be active? Join us for Sports & More Camp. Children will have an opportunity to experience a variety of sports & games & engage in traditional day camp activities as well. Kids entering grades 1st—6th Camp Fees: $185 per session Session is M-F, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Camp Location: Lemay Elementary School SPORTS & MORE CAMP JULY 13-JULY 17 (WEEK 6) From basketball to kickball, water games and running games, relays and fitness, softball and broom ball. Come out and have a “ball” with tons of indoor and outdoor sports and games and a mix of traditional day camp activities and experiences. Typical Daily Schedule 7 AM – 9 AM: Extended Care Activities 9 AM – 12 PM: SPORTS: Instruction by YMCA Enrichment Staff 12 PM – 1 PM: Lunch 1 PM – 4 PM: MORE: Traditional Day Camp Activities* 4 PM – 6 PM: Extended Care Activities * Arts & Crafts, Sports & Games, Skill Building, Fitness
* Arts & Crafts, Sports & Games, Skill Building, Fitness ** 3 hours of instruction daily from Play-Well. Grades 1st-2nd from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm & grades 3rd-6th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
6
GET AN EARLY START ON CAMP Half-Day Summer Day Camp Program for children 3 & 4 years-old
PRE-K CAMP
PRE-K HALF-DAY THEMES & HIGHLIGHTS
PRE-K HALF-DAY SUMMER DAY CAMP JUNE 8 - AUGUST 14, 2015 Summer just wouldn’t be the same without the excitement & energy of a pre-k camp! Your little ones will enjoy our organized camp including music, water play, story time, group games, arts & crafts, mad science & visits from special guests! At the YMCA your child will make new friends, participate in activities that encourage our core values & explore their creativity! Ages: Locations: Hours/Days: Fees:
3 & 4 years West Valley Family YMCA Branch 9:00 am-12:00 pm, M-TH $100 per session
Week
Theme
Highlight
Week 1
A Campin’ We Will Go
Making Smores’
Week 2
Barnyard Bonanza
Special Guest
Week 3
Pirates & Princesses
Build a pirate ship
Week 4
Party in the USA
4th of July Party!
Week 5
Disneymania
Dress Up Days
Week 6
Under the Sea
Water play ALL week!
Week 7
Y’s Got Talent
Talent Show
Week 8
ArtRageous
Create splatter portraits
Week 9
Ooey, Gooey & Slimey Too
Special Guest
Week 10
Dino Stomp
Find dinosaur “fossils”
A FEW THINGS FOR ALL DAY CAMP FAMILIES TO KEEP IN MIND:
Children must be at least 3-years-old and fully potty trained by May 1, 2015 to attend Pre-K Camp. Pre-K Camp is only open Monday—Thursday and is closed Friday.
All camp locations will be OPEN on Friday, July 3, 2015. except for Pre-K at the Y.
At the Y, we believe that day camp is a week long, summer long experience. All camps run 5 days a week, with the exception of our Pre-K Camp at the Y. Unfortunately, we do not offer partial week day camp for any of our camps. You can, however, select whichever camp weeks you desire (camp weeks do not have to be consecutive as long as there is availability). We do not prorate for late registration. We do not offer drop-in service for summer day camp.
When you sing-up for day camp, you are required to pay the $50 registration fee for each child in the form of cash or credit. After paying the registration fee, you may register your child for camp weeks using one of the following options: (1) pay for your camp weeks upfront and in advance using cash or credit (2) reserve your camp weeks and walk-in your payment to the branch by the due dates (one week in advance of each week) using cash or credit (3) reserve your camp weeks and set-up an auto-draft deduction from your checking/savings or credit card account to deduct for the week on each due date (one week in advance of each week) or (4) pay week-by-week without a reservation (space is not guaranteed).
Children who do not reach the YMCA’s height requirements for our swimming pool will not participate in swimming but will play in our YMCA Splash Zone area instead.
Before signing up for camp, know your school district schedule: Los Angeles Unified School District: Monday, June 8 - Friday, August 14 Las Virgenes Unified School District: Monday, June 15 - Friday, August 14 7
YOU KNOW THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THE Y! We are here to foster their curiosity. To encourage them to expand their comfort zones in what they do, who they know and what they believe. And discover what they are passionate about. The Y. Grow, Learn, Thrive.
DAY CAMP PREVIEW Saturday, May 9th, 10am-12pm Free event for the community
Join us at the West Valley Family YMCA for Day Camp Preview Day! Come out with the entire family and experience just a taste of what our day camps at the Y and day camps at licensed child care have to offer. Experience some hands-on STEM activities, engage in games and dabble in some fun arts and crafts! Meet some of our camp staff and camp leadership. This is a free event for the community, so bring a friend! Fun for adults and kids.
HERE FOR YOU Important Parent Information
REQUIRED SWIM TESTING FOR CAMPERS The YMCA classified children as “swimmers” or “non-swimmers” for our summer day camp programs. The YMCA will no longer provide swim testing during summer day camp. All swim testing will be conducted prior to the start of camp. We will also offer one additional swim testing date mid-summer. Parents will need to bring their children to the YMCA during one of our swim testing dates to have their children tested for the deep end. Swim testing is only required if you would like for your child to swim in the deep end of the pool. The YMCA defines “deep end” as the level of water in the pool that, once your child has their feet planted on the bottom of the pool, reaches above your child’s armpits. The “deep end” is based upon the height of a child & not necessary defined by the depth of the swimming pool. In order for a child to swim in water that rises above their armpits, they must be swim tested. If you prefer for your child to remain in the “shallow end” a swim test is not required. The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles defines swim testing as follows: Children are to be tested by the Lifeguard as to ability before attending an aquatics venue for the summer. A child classified as a swimmer must be able to swim a distance of 75 feet without touching the bottom or side of a pool & tread water for one (1) minute. If a child is not tested, they are to be classified as a non-swimmer; if child is classified as non-swimmer, swim test is not needed. The results of the swim test must be recorded on the “Swim Test Results Form”. The site supervisor must have this form on every child listed as a swimmer while at an aquatic venue. The swim test results will be given to each camp director so that they are aware of who is classified as a swimmer. All other children not on the list will be classified, by default, as non-swimmer. SWIM TEST DATES & LOCATION Location: WEST VALLEY FAMILY YMCA POOL Check in with Swim Test Lifeguard 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm May 23 & May 30 June 6, 13 & 27 All families with campers that they wish to swim in the deep end of the pool must complete a swim test on one of the above dates & times. West Valley Family YMCA will no longer swim test campers during camp or outside of the dates & times listed above. There is no appointment necessary; please show up with your child dressed in swim attire during one of the date & time windows. Let an Aquatic staff know you are here for summer swim testing. Please expect up to a 60 minute wait as children will be tested in the order that they arrive. Please be sure that the lifeguard completes a swim test result form at the conclusion of the test. Parent / Guardian is required to sign the swim test result form. The swim test result form is then given to your Site / Camp Director to keep on file during the summer. Children must be tested annually. Swim lesson levels or a previous passing swim test will not exclude a child from completing a new test for the 2015 summer season.
PAYMENT DUE DATES & IMPORTANT REMINDERS
If you have reserved a week of day camp, payment is due by the due date. You can walk-in your payment or we can charge or debit your account. We accept walk-in registration after the due date if spaces are available. We do not prorate. Remember, if your child is a first time camper, we do have a mandatory 48 hour waiting period once the registration paperwork has been received. We do not prorate for the waiting period. Families are highly recommended to register in advance to avoid wait periods required for first-time campers. We only accept cash or credit for day camp (we apologize, but no checks). There is a $25 refund fee for all approved refunds. This fee will be deducted from the funds being refunded. The $25 fee is per child and per week. If you are requested a refund for several weeks, you will be assessed a $25 refund fee deduction for each week that is approved. Remember, the refund request is a request and completing the form and submitting it does not guarantee a refund. The payment due date deadline is also the deadline to request a refund for each week. If you are requesting a refund for a week of camp and it is after the payment due date for that week, that refund will not approved under any circumstances.
Camp Week
Dates
Payment Due Date
Week 1 (Bay Laurel Closed) Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10
June 8 – June 12 June 15 – June 19 June 22 – June 26 June 29 – July 3 July 6 – July 10 July 13 – July 17 July 20 – July 24 July 27 – August 31 August 3 – August 7 August 10 – August 14
June 1 June 8 June 15 June 22 June 29 July 6 July 13 July 20 July 27 August 3
10
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Day Camp Information
What is the difference between day camp at licensed child care & day camp at the Y? Day camp at licensed child care is day camp programming that takes place at one of our 4 licensed child care centers, located at elementary schools throughout the community. These programs not only offer a great summer day camp experience, but also provide year-round before & after school child care & day camp during fall, spring & winter. Day camp at the Y is new! It is a traditional day camp program offered during the summer only. The camp offers the convenience of being inside of our branch. Day camp at the Y is a little cheaper than day camp at licensed child care. Day camp at the Y does not travel & instead has on-site enrichment, on-site visitors & on-site vendors. Day camp at licensed child care includes field trips (via bus). Do you have online registration for camp? Unfortunately, we do not have online registration at this time. As of now, you can enroll at the Welcome Center here at the branch. At the branch, you can enroll for all day camp programs (day camp at licensed child care, day camp at the Y, sports & specialty camps & Pre-K half-day camp). You are able to log onto your account online & pay balances after initial enrollment. Are the registration packets available online Yes, registration packets will be available online beginning April 1. Please note that our day camps at licensed child care & our day camps at the Y / sports & specialty camps, have a separate registration packet. We also have a supplemental packet for parents who are enrolling their children into both day camp at licensed child care & day camp at the Y / specialty camp. Tell me a little bit more about your refund policy. Parents may request a refund for a camp week or camp weeks using the refund request form. The refund request form is exactly what it states, a request. Completion of the refund request form does not guarantee a refund. Each camp week has a payment due date. The payment due date is also the deadline for a refund request for each particular camp week. For example, the final payment for Week 1 is due June 1. June 1 is also the deadline to request a refund for Week 1, if you paid in advance. There is a $25 refund request fee. $25 will be assessed per child and per camp week. The $25 will be deducted from the overall funds being refunded. Why aren't the younger campers allowed to swim in the swimming pool during summer camp? Due to the height requirements & ages of our campers in our day camp programs, we are unable to provide them with recreational swim time in our pools The YMCA requires campers to meet certain height requirements for recreational swimming (See swim testing information on page 8). As a fun alternative, our campers can enjoy water play in our Splash Zone in the arena, with water stations, inflatable water slides & more! Do you offer a multi-child discount? We sure do! After enrolling your first child, each additional child in that camp week will receive approximately 10% off for each week of camp when enrolled in the same camp week as the first child. The discount for additional children is only for children in the same family & household & must be facility or program members on the same account. Families may only apply one discount for summer day camp. Discounts cannot be combined (for example, you cannot use financial assistance & sibling discounts). Does my child have to attend every week? Nope! You can attend any weeks that you sign up for; they do not need to be consecutive. Does the YMCA provide lunch & daily snack at day camp? Children in all day camps need to bring their own sack lunch each day. Sack lunch should be healthy. Parents should try to avoid packing the 4 C’s: Cookies, Candy, Chips & cake. Additionally, parents should avoid packing soda pop. Day camp at licensed child care provides a morning & afternoon snack. Children in day camp at the Y (including our Pre -K half-day camp) are not provided a morning snack. For our day camp at the Y, we will provide an afternoon snack however parents will need to send a lunch daily. When will the full camp calendar / schedule / curriculum be ready? We anticipate early May 2015. Once ready, calendars / schedule / curriculum will be posted online for download & will be available weekly at the day camp locations. In the meantime, each camp has a Highlight Reel for the summer, available online & at the branch. Please pick up a highlight reel today! I would like to see a list of field trips & the typical daily schedule. Where can I find this? Pick-up a highlight reel from the welcome center at the branch or download from our website. The highlight reel will show you the field trips, vendors, visitors or enrichment for the week, as well as a breakdown of a typical days schedule. Am I allowed to send extra spending money to camp with my child? Most day–to-day expenses are covered by the Y through your camp fees. Occasionally, we will attend a field trip or venue where extra spending money would be optional. If this in the case, your camp director will inform you via signs & notes left at the parent information table at your day camp site. How are the children grouped? Our ratio for day camp at summer child care meets California Community Care Licensing standards of 1 adult for every 14 children. Our ratio for day camp at the Y is 1 adult for every 10 children. Our ratio for Pre-K half-day camp at the Y is 1 adult for everyone 8 Children. Children are typically grouped with one staff member for the entire week or season (if feasible) based on their age group. The Y does provide some limited time during the week for mixed-age play as a part of the YMCA of the USA’s research study on supervised mixed-age free play. I only need to send my child to camp for a few days a week. Do you prorate? We believe that a true camp experience is a week-long experience. Unfortunately, we cannot prorate fees because we pay our vendors & assign staff for the week. More FAQ continued on page 10
11
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Day Camp Information
Tell me a little bit more about the staff. Will the staff consists of teenagers & college students? The YMCA prides itself on finding the best staff possible. Our staff team members are trained in CPR & First Aid & are required to attend a 20 hour Day Camp orientation. Most of our staff possesses college coursework in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Sociology, Recreation, Physical Education & Nutrition (this is required, not optional, for all staff at our day camps at licensed child care locations). Staff are also required to attend Child Abuse Prevention training & Positive Discipline training. Staff must also be 18 years or older at the time of employment. Do I have to pay a registration fee for each day camp my child attends? No. You are only required to pay one $50 registration fee per child, which covers all our summer day camp programs. You are covered if you transfer from one camp to another. Why does the Y charge a $50 registration fee per participant? The registration fee covers a number of administrative items for day camp, in addition to the purchase of day camp t-shirts. Our administrative costs include office services, marketing & mailings (such as this Program Guide), communication & overhead. Why is the price of specialty camp higher than day camp, even though they do not have any field trips, visitors or guest vendors? Our specialty camps are just that...special! Our specialty camps are a little higher in price because most of them are run in partnership between the YMCA and an outside company that provides specialized instructors and materials. We do not offer field trips, etc., for a number of reasons: it would require us to raise the price to pay for buses, bus drivers, gas and admission tickets/vendor fees and because most of the specialized instruction is happening in the middle of the day. We believe the level of instruction and engagement in our specialty camps is well worth the investment. How do I apply for financial assistance? Summer Camp financial assistance applications are available for submission. You may download & print our financial assistance application from our website, or pick one up at the Welcome Center. Make sure you get your applications in early so that you can have your award before Camp registration begins. Please note, if you are applying for financial assistance, you cannot register until after your application has been processed & approved. If you register before you receive an award, the registrar cannot go back & adjust your camp rate. I heard the buses do not have seatbelts. Is this right? Yes, that is correct. Don’t worry, according to the National Safety Council in 1996, school buses are 172 times safer than your family automobile. The camp that I have signed up for is already full. Do you have waitlists? Yes, we have waitlists, but they are not first come, first serve. The welcome center can add you to the waitlist. When a space opens up, an email is sent to ALL families on the waitlist. The first family to come into the branch & register for the space will receive it. We do not make phone calls to waitlist families, so please make sure your email is in the system. Will sunscreen be applied to my child throughout the day? We rely on our parents to apply sunscreen to their child before bringing them to camp & also providing them with a personal supply of sunscreen (preferably a spray can for easy application). For the safety of our staff, we do not apply sunscreen directly onto children, but provide opportunities for children to apply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours or before a lengthy outdoor activity. The YMCA staff will assist younger children & teach them how to apply their sunscreen. The Y day camp locations have very limited amounts of sunscreen on site, so do not forget to send your child with sunscreen each day. If you do not want sunscreen applied to your children or would like a special type of sunscreen, please indicate so on the sunscreen notice inside the registration packet. If your child burns easily, he or she may need to bring some additional protective gear like a hat, t-shirt or rash guard that he or she can wear while participating in outdoor activities. How much instruction will my child receive in his/her specialty camp? For sports camps, please remember, you are signing up your child to attend a sports camp, not a sports clinic. Our specialty camps are designed to teach self-esteem, leadership, teamwork & character values. They will execute drills, learn new techniques, play games & practice the sport. Always remember, if your child would like more intensive instruction, please sign-up for a Youth Sports program. For other specialty camps, please know that instruction is mixed with both specialty instruction & activities you find in a traditional day camp, often times not related to the specialty. This happens at a 50/50 ratio (50% specialty, 50% traditional camp activities). This is not an exhausted list of questions, policies, procedures and guidelines. For more information, frequently asked questions, & a full list of guidelines, policies & procedures, please see our 2015 Day Camp Parent Handbook.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Become a volunteer at our day camp at the Y! You must be a minimum of 18 years old. Some experience & college classes related to working with children are helpful, but not required. You can pick-up a volunteer application at the Welcome Center. For more information on how to volunteer in our day camp at the Y, please contact Samantha Bloomer at SamanthaBloomer@ymcala.org. If you are interested in volunteering for our summer resident camp, please contact Casey West-Banks at CaseyWestBanks@ymcala.org.
We have many summer job opportunities. You must be a minimum of 18 years old & be a high school graduate & enjoy working with children. For day camp at the Y, candidates are required to have prior experience working with children & college courses related to child development, youth development or recreation is preferred. For day camp at licensed child care, a minimum of 12 units in Child Development or Early Childhood Education is required for Camp Counselors & experience is required for Water Counselors. Interesting in applying? Pick-up a job application at the West Valley Family YMCA Welcome Center.
12
SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST Summer Resident Camp
YMCA Camp Whittle – July 5th – 11th 2015 Where fun & friends meet. Summer is a time of freedom, friends & fun! Our Summer Camp programs are designed to provide kids with great experiences & memories that will last a lifetime. Led by trained, nurturing members of our team, your camper will swim, hike, bike, laugh, play, sing &, most importantly, enjoy an unplugged week of nature & fun while staying at YMCA Camp Whittle. Working from a foundation that focuses on building social skills, cabin counselors are carefully selected & trained to support your camper’s journey. “This is the second year my son has been away to camp. The first time, we were all a little nervous, but he had such fun he didn’t want to come home. This year he met old friends, made new ones & had an even better time, if that’s possible!” The Y summer camp experience is special because we provide:
A caring environment for all children
Adult role models. Our camp directors, camp counselors & staff model positive, responsible behavior
Positive peer interaction. Campers interact responsibly in safe, well-supervised settings Creative activities, such as music, art & drama as well as being in the great outdoors Self-esteem. Our staff & activities make campers feel successful & good about themselves
RALLY NIGHT!
As we believe all children deserve a chance to experience Summer Camp, limited financial assistance scholarships are also available.
June 24th! 6:30 pm—7:40 pm West Valley Family YMCA
Check out all the Summer Camps & activities we offer, & if you have any questions, just give us a call. For more info about the West Valley Family YMCA’s resident camp week at YMCA Camp Whittle July 5 – 11, 2015, please contact Casey West-Banks at CaseyWestBanks@ymcala.org or call him at 818 763 5126.
Grades Entering Grades 3-7 Entering Grades 8-9 Entering Grades 10-12 Entering Grades 8-9 Entering Grades 8-9
Program / Options With West Valley Family YMCA High Adventure / Outdoor Program w/equipment & supply fee Leadership in Training Program w/ equipment & supply fee Waterfront w/ equipment & supply fee Regular Jr. High Camp fee
13
Fees $440 $440 + $50 = $490 $440 + $50 = $490 $440 + $100 = $540 $440
11 am - 2 pm
APRIL 25
WEST VALLEY FAMILY YMCA www.ymcala.org/wv KICK THE CAN! SODA FREE SUMMER! Y Day Camp programs will be participating in “Soda Free Summer initiative”. Every week we will do an activity to educate campers about the importance of health, exercise & reducing the consumption of high sugar foods & drinks. As a Y camp, we have made a pledge to not consume soda & to reduce the consumption of other high sweetened beverages & snacks. Make the pledge & join us!
1. Bay Laurel Elementary School (Facility #191231094) 2. Pomelo Elementary School (Facility #197408524) 3. Woodlake Elementary School (Facility #191200082) 4. Vanalden Elementary School (Facility #191226194) 5. West Valley Family YMCA 6. Lemay Elementary School
WEST VALLEY FAMILY YMCA 18810 Vanowen Street, Reseda, CA 91335 P 818 774 2840 F 818 776 0153 www.ymcaLA.org/wv