PARENT HANDBOOK
2015 Welcome Parents!
This handbook has been created as a reference guide for both parents and children. It contains important information and policies about our Camp Boardwalk program. Your child's safety is a top priority and we take this responsibility very seriously. Please read and review the entire handbook and share as appropriate with your child. If you have any questions or comments, please call (831) 460-‐3342 or email [email protected]. 2015 DAY CAMP SCHEDULE Each one-‐week, Monday -‐ Friday session is designed for children aged 6-‐14. Day Camp Session Dates: Session 1: June 15-‐ June 19 Session 2: June 22-‐June 26 Session 3: June 29-‐July 3 Session 4: July 6-‐July 10 Session 5: July 13-‐July 17 Session 6: July 20-‐July 24 Session 7: July 27-‐July 31 Session 8: August 3-‐August 7 Session 9: August 10-‐August 14 General Timeline: 8:00am-‐9:00am-‐ Campers Check-‐In (supervised crafts/games) 9:00am-‐10:30am-‐ Morning Activities 10:30am-‐11:00am-‐ Snack 11:00am-‐12:30pm-‐ Rides 12:30pm-‐1:00pm Half-‐Day Pick-‐Up/Drop-‐Off 12:30pm-‐1:30pm-‐ Lunch 1:30pm-‐2:45pm-‐ Rides 2:45pm-‐3:00pm-‐ Snack 3:00pm-‐4:00pm-‐ Afternoon Activities 4:00pm-‐5:00pm-‐ Full-‐Day Pick-‐Up (supervised crafts/games) Scheduled Camp Activities • Monday Morning Activity -‐ Boardwalk History/Tour, Scavenger Hunt Afternoon Activity – Indoor Team Building Activities • Tuesday Morning Activity -‐ Bowling Afternoon Activity -‐ Sessions 1-‐3-‐ Beach Games, Group Photo Sessions 4-‐9-‐ Watch Circus of Nations and Meet the Performers, Group Photo •
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Wednesday Morning Activity -‐ Sand Castle Competition, Group Photo Afternoon Activity -‐ Marini’s Video, Taffy Making Thursday Morning Activity -‐ Ocean Ecology Presentation, Beach Obstacle Course Afternoon Activity -‐ Surfing Magician Performance and Magic Lesson Friday Morning Activity -‐ Caricature Lesson from Cali Caricature, Arcade Afternoon Activity -‐ Science of Boardwalk Rides ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE Camp Address Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Drop-‐Off & Pick-‐Up Location • Drop-‐Off and Pick-‐Up is at the Boardwalk Ballroom (Cocoanut Grove Entrance A) near the Casino Arcade. It is located directly across from the Cliff St./Beach St. intersection. • Parents can park behind La Bahia Apartments (215 Beach St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060) and walk their child to/from the Boardwalk Ballroom. A map will be emailed to you the week prior to your registered session. • At check-‐in on Monday you will receive a temporary parking pass to put in your dash when you park at the La Bahia Apartments. Vehicles in the lot outside of the designated drop-‐off/pick-‐up times may be contacted and towed at the owner’s expense. Camp Hours • Full-‐Day: Monday through Friday, 9am-‐4pm • Morning Half-‐Day: Monday through Friday, 9am-‐12:30pm • Afternoon Half-‐Day: Monday through Friday, 12:30pm-‐4pm Drop-‐Off • Drop-‐Off Hours: 8am-‐9am, 12:30pm-‐1pm • Sign your child in at the Camp Boardwalk sign-‐in desk. • The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk does not assume responsibility for children who arrive before the start time (8am). • Only Campers and Camp Staff will be allowed into the Ballroom facility. Pick-‐Up • Pick-‐Up Hours: 12:30pm-‐1pm, 4pm-‐5pm • Sign your child out when you pick them up from camp. Please bring a photo ID with you everyday. • Only Campers and Camp Staff will be allowed into the Ballroom facility. • If someone other than yourself or the persons authorized on the Release Form will be picking up your child, a written notice must be submitted to the camp staff ahead of time. This person must also bring a photo ID with them when they pick up the camper. NOTE: Appropriate legal paperwork is required to be on file with the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when the custodial parent requests that Camp Boardwalk not release the child to the other parent. Early Pick-‐Up • If your child will be leaving early, please notify the camp staff in writing on the morning of the designated day. The staff will have your child prepared to depart at your requested time at the Boardwalk Ballroom. • Remember that you will still need to sign your child out. Late Pick-‐Up • Morning half-‐day camp schedule ends at 12:30pm, designated pick-‐up time is 12:30pm-‐1pm. • Full-‐day and Afternoon half-‐day camp schedule ends at 4pm. Designated pick-‐up time is 4pm-‐5pm. • Children must be picked up no later than their designated pick-‐up time (1pm or 5pm), or a late fee will be charged. Late Fee: $5.00 (per child) for every 5 minutes past the designated pick-‐up time. • The late fee is in place to compensate staff members for their time. If you know you will be late, please attempt to make alternate pick-‐up arrangements. • Camp Boardwalk should be notified if you foresee late arrival, as it is often stressful for a child when parents are late. Please call (831) 460-‐3342 to notify Camp Staff if you will be late. NOTE: When a child is not picked up in emergency situations including, but not limited to: inclement weather or natural disasters, we will follow the above “late pick-‐up” policy cited above starting 45 minutes from when the parent has been informed of the need for campers to be picked-‐up. Absences: • If your child is not going to attend camp for the day, please report his/her absence by calling (831) 460-‐3342 or emailing [email protected]. STAFF TO CAMPER RATIOS •
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Staff is scheduled each week based on a 1 staff to 5 campers (1:5) ratio. During scheduled ride times campers will be divided into groups of 8-‐12 based on their age and “thrill level” as indicated on their camp registration. There will be two staff for each ride group so that one staff may accompany the campers through the line/on the ride and one staff may accompany any campers that opt not to ride. RIDES •
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For your child’s safety, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk enforces ride height requirements. A full list of rides and height requirements can be found at beachboardwalk.com/rides/requirements In the event that your child needs a chaperone for a particular ride, a Camp Counselor may accompany them if there is proper supervision available for the rest of the campers. All-‐Day Ride Wristbands will be placed on the campers each morning. The wristbands are valid for one day only. If your family chooses to stay and enjoy the park after pick-‐up from camp, the All-‐Day Rides Wristband will remain valid while the park is in operation. Due to inclement weather and ride maintenance schedule some rides may not be available. CAMP CINCH BAGS & WATER BOTTLES •
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Campers will receive one Camp Boardwalk cinch bag and one Camp Boardwalk reusable water bottle with their registration. Camp cinch bags and water bottles will be left at the Camp facility each evening for camper use each day. On Friday these items will go home with the camper. CAMP T-‐SHIRTS •
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Campers will receive one Camp Boardwalk t-‐shirt with their registration. Additional t-‐shirts can be purchased for a fee of $12.00. Campers are required to wear a Camp Boardwalk t-‐shirt each day of camp. Campers that forget their shirt will be supplied a temporary t-‐shirt to wear for the day. CAMP ATTIRE •
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Please remember to dress your child appropriately for camp. Crafts, beach play, and rides are a major part of our camp program, thus we encourage you to dress your child in clothing that is comfortable for activities and that you do not mind getting dirty with art materials. Here are some reminders about clothes for camp: -‐ Camp T-‐Shirt -‐ Shorts or Pants (No skirts or dresses) -‐ Socks and Tennis Shoes (sandals/flip flops okay, but not advised) -‐ LABEL SWEAT SHIRTS AND LUNCH BAGS! PHOTOGRAPHS Camp Session Group Photograph: • On Tuesday during the Afternoon Camp Activity period and on Wednesday during the Morning Camp Activity period a group photo will be taken of all camp attendees. • At the end of the session, the group photo will be emailed to the attendees using the email address provided with registration. Camp Photos: • Camp Boardwalk Staff will be taking photos throughout the day of various camp activities. • These photos will be uploaded to a designated website daily, for parents/friends/family to enjoy. • A direct link to your camp session’s photos will be sent by email on Monday to the email address provided with registration. Photo Opt Out: •
If you would prefer that your child’s photographs not be taken or shared, please indicate that by selecting the appropriate area on the Release Form. DISABILITIES •
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In order for Camp Boardwalk to provide the best camp experience for your child, we ask that prior to registration you contact the Youth Sales Manager regarding your child’s special needs at [email protected] or (831) 460-‐3342. Due to the fact that there are some medical treatments and procedures that legally the Boardwalk staff is not trained or qualified to perform, children will be enrolled on an individual basis. We make every attempt to serve all children. LUNCHES AND SNACKS Lunches • Campers have the option of purchasing boxed lunches or providing their own lunch. • PURCHASE BOXED LUNCH-‐ o Boxed lunches can be pre-‐purchased for the week at a price of $50/camper. This can be done with camp registration or by contacting the Youth Sales Manager at 831-‐460-‐3342 or [email protected] . o Boxed lunches provided each day will include deli sandwich, fruit, carrots, and chips. • BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH-‐ o Campers should bring a non-‐perishable lunch and a beverage to camp daily. o Lunches will not be refrigerated; therefore, we ask that you send lunches that do not contain food items that will spoil if not kept cold. o Please mark all lunches with the camper’s first and last name. A marker and masking tape for labeling lunches will be available at the sign-‐in desk. o Please do not provide food that needs to be heated/microwaved. Camp staff are not responsible for food preparation or pre-‐heating meals. o Do not send food or drinks in glass containers. • If campers arrive at camp without a lunch, a boxed lunch containing a deli sandwich, fruit, carrots, chips, and bottled water will be provided for $12.00/camper. The credit card used on your camp registration will be automatically charged. Snacks • Snacks will be provided each day at 10:30am and 2:45pm. • Snacks will be healthy NUT FREE items such as pretzels, gold fish, whole fruits, veggies/dip. Be sure to indicate any food allergies on your session registration. Special Day Treats • Following the Marini’s taffy pull on Wednesday afternoon, campers will be provided with a small Marini’s treat. • On Friday afternoon campers will be provided an ice cream treat. • Please notify the camp staff or email [email protected] if you prefer your child refrain from these special day treats. CONDUCT •
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The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all of our guests. To ensure safety and comfort for all, we ask individuals to act appropriately while they are on our property or participating in Camp Boardwalk. Our code of conduct does not permit language or action that can hurt or frighten another person or that falls below a generally accepted standard of conduct. Camp attendees should notify a staff person if they feel that their comfort/safety is jeopardized. Camp Boardwalk staff will investigate all reported incidents. Dismissal from Camp Boardwalk and/or the Boardwalk facility may result from any violation of the code of conduct. No refunds will be given. DISCIPLINE POLICY •
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If your child needs to be disciplined acceptable measures may include; stern verbal warnings, time-‐
out from activity, removal from activity and placed with staff away from group, suspension from camp, removal from camp. Behavioral guidance will be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate. Parents will be notified when persistent behavioral problems are identified and will include any disciplinary steps taken in response. ENROLLMENT, WITHDRAWL & PAYMENT POLICIES Registration • Registration is not confirmed until full payment is received. • No child will be accepted to camp unless the Release Form has been submitted by the start of camp. Payment Authorization • The credit card that you provided with registration will be automatically charged in the following cases: Lunches-‐ If campers arrive at camp without a lunch, a boxed lunch containing a deli sandwich, fruit, carrots, chips, and bottled water will be provided for $12.00/camper. Late Pick-‐Up Fee-‐ A late fee of $5.00 per 5 minutes per camper will be charged after the first 5-‐minute grace period if children are picked up after the designated pick-‐up time. Camp Session Transfer Fee-‐ If you transfer your camper(s) from one camp session to another camp session less than 4 weeks prior to the start date of the initially scheduled session a $50/camper transfer fee will be charged. Emergency Pick-‐Up Late Fee-‐ We will follow the “late pick-‐up” policy sited above starting 45 minutes from when the parent has been informed of the need for campers to be picked-‐up during an emergency situation. Withdrawals/Cancellations • Any requests to withdraw/cancel from a camp session must be emailed to [email protected]. • There will be no refunds for withdrawals/cancellations. Camp Session Transfers • Any requests to transfer from one camp session to another camp session must be emailed to [email protected]. • There will be a $50/camper transfer fee if done less than 4 weeks prior to the start time of the initially scheduled session. Termination Policy • The Boardwalk reserves the right to remove a child from Camp Boardwalk due to behavioral or other concerns. In the event that this may occur there will be no refund given. Every attempt will be made to work with children and their families through direct communication. LOST AND FOUND •
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It is highly recommended that you label all items (bags, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc.) with your child’s name. It is highly recommended that campers leave all electronic devices at home; cell phones, ipods, cameras, etc. We are not responsible for lost or damaged items. Campers should not bring money. We will not have time to shop for food, treats, or souvenirs. While Camp Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are not responsible for any items that are lost or damaged during your visit, our goal is to return all personal items that have been lost on our property. Any items that are not displayed at camp pick-‐up have likely been turned into the Boardwalk’s Lost and Found Center. To report a lost item, you may visit the Boardwalk’s Lost & Found Center in the Guest Services Office located near the Haunted Castle, call the Lost & Found Center at (831) 423-‐5590 during operating hours, or complete the Lost Property Inquiry Form at http://beachboardwalk.com/lost-‐and-‐found/ . MEDICAL/EMERGENCY POLICIES & PROCEDURES Sun Screen • Permission to apply sunscreen is included in the Camp Boardwalk registration. • We will apply sunscreen to every child (under the age of 9) on days we feel campers are at risk for sunburn. Campers older than 9 will be permitted to apply their own sunscreen. • If you want your child to use a different sunscreen then what is provided (children’s sunscreen SPF 30-‐45), you will need to bring your own. Illness Policy • Children must be healthy enough to participate in the program’s daily routine. We do not have the facilities to care for sick children and therefore do not allow them to attend the program. For the safety and comfort of your child, please keep them home until they feel better and no longer present the danger of passing on their illness. • If you are keeping your child home due to illness, please notify camp staff by emailing [email protected] or calling (831) 460-‐3342 by 9am. • If your child becomes ill while at Camp Boardwalk, you will be asked to pick up your child as soon as possible. If the parent or guardian is unable to be reached, the child’s emergency contact will be notified. It is the responsibility of the parents to arrange for the child to be picked up from the Boardwalk as soon as possible. • The following are defined as illness or communicable health problems: Conjunctivitis (pink eye) A chronic runny nose with colored discharge A chronic cough A fever Vomiting or upset stomach Signs of general fatigue or discomfort An open rash Head lice Accidents/Emergencies • In the event a minor injury occurs: First Aid will be administered on the Boardwalk by camp staff, security, or in the First Aid Office. The incident will be recorded in an incident log. • In the event of a medical emergency: -‐ Immediate First Aid will be administered by Boardwalk security or First Aid staff until professional services arrive. -‐ You will be contacted. If you cannot be reached, the emergency contact person will be notified. -‐ American Medical Response (paramedics) will be contacted/dispatched. -‐ A Boardwalk staff person will accompany your child to the hospital and remain until you or your emergency contact person arrives. -‐ The incident will be described in writing on an incident report. • Emergency information is very important for us to provide the safest possible environment for your children. Please notify us right away if you have changes to phone numbers or addresses. • Camp Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk do not incur the cost of medical treatment. Medication Policy • Medications must be signed in DAILY at camp check-‐in desk. • Keep all medications in the original container with the prescription label/direction label attached. Medications must be labeled with your child’s name, the name of medication, the dosage amount, and the time or times to be given. • All medications will be locked up and given to your child at the prescribed time. • Camp Boardwalk staff will not administer any other over-‐the-‐counter medications (ie: Tylenol) without parent/guardian consent. Water Safety • While Camp Boardwalk has several scheduled activities on the beach, there are no scheduled activities in the ocean. • Campers are not allowed to enter the water during the sand castle competition. Camp staff will collect water as needed during this time. Before/After Camp Guardian Responsibilities • The parents/guardians take full responsibility for the camper(s) before and after they are signed in for camp. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk does not and will not assume responsibility for children that are not currently checked-‐in for camp. If you have any questions or concerns, please email [email protected] or call (831) 460-‐3342. We look forward to a fun time with your children!