YMCA of Oakville
2013
Summer Camps Family Handbook “When I said she would have to go all summer, she said it would be the best summer ever!!�
Welcome to YMCA Summer Camp A YMCA Summer Camp is a very special place!
As a provider of camps in Canada since the early 1900’s, YMCA summer day camps are deeply rooted in tradition. We are proud of our experience and commitment to offering children and youth opportunities to develop essential skills that help them to grow into healthy, responsible and caring adults. A YMCA summer camp offers your child: • • • • •
A wide variety of age appropriate activities Fun and adventure-based programming The opportunity to develop new skills Activities that promote personal growth and build confidence A safe and fun environment to increase social skills and make new friends
General Camp Information
A typical day at camp runs from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., with extended hours of 7:00-9:00 a.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m. All camp activities are preplanned and snacks are provided. Please note that on-site care at Bronte and Palermo is from 8:00-9:00 a.m. and 4:00-5:00 p.m. Your child’s day begins with a camp-wide "opening circle" that includes a series of camp songs, games and activities. Following circle, your child will circulate through a variety of activities with their program counsellor. Camp activities may include group games and sports, creative arts, outdoor exploration, recreational swimming and theme days. Daily updates and reminders to campers are also provided. To ensure a positive experience, children up to the age of 11 are placed with campers of similar ages in groups with a maximum of 10 participants. Older campers are placed in groups with a maximum of 12 participants and LIT and CIT are placed in groups with a maximum of 15 participants. Each group starts their week with a variety of “get to know you” activities and will practice working as a team. The LIT and CIT program will be responsible for planning portions of their program schedules. Check out our camp website at ymcaofoakville.com throughout the summer for daily updates, camp newsletters and schedules!
Camp Communication
We know that effective, ongoing communication is necessary to ensure that you and your child have a positive camp experience. Following are the methods we’ll use to communicate with you during camp: Pre-camp phone calls – Your child’s camp counsellor will call by the Friday before camp begins. This is the perfect opportunity to confirm your child’s registration details, share important information about your child and give your child the chance to speak directly with his/ her counsellor! Phone/email – If you have any questions, please refer to the contact information section on this page. In the event of an emergency, contact us directly at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA at 905-845-3417. Camp Connect website – This interactive website, at ymcaofoakvillecamp.com, will keep you connected all season long! Visit regularly for updates, participate in our camp blog, see camp photos and find out more about upcoming events!
Parent information nights – We will host a parent information night at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA every Monday from 6:00-6:30 p.m. Drop by, meet the Team Leader from your child’s camp, find out more about camp and meet other families! Family events – Visit our website for a full list of free and fun family events throughout the summer, including our Summer Camp Family BBQ and Ride for Strong Kids! Parent survey – Each year, we strive to improve our programs and we rely on your feedback! Please ensure we have your email address on file so that we can send you a parent satisfaction survey following the end of camp. Your valuable feedback will enable us to make necessary changes and improvements.
Contact Information
YMCA of Oakville – Customer Service 905-845-3417 customerservice@ymcaofoakville.com General Manager, Community Initiatives Mandy Joseph 905-845-5597 ext. 329, mandyjo@oakville.ymca.ca Website - ymcaofoakvillecamp.com
Camp Locations
Peter Gilgan Family YMCA 410 Rebecca Street, Oakville, ON 905-845-5597, ext. 305 or ymcacamp@oakville.ymca.ca Bronte Creek Provincial Park 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville, ON 905-845-5597, ext. 300 or brontecamp@oakville.ymca.ca Valens Conservation Area 1691 Regional Road 97 (R.R #6), Flamborough, ON 905-845-5597, ext. 306 or valenscamp@oakville.ymca.ca Palermo Public School 2561 Valleyridge Drive, Oakville, ON 905-845-5597, ext. 308 or palermocamp@oakville.ymca.ca
Preparing your Child for Camp
For many children, going to summer camp is the first time they will take a bus or meet new children outside of their school environment. To ensure your child has a positive experience, follow these tips: 1.
Talk about the camp program and some activities your child will be involved in.
2.
Visit the camp location together before camp begins.
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 ask your child to help pack their knapsack.
5.
Provide an opportunity for your child to talk to his/her camp counsellor during the pre-camp phone call.
6.
Check out our camp website at ymcaofoakvillecamp.com and look at photos of camp activities with your child.
What to Bring to Camp
Day Camp Programs Our camp days are busy! To ensure your child is prepared, please make sure the following items are packed: • • • • • • •
Running shoes (no sandals, Crocs or open-toed shoes) Lunch and snacks (an insulated lunch bag is best) Water (in a reusable container) Sunscreen Hat Swimsuit and a towel Weather appropriate clothing and footwear
Overnight Camp - Sr. Outdoor Pursuits/LITs and CITs This unique overnight program for your older camper includes setting up and sleeping in a tent, campfire building and cooking, evening swimming and canoeing and night hikes and stargazing. Each overnight includes dinner and snacks, plus breakfast and lunch the next day. To ensure your child is set, please ensure the following items are packed: • • • • • • • •
Toothbrush and toothpaste Sleeping bag Toiletries Warm clothes (sweater, warm pants, toque) Extra clothes for the following day Additional snacks Insect repellent Flashlight (optional)
Lost or Stolen Items
We will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items. To avoid lost items, clearly label your child’s belongings and avoid sending any unnecessary items. Lost items will be kept on-site for parent pick-up or sent home on the bus with your child. On the last day of camp, all unclaimed items will be given to a local charity. Please note: lost items will not be returned to the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA for pick up. Please also avoid sending anything of value (eg. iPods, cell phones, gaming systems, cameras, money etc.). Campers will not be permitted to use these items during camp and will be asked to keep them in their knapsack.
Snacks and Lunches
At the YMCA, we strive to be environmentally sensitive and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Please send your child with litterless, nutritional snacks and lunches every day plus plenty of water. As we have children in our programs with life-threatening allergies to nuts and nut products, we respectfully ask that you provide nut-free snacks and lunches. Some good alternatives for peanut butter sandwiches are: soya butter, hummus, honey and fruit spreads, cheese, fruits and vegetables, “make your own” lunchables, pasta salad or leftovers. Litter-less Lunch Tips • Purchase a reusable drink container and fill it up each day with water or 100% fruit juice • Avoid single-serve snack items in disposable packaging and use reusable containers instead • Use an insulated lunch bag to keep items fresh
Bus Transportation
Riding a school bus is a brand new experience for some children and an old favourite for others! Our camp day begins on the bus, with camp staff leading children through activities, songs and games on the way to their program. We understand the importance of ensuring your child’s safety, therefore 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. As camp days are very busy, our marshals will also ensure that 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 also extremely important that you do not pick up your child without informing the bus marshal. Bus Times Please note that our morning departure times are strictly adhered to. However, evening arrival times may vary due to traffic and other unanticipated delays. Please check our website for the most up to date bus schedule. What if you miss your bus in the morning? In the event that you miss the bus, you can drive to the next stop on the bus route, or drive your child directly to the camp site. Morning drop-off time begins at 8:00 a.m. at Bronte Provincial Park and 9:15 a.m. at Valens Conservation Area. What if you are late to pick up your child? It’s very important that we follow published route times, so we ask that you plan ahead to ensure you are on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late arriving, the bus will proceed to the next stop. At the end of the route, the bus will take your child back to the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA for pick-up by you. A late fee of $15.00 will be charged for every 15 minutes, starting from the time the bus leaves the bus stop, and will be paid directly to the bus marshal at the time of pick-up.
Camper Pick-up and Drop-Off Procedures
Only names of individuals indicated on your registration form are authorized to pick up your child, unless otherwise notified in writing. Photo identification is required at pick-up on the first day of camp and 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 camp in order to walk home from the bus stop or camp location. In these cases, you must provide written permission stating that your child is allowed to walk home alone after the camp program is finished. We will not release any child without written or verbal consent from a parent. If no written or verbal consent is received, your child will be waiting at the nearest camp care location 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 the camper ready for your arrival. If it is a last minute pick-up, please stop by the site, and ask a staff member to locate your child.
Camper Absences
It is VERY important that we are notified of any absences. If your child will be absent from the camp program, please call the camp location before 8:15 a.m. Be sure to include the date, your child’s name, the program they are registered in and the counsellor’s name. Following are the camp 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
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel your child’s camp program at any time, however we ask that requests for refunds be made in writing to the general manager of community initiatives. Requests for refunds received two weeks prior to the start of the camp session will receive a full refund less the $50.00 non-refundable deposit. All refund requests are considered on an individual basis by the general manager of community initiatives. Doctor’s notes will be required for cancellations due to medical reasons. Refunds are not granted for inclement weather. To obtain a sample cancellation form, or for information on your right to cancel a PAD Agreement, please contact your financial institution or visit cdnpay.ca.
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 ymcaofoakville.com, picked up at the membership services desk at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA or picked up directly at the camp site or bus stop. We will only administer doctor prescribed medication that features your child’s name, dosage and duration in the original packaging. Please also let us know if there are any special storage requirements (eg. refrigeration) as well as common side effects. If you have any questions about medication administration, please contact Mandy Joseph, general manager of community initiatives.
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 your child comes to camp sick, or becomes sick while at camp, and is unable to participate in normal activity, or if staff are unable to provide necessary care, you will be contacted to pick up your child. If we cannot reach you, the emergency contacts indicated on your registration form will be contacted.
Swimming
Swimming is part of many of our summer camp programs. To ensure your child’s safety, he/she 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 YMCA or the Challengers Program at Palermo Public School. However, both of these programs do include water play. As a result of the 2012 aquatics admission criteria, campers under the age of 6 will be required to swim with a lifejacket. The new standards state that campers under the age of 6 must within arms reach of an adult at a ratio of 2:1 without a lifejacket, or at a ratio of 4:1 with a lifejacket. Our YMCA camps cannot accommodate a ratio of 2:1 for all children, so if your child is under 6, he/she must wear a life jacket in our pool.
Camper Code of Conduct
At the YMCA, we are committed to providing all campers with a healthy, safe and secure environment. Children who attend our summer camp programs are expected to take responsibility for their own behavior and interact with others in a manner that supports our core values of respect, responsibility, inclusiveness, caring, health and honesty.
Hot/Inclement Weather Statement
If a camper demonstrates behaviour that puts themselves, other campers or staff at physical or emotional risk, immediate dismissal from the program will result. Any expenses incurred as a result of program dismissal will be the responsibility of the participant/ parent/guardian. Refunds will not be granted for program dismissal as a result of disciplinary action.
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The following behaviours are not acceptable and may result in the immediate suspension of a participant for the remainder of the current program day, week or possibly the entire summer.
In the event of a heat or smog advisory, camp programming will be modified to ensure the health and safety of your child as follows:
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We will take 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 replace high energy programming with lower energy programming and water-based activities
Please ensure your child has the following items at all times: • Reusable water bottle with water or sugar-free drinks • Plenty of snacks • Hat that provides appropriate protection from the sun • Waterproof sunscreen. Please apply 30 minutes before the start of camp and remind your child to re-apply throughout the day
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Endangering the health and safety of other participants, staff members or volunteers Stealing or damaging YMCA or personal property Leaving the program without permission Continual disruption of the camp program Refusing to follow behaviour guidelines or rules Using profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity Refusal to participate in activities or cooperate with staff Physical violence or bullying/teasing towards another camper, staff member or volunteer