Parent Handbook - YMCA of Greater Houston

Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCADay CampParent HandbookWELCOME!The YMCA of Greater Houston staff would like to welcome you to YMCA Day Camp. Westrive to provide a happy and safe camping experience for you and your child. Thisbooklet is designed to help answer any questions you may have about your camper's staywith us.YMCA Day Camp provides youth ages 5-15 with supervised activities that teach corevalues, conflict resolution and leadership skills. Kids have fun while making new friends,building self-confidence, appreciating teamwork and growing in self-reliance. The Y offersa fun and happy place for kids to play games, create arts and crafts, explore science andtechnology, swim, participate in field trips, appreciate nature and discover and value ourmany cultures.For those families looking for a summer day camp that focuses on activities such ascomputers, music, sports and more, we offer specialty camps and youth sports camps atselected YMCAs around the greater Houston area.Positive reinforcement, caring and competent staff, safe surroundings, Christian values(caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith), fun and laughter help bring thesecharacteristics out in our campers.YMCA Day Camp will provide a place for your child to become the best that he/she can be,while coming to know more about others and the world in which they live.Y MISSION: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that buildhealthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Everyone is welcome.

TABLE OF CONTENTSY Center Information 3-4How to Enroll 5Activities Offered 5Field Trips/Special EventsSwimmingRainy DaysCamper NeedsStaff Leadership 6Health / Safety Guidelines 6Accident / Emergency Procedures 6Authorized Pick-Up 6Payment Policy / Procedures 7Scholarship Information 7Communication 7Conduct / Disciplinary Policies 7-8- 2 -

Y CENTER INFORMATIONTELLEPSEN FAMILY DOWNTOWN YMCA808 PEASEHOUSTON, TX 77002YMCA SUMMER CAMP @ FONDE110 SABINE HOUSTON TX 77007CAMP STAFF LEADERSHIP/CONTACT NUMBERSYOUTH DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR - CRYSTAL DAVIS/713.739.3612 OR 281.839.8341DAY CAMP DIRECTOR: JOSH BURKS /281.839.8278CAMP LEAD: JENNIFER WRIGHT/832.629.6004COMMUNITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR- CHAD SWIRCZEK/713.736.3633CAMP HOURS, DAYS AND MONTHS OF OPERATIONMONDAY – FRIDAY 6:30AM - 6:30PMTHERE WILL BE DROP OFF AND PICK UP ATTELLEPSEN FAMILY DOWNTOWNCAMPERS WILL BE TRANSPORTED BY BUS TOFOUDE COMMUNITY CENTERFOR DAY CAMP ACTIVITIESDEPART FOR FOUDE- 9:00 AMRETURN TO TELLEPSEN -4:00PMRATESFACILITY MEMBER: $160PROGRAM MEMBER: $200 + $30 ANNUAL PROGRAM MEMBER FEEMEALSTEEN CAMP PARENTS MUST PROVIDE A LUNCH AND 2 SNACKS DAILYDAY CAMP LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDE BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAMPARENTS PLEASE PROVIDE A HEALTHY SNACK AND 2 BOTTLES OF WATER DAILYDATES/THEMES/FIELD TRIPS FOR DAY CAMP AND TEEN CAMPDATES/THEMES AND FIELD TRIPDAY CAMPSESSION 1 June 4-8 Dr.Seuss: “Oh the things you will do”SESSION 2 June 11-15 Animals: Call of the WildSession 3 June 18-22 Superhero: Avengers AssembleSession 4 June 25-29 Western: How the West was Fan RodeosSession 5 July 2-6 NO Camp on July 4 th Water: Splash & DashSession 6 July 9-13 Epic Adventures: Day Camp CrusadesSession 7 July 16-20 World Records Can You Top ThatSession 8 July 23-27 Construction & Invention WorkshopSESSION 9 JULY 30 AUG 3 OUT OF THE BOX: BACKWARDS BOARDSSESSION 10 AUGUST 6-10 SHOW BUSINESSSESSION 11 AUGUST 13-17 BEST OF THE BEST “CAMP’S MOST WANTED”TEEN CAMPSESSION 1 June 4-8 Treasure Hunt: “X Marks the Spot”SESSION 2 June 11-15 Apps: “There’s an App for That!”Session 3 June 18-22 Decades: “Old School Remix”Session 4 June 25-29 Western: How the West Was Fan RodeosSession 5 July 2-6 No Camp on the 4 th “H 2 Ohhh Yeah!!Session 6 July 9-13 Record Breakers- 3 -

Session 7 July 16-20 “Engineer THAT”Session 8 July 23-27 “Out of the Box”SESSION 9 JULY 30 AUG 3 “The Biz”SESSION 10 AUGUST 6-10 “Road Trip”SESSION 11 AUGUST 13-17 “Déjà Vu”- 4 -

How to EnrollEnrollment paperwork is available online at www.ymcahouston.org and at your local Y; however,enrollment is not complete until payment is received over the phone or in person. All paperwork,vaccination records and fees must be received before your child may attend camp.Vaccination records, physician and hospital information along with three emergency contacts arerequired.Activities OfferedThe typical camp program includes character development activities, arts & crafts, group games,and leadership development. In addition some of our YMCAs offer a variety of additional outdoorexperiences including: hiking, skate parks, archery, BB guns, canoeing and *ropes course (withhigh and low elements). All camp activities are age appropriate. The kids are placed into theirrespective age groups and taken through activities that are geared for their development level. Atcertain points during the day, all the children are brought together for group games, songs and/orspecial events.Field Trips/Special EventsYour child must wear his/her camp t-shirt on field trip days in order to participate. Eachchild will receive one t-shirt when camp begins. You may purchase additional shirts for $10.00per shirt.Every week we will plan different trips/events to add something special to your camper’sexperience. Special activities will include programs, treasure hunts, talent shows, speakers andfield trips. These will take place during the regular camp day and give your camper the totalexperience of YMCA Day Camp. Field trips are fun and exciting outings enhance your child’sexperience. Fees for field trips are included in the cost of camp.SwimmingCampers will need appropriate swimwear (one piece swimsuit for girls, no Speedos for boys), atowel, goggles if desired and sunscreen. No water wings, inner tubes or other inflatable devices areallowed in Y pools. All campers will be swim tested every day to determine their swimming ability.Five-year-olds are not taken to the pool.Rainy DaysOur staff are prepared for rainy days with many backup plans to choose from. Our counselors areprepared with songs, skits, games and other activities. Even the rain will not stop the fun at YMCADay Camp!Campers Need Every Day: Healthy Snacks/Lunch Swimsuit* Towel Sunscreen Comfortable Play Clothes Closed-Toed Athletic Shoes Water Bottle (Must Have) Bug Spray Cap/Visor Good Attitude*Girls must wear a one piece bathing suit. Boys may not wear Speedos.Campers Do Not Need:Cell PhonesMake UpElectronic DevicesI-Pods or MP3 PlayersToys/Stuffed AnimalsBad AttitudeMoney- 5 -

Weapons Trading Cards JewelryAll necessary personal items that come to camp should be clearly labeled with the camper’s name.Items that are lost will be placed in a lost and found area. Due to our limited storage space, ifitems are not claimed by the end of the camp session, they will be donated to local charities.PLEASE REMEMBER WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN ITEMS!Staff LeadershipAll staff are required to attend 40 hours of training before working at camp. Their training hoursare spent on CPR, first aid, character development, age appropriate activities, child abuseawareness and a variety of other topics to ensure your children have a safe and fun experience atcamp. The Y maintains a 1:10 staff to child ratio.Health & Safety Guidelines Children with colds or illness will not be admitted. Please do not put us in the position ofrefusing your child. Our camp follows the same guidelines as the public school system. All campers are required by the Texas Department of Health and Texas Department ofFamily and Protective Services to have current immunization records on file. We will NOTaccept children in our program without current immunization records. Prescription medications will not be administered unless a “Medication Authorization Form“has been filled out. All medication must be in the original container and a medicationform must be completed. Over the counter medication will only be administered if adoctor writes a note for the medication to be given. Medication will only be administered atlunch and at 3 pm. No child may attend the program barefoot and all campers must wear close-toed shoes atall times. Campers will be sent home if this policy is not followed. A camper will only be released to those persons listed on the release forms in theregistration information. All day camp staff are required to check identification of anyone whom they do not know.This includes parents, relatives and friends. Staff will not be permitted to transport any child. Anyone working with children is required by law to report any suspected child abuse. Thisincludes physical, sexual, emotional, mental and neglect. Staff are not permitted to babysit or participate in non-YMCA related activities withparticipants in the program.Accident & Emergency ProceduresOur staff keeps your child’s safety as their number one priority. Should your child need medicalattention, the camp director will try to notify the parents immediately. Parents are asked to notifythe camp director immediately if there is any change of address or telephone numbers. If parentscannot be reached, the director has the authority to seek medical attention at the parent’sexpense. If the situation is a major medical emergency, the camp director will call 911immediately. The parents will assume fees for the emergency transportation.Authorized Pick-upAll parents/guardians must sign their camper in and out each day. Your camper will only bereleased to the persons listed on the authorized pick up section of the enrollment form. This personwill be requested to show proper identification. In any case concerning a custody clause or dispute,court documents must be provided. These policies are in accordance with Houston YMCA and Texas- 6 -

Department of Family and Protective Services guidelines. Please make note to bring your ID tothe day camp site.Payment Policy & ProceduresProgram membership fees are non-refundable. To avoid late fees, sessions must be paid in fullby the Thursday prior to the start of each session. No refunds or credits will be issued to anyonewithdrawing once the first day of the session has begun. Cancellations/program withdrawals mustbe made in writing the Monday prior to the first day of that session.Scholarship InformationThe Y is community-based and believes that its programs and services should be available toeveryone regardless of age, background, ability or income. That’s why we offer scholarships to itsparticipants that are designed to fit your individual financial situation. Limited financial assistance isavailable to individuals and families who substantiate a need. Due to the limited availability for daycamp and in order to qualify, requests for financial assistance must be turned in early. Requests forassistance can be submitted at the Welcome Center of your local Y.CommunicationOpen communication is very important to the success of your child’s camp experience. Parents arewelcomed visitors to our programs. Please check daily for posted notices, flyers or otherinformation. We welcome your input regarding our program at any time. We appreciate inputregarding program expectations, suggestions, ideas and comments on ways to improve our serviceto you and your family.You may direct suggestions, concerns, compliments and complaints to the immediate camp leadstaff, camp director, or the community executive director.Conduct PoliciesAs in any activity, inappropriate behavior of a few campers can have a dramatic impact on theexperience of the entire group. Therefore the following conduct policies apply directly to eachcamper and will be used in determining the camper’s eligibility to continue as a participant in theprogram. All infractions are documented in an incident/discipline report. Please make certainthat both you and your child are completely familiar with these policies. A camper may besuspended or released from camp, without refund, for the following behavior while participatingin the program: Leaving the YMCA Day Camp site without permission, or going into posted unauthorizedareas. Using foul language, fighting, being rude or discourteous to staff and other campers. Defacing YMCA, school property or field facilities, or any property visited. Engaging in fighting or intentionally injuring another child . Bringing or using any illegal substances and weapons. Stealing or defacing another child’s property. Refusing to remain with the group while at camp and during outings. Refusing to follow check in and out procedures. Refusing to follow basic rules of safety. Refusing to participate in daily camp activities.A camper may be suspended or released from camp, without refund, for the following misconductwhile being transported:- 7 -

Fighting, using foul language or abusive behavior.Not remaining seated at all times.Not keeping their seat belt fastened while in transport.Having any body part out of the window.Defacing the vehicle.Being rude and discourteous to the driver or to other drivers on the road.Disciplinary Procedure:1 st incident – Parent notified by phone and/or in writing2 nd incident – Disciplinary write-up3 rd incident – The action taken at this point is at the discretion of the Program Director afterappropriate consultation with the parent.(Range of discipline: one day suspension to removal from the program.)- 8 -