Summer Camp 2019 Parent Handbook

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Table of Contents

General Camp Information ............................................... 2 Camp Activities ................................................................ 5 Personnel ........................................................................ 7 Health .............................................................................. 7 Behavior Guidelines and Discipline .................................. 8 Reasonable Accommodations and Inclusion .................... 9 Refund Policy................................................................. 10 Camp Schedules:

•Tennis Camps ..................................................... 11 •Venetian Pool Camps .......................................... 12 •Youth Center Camps ........................................... 13

Facility & Camp Contacts:

•Youth Center Camps: Yanessa Rodriguez - Recreation Specialist (305) 460-5630 or E: yrodriguez@coralgables.com - Youth Center Reception (305) 460-5600

•Venetian Pool Camps: Jose Vilar - Aquatics Supervisor (305) 460-5308 or Sarah Espino - Assistant Aquatics Supervisor (305) 460-5357 or Venetian Pool Front Desk (305) 460-5306

•Smash & Splash Tennis Camp: Oksana Krutiyenko - Camp Coordinator (305) 460-5333 •High Performance Tennis Camp: Robert Gomez - Tennis Supervisor (305) 460-5621 •Golf Camp: Phil Argianas - Camp Director (305) 238-7507

It Starts in Parks!

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Are you ready for summer camp? Welcome to the City of Coral Gables Community Recreation Summer Camps! This parent guide includes information that will help you and your child prepare for this summer’s camps and activities. The Parks and Recreation Division provides a large variety of summer camps for school-age children of residents and non-residents in the surrounding communities. The City prides itself in exceeding the needs and interests of our patrons by providing quality childcare and recreational services through trained staff, inspiring activities and fun field trips in a safe and clean environment for everyone to enjoy. Please check our website for all camp selections at: www.playgables.com. While the majority of the City’s camps are programmed and staffed internally by the City’s Parks and Recreation Division, a few specialty camps and programs are managed by contracted companies and staff or volunteer organizations. For the safety of your child all camp, contracted and volunteer staff have successfully completed a background check and drug screen prior to working with any child at any Park facility. The information presented in this guide is designed to provide you with the general rules and safety procedures as well as detailed schedules and camp specific information. The City welcomes campers with disabilities as part of its inclusion initiative for the Parks and Recreation Division’s Accessible Recreation Program. If your child has a disability and may need a reasonable accommodation to participate in camp, please see the “Reasonable Accommodation and Inclusion” section below for further information. You may also contact the City’s ADA Coordinator by email: ada@coraglables.com, or by telephone: 305-722-8686 (voice) or 305-442-1600 (TTY/TDD). The Parks & Recreation team wishes you and your child a fun, safe and unforgettable summer.

I. GENERAL CAMP INFORMATION Dress Code – “PLAY CLOTHES & CLOSED-TOE SHOES” Loose comfortable clothing that allows ease in movement is recommended. Your child is in camp to have fun, learn and play – so please do not send him/her in any clothing that cannot get dirty. No inappropriate or revealing clothing may be worn, including but not limited to, clothing with offensive language, racial slurs, sexual images or statements, depictions of violence or advertisements of alcohol or drugs, backless or transparent shirts or bottoms, halter tops or shirts that do not cover the entire torso, and high cut shorts. If the camp your child is attending goes on field trips, make sure to check the camp calendar for any specific clothing requirements. Campers must wear sneakers (or similar closed-toe shoes) for all camps, except that flip-flops and sandals may be worn at any water park/water facility. Campers with swimming field trips must come to camp in sneakers and then may change into flip flops/sandals while at the water facility/pool. At the end of the swimming field trip, campers must change back into sneakers for the remainder the day. If a child arrives at camp with only flip flops/sandals, the child will not be permitted to be signed in until he/she has changed into sneakers. If staff discover the child has only flip flops/sandals after sign-in, camp staff will request the parent/guardian bring sneakers to camp and the child sit out of the scheduled activities until the parent/guardian arrives with the alternative shoes. For all outdoor programs it is recommended to pack a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle, and towel. Camp Shirt All internal City camps will provide each child with a color coded camp shirt or rash guard (Venetian Pool camps only). Campers must bring these shirts with them each day to assist staff in identifying their group and in distinguishing our campers from the general public when outside the facility. Camp shirts will be distributed on the first day of each session. Pending availability, additional shirts/rash guards may be purchased at the respective facility.

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Personal Belongings Please label all items that your child brings to camp with a permanent marker (i.e. lunch, backpack, towel, sunscreen, clothes, etc.) The Parks and Recreation Division is not responsible for lost/stolen/damaged personal items that are brought to camp. ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED DURING CAMP. (i.e. video games, PDA’s, tablet’s etc.) A good rule of thumb is don’t bring anything to camp that would upset your child if it was lost. The use of cell phones during camp is prohibited; it interrupts camp activities and interferes with a child’s social management of their day. However, we understand how convenient and reassuring it is for parents to check on their children throughout the course of the camp. Therefore, cell phone check times are limited to lunch time and snack time. Cell phone communications are restricted to contacting parents or guardians only. THE USE OF CELL PHONES TO CAPTURE PHOTOGRAPHS OR VIDEOS OF CAMPERS OR STAFF IS PROHIBITED! Campers may lose their phone privileges if abused. Camper Wristbands All campers will be given an identifying wristband each day at check-in. Campers are required to wear them throughout the day to assist in color coded (camp specific) identification of the camper during field trips and when in proximity of the public. Parking Parking is permitted in marked parking stalls only and is NOT permitted at curbs or front entrances reserved for loading or emergency vehicles. The Police Department or Parking Enforcement staff will issue tickets to vehicles parked illegally (i.e. Youth Center circular drive, disability accessible parking spaces without a permit). At the Youth Center during check-in, the parking lot is one way traffic only to facilitate the safe drop off of campers. (Please follow clockwise map pattern on Youth Center map.) Please assist us in making our parking lots a safe area during the busy summer camp season. Authorized Pick-Up Identification Policy At registration, parents are to list all family members and/or friends with their appropriate full name, as it appears on their driver’s license or other picture identification (ID), as well as their contact number. Only those listed on the form will be added to your child’s account and listed on the sign-out roster. To add additional contacts the guardian must visit the camp’s registration office in person with a valid photo ID or may call the office using their code word (issued by guardian on original registration form) for identification verification. Office staff will then update the account and relay the information to the specific camp and staff. Do not contact camp staff directly as they are not authorized to make changes to your account. A VALID PHOTO ID MUST BE PRESENTED TO STAFF EACH TIME AT PICK UP! YOUTH CENTER ONLY - For the safety of your child, the Youth Center will employ a Fast-Pass ID verification system for all persons entering the Youth Center facility. Please be prepared to show a valid picture ID (ie. driver’s license or passport – employment ID badges or photo business cards are not considered valid ID’s) EACH TIME you sign-out your child or enter the Youth Center facility. If you have included family members or friends as authorized pick-ups please make sure they are aware of the mandatory ID policy. Please be patient during Check-in and Sign-Out. The Counselors must enforce this policy for your child’s safety. Facility access will be denied if a valid photo ID is not provided. Drop-Off & Pick-Up All camps offer some type of early drop off and/or late pick-up option. Please see below for information on your child/s camp and the location of their drop-off/pick-up site. First day of camp can be hard on campers and parents, but to minimize disruption to programming please refrain from staying in excess of ten minutes during drop off. Keep in mind that for the safety of all participants, parents are not permitted to stay at camp with their child.

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Curbside Drop-Off Here Youth Center Camps:

CAMP DROP-OFF LOCATION

Time available

PICK-UP LOCATION

Time available

1 Basketball Camp **Curb Side 7:30-9:00am Gym 1:00pm

2 Bricks4Kidz Camp **Ceramic Room 8:45am Ceramics Room 1:00pm

3 Club Play Camps (Green, Red, Blue, Teens, Half-Day) **Curb Side 7:30-9:00am Gym 5:00-6:00pm

4 Creative Camp **Theater 8:00-9:00am Theater 4:00-6:00pm

5 Fitness Camp **Fitness Center Schedule w/ fitness staff Fitness Center 9:00-3:00pm

6 Gymnastics Camp **Curb Side 8:30am Gym 4:00-6:00pm

7 My 1st Camp **Toddler Room 7:30-9:00am Toddler Room 3:00-4:00pm

8 Volleyball Camp **Curb Side 7:30-9:00am Gym 1:00pm

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Venetian Pool: All Venetian Pool summer campers are to enter the facility through the right side entrance, which is also the handicap entrance, as the front entrance will be used to check in students for the morning swim lessons or general admission once the facility opens to the public. There will be two separate classrooms for the full day camp. Team Rescuers (ages 5-7) will be located in the classroom behind the beach, while Team Lifesavers (ages 8-12) will be located in the classroom on the right side of the patio behind the double doors of the Concession Stand. During early drop-off and late pick-up both age groups will be located in the classroom near the Concession Stand. Salvadore Tennis: Check-in and sign-out for all Summer Tennis Camps will be at the Salvadore Park Tennis Center, located at the south entrance on Valencia Avenue. There will be a sign-in counselor at the sign-in table as of 7:30 a.m. each day. Sign-out for the half day camp is at 1:30 p.m. at the same table. All camp registrations are done in the clubhouse office located on the first floor. Children dropped off early will be supervised by office staff until the camp begins and then transferred to camp staff. Please contact the Salvadore Park office at 305-460-5333 to inform of an unscheduled late pick-up. Please also note that, except for when registering for camp, dropping-off or picking-up, parents of campers will not be allowed inside the tennis facility during camp hours. Granada Golf: All classes will be conducted at the Granada Golf Course located at 2001 Granada Boulevard, Coral Gables, Fl 33134. Drop-off and pick-up of all campers will be at the practice putting green next to the clubhouse.

Late Pick-Up Policy Children not picked-up by 6:00 p.m. (4:00 pm for My First Camp and 1:30 p.m. for Morning Half Day Camps) will be charged $12.50 for each 15 minutes or any part thereof after the pick-up time. Fees must be paid at the facility’s main office within 48 hours. Outstanding late pick-up fees may inhibit your ability to register for the following weeks of camp. Self-Sign-Out Policy Children ages 12 years and older may be permitted to sign themselves out with parent authorization. Parents must sign the self-sign-out authorization form in person at time of registration. Children will only be able to sign themselves out once sign-out for that camp begins. Once a child has signed themselves out of camp, they must leave the camp area and may no longer participate in camp activities that day. Campers with self-sign-out will NOT be permitted to sign out other siblings or leave camp early unless accompanied by a parent. Lost & Found Each facility has a LOST & FOUND. Once summer camp has ended, all unclaimed items in the lost & found will be donated. Please remember to check for all items that were sent to camp including your child’s lunch box or any articles of clothing at the end of each day. Staff will do their best to locate missing articles but are not responsible for lost items.

II. CAMP ACTIVITIES Activities will vary based on camps, but may include weekly art & craft projects, field trips, swimming, team building projects, movies, and cooking activities.

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Field Trips Full-day camps may take campers on scheduled field trips. Field trip locations include local park facilities; water parks, indoor recreation centers and much more. See attached camp specific field trip schedules. Field trips may require release waivers to be signed & submitted prior to arrival. Email addresses submitted at time of registration will be used to communicate with parents and legal guardians with respect to release waivers for upcoming trips. Weekly waiver packets will be emailed to parents prior to the first day of camp each week so parents can make proper arrangements to complete waivers and any other requirements, (i.e. notarization). Registrations occurring the first day of camp will need to complete any necessary waivers at time of registration. **PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FREQUENTLY FOR CAMP INFORMATION AND FIELD TRIP NOTIFICATIONS INCLUDING WAIVERS** Transportation to and from fieldtrips is included in the camp registration fee. For the Tennis Camps daily transportation to the Venetian Pool is provided through the City trolley. For every off site field trip, campers are escorted by their counselors and coordinator and role calls are performed entering, then again once seated and exiting the bus. For all water field trips coordinators are required to be poolside and counselors in the water with their campers. Lunch & Snack Campers may bring their personal lunch or snack from home (NO PEANUTS/NUTS!) Campers with severe food allergies are recommended to provide their own lunch. Due to different food allergies please remind your camper to not share their personal food from home with other campers. All Full Day or PM Half Day Camps will provide campers with a snack. Please pack a reusable water bottle for your child so they can stay hydrated throughout the day. All camps will have a water cooler or fountain accessible to campers. Campers accompanied by staff, may purchase items from the Concession Stand once they have eaten their lunch/snack. Lunch is only included in the Tennis, Golf and Venetian Pool Full Day camps. If your camp does not include lunch, make sure to pack a lunch or money so your child has something to eat/drink at lunch time. If a child does not have a lunch, staff will provide a lunch and place a balance on the account to be settled at the end of each day before pick-up. The Youth Center offers a weekly pre-paid lunch program with a set menu that may be purchased during registration or prior to each session of camp for $30.00/week. On Field trip days, campers are provided a sandwich in lieu of the menu item.

Youth Center Menu: (includes a bottle of water and a choice of chips) • Monday: Chicken Nuggets • Tuesday: Cheese Pizza • Wednesday: Deli Sandwich • Thursday: Chicken Sandwich • Friday: Cheese Pizza

**Pending availability, sandwiches or chicken nuggets may be offered as a substitution. Venetian Pool & Tennis Menu: (included in registration fee)

• Monday: Two slices of pizza, chips, juice, & cookie • Tuesday: Cheeseburger/Hamburger with chips, juice & cookie • Wednesday: Two chicken fillets with small fries, juice & cookie • Thursday: Hot dog with chips, juice & cookie • Friday: Two slices of pizza, chips, juice, & cookie

Movies Only movies rated “G” or “Disney PG” may be shown to campers without specific written permission. **Permission slips for PG movies may be provided for parents of children in the Teens outside Camp**

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III. PERSONNEL All camp staff are background checked and drug screened prior to appointment of position. Additionally, they are CPR certified as well as trained on how to use an AED. All summer staff/contractor/volunteer members are required to complete a two day Counselor Orientation which covers facility and program policies & procedures, safety training and drills and specialized training for the camp they are assigned to. Coordinators Coordinators are assigned to oversee camp groups. Coordinators are the lead for these camp groups and will be available at drop off and pick-up times to address parents about upcoming events, field trips, camp needs and behavioral issues. Coordinators are responsible for all camp activities and ensure that all counselors are providing quality camp experiences. Counselors Multiple counselors are assigned to each camp group. Depending on the number of enrolled children per camp, participants may be divided into smaller groups, keeping the standard of at least one counselor for every ten campers. Counselors may rotate groups depending on activities, field trips and camper census. Counselor In Training (CIT) CIT’s are volunteer high school students who assist the camp’s regular Counselors with both activities and supervision of the camp. Individuals must be a minimum of fifteen years of age to be selected for this volunteer position. CIT’s are not used in place of Counselors but rather as another set of eyes and ears to help supervise and maintain a fun and safe environment for our campers during the summer.

IV. HEALTH Head Lice The City of Coral Gables Parks & Recreation Division maintains high health and safety standards at all times. Therefore, faced with issues such as head lice, the following procedures will be followed: the parent will be contacted and informed of the situation by phone and must immediately pick up the child. A child with head lice or nits (eggs) will only be allowed to return to camp with a health care provider’s release. All children may be checked for head lice. All parents will be notified if lice have been confirmed in your child’s group during camp. Medication We recognize that some campers may require medication during camp hours, whether for short or long term conditions. All medication must be stored with camp staff during camp hours, except for medication that must remain with the camper (e.g., Epinephrine, inhaler) for health reasons. (In these circumstances, the camp staff may not be held responsible for any lost medication.) Any prescription medication that is or may be taken during camp hours must be in the original container from the pharmacy with a visible label showing the name of the medication, the child’s name, and the dosage, and be accompanied by a copy of the health care provider’s prescription. Inhalers (such as for asthma) outside of their original packaging from the pharmacy must be labeled with the child’s name (in permanent ink or adhesive label) and the parent/guardian must be able to provide a copy of the original pharmacy package label with the above information. Upon request and submission of a signed medication authorization and waiver by the parent/guardian and compliance, camp staff will assist to administer prescription oral medication to campers. Camp staff will not administer any injectable medication, such as insulin. If a camper needs, but cannot self-administer, injectable medication during camp hours, a parent/guardian or other Authorized Adult (as listed on the registration form) must come to the camp (which may be located offsite for a field trip) to administer the medication. The sole

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exception is that trained Counselors or staff may administer an Epinephrine injection to a camper having an allergic reaction, provided that the Epinephrine injector is provided by the camper. The City will not provide Epinephrine to any campers. Injuries & Illness Camp activities are designed to allow kids to play and have fun in a safe environment but occasionally accidents may occur. In the event of an injury or illness, campers will be brought to a Supervisor for evaluation and care. Parents will be notified for all injuries requiring medical attention (i.e. Ice bag, band aid, etc.) regardless of severity. In the event we cannot get ahold of a parent, the emergency contact will be called. If an injury or illness presents as severe, Coral Gables Fire Rescue will be called to the scene, followed by parents and/or emergency contacts. Sunscreen & Mosquito Repellant Since campers are in the sun frequently, we strongly advise that each camper wear sunscreen, daily. Please apply sunscreen to your child prior to drop off at camp each day. If additional applications of sunscreen are necessary, please provide the sunscreen for your child (with their names on them) and instruct them on how and when to apply it during the day. Due to allergies, staff is prohibited from providing sunscreen to campers. Counselors and staff are not permitted to apply sunscreen to campers. It is recommended that parents provide their camper(s) with their preferred mosquito repellant when sending their camper(s) to any outdoor activity or camp.

V. BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES AND DISCIPLINE We expect campers to act respectfully at all times while participating in summer camp activities. Coral Gables Parks & Recreation strives to provide an atmosphere of fairness and equal respect while participating in Summer Camp activities. Appropriate behavior is the joint responsibility of the child, parent, and camp staff. If a camper does not follow the behavior guidelines, the staff will attempt to redirect the camper to more appropriate behavior (depending on the nature of the incident) and may remind the camper of the behavior guidelines. If inappropriate behavior continues or if the behavior is of a serious nature, the following action steps will be taken:

•Level One: Meeting with camper and camp staff along with a time-out or revocation of privileges. Parent is notified and staff will provide a Disciplinary form describing the incident of inappropriate behavior. (Parent must sign the form to acknowledge receipt) • Level Two: Meeting with camper, parent(s) and camp supervisor. Possible suspension from camp activities for remainder of day, week, session pending severity. Parent is notified and may be asked to pick-up child from camp immediately. Staff will also provide the parent with a Disciplinary form describing the incident. (Parent must sign the form to acknowledge receipt) • Level Three: Parent is notified and required to pick-up child from camp immediately. The child may be removed from camp activities for remainder of the summer. Staff will provide the parent with a Disciplinary form describing the incident and confirming the removal from camp. (Parent must sign the form to acknowledge receipt).

The City reserves the right to skip steps in the disciplinary process based on the facts and circumstances of the individual situation. For certain incidents, removal from camp activities for a period of time or dismissal from camp for the remainder of the summer may be the first disciplinary action taken by the City. Please make sure you review the following Big 10 Rules of Good Behavior with your child before camp begins:

KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELVES – Respect the property and space of others at all times. NO FIGHTING, BULLYING, ARGUING, NAME-CALLING OR SWEARING – Have fun with others and help others do the same. OBEY ALL THE RULES OF YOUR INSTRUCTOR AND STAFF – Listen carefully when they are talking. DO NOT LITTER- Clean up after yourselves and throw away trash in garbage cans. NO SHOUTING – Ask calmly for help if you need something. AVOID ANY DANGER – Keep each other’s safety in mind at all times.

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DO NOT BRING FOOD OR SODAS INTO THE ROOMS – You may take water bottles if you’re thirsty. NO STANDING UP, EATING OR LEAVING TRASH ON THE BUS – Your safety is important while on a field trip. DO NOT TEASE ANYONE BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT – Every child has the right to be treated with respect. TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED – Be kind, courteous and respectful to all. SPEAK UP – Tell your counselor if you see something you don’t like.

VI. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND INCLUSION FOR CAMPERS WITH DISABILITIES

The Parks and Recreation Division is committed to providing inclusion opportunities for children with disabilities to participate in summer camp. Inclusion is not a separate group or program. Inclusion means providing support and removing barriers so that children with and without disabilities can participate together in the City’s summer camp programs. The Division does not currently offer any therapeutic summer camps, which are camp programs exclusively for children with disabilities, and does not provide any therapy or any other therapeutic interventions (e.g., tracking behaviors, collecting data) for children. The Division is able to support a range of needs and its Special Populations staff will work with parents/guardians to ensure that the camps chosen are a good fit for their child and to identify potential reasonable accommodations that may assist their child during camp. This is an individualized process and may include meeting with the child and parent/guardian in advance of camp and requesting information about the child and his/her needs (including medical information and any Individual Education Plan (IEP)). This is intended to be a flexible, interactive process. Accommodations may be modified as necessary for the child and the safe and effective operation of the camp program. The Special Populations Coordinator will advise and guide camp staff in providing an inclusive experience for the child. In order to provide sufficient time for the Special Populations staff to complete this process, we request that any requests for inclusion and reasonable accommodation be submitted at the time the child registers for camp (if registering in advance), but no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the start of the child’s camp, unless a shorter period is necessitated by the circumstances. If a request for accommodation is submitted very close in time to the camp date, the Special Populations staff may not be able to make arrangements in time for the start of the child’s camp, depending on the nature of the request. A request for accommodation may not be granted if it is not reasonable, or if it would fundamentally alter the nature of the camp program or impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the City. Please note that the Parks and Recreation Division does not provide one-on-one staffing or small group options for campers with disabilities. While the Special Populations staff may be able to provide some individual support during the camp day, this cannot be guaranteed for any specific date or time as the staff serves campers in all of the Division’s summer camps across multiple locations. As a result, campers need to be able to independently attend to their personal needs, including eating, toileting, changing clothes (on swim days), and walking or moving (if using a mobility assistance device, such as a wheelchair or scooter). Campers must also be able to participate in activities in a group of approximately 10 campers per Counselor for the duration of the camp day (whether half or full day, depending on the camp program) and to adhere to the Behavior Guidelines listed in Section V. above. Campers who need assistance with any of these tasks may bring their own support person (at their own cost), provided that person provides proof of identification and satisfactorily passes the City’s criminal background check and drug screen.

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The Parks and Recreation Division prioritizes the safety of all of its campers. If a camper harms him/herself or others, cannot follow our Behavior Guidelines, or cannot otherwise safely participate in the camp program even with accommodations, the camper may not be able to continue with the camp. Please remember that camp is different from school. Some campers with disabilities may do better at camp due to no academic studies and more movement and “fun” activities during the day, and the absence of academic studies. Other campers may have a smooth year at school, but struggle with camp for various reasons, such as weekly changes in peers, different activities, and more transitions and unstructured time. In such circumstances, we courage parents/guardians to communicate with the Special Populations staff.

VII. REFUND POLICY Refund requests must be made, in writing, 7 days prior to the start of the registered program date. There will be no refunds issued when a request is submitted with less than a 7 day notice. Requests for emergency medical reasons (i.e. broken bone, hospitalization etc.) will only be accepted with proper documentation. Approved refunds will be assessed a $15 processing fee and any applicable program/ camp/activity costs (i.e. uniforms, trip fees, materials, etc.) Refunds will not be issued after the completion of the program.

VIII. CAMP SCHEDULES *See attached appendices

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TENNIS SMASH & SPLASH CAMP SCHEDULE

TENNIS HIGH PERFORMANCE CAMP SCHEDULE

TENNIS SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULES

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VENETIAN POOL CAMP SCHEDULES

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YOUTH CENTER FIELD TRIP SCHEDULES

YOUTH CENTER CLUB PLAY FIELD TRIP SCHEDULES

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YOUTH CENTER CLUB PLAY FIELD TRIP SCHEDULES

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YOUTH CENTER ATHLETIC CAMP SCHEDULES