2014 Parent Manual Table of Contents Camp ECHO & ECHO Extreme Schedules Staff Counselor Groups Goals for the Camp ECHO Day Camp Program Camp and Before & After Camp Registration Early Bird Registration Late Camp Registrations Photographs or Videos Multiple Session Reward Camp Newsletters Camp Surveys Office Hours Transfer Requests or Refunds Friend Requests IPRA Teen Camp Olympics Camp Orientation Special Event Activity Days Early Drop-Off Sign-In Sign-Out The First Day of the Session Camp Paperwork Emergency Cards Pick Up and Drop Off Procedures & Guidelines Before & After Camp Procedures & Guidelines Late Pick-Up Illness Absences Medication Special Needs ADA What to Wear Snack Lost & Found Text Messages Parking for Parents Field Trips Safety Swimming at the Cary Park District Pool Intruder Lockdown Procedures Weather Forecast Heat Index Zone Chart Severe Weather Procedures Camp Rules and Discipline Procedures Code of Conduct Behavior & Discipline Camp Rules Write Ups & Consequences What to Bring & What Not to Bring to Camp ECHO & ECHO Extreme 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 11 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 14 14 14 14-15 2 Cary Park District would like to welcome you to the 2014 Camp ECHO experience. The Camp ECHO Staff is ready and in full force for a fun and exciting summer. The following information will help answer any questions you may have regarding the program. Please read this manual thoroughly and keep it in a convenient location so you can reference it throughout the summer. Camp ECHO (Grades K-5) & ECHO Extreme (Grades 6-8) Camp Activities are from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area. Parents can drop off as early as 8:30 am and pick up as late as 3:30 pm Days M-F M-F M-F M - Th M-F M-F M-F M-F M-F M-F Dates 6/9-6/13 6/16-6/20 6/23-6/27 6/30-7/3 No camp on 7/4 7/7-7/11 7/14-7/18 7/21-7/25 7/28-8/1 8/4-8/8 8/11-8/15 Time 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm Location Drop-Off for camp will be at the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area Monday through Friday. Swim days are Wednesdays and Fridays and pick up on those days is at the Cary Park District Community Center. ECHO Flex Camp (Grades K-8) Camp Activities are from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area. Parents can drop off as early as 8:30 am and pick up as late as 3:30 pm Days W, Th, F Dates 6/11, 6/12, 6/13 Time 8:30 am-3:30 pm *Flex session has been adjusted due to SD26 last day M&W M&W M&W M&W M&W M&W M&W M&W M&W 6/16 & 6/18 6/23 & 6/25 6/30 & 7/2 7/7 & 7/9 7/14 & 7/16 7/21 & 7/23 7/28 & 7/30 8/4 & 8/6 8/11 & 8/13 Location Drop-Off for camp will be at the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area Monday through Friday. 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm 8:30 am-3:30 pm Swim days are Wednesdays and Fridays and pick up on those days is at the Cary Park District Community Center. 3 Before & After Camp Before & After Camp is available for Camp ECHO and ECHO Extreme for all 10 sessions. Before Camp is offered from 7:00 am - 8:30 am and After Camp is offered from 3:30 - 6:00 pm. Program participants must be in attendance during camp hours in order to participate in Before & After Camp. Drop-Off and Pick-Up for Before & After Camp is held at the Fel-Pro/RRR Conservation Area. On camp swim days, Wednesdays and Fridays, the After Camp participants will be bussed via Park District vehicles back to the Fel-Pro/RRR Conservation Area. There are three options for Before and After Camp: 1). 5-day option held Monday-Friday 2). 2-day option held Monday and Wednesday (except during Session 1) 3). 1-day option held on the day of your choice Staff Staff is carefully interviewed, selected and hired for the Cary Park District Day Camp program. A Camp Coordinator and Assistant Camp Coordinator who are highly qualified and experienced supervise the camp daily. Counselors are a mixture of adults and college-aged students 18 years and older. All staff goes through an extensive training program prior to camp beginning. We are proud of our Camp ECHO staff and think you will feel the same. Counselor Groups All counselors are assigned a group with 8 to 13 campers depending on age group. Camp ECHO groups will be formed into three grade classifications: K & 1st, 2nd & 3rd, and 4th & 5th grades. ECHO Extreme will be formed out of grades 6th through 8th. Counselor groups are used for attendance, and to keep track of campers during transitions from one activity/location to another. Counselor groups may team up with one other counselor for activities and may combine the entire camp for a large group activity. Counselor to camper ratios is as follows: Camp ECHO Groups Counselor to Camper Ratio Grades K & 1 1:8 Grades 2 & 3 1:10 Grades 4 & 5 1:10 ECHO Extreme Groups Counselor to Camper Ratio Grades 6-8 1:13 Goals of the Camp ECHO Day Camp Program Through quality leadership and program activities, it is our hope that Camp ECHO/ECHO Extreme will provide each camper with the opportunity: 1. To learn how to work and play as a member of a group without sacrificing individuality; 2. To encourage the pursuit of meaningful, enjoyable, and satisfying leisure time activities within a day camp atmosphere; 3. To develop healthy habits, a sense of fair play, and respect for equipment and property; 4. To participate in wholesome and creative play in a setting that will ensure the health and safety of the camper; 5. To enhance personal growth, emphasizing confidence building, self esteem, acceptance within a group, independence and resourcefulness; 6. To develop an appreciation for nature and its beauty. 4 Camp and Before & After Camp Registration Register your child in the grade level he or she is entering in the fall. Registrations are accepted online using Rapid Reg found on the Park District website, www.carypark.com, or by completing a Summer Day Camp and/or Before & After Camp Registration Form. Registration forms may be mailed, faxed (847-639-6290) or dropped off at the Community Center. Due to the several registration options for Before & After Camp, online registration is not available for Before & After Camp. Camp registration forms will not be accepted at the camp location. For proper staff to camper ratio, it is preferred that all camp registration and Before & After Camp registration be received by 5:30 pm on the Saturday prior to the start of a new session. Please review your registration form once filled out and before submitted to make sure the program barcodes match the sessions you want your child to attend camp. Early Bird Registration Registering early assists with staffing, purchasing supplies, field trips and transportation. Register for camp by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 23 to receive $10.00 off each session you register for. The early bird fees are listed in the brochure and ECHO Flex and Before & After Camp do not have early bird pricing. After 5:00 pm on May 23, all camp fees return to their regular rates, also listed in the camp brochure. Late Camp Registrations Occasionally, spots may be available after the registration deadline for that session. The front desk staff will not confirm availability of spots for that week’s sessions. Participants that want to register for camp after the registration deadline need to contact the Recreation Program Manager about availability. Phone messages and emails left for the Recreation Program Manager may not be returned until Monday afternoon. This process will take at least one day and the earliest a child can attend is Tuesday. Participants that have been accepted late will still need to pay the full price for camp and will not be pro-rated for missed days. *CAMP or BEFORE & AFTER CAMP REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT THE CAMP LOCATION.* Photographs or Videos Photos and video footage are periodically taken of participants in class, during a special event, or in the District’s parks and facilities. Please be aware that by registering for Park District programs and activities or by using the Park District’s parks and facilities you agree that any photograph or videotape taken by the Park District may be used by the District for promotional purposes including print and electronic media without further permission and without any compensation to you. All photos/videos are property of the Park District. Shortly after each session ends a photo gallery of pictures taken of camp activities during the week will be available for viewing on our website, www.carypark.com. Multiple Session Reward For each child who attends 6 or more sessions of camp, he or she will receive a $25.00 Park District gift certificate. The award will be distributed at the end of summer and does not apply to Before & After Camp. Camp Newsletters Camp newsletters for each session will be distributed at pick-up on Monday afternoon. They will also be posted on the website, www.carypark.com, under the Camp ECHO section and available via email each session. Newsletters are used to keep parents informed of daily activities and other important information happening during the week. 5 Camp Surveys Your feedback is important to us and we want to make sure your child is receiving the best camp experience possible. Surveys will be sent out via email several times throughout the summer and at the end of camp. Please take a few minutes to share your comments and concerns, and your campers, on their camp experience and to help keep our camp fun and safe for all those who attend. Office Hours General questions regarding Camp ECHO, ECHO Extreme, and Before & After Camp can be answered by the front desk staff during building hours. Specific questions can be directed to your child’s counselor, the Camp Coordinator or the Assistant Camp Coordinator. Questions can also be directed to the Recreation Program Manager, Sarah Welsh, at 847-639-6100 ext. 105 or by email at [email protected]. If you call after office hours please leave a message and it will be answered the next business day. Building Hours Community Center Hours Monday-Thursday 5:30 am- 10:00 pm Friday 5:30 am-9:00 pm* Saturday & Sunday 7:00 am -8:00 pm* *Summer Weekend Hours (5/24-9/1) Phone Number 847-639-6100 Transfer Requests or Refunds Any changes to your registration or transfers of sessions must be done in writing and turned into the Community Center, not verbalized to the camp staff. After June 1, a $5.00 processing fee will be assessed for each session transfer request. If you need to withdrawal from a session a Cary Park District Withdrawal Form must be filled out. Forms are available at the Community Center front desk or on our website, www.carypark.com. When a participant requests a withdrawal, a $5.00 service charge will be deducted from the refund amount (either a transfer fee or withdrawal feel will be charged, not both). Registration for all of our camps are for an entire week (except ECHO Flex) and refunds will not be issued for missed days. If your camper is suspended from camp due to unacceptable behavior, a refund will not be issued for any missed days. Each situation will be evaluated on its own merit. The complete refund policy is located in the summer brochure and on the withdrawal form. Friend Requests The Camp Coordinator and Assistant Camp Coordinator will be assigning counselor groups prior to the first day of the camp session. If you would like your child in the same group as a friend or car pool companion, a Friend Request Form needs to be completed and turned in by the weekly registration deadline. Friend requests can only be honored if both parties request each other on a Friend Request Form. These forms can be picked up at the Camp ECHO site, at the Community Center or online. Friend Request Forms must be turned into the Community Center. Any Friend Request Forms not turned in by the registration deadline will NOT be honored. Friend Request forms will be honored the entire summer unless a change is indicated. The Camp Coordinator and Assistant Camp Coordinator will do their best to honor your friend request; however, due to participant numbers in certain sessions, requests may not be honored for proper camper to staff ratios. Friend requests may be voided by the Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator if there are behavior issues. IPRA Teen Camp Olympics The Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s Teen Committee is hosting a Teen Camp Olympics on July 23 at the Lisle Park District. Campers registered in the ECHO Extreme during the July 21 session have the opportunity to compete against other teen camps throughout the state. This is an early drop-off and late pickup day for the ECHO Extreme campers. The ECHO Extreme campers and staff will leave camp at 8:30 am and arrive back to camp around 4:00 pm. ECHO Extreme campers picked up after 4:15 pm will be charged late fees. 6 Camp Orientation Parents and campers are invited to join us as we kick off summer 2014 with a camp orientation. Meet the staff, tour the site, and engage in fun games and activities with the camp staff. Camp orientation will take place on Thursday, June 5 from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Fel-Pro/RRR Conservation Area. Please see the agenda below for more details. Time Location 6:00-6:15 pm Main Path 6:15-6:30 pm Main Path 6:30-7:00 pm Fel-Pro/RRR Grounds 7:00-7:30 pm Main Pavilion 7:30 pm Main Pavilion Field Main Pavilion Activity Welcome & Sign-In Greet Parents & Campers Introductions & Group Assignments Tour of the Fel-Pro/RRR Conservation Area Grounds Parent Manual Q & A Session with Recreation Program Manager, Camp Coordinator and Assistant Camp Coordinator Campers join their counselor groups for an activity. Closing Special Event Campers, grab your parents and have them join you! Together you will explore and experience all that camp has to offer. Two events will be planned this summer and more details will be available in the weekly Camp ECHO newsletter. Activity Days Tuesdays are Activity Days at Camp ECHO which includes four one-hour activity blocks. During these times campers will rotate from activity station to activity station, and participate in activities such as: arts & crafts, theater, sports, dance, archery, fishing and more. Activity Stations are run by Activity Leaders that prepare a daily activity curriculum appropriate for each grade group. Early Drop-Off Campers not registered for Before Camp will not be permitted to enter camp until 8:30 am. If campers arrive before 8:30 am they are to wait with their parents in the parking lot until 8:30 am. Sign-In Camp Sign-In will take place every morning from 8:30-9:00 am with the camp staff on the main path. At this time, you will be able to meet your child’s counselor for that week and ask any questions you may have. Each counselor will be lined up at a tree with a sign-in sheet for their group. This change in sign-in allows the counselors to personally meet the parents or whoever drops off the camper for that day. During this time campers have the opportunity to participate in activities located in the field along the main path. Sign-Out Camp Sign-Out will take place every afternoon from 3:00-3:30 pm with their counselors on the main path. Counselors will line their groups up on the main path between 2:55-3:00 pm. Campers picked-up at camp between 3:00-3:30 pm will have the opportunity to participate in activities located in the field along the main path. 7 The First Day of the Session The first day of the session is always the most hectic. We will try our best to make the first day of each session go as smooth as possible and we need your help in order to do so. As it is stated above, the sign-in/out process will be with the individual counselors. At this time, please turn in all required forms to your child’s counselor. The camp staff will begin by welcoming everyone and introduce themselves one by one. After the introductions, camp staff will go over the rules and expectations they have set for the campers. Camp Paperwork All camp paperwork needs to be filled out only once during the summer, unless there are changes throughout the summer. We keep all paperwork on file throughout the entire summer. However, it is needed prior to the first day your child starts. Basic Camp Information and the Mandatory Camp Forms can be found at our website, www.carypark.com. Emergency Cards A camper will NOT be allowed to attend the first day of camp without a completed emergency card on file at the camp location. If there are any changes to the emergency card throughout the summer (new work number, new cell number, emergency contact, etc.), please notify the Camp Coordinator and fill out a new emergency card, as soon as possible. It is necessary to provide us with the most current information in case of an emergency. Pick Up & Drop Off Procedures & Guidelines Camp ECHO and ECHO Extreme runs from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Campers can be dropped off as early as 8:30 am and picked-up as late as 3:30 pm. Planned camp activities begin at 9:00 am and end at 3:00 pm. The Camp Coordinator must be notified in advance if you child will not be arriving at camp by the official start time. It is helpful if there are limited disruptions throughout the day. Our camps are parent friendly, but we do need some assistance from you! Prompt pick up of your child is expected. Campers must be signed out each day by an authorized individual. Parents or guardians listed on the child’s emergency cards are considered authorized to pick-up unless documented otherwise. Legal documentation may be required if a parent or guardian is excluded from pick up. A parent or guardian must complete a Release of Child Form and return it to the camp staff to authorize additional individuals to pick up his or her child. A child will not be released to an unauthorized individual. If you will be participating in a car pool, a note from all parties will be required. In the event a parent or guardian cannot be reached and a completed Release of Child Form has not been submitted to the camp staff, emergency contacts will be notified. Camp staff will ask to see a photo ID of an unidentified person picking up a camper. Camp staff must receive contact from a parent or guardian before the end of the camp day if there is any delay in pick-up. If contact is not received, and a camper has not been picked up by 30 minutes after the end of camp or After Camp, the police will be notified. Before & After Camp Procedures & Guidelines Before and After Camp is available for Camp ECHO and ECHO Extreme from 7:00-8:30 am and 3:30-6:00 pm at the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area. Program participants must be in attendance during the regular day camp hours in order to participate in the Before and After Camp Program. Parents are responsible for signing their camper in or out with the Before and After Camp Staff. Campers in the After Camp program will receive snack at 3:45 pm in the main pavilion. Snack is only provided for participants registered for the After Camp Program. PROMPT PICK-UP OF YOUR CHILD IS EXPECTED. Once your child has been picked up from After Camp you cannot return until your next scheduled day. 8 Late Pick-Up Camp activities end at 3:00 pm and campers may be picked up as late as 3:30 pm. Any campers picked up after 3:30 pm and not registered in the After Camp program will be charged a late fee with one courtesy allowance. The late fees are as follows: Camp ECHO/ECHO Extreme Time Fee Time 3:31-3:45 pm $10.00 3:56-4:00 pm 3:46-3:50 pm $15.00 4:01-4:05 pm 3:51-3:55 pm $20.00 4:06-4:10 pm Fee $25.00 $30.00 $35.00 After Camp Time Fee 6:00-6:15 pm $10.00 6:16-6:20 pm $15.00 6:21-6:25 pm $20.00 Description $5.00 charges will still continue until child is picked up. The parent will be asked to sign an acknowledgement form and the fee must be paid by the end of the current camp session. All fees need to be paid at the Community Center and not at the camp location. A child will not be allowed to enter the next session of camp until the late fee has been paid. Illness If your child is sick, please do not send him/her to camp that day. In case of a communicable disease (chicken pox, head lice, etc.), please contact the Camp Coordinator or Recreation Program Manager IMMEDIATLEY for the health and safety of all campers. Parents will be notified by the camp staff as soon as possible if a child in the program has a communicable disease. Camp staff reserves the right to refuse any child who shows signs of illness. If a child has been home due to illness, he/she must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to camp. Refunds will not be issued due to missed days of camp due to an illness. Absences If your child will not be in camp, please call the camp site between 7:00 am and 8:50 am. Staff must also be notified if campers will not be attending Before & After Camp. Name Position Number Elisa Kemper Camp Coordinator 847-875-0079 Kelsey Nordengren Assistant Camp Coordinator 847-875-0079 Sarah Welsh Recreation Program Manager 847-639-6100 ext.105 Voicemail is available on both the Camp phone and Park District office phones. Please leave a message and it will be returned as soon as possible. Medication The day camp registration form provides the opportunity for a parent/guardian to note any special accommodation needed by a participant. If special accommodations are medication related, please contact the Recreation Program Manager to discuss medication needs of your child prior to the beginning of the session. If medication needs to be sent with your child, a Permission to Dispense Medication form must be filled out in advance and be at the camp site prior to your child attending their first day. These forms are available from the Recreation Program Manager at the Community Center, and not at the camp site. Special Needs It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the Cary Park District at the time of registration if your child needs special accommodations in order to be successful in our camp program (i.e. specialized equipment, behavior plans, special information for staff, etc). Please contact the Recreation Program Manager to discuss any necessary accommodations. 9 ADA The Cary Park District will comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination in the provision of programs, services or activities to individuals with disabilities. The Park District will make reasonable accommodations to enable participation by an individual with a disability who meets essential eligibility requirements for camp. The Cary Park District works closely with the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA). What to Wear Due to the nature of camp activities, children can sometimes get dirty. We ask that children refrain from wearing good clothes to camp, as it may hinder their participation in some activities or damage their clothes. GYM SHOES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES. Sandals, flip flops, and open toed shoes are not permitted in the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area. The Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area is a very rustic and wooded place with non-paved trails that campers will be hiking on and sandals, flip flops, and open toed shoes are not safe to wear when hiking or playing games. However, campers may wear sandals, flip flops, and opentoed shoes only when they are at the Cary Park District pool or on a waterpark field trip. Remember to dress for the weather; campers will be outside for the majority of the camp day. For this reason we ask that you apply sunscreen, minimum SPF-15, to your child before he/she arrives for the camp day. Due to the type of location, we also ask that you supply your child with insect repellent as well. Please talk to your child about reapplying sunscreen and insect repellent through the day by themselves or with a buddy. Staff will remind campers throughout the day to reapply sunscreen and encourage campers to help each other with the sunscreen. Camp staff can assist campers with application of sunscreen if the sunscreen or insect repellents are sprays. Staff can spray the sunscreen or insect repellent on your child and instruct them or a buddy to rub it in the areas they are not able to reach. Snack The Cary Park District will supply a snack only for those registered for the After Camp program. Snacks are not provided for camps unless it is a special theme day. These special days will be highlighted in the weekly camp newsletter. When campers visit the pool, they may bring a snack or small amount of money (no more than $10.00) to purchase a snack at the pool. Pool rules about food apply to campers as well. Lost & Found Please provide your child with a backpack to keep all of his/her belongings. Label everything your child brings to camp with his/her first and last name. The camp staff will do their best to help the children keep track of their belongings, but are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please talk with your children about keeping track of their belongings throughout the day and taking them home at the end of each day. There is a lost and found container at the camp site and at the Community Center. Please check these containers if any of your child’s belongings are missing. Lost and found items are donated to charity at the end of each summer if not claimed. Text Messages Stay informed about important Camp ECHO information through text message. Camp ECHO is using RainedOut to inform you of changes to the day’s schedule or pickup. Text the word CAMP14 to 84483 to be added to this list. Message or data rates may apply. You will continue to remain on the list until you opt out, even if you are no longer in a session. When you receive your next message you may opt out at that time. 10 Parking for Parents Pick-up and drop-off traffic can be very hectic at times. Parents will follow the one way procedure for parking. They will enter the lot to the right and follow it around the small curve into the back of the parking lot. This is the only area that camp parents are permitted to park. When they leave they will continue around past the ranger station and back out through the parking lot entrance. Parking in the front of or between the tree lines is prohibited for camp parents. The area between the tree lines is for Camp Staff Only. Fel-Pro/RRR Conservation Area Parking Lot Camp Parking Lot N Parking for Camp Drop-Off & Pick Up Main Path Tree Line CAMP STAFF PARKING Tree Line Parking Lot Entrance Legend One Way Entry/Exit Route Blocked Off Areas (No Camp Parking for Parents) Tree Lines District Maintenance Facility 11 Field Trips Camp ECHO’s scheduled field trips are on Thursdays (with the exception of the IPRA Teen Camp Olympics on July 23 for ECHO Extreme). The weekly newsletter will indicate the departure time for that week’s session. It is very important that campers arrive to camp on time on field trip days. All counselors chaperone field trips, with no staff staying back at the camp site. There is no additional fee for the activities planned for each trip. For most trips, a school bus will be chartered for transportation. For some trips, including the trip to Cary Park District Pool and the off-site activities for ECHO Extreme will utilize the Cary Park District mini buses for transportation. All campers must wear their current camp T-shirt on these days. All field trip information can be found in the camp newsletter which is distributed every Monday and can be found on our website at www.carypark.com. All field trips are subject to change at any time, due to inclement weather or emergency circumstances. If you have any questions, please ask the Camp ECHO/ECHO Extreme staff. Campers are allowed to bring up to $10.00 to camp on the field trip days. However, this is optional and not mandatory. The decision of bringing extra money to camp is strictly up to the parents or guardians of the camper. Safety Cary Park District programs comply with the safety guidelines of our risk management agency. Our goal is to provide each camper with a safe, yet fun, camp experience. Swimming at the Cary Park District Pool Camp ECHO and ECHO Extreme will travel twice a week to the Cary Park District pool for an afternoon of swimming. Campers will begin departing from the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area around 11:00 am. Campers will swim from 12:00 to 2:30 pm. Pick-up will be at the Cary Park District Community Center in the field behind the parking lot on both Wednesdays & Fridays. Campers do not have to swim, but they must travel with their group to the pool. At the beginning of each session, new campers will take a swim test, which is administered by the pool managers and lifeguards. This test will determine which areas of the pool each child is allowed to swim. A camper only needs to be tested once per session. Each camper will receive a wristband that is designated to a certain swim area. The wristband system is as follows: Wristband Color Red Yellow Green Blue Designated Area(s) Tot Pool Only Tot Pool & 3 Foot Area Only Tot Pool & 3 to 5 Foot Area Only Diving Well & entire “Big” pool Wristbands must be worn during the entire visit to the pool. Day Camp staff will be stationed throughout the pool area and in the water to supervise the campers. The lifeguards and pool managers will enforce all regular pool rules during visits. Intruder Lockdown Procedures The Cary Park District and McHenry County Conservation District have an intruder lockdown plan in place in case of an intruder on the premises. We are keeping this plan confidential for the safety of your children and the safety of our camp staff. The camp will perform this drill every session. PARENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATLEY IF THE CAMP IS UNDER LOCKDOWN. 12 Weather Forecast Every session the weekly forecast will be posted at the camp location and listed in the camp newsletter in the “This Week’s Forecast” section. This section shows the forecast for that week as well as the heat index zones we follow. The descriptions of the heat index zones and severe weather information can be found below. Weather is checked daily and parents will be updated and camp staff will make adjustments as the day goes on. Heat Index Zone Chart Zone Heat Index Description White 65-80 Degrees Yellow 81-98 Degrees Orange 99-105 Degrees Red 106-115 Degrees Black Above 115 Degrees In this range, campers are in very little danger from the heat and no special measure will be taken by the camp staff In this range, counselors are instructed to take extra steps to protect their campers by making sure they keep them hydrated and encouraging breaks in the shade when needed. In this range camp staff will implement the same measures taken in the yellow zone. Counselors are instructed to keep all campers hydrated by making sure all water bottles are full and take frequent breaks in the Lake Pavilion, Main Pavilion, and other shaded areas. All measures from the yellow and orange zone will be taken. Reduce all physical activity by ten minutes and take frequent breaks in the Lake Pavilion, Main Pavilion, and other shaded areas. All camp activity will be moved indoors. All participants will be notified to these changes as soon as possible. Camp will resume outside once the heat index is below 115 degrees. Severe Weather Procedures Severe Weather Shelter Location The bathrooms and office/storage area in the Lake Pavilion. 1. If the weather begins to look questionable, all activities will take place by the lake pavilion. All plans for hiking through the site will be canceled and postponed until the weather clears. 2. There will be a weather radio on at all times that will be located in the camp office. 3. Air horns will be fired as a means of notification that will be given by the camp staff. This indicates that all campers and staff need to get below ground in bathrooms and office/storage area in the lake house pavilion. 4. The camp site must be clear from thunder and lightning strikes for 30 minutes before giving the all clear to resume the outdoor activities. The 30 minute timeline starts over after every thunder or lightning strike. 5. If a severe storm breaks out before the beginning or end of camp, the camp will be on lockdown in the lake pavilion shelter until the storm clears. CHILDREN WILL NOT BE SIGNED-IN OR RELEASED UNTIL THE STORM CLEARS. Parents need to remain in their vehicles until the storm clears. 6. On mornings or afternoons when it is raining at sign-in/sign-out children will be shuttled back and forth in a mini van from the parking lot to the lake pavilion and vice versa when Park District vehicles are available. 7. Only five children can be in the van at a time and we ask that parents wait patiently as we make the way back to the parking lot. 8. Refer to the weather alert and RainedOut text message. Severe Weather Drill 1. The Camp Coordinator will conduct a severe weather drill every session with participation for all camp staff. 13 Camp Rules and Discipline Procedures Code of Conduct Each camper, with their parents, need to read and sign the camp code of conduct prior to the start of camp. This is a great way to ensure that he/she know the rules and what behavior is expected of him/her. Failure to follow the guidelines in the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action. Behavior & Discipline Participants are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. The following guidelines have been developed to help make the Camp ECHO/ECHO Extreme Day Camp program safe and enjoyable for all participants. Additional rules may be developed as deemed necessary by staff. All participants are to read through the code of conduct with their parents and sign the Code of Conduct when registering for the program. The Code of Conduct form is located in the registration packet. Camp Rules All campers will go over the rules of camp on the first day. All camp rules can be found in the Camper Code of Conduct that you and your child sign at registration. Please refer to the code of conduct for all camp rules. Write Ups & Consequences This system works by session. Parents will be notified at the end of the day as to what happened to result in this write up. The slate is wiped clean at the start of each session. Camp staff always use the verbal warnings first and reminds the campers of their prior write up and the consequences from that action. Automatic write ups will be given for directly defiant behavior or violent, physical aggression, towards themselves, camp staff or campers. What to Bring & What Not to Bring to Camp ECHO & ECHO Extreme Backpack What to Bring to Camp Everyday All participants in the Cary Park District Day Camp program are required to bring a backpack daily to keep track of their belongings. Please label all belongings with your child’s name. Healthy Lunch & Drink Campers should bring an insulated lunch bag with freezer packs/frozen bottle of water to keep things cool. Here are some healthy lunch ideas: pudding cups, water, raisins, apples, orange slices, celery & carrot sticks, pretzels, graham crackers, yogurt, grapes, applesauce, 100% fruit juice, string cheese, and fresh seasonal fruit. Water Bottle All campers need to bring a refillable water bottle everyday to help them keep hydrated. There will be water coolers that campers can use to fill up their water bottles at various times throughout the day. Swim Suit & Towel Even though they only swim twice a week campers should bring their suit and towel everyday because on hot days the campers may be playing water games. Swim suits should be one pieces or a “Tankini” (no bikinis please). Sunscreen The majority of the camp day is outside and campers must come to camp with sunscreen on and sunscreen to reapply as needed throughout the camp day. A minimum of SPF-15 is recommended. Insect Repellent There are many wooded areas in the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area and we recommend that campers come to camp with insect repellent on and insect repellent to reapply as needed throughout the camp day. Hat & Sunglasses Wearing a hat and sunglasses helps keeps the campers protected from the sun. 14 Our camp days are filled with many fun activities and the majority of the supplies are provided. Occasionally there are special theme days that might require campers to bring something from home. These special days will be highlighted in the weekly camp newsletter. It is important that campers leave items at home that are not appropriate for camp or interfere with the overall camp experience. The following items are not permitted at camp. Items Not Permitted at Camp ECHO Items Not Permitted at ECHO Extreme Skating Items: Skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, Heeleys or any other item that has wheels. Participants that have Heeleys must remove the wheels at the beginning of the camp day. Skating Items: Skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, Heeleys or any other item that has wheels. Participants that have Heeleys must remove the wheels at the beginning of the camp day. However, there may be days during certain sessions where the ECHO Extreme may go to the skate park at Lions Park. These items will be permitted on those days. Electronic Devices: Cell phones, iPads, Electronic Devices: Cell phones, iPads, Kindles, Nooks, or any other electronic devices. Kindles, Nooks, or any other electronic Campers may have cell phones on them during the camp day. However, the cell phone must be turned off and kept inside the backpack for the duration of the camp devices. day. Texting or calling is not permitted during the day. If campers are caught on their phone calling or texting, the phone will be confiscated and returned to the camper or parent at the end of the day. If campers need to call parents they must speak with the Camp Coordinator and they will be able to use the camp phone. Portable Game & Music Systems: iPods, Nintendo DS, PSP’s or any other hand held device. Trading Cards: Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Baseball cards, or any other type of trading cards. Any violence related materials: magazines, weapons, fireworks, or any other violent materials If one of the above items or anything else deemed inappropriate is brought to camp, camp staff will confiscate that item. It is the responsibility of the camper or parent to recover it at the end of the day. Possession of fireworks or weapons will result in a camper’s immediate expulsion from camp. Each situation will be evaluated on its own merit. The Cary Park District looks forward to successful camp season with your child. 15
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