Welcome Packet 2021

Welcome

Welcome to the City of Mesa’s Summer Escape Camp at Jefferson Recreation Center! We are excited to spend the summer with your child. Staff have worked hard to plan educational, enjoyable, safe, and memorable activities for your child while they are out of school.

Camp Location

Jefferson Recreation Center 120 South Jefferson Ave. Mesa, AZ 85208

Camp Dates and Hours

May 24 - May 28 ...... Mon. - Fri...... 7am - 6pm ...... #44608 ...... June 1 - June 4 ...... Tues. - Fri...... 7am - 6pm ...... #44609 ...... June 7 - June 11 ...... Mon. - Fri...... 7am - 6pm ...... #44610 ...... June 14 - June 18 ...... Mon. - Fri...... 7am - 6pm...... #44611 ...... June 21 - June 25 ...... Mon. - Fri...... 7am - 6pm...... #44612 ...... June 28 - July 2 ...... Mon. - Fri...... 7am - 6pm...... #44683 ...... July 6 - July 9 ...... Tues. - Fri...... 7am - 6pm...... #44684 ...... July 12 - July 16 ...... Mon. - Fri...... 7am - 6pm...... #44685 ...... July 19 - July 23 ...... Mon. - Fri...... 7am - 6pm...... #44686 ......

Camp Contact Information

Katie Paul, Recreation Coordinator Augie Perez, Recreation Programmer Office Phone: 480-644-4345 Office Phone: 480-644-4578 Cell Phone: 602-292-1239 Cell Phone: 602-292-7476 [email protected] [email protected]

Katie DeVenuto, Recreation Coordinator Pick Up / Drop Off Office Phone: 480-644-3938 480-694-7339 Cell Phone: 480-364-1502 [email protected] ePACT ePACT is a health and safety software that the City of Mesa is using this year to replace the need for paper information sheets. In the past, we have asked parents/guardians to complete paper forms and held those in binders which then traveled to the pool and accompanied us on field trips. This new software will allow us to more securely store camper’s medical information, quickly filter reports based on parent permissions, as well as check in and out our campers electronically. In addition, we will use the ePACT system to send messages, both quick reminders and emergency notifications, to families.

We are requiring all registered participants to have an ePACT account. The account that you create will stay with the child from week to week, and ultimately from program to program with just an annual request to check profile information for accuracy.

For more information on the ePACT Emergency Network click here. Camp Activities

This summer campers will explore all fifty states! Camp activities based on this theme, including arts & crafts, science experiments, sports & games, board games, movies, and taste testing have been planned. Unfortunately, campers will not be leaving camp sites this summer. Due to limitations at our aquatic facilities, we will not be swimming and there are no field trips scheduled. However, we will have visitors almost weekly.

Health

Effective Monday, May 24, masks will be optional at all City facilities currently open to the public, such as aquatic centers, sports fields, and recreation centers. This includes all sports, camp, aquatics, and afterschool programs.

To keep safety in the forefront we are continuing with the following mitigation measures: enhanced cleaning practices, limiting sharing of supplies, keeping program groups small and socially distant when appropriate, following CDC recommended procedures if someone develops symptoms, and encouraging vaccines for both staff and patrons. The City of Mesa respects all participant families and their right to choose what is best for them with regards to health.

We do ask that if your child is experiencing a fever of 100.4 or higher, an uncontrollable cough, sore throat, severe headache, diarrhea, vomiting, stomachache, swollen glands, unexplained rashes, and/or head lice that they stay home until cleared by a physician. If a child comes to camp with any of these symptoms, a parent will be contacted and required to pick up the child immediately. Similarly, if a child has come into contact with someone COVID-19 positive, please do not attend camp.

Snack / Water Bottle

Please make sure your child(ren) eats a well-balanced breakfast prior to attending camp. We would like for campers to bring two healthy snacks daily. Refrigeration and microwave use is not available. Please notify the staff of any food allergies your child(ren) may have. We ask that campers do not bring any snacks that have peanuts, peanut butter, or nuts. Please be sure that your child’s lunch box or bag is labeled with their full name.

Please have your child(ren) bring a reusable water bottle daily to camp and label it with their full name.

Program Dress Code

Participants should wear comfortable clothing such as a t-shirt, shorts, and jeans. We play active games and complete science experiments. Your child will get dirty, wet, painted, and/or messy. Do not send them in their best clothes.

Athletic or soft soled, closed toe, shoes are required for camp. No sandals, heelys, high heels, or flip flops.

Drop-off / Pick-up

Parents/guardians please park in the south parking lot and call, 480-694-7339 when dropping-off and picking-up your camper(s). Staff will escort your child(ren) to and from the building. You will be asked for a photo ID when picking up. Camp staff will refuse to release participants to unauthorized individuals. Please be sure to list the names of all alternate pick-up options on your ePACT profile.

Parents/guardians are responsible for the welfare of their child(ren) prior to and after the camp hours. Participants should not be dropped off before the program start time nor should the parent/guardian leave the participant past the end of the program hours.

What Not to Bring

Electronics, toys, trading cards, cell phones, and stuffed animals should remain at home. The City of Mesa is not responsible for any lost or damaged items. Additionally, these items can be distracting to camp activities. If you feel your camper(s) needs a cell phone, it should remain in a backpack for the duration of camp.

Code of Conduct & Safety

1. Be Respectful - Of other participants, themselves, visitors, staff, and property, etc. Examples (Not an Exhaustive List): No backtalk nor any use of foul or unkind words. No inappropriate gestures. Listening and following directions. No sharing of personal property, appropriate sharing of site property. Inside voices. Raise hands, keep hands to yourself.

2. Be Responsible - Take care of property (their own and others), use both time and equipment for their intended purpose, complete assigned tasks, accept responsibility and consequences for choices. Examples (Not an Exhaustive List): Return equipment, sit in chairs properly, use supplies judiciously, participate in activities, do not kick basketballs, or use jump ropes to tow others.

3. Be Safe - Make good decisions, do not behave in a way that puts yourself or others at risk of an injury. No one will be allowed to jeopardize the health, safety, or camp environment of other children. Examples (Not an Exhaustive List): Do not swing jump ropes around, always keep two feet on the floor, do not play in restrooms, keep hands to yourself.

The above behavioral guidelines have been established with the goal of not only maintaining the physical and emotional well-being of each student, but also of teaching self-discipline, good judgment, and manners. Positive techniques are used to guide children’s behavior. Parents will be informed of problems as they arise so they may discuss further or assign consequences at home. Ultimately, a child’s choice may result in positive or negative consequences such as rewards, redirection, or loss of privileges.

For more severe or continuous problems, one or more of the following may result: conference with parent, immediate pick-up by parent/guardian, suspension, and/or immediate expulsion from the program (no refunds or credits will be issued). At the discretion of the Recreation Coordinator, campers who are asked to leave the program may not be permitted to enroll in future sessions.

Photography

Photographs and video footage taken of your child(ren) during participation in the program may be used for promotional materials. Please inform program staff before your child attends if you do not want your child’s photo or video to be taken.

Communication

Camp staff will distribute a weekly camp newsletter by email and via ePACT to highlight the activities that your child(ren) participated in during the week at camp. Also be sure to follow us on both Facebook, City of Mesa Parks and Recreation, and Instagram, @mesaparksandrec.

We are looking forward to having your child(ren) at camp this summer!