2012 Summer Camp Parent Handbook

YMCA of Oakville

2012

Summer Camps Parent Handbook “My Kids had the best summer experience ever!!”

Summer Camp the YMCA Way Welcome, thank you for choosing YMCA summer day camps!

Our value based programs help children and youth grow into healthy, responsible and caring adults. Our camps provide: • a wide variety of age appropriate activities • fun and adventure based programming • the opportunity to develop new skills • activities that enhance personal growth and build confidence • a safe environment for children to make new friends This information package will help you prepare your child for a positive camp experience and will provide you with all the information you need to feel comfortable with your choice!

General Information

A typical day at camp is from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., and for your convenience we offer extended hours. (Please check our website at www.ymcaofoakvillecamp.com for locations) Our extended hours are from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. in the morning and again in the afternoon from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Activities will be planned and a snack will be provided. Please note- if you signed up for extended hours at Bronte Provincial Park or Palermo Public School, the extended hours are from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. and again from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

All of our programs begin with a camp wide “opening circle” where our enthusiastic camp counsellors will lead the children through a series of camp songs, games and activities. They will also provide daily updates and reminders. For the remainder of the day, your child will circulate through a variety of activities with their counsellor specific to the program you have signed up for. Some camp activities may include; group games and sports, creative arts, outdoor exploration, recreational swimming and theme days.

To ensure a positive experience for children, children up to the age of 11 years old are placed in groups which have a maximum of 10 participants, and are placed with others who are in the same age group. Our older participants are placed in groups which have a maximum of 12 participants. Each group starts their week with a variety of “get to know you” activities and work as a team to plan portions of their weekly schedules.

Check out our camp website throughout the summer at www. ymcaofoakvillecamp.com for camp specific weekly newsletters and schedules!

Communication

At the YMCA, we know that effective communication is necessary to ensure that both you and your child have a positive camp experience. We will use the following methods to ensure effective communication: Phone & Email Communication - If you have any questions, please refer to the contact information below. If it is an emergency, please contact us directly at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA at 905-845-3417 “Camp Connect “ Website – This interactive website will keep you connected all season long! Visit our website at www. ymcaofoakvillecamp.com and get general camp information, weekly camp specific newsletters, and weekly program schedules & updates. Participate in our camp blog, see photos of our programming and find out more about our family events!

Pre-Camp Phone Calls- You can expect a pre-camp phone call from your child’s camp counsellor before your camp week starts. This is the perfect opportunity verify the details of your child’s registration

(including contact numbers), share any important information about your child and give your child the opportunity to speak directly with his/her counsellor!

Parent Information Nights – Every Monday evening from 6:00 p.m.6:30 p.m., we host a parent information night at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA (410 Rebecca Street) Come by, meet the Team Leader from your child’s camp, find out more about the program and meet other families!

Family Events – Check out our website at www.ymcaofoakvillecamp.com to get your full list of fun and free family events throughout the summer Parent Survey – Each year, we strive to improve our programs and we rely on your feedback! Please ensure we have your e-mail address and you will receive a parent satisfaction survey once your child has completed his/her camp experience. This valuable feedback allows us to put plans in place for improvement every year.

Contact Information

YMCA of Oakville – Customer Service 905-845-3417 customerservice@ymcaofoakville.com Supervisor, Summer Camp & Community Programs Ashley Laing, 905-845-5597, ext. 234 ashleyla@oakville.ymca.ca Vice President, Childcare, Community Programs and Outreach Lisa Rankin, 905-845-5597, ext. 302 lisara@oakville.ymca.ca www.ymcaofoakvillecamp.com

Camp Locations

Peter Gilgan Family YMCA 410 Rebecca Street, Oakville, ON L6K 1K7 905-845-5597, ext. 305 ymcacamp@oakville.ymca.ca Bronte Creek Provincial Park 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville, ON 905-845-5597, ext. 300 brontecamp@oakville.ymca.ca Valens Conservation Area 1691 Regional Road 97 (R.R #6), Flamborough, ON 905-845-5597, ext. 306 valenscamp@oakville.ymca.ca Palermo Public School 2561 Valleyridge Drive, Oakville, ON 905-845-5597, ext. 308 palermocamp@oakville.ymca.ca

Preparing your Child for Camp

For many children, going to summer day camp is the first time they will take a bus or meet a new group of children outside of their school environment. In order to prepare your child for a positive experience follow these tips: 1. Talk about the camp program and about some of the activities your child will be involved in 2. Visit the camp location ahead of time 3. If your child is taking the bus, visit the bus stop, drive the bus route and point out familiar landmarks along the way 4. Talk about the routine of the day, and get your child involved in packing their knapsack 5. Provide an opportunity for your child to talk to his/her camp counsellor during the pre-camp phone call (you will receive this by the Sunday before your session starts) 6. Check out our camp website at www.ymcaofoakvillecamp.com, and look at photos of camp programming with your child

What to Bring

Day Programs In order to prepare for a busy camp day, please send your child with the following: • Running shoes (sandals, crocs and open toed shoes are not recommended) • A lunch and snacks (use an insulated lunch bag to keep food fresh!)

• Water (in a reusable container) • Sunscreen • Hat • Swim suit and a towel • Appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather Overnights for Outdoor Pursuits Sr., LIT and CIT If you have signed up for Outdoor Pursuits Sr., LIT or CIT at Valens Conservation Area, your child will have the opportunity to participate in an overnight experience. This unique program is specifically for our older campers and introduces them to things like setting up and sleeping in a tent, camp fire building & cooking, evening swimming & canoeing, and night hikes & star gazing. Each overnight includes dinner and snacks and a breakfast and lunch the following day. To ensure your child has a positive experience please send the following; 1. tooth brush & toothpaste 2. sleeping bag 3. toiletries 4. warm clothes (sweater, warm pants, hat) 5. extra clothes for the following day 6. additional snacks 7. insect repellent 8. flashlight (Optional)

Lost and Found

To avoid lost items, please clearly label your child’s belongings and avoid sending anything that is not necessary. Lost items found by staff will be kept on-site for parent pick up or sent home on the bus with your child (if he/she is still involved in the program). On the last day of camp, all unclaimed items will be dropped off at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA. Please note – items will be kept at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA until Friday September 6, 2012. After this, all items will be donated to charity.

The YMCA is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Please avoid sending anything of value to camp (ie. ipods, cell phones, gaming systems, cameras etc.) Campers will not be permitted to use these items during camp and will be asked to keep them in their knapsack.

Please do not send money with your child.

Snacks and Lunches

At YMCA summer day camps we strive to be environmentally sensitive and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Please send your child with litterless, nutritious snacks and lunches every day, with plenty of water. Please note - there are children in our programs who have life threatening allergies to nuts and nut products. For this reason, we respectfully ask that you provide lunches and snacks that are nut-free.

Some alternatives for peanut butter sandwiches are: • soya butter • hummus • honey and fruit spreads • cheese • fruit and vegetables • “make your own” lunchables • pasta salad • leftovers!

Tips for a litterless lunch: • purchase a reusable drink container and fill each day with water or 100% fruit juice • avoid single-serve snack items in disposable packaging. Use reusable containers for snacks • use an insulated lunch bag to preserve freshness.

Busing

Riding a school bus is a brand new experience for some children and an old favourite for others! Our summer camp program begins on the bus, and our staff will lead the children through activities, songs and games during the ride.

We recognize the importance of ensuring your child’s safety on and around our buses. Each bus will have a designated bus marshal who will ensure proper attendance is taken and that the children are safe.

This person will also be your connection to the camp program and will be available to greet you and answer questions daily. That being said, this can be a very busy time, as our marshals need to ensure that all campers are accounted for at pick up and departure. We ask that you stay with your child until they are in our supervision. It is extremely important that you do not pick up your child without informing the bus marshal.

Bus Times Please note that our morning departures are strictly adhered to. However, evening arrival times may vary due to traffic and other unanticipated delays. Please check our website at www.ymcaofoakvillecamp.com for the most up to date bus schedule.

What if you are late to pick up your child?

It is very important that we adhere to the published route times, so we ask that families plan ahead to ensure they are on time for pick up. In the event a parent arrives more than 10 minutes late at a bus stop, the bus will proceed to the next stop. At the end of the route, the bus will transport your child back to the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA (410 Rebecca Street) and parents will need to pick up there. A late fee of $15.00 will be charged for every 15 minutes from the time the bus left the bus stop and is paid directly to the bus marshal at the time of pick up.

What if you miss your bus in the morning?

In the event that you miss your bus in the morning you have two options: 1. drive to the next stop on the route to catch the bus there.

2. drop off your child(ren) directly to the camp site. You can drop off as early as 8:00am at Bronte Provincial Park or 9:15am at Valens Conservation Area.

Camper Pick Up and Drop Off Procedures

The individuals indicated on your registration form are the only people authorized to pick up your child unless you communicate in writing otherwise. Please note – photo identification will be required at pick-up on the first day of camp, and will be required each time a new person picks up your child.

What if you want your child to walk home from the bus stop or camp program?

Children must be at least 12 years of age by the first day of the camp program in order to walk home from the bus stop or camp location.

In these cases, written permission from a parent/guardian must be provided stating that the child is allowed to walk home alone after the camp program is finished. We will not release any child without written consent from a parent. If no written consent is provided, and the child is not picked up from camp, your child will be taken to the closest camp care location to wait for pick up.

What if I want to pick up my child early from camp?

If you know in advance that you will be picking up your child early, please let the team leader know so that they are able to have your child ready for when you arrive. If it is a last minute pick-up, please stop by the site, and a staff member will locate your child and have them ready to go as soon as possible.

Reporting a Camper Absence

It is VERY important that we are notified of any absences. If your child will be absent from the camp program please call into camp before 8:15am to notify us. Please see below for the camp specific mailbox numbers: Peter Gilgan Family YMCA 905-845-5597, ext. 305 Bronte Creek Provincial Park 905-845-5597, ext. 300 Valens Conservation Area 905-845-5597, ext. 306 Palermo Public School 905-845-5597, ext. 308 Please indicate the date, your child’s name, the program they are registered in, and the counsellor’s name.

Cancellation Policy

We know plans change! For your convenience, you may cancel your camp program at anytime. We ask that requests for refunds be made in writing at least 2 weeks prior to the first day of your camp session. Requests to cancel programs should be sent to Ashley Laing at ashleyla@oakville.ymca.ca Requests for refunds received 2 weeks prior to the start of the camp session will receive a full refund less the $50.00 non-refundable deposit. A cheque will be mailed or your credit card will be refunded within 14 days, Exceptions will be made for medical reasons, for which a doctor’s note is required. Refunds will not be granted for inclement weather, or if a participant is sent home due to misconduct.

We want to ensure your child has the best camp experience ever!

For that reason, you can request a transfer from one program to another at anytime. If there is availability in the program you want, we will happily make the switch.

Medication Administration

If your child requires medication while attending our programs please let us know. Summer camp staff are only permitted to administer medication to a child when the parent/guardian has completely filled out and signed the “Medication Administration” form. This form can be found online at www.ymcaofoakvillecamp. com , can be picked up at the membership services desk at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA or can be picked up directly at the camp site.

We will only administer doctor prescribed medication and it must be in the original packaging with the child’s name, date, dosage and duration. Additionally, please indicate any special storage requirements (ie. refrigeration) and any common side effects. If you have any questions about medication administration, please contact Ashley Laing at (905) 845-5597 ext. 234 or by email at ashleyla@ oakville.ymca.ca

Hot/Inclement Weather Statement

In the event of a heat or smog advisory, camp programming will be modified to ensure the health and safety of your child(ren).

We will ensure the following practices: • we will stop for frequent water breaks and remind children to remain hydrated • we will remind children to wear their hats and re-apply sunscreen throughout the day • we will modify our programming and replace high energy programming with lower energy programming and water based activities Please send your child with the following: • a reusable water bottle and plenty of snacks and non-sugary drinks • a hat that provides appropriate protection from the sun • water-proof sunscreen (please apply sunscreen 30 minutes before the camp program and remind your child(ren) to reapply throughout the day

Camper Illness

Children with any type of communicable disease (including vomiting, diarrhea or fever) must be kept home from camp until symptoms have not been present for 24 hours. A doctor’s note may be required prior to the camper returning in some instances.

If a child comes to camp sick, or becomes sick while at camp, and is unable to participate in or be comfortable in normal activity, parents will be contacted to pick up their child. If the parent/guardian cannot be reached, emergency contacts will be notified.

Swimming

Swimming is a component of many of our summer camp programs. To ensure your child’s safety, all children will be supervised by qualified lifeguards. In accordance with YMCA lifeguarding standards, swim tests will take place before any child is permitted to swim in deep water. If you would like your child to wear a lifejacket, please let your child’s camp counsellor know.

Please note that there is no swimming for the ½ day Challengers program at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA or at Palermo Public School. Both of these programs do include water play, and Palermo has access to a multi-feature splash pad.

New swimming standards for 2012 As a result of new aquatic admission criteria, campers under the age of 6 will be required to swim with a lifejacket. The new standard states that campers under the age of 6 must be at arm’s reach of an adult at a ratio of 2:1 without a lifejacket, or at a ratio of 4:1 with a lifejacket.

We are unable to accommodate a ratio of 2:1 for all children under 6 within a camp environment so those under 6 years of age will be required to wear a lifejacket in the pool.

YMCA of Oakville Summer Camps 410 Rebecca Street, Oakville, ON L6K 1K7 905-845-3417 | info@oakvile.ymca.ca ymcaofoakville.com