Summer Day Camp Parent Handbook

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Welcome to the Bloomingdale Park DistrictSummer Day Camp Program

This book should be used as a guideline to answer your questions about the camp program. If you have additional questions, please call the JRC Front Desk at (630)529-3650.

Tips for Successful Registration• Register for age-appropriate camp; pay non-refundable

registration fee• Be sure to complete all information on the forms including a

current photo of your child• Submit completed registration to the JRC or mail to 172 S. Circle

Ave, Bloomingdale, IL 60108• Select specific days• If your child requires special assistance, please notify us before

May 9There is a two business day processing period before your child may start attending.

Register Online1. Log on to your WebTrac account at www.registerb.parksreconline.com/bloomingdale102.html2. Add registration fee to your cart (once registered you may skip

this step)3. Search → Activity → Childcare Calendar4. Choose childcare location and sub type • Cat Tails, Lions Den, Mouse Hold & Rat Race - JRC • Top Dog - Westfield • Click Early Childhood & Youth Camps5. Click View Calendar6. Select days of attendance

Camp DatesJune 2 - August 8 *No camp July 4

Camp HoursSunrise Camp: 6:45am - 8:30amCamp: 8:30am - 3:30pmSunset Camp: 3:30pm - 6:15pm

Table of ContentsTips for Succesful Registration.................................2Register Online............................2Camp Dates................................3Camp Hours................................3Camp Locations.........................4Drop-Off/Pick-Up Locations.....................................4Drop-Off/Pick-Up........................4Sign-In/Sign-Out...........................4Walking Permission Slip...............4Sunrise/Sunset Camp Program...........................5Medication..................................5Insurance.....................................5Extracurricular Programs.............5Emergency Care.........................6Behavior.......................................6Discipline......................................7

Personal Belongings....................7Cell Phones..................................7Money..........................................7Lost & Found................................8Swimming....................................8Swimming Lessons.......................8Lunch & Snacks...........................8Hot Lunch.....................................9Late Pick-Up.................................9Absences.....................................9Field Trips.......................................9Camp Shirts................................10Reporting Communicable Disease......................................10Getting a Message to your Camper.........................11Communication.......................11

Pre and Post Camp dates available. Contact the front desk for details.

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Camp LocationsJRC 172 S. Circle Ave. Westfield Middle 149 Fairfield Way

Drop-Off/Pick-Up LocationsSunrise & Sunset Camp Westfield GymTop Dog Adventure Camp Westfield MiddleRat Race Camp JRC - Preschool CThe Mouse Hole Camp JRC - Goodwin Sedgwick RoomLion’s Den Camp JRC - Preschool ACat Tails Camp JRC - Hills/Kindergarten Room(Locations are subject to change)

Important InformationDrop-Off/Pick-upAll campers must be dropped off and picked up at their designated camp site (see above), unless they are enrolled in Sunrise/Sunset Camp. Campers must be signed in and out by an authorized adult.

Sign-In/Sign-OutWhen dropping off or picking up your camper, you must sign the attendance sheet, and fill in the time of day. The camper will not be accepted into the program or released without an authorized adult. Campers will not be released until 3:30 p.m. If your camper needs to leave before the program ends, please send a note informing the camp counselor director of the time you will be picking up your camper. When picking up early, please do so before 3 p.m. You will also need to check in at the Park District Registration Desk at time of pick up.

Walking Permission SlipKids with walking permission slips cannot be released during camp hours. The slip is an authorization for release at 3:30 p.m. Campers must be 10 years old. Walkers who pick up siblings under the age of 10 from other camps must be 12 years old. Participants are not allowed to walk home from Sunset Care Program. If weather is

inclement, your camper will not be allowed to walk home, in which an authorized adult will have to pick s/he up. Your camper will be escorted to Sunset Camp.**Sunset Camp fees applicable

Sunrise/Sunset Camp ProgramRegistration for Sunrise/Sunset Camp is separate from camp registration. Registration forms are available at the Park District Registration Desk and must be completed two business days prior to attending the program.

Children in any camp program who need care before and/or after camp are encouraged to attend the AM and/or PM extended care camps. Both camps utilize a punch card system. THE FIRST PUNCH CARD MUST BE PURCHASED IN PERSON AT THE JRC REGISTRATION DESK BEFORE YOUR CHILD ATTENDS CAMP. Punch Cards are on automatic charge only (credit card only), and are sold in 10 or 20-punch increments. The cost for a 10-day Sunrise Camp (6:45-8:30 a.m.) punch card is $80. The cost for a 10-day Sunset Camp (3:30-6:15 p.m.) punch card is $120. Unused punches are refundable.

Late fees apply for day campers who attend with no days left on their punch card & campers who are not registered for Sunrise/Sunset Camp. A snack is provided for children participating in Sunset Camp. Vending machines are not available.

MedicationIf it is necessary for your camper to receive medication while attending camp, a medication release form must be completed and submitted to the JRC Front Desk. Forms are available at the JRC Front Desk.

InsuranceThe Bloomingdale Park District does not provide insurance coverage for participants. Parents should check their individual insurance policy for coverage.

Extracurricular ProgramsIf your child will be attending extracurricular programs during camp time, you must arrange transportation to and from the program.

In some cases camp staff might be assigned to walk campers to and from other programs. If you need the service, please talk to the camp coordinator. Credits for camp are not given for missed days.

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Emergency CareIn the event your camper becomes ill or is injured while attending day camp, staff will take the following actions:

1. The parent will be contacted to come and pick up the camper. If the parent(s) cannot be reached, the emergency phone number(s) on the registration form will be called.2. Basic first aid will be applied to minor injuries, and the parent will be contacted if necessary.3. For more serious injuries, the staff will call the local paramedics. A staff member will remain with the camper at all times. Parents will be contacted immediately.

Note: Be sure we have at least two updated emergency contact phone numbers on file.

BehaviorChildren are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. The following guidelines have been established to ensure the day camp program is safe and enjoyable for all participants.

1. Show respect to all day camp participants and staff.2. Treat others as you would like to be treated.3. Refrain from using profanities and/or derogatory language/ nonverbal expressions.4. Physical aggression toward all participants and/or staff is prohibited.5. Do not destroy or damage equipment and supplies.6. Participants are expected to do as they are asked, upon the first request.7. Play Hard. Play fair. Have Fun.8. CHARACTER COUNTS!

Discipline In the event participants do not adhere to the established rules and guidelines, the following disciplinary procedures will be followed. The Bloomingdale Park District reserves the right to bypass one or all steps listed below based on the severity of the infraction.

• 1st warning - Timeout and /or privilege (i.e.: craft, gym, games, etc.)

• 2nd warning - A child will receive only one verbal warning and /or timeout per day. A behavior ticket will automatically accompany the second warning and/or timeout.

• Any child who receives three behavior tickets within a two-week time period, or by supervisor’s discretion, will receive an immediate one-day suspension from the program.

• If a child receives two more additional behavior tickets during the remainder of the program, an immediate three-day suspension from the program will be applied.

• After a child receives a three-day suspension, the next behavior ticket will result in expulsion from the program for the remainder of the camp session.

• Any child expelled from the program may not be eligible to participate in the following session of camp. Each case will be handled on an individual basis.

• Immediate suspension or expulsion from day camp will result from severe disregard of the rules including, but not limited to physical, aggressive behavior to others, damaging property, or theft.

Personal BelongingsPersonal items should be left at home as they can get lost, stolen, or broken. Any items brought in must have prior approval by their camp director. The Bloomingdale Park District is not responsible for any lost or damaged items.

Cell PhonesCell phones will not be allowed at camp. Phones will be confiscated and given to parents at the end of the day.

MoneyAny extra money that the camper brings is not the responsibility of the camp staff. As a result, please do not send your camper with a large sum of money.

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Lost and FoundItems not claimed by Friday of the current week will be given to charity.

ClothingThe campers go outside on a daily basis, so please dress the campers according to the weather for that day. The campers must wear GYM SHOES (NO SANDALS) to camp, along with a set of comfortable clothes. Please label all articles of clothing with family name.

SwimmingThe campers will swim M, T, TH, F (unless the pool is closed) with the exception of field trip days and rainy/cold days. Top Dog Camp’s swimming days will be designated on their calendar. It is recommended that children bring a swimsuit and towel everyday, as the calendar is subject to change. Spray-on sunscreen is required. Campers should come to camp with sunscreen already applied. They will have time before swimming to apply more. All campers wear a wristband while at the pool. Children with limited swimming ability (determined by BPD lifeguards) will be required to wear a special colored wristband while swimming. Each camp will also have designated colored wristbands for identification purposes.

Swimming Lessons Campers , excluding Top Dog, are automatically signed up for swim lessons in designated weeks (see park district brochure).

Lunch & SnackIt is the parents’ responsibility to pack a lunch and snack with beverage for their child everyday. We also encourage packing a water bottle, since the majority of the time will be spent outside. Vending machines will not be accessible to campers during camp. The park district does not provide water bottles or snacks.

Hot LunchHot lunch is offered to participants every day of the week, except field trip days. Parents must complete the appropriate hot lunch form and submit them along with payment in person at the JRC Front Desk.

The hot lunch forms are due by the due date on the hot lunch form. There are no exceptions to this.

Late Pick-UpCampers who are not picked up by 3:30 p.m. will be escorted to Sunset Camp and charged the Sunset Camp fee, plus an additional $5 per day fee until paid if there is no punch card on file.

If a camper is not picked up from Sunset Camp by 6:15 p.m., a late fee of $5 is charged for the first 1-10 minutes you are late. After 6:25 p.m., there is an additional $1 charge per minute for each minute you are late.

AbsencesRefunds will be granted with three or more business date (M-F) advance notice. There is a $5 administrative charge per transaction for camp refunds. Credits/transfers requested on the program date will also be assessed a $5 administrative charge and must be requested before 10AM.

Field TripsA special feature of day camp is going on field trips. These trips will be conducted away from the Bloomingdale Park District, necessitating a bus ride. As a result, campers need to be at camp by 8:45 a.m.; otherwise, he or she may miss the trip and not be accepted to camp that day. No exceptions.

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Camp ShirtsExtra shirts will be available for purchase at the JRC Front Desk. Each child will be given a camp T-shirt on the day of their first field trip that must be worn on all camp trips. A child without a camp T-shirt will receive a new one and parents will automatically be billed $10 for a new one. Field trip dates will be designated on the camp calendar.

Reporting Communicable DiseaseParticipants diagnosed with a communicable disease, infection, rash, or head lice must present a doctor’s release before returning to camp. For the safety and well-being of participants and staff, parents/participants must notify the Park District at (630)529-3650 of the situation at the time of diagnosis. Class participants will be notified (subject’s name will not be disclosed) of the situation so that appropriate precautions may be taken. Listed below are several common situations and procedures to follow before returning to camp.

Head LiceThe participants must be NIT FREE in order to return to the program. Before being admitted back to the program, the participant will be checked by a trained staff member.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)Participants with bacterial conjunctivitis may not return to the program until the active infection passes or until 24 hours after treatment begins.

Viral conjunctivitis requires a doctor’s release stating the participant does not have bacterial conjunctivitis.

Chicken PoxParticipants with chicken pox may return to the program when all blisters have dried and formed scabs, approximately 7 days after the onset of the rash.

Streptococcal Sore ThroatParticipant may return to the program 24 hours after treatment begins, providing there has been no fever for 24 hours and antibiotics will continue for 10 days.

FeverParticipants must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to camp.

Parent Code of Conduct● Any parent/guardian who displays any of the following behaviors,

including, but not limited to: physical abuse, shaking, grabbing, hitting, pushing, verbal abuse including inappropriate language or threats to a child, family, or staff; or is in possession or under the influence of alcohol or illegal substance will be asked to leave the premises and may no longer be allowed on site.

● If staff suspects a person of substance abuse or view any act of child abuse or its effects, the police will be notified.

● The staff’s first responsibility is the safety of the children.

Getting a Message to Your CamperIf a situation arises and you need to get a message to your camper, please call the JRC Front Desk at (630)529-3650 and the front office staff will get a message to the camp coordinator.

CommunicationPlease feel free to contact the Bloomingdale Park District during business hours with any concerns, suggestions, or comments regarding the program. Parent and child input is always welcome. The Park District phone number is (630)529-3650. Messages for directors may be left at the Park District during business hours, or email jason@bloomingdaleparks.org with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Camp Philosophy“To provide a positive camp experience which promotes personal

and social development through creative summer activities.”

All camp staff are certified in CPR and basic First Aid to ensure the safety of your children.