Day Camp Handbook

DAY CAMP HANDBOOK

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Thank you for choosing to send your child YMCA Day Camp at the PLEASE INSERT BRANCH NAME IN FULL HERE! We look forward to providing your child with a unique and memorable experience, filled with fun and learning all while in a safe and positive environment. The ‘Y’ is also dedicated to providing programs that will teach and encourage healthy lifestyle choices in turn nurturing and enriching every aspect of your child’s life.

YMCA staff members are here to serve you. We encourage you to take every opportunity to speak with YMCA staff about our programs and talk to your child each day about their camp experience. Our camps present opportunities and activities that enhance each child’s physical, social, intellectual, and emotional growth. Our staff members want to know each and every one of you, and we want you to know that we are here for you and your child.

In our effort to provide the very best camp experience, we will also ask for your help in completing periodic evaluations of our programs. These evaluations will be sent to you throughout the course of our camp programs and we encourage you to complete and return them. Of course your suggestions and comments are welcome at any time as well. We will also have opportunities for volunteers to help with special events...and if you have a special talent or ability you can share, we would love to have you join us.

Thank you again for allowing us to serve your family. We look forward to a fantastic summer!

DAY CAMP HANDBOOK XXXX FAMILY YMCA | 716-XXX-XXXX | XxxxFamilyYMCA.org YMCA BUFFALO NIAGARA MISSION STATEMENT YMCA Buffalo Niagara is a charitable, community based organization committed to providing programs designed to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

YMCA CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT The YMCA asserts that the best long term solution to the problems facing our society is challenging people to accept and demonstrate positive values. By promoting caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in all YMCA programs, we can improve the character of individuals and make a difference in our community. While the YMCA has practiced character development for over 160 years, we have renewed our commitment to positive values and encourage others to do the same.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE/ANNUAL CAMPAIGN The Y is here for everyone, and our goal is to never turn anyone away from our programming because of an inability to pay the full program amount. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify via funds that are secured by volunteers during the YMCA’s Annual Campaign. Please see the front desk for an application and remember to allow 10-14 business days for processing.

FINANCIAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Deposits When registering, you have the choice of paying the camp fees in full or paying a $15.00/30.00 non-transferable/non refundable deposit per week, per child for all weeks your child(ren) will attend. This $15.00/30.00 deposit will be deducted from the weekly camp balance.

Weekly Bills Approximately two weeks before your child is scheduled to attend camp, a bill will be generated for any outstanding balance remaining for that week. Anyone registering after the statement has been generated, will be required to pay the week of camp in full.

2014 CAMP BILLING SCHEDULE

Payment Due Date/Late Fees Full payment is due on the Monday two weeks prior to the week your child is scheduled to attend camp. If payment is not received by 3:00 pm the Wednesday before your child’s registered week of attendance, the registration will be cancelled and services will not be rendered unless permission is granted by the office manager, program director, or executive director.

Payment Location Payments for camp can be made online or at the branch. The YMCA accepts payments in cash, checks, money orders and all major credit cards. Please make sure your payment is in an envelope clearly marked with your child’s name. DAY CAMP HANDBOOK XXXX FAMILY YMCA | 716-XXX-XXXX | XxxxFamilyYMCA.org 2014 Bank Draft Schedule Week 1 (6/20-7/3) Drafted 6/23

Week 2 (7/7-7/11) Drafted 6/30

Week 3 (7/14-/18) Drafted 7/7

Week 4 (7/21-7/25) Drafted 7/14

Week 5 (7/28-8/1) Drafted 7/21

Week 6 (8/4-8/8) Drafted 7/28

Week 7 (8/11-8/15) Drafted 8/4

Week 8 (8/18-8/22) Drafted 8/11

Week 9 (8/25-8/29) Drafted 8/18

DAY CAMP HANDBOOK XXXX FAMILY YMCA | 716-XXX-XXXX | XxxxFamilyYMCA.org CREDIT CARD DRAFTING Camp fees can be paid automatically through credit card drafting. The charge will appear on your monthly statements. Please contact the Member Service Desk to set up your draft today!

Returned Checks & Drafts If a check is returned to the YMCA a fee of $20.00 will be assessed.

Late Pick-Up Charges If you know that you may be late in picking up your child, please contact the YMCA office as soon as possible. Please note, if your child needs to be picked up after 6:00 pm, a late fee of $20.00 per child will be applied to your bill. If we find this to be a consistent pattern, we will address this concern with you to avoid having your child dismissed from the program.

Refunds In the case of illness or injury, all paid fees (less the non-refundable deposit) will be refunded with a written notice from a physician to the YMCA. If your child has attended part of the session when a medical excuse is presented, the refund will be pro- rated.

Payment Summaries Payment history summaries for tax purposes will be provided upon request in January 2015. Please contact the billing department to request this information. Our tax identification number is: 16-0743231.

About Our Camp Staff Day camp staff are selected based on their experience, attitude, skills, and their ability to accept and demonstrate the YMCA Core Values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. The Y executes an extensive screening process which includes undergoing a behavioral interview to determine the best candidate possible, as well as employment and reference checks. Employment offers are also conditional based on successfully passing a background investigation. Additionally, summer camp employees are screened by the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services for Sex Offender levels 1, 2, and 3in compliance with the New York Child Safety Act. Once hired, YMCA staff must successfully complete the YMCA Child Abuse Prevention Training program prior to beginning work.

The INSERT BRANCH NAME IN FULL establishes standards for key aspects of camp operation, program quality, health, and safety of campers. All camps have staff that are certified in CPR, First Aid, and Responding to Emergencies training on duty during all camp hours. In addition, all lifeguards hold their current Lifeguard/First Aid Certifications, CPR, and Oxygen Administration Certification. Camp Hours Camp programs run from 9:00 am-4:30 pm. Early morning care and afternoon care is available for your child from 7:30 - 9:00 am and 4:30 - 6:00 pm for our campers. There is NO additional fee for extended day camp hours. PRIOR registration is required to ensure proper staffing.

DAY CAMP HANDBOOK XXXX FAMILY YMCA | 716-XXX-XXXX | XxxxFamilyYMCA.org Drop Off and Pick-up Children may be picked up at 4:30 pm when camp ends. Please contact the camp director if you are picking your child up before 4:30. A parent/guardian will be required to sign their child out every afternoon. Photo I.D. is required for sign-out to ensure the safety of program participants.

Important Registration Information Registration is available online as well as at the branch. Those applying for financial assistance must fill out the packet received from Member Services. Financial assistance does not reserve a spot for your child unless the weekly deposits are made in advance.

What do you need to register for Camp? • Emergency contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. • Recent photo of camper for files • Health insurance information AND Immunization Record • Knowledge of camper’s general medical history and current medications

Deposits Sign your child up for a summer full of fun during our Early Bird Camp Registration (January 2 – February 28, 2014). A $15.00/30.00 deposit per week, per camper secures your child’s spot at their favorite YMCA Day Camp. Children can also earn their way to camp through the Y’s Camp Candy Sale.

Swimming Your child will have scheduled times for recreational and instructional swimming. Please help ensure that your child comes prepared each day with a swimsuit and towel. Ask your child’s camp program director for information regarding the content and frequency of lessons.

Swim lesson plans are developed by the YMCA Aquatics Director and implemented by Camp Counselors. We comply with NYS Department of Health Swim Ratios during swim lessons and recreational swim.

Swimming Ratios 1:3 Non-Swimmers: Swimmers that cannot swim without flotation 1:6 Swimmers age 6 years old and under 1:8 Swimmers age 7 and 8 years old 1:10 Swimmers over 8 years old

All lifeguards have met the requirements for employment at the YMCA including current Lifeguard/First Aid Certifications, CPR, and Oxygen Administration Certification.

DAY CAMP HANDBOOK XXXX FAMILY YMCA | 716-XXX-XXXX | XxxxFamilyYMCA.org Field Trips Each camp will be involved in taking various field trips throughout the summer. The children will be issued a camp T-shirt that is required on field trip days only. Volunteers are also invited to attend the field trips at your own expense. Anyone interested in volunteering for the YMCA must complete an application and are subject to completing a review of the YMCA’s Child Abuse Prevention code of conduct and a possible background investigation (depending on the type of service).

DAILY DRESS AND GEAR Please label all belongings with your child’s name and phone number. Please make sure your child dresses according to the weather each day. Campers will be outdoors most of the day unless it is raining.

WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP Campers must bring their own lunch and beverage in a labeled bag each day. All camps will provide a light afternoon snack and drink for all campers. Bag lunches are kept with the camper’s belongings, so please pack accordingly. All clothes and belongings that come to camp with your child must be labeled. Also, please note any food allergies on the health form.

Bagged lunch with drink Sunscreen-labeled with your child’s name Two water bottles (filled) Bug Spray (DEET free) Swimsuit and towel Comfortable clothing that can get a little messy Backpack Sneakers Rain coat if necessary Extra set of clothes-especially for our younger campers A smile!

LOST AND FOUND All items that are left by campers will be placed in a Lost and Found Box inside the YMCA Camp facility. Any lost and found items not claimed will be sent to INSERT NAME clothing bin every two weeks.

PHONE COMMUNICATION All phone communication must be made through the INSERT NAME OF BRANCH IN FULL at 716-XXX-XXXX for questions about registration, billing or camper emergencies.

CAMP DETAILS DAY CAMP HANDBOOK XXXX FAMILY YMCA | 716-XXX-XXXX | XxxxFamilyYMCA.org Bathroom All children must be able to use a bathroom facility independently and be completely potty trained. The staff understands that accidents may occur therefore please bring a change of clothes for your child. If your child has an accident and does not have a change of clothes, you will be called and asked to come to the YMCA with new clothes.

Illness A sick child should be kept home, both for his/her sake and that of others. Please inform us of the nature of the illness, especially if it is a communicable disease. Credits for time missed may be issued upon receipt of a doctor’s note. Credits will be pro-rated when appropriate.

Medication If your child needs to take medication while in the YMCA program, medication must be brought to the YMCA staff, directly by a parent or guardian, and accompanied by a Medication Form that can be obtained from a staff member. The medication must be in its original container and labeled with the child’s first and last name. Written instructions specifying the quantity and time to be administered, the name and phone number of your doctor, and other instructions must accompany the medication. All medicine is stored and handled by the camp director who will dispense the medication as per the medicine form. Any inhalers that are needed when a child exerts him/herself will be kept with the senior counselor in charge of the group.

Injuries

In case of minor injuries, YMCA staff will administer first aid and you will be informed of the incident when you pick your child up. If your child is seriously injured, the YMCA office will contact the designated person listed on your emergency information form. If we cannot contact a responsible party, we may call an ambulance or paramedic and have your child taken to a hospital accompanied by a staff member. Please make sure that the information on your emergency contact form is current and accurate.

Personal Belongings Please make sure your child’s belongings are labeled. We discourage children from bringing any valuable items to camp. Video games and other electronics are not permitted at camp and will be taken from a camper if brought to camp. The YMCA assumes no responsibility for any lost or stolen items at any summer camp.

CAMPER CONDUCT

YMCA Day Camp is geared for fun, exploration, and adventure! Day campers are broken out into age specific groups to ensure that all activities are focused on their specific interests and abilities. Your child’s success at YMCA Day Camp requires their ability to independently, safely, and cooperatively: • Exhibit appropriate behavior without excessive individualized attention • Function within a group of campers (with staff supervision) • Be responsible for personal belongings such as backpacks, water bottles, etc. • Contribute to the overall enthusiastic atmosphere of the camp community.

Discipline DAY CAMP HANDBOOK XXXX FAMILY YMCA | 716-XXX-XXXX | XxxxFamilyYMCA.org The safety and well-being of each child in our care is our number one priority. When behavior expectations are not met, Y staff will implement our progressive discipline policy to help correct the undesired behavior. Listed below are the steps utilized by our staff: A. A verbal warning given: explain why behavior is inappropriate. B. A staff person will give the camper time to refocus and redirect, allowing the camper to demonstrate understanding and change their behavior. C. Verbal communication between parent and site coordinator. D. Parent conference with site coordinator and program director, followed by a written summary of meeting. Child, parent, and site coordinator sign a written contract agreeing to acceptable behavior and alternative solutions. E. If inappropriate behavior continues, child may be suspended from program for up to one week. F. Prolonged disruptive and inappropriate behavior will result in dismissal from camp. G. Extreme Behavior Issues: In extreme cases, a child’s behavior may warrant immediate suspension or expulsion from camp. Such cases include use of profanity, abusive language or any aggression behavior which threatens or causes physical harm to other participants or staff.

DAY CAMP HANDBOOK XXXX FAMILY YMCA | 716-XXX-XXXX | XxxxFamilyYMCA.org