DAY CAMP BASICS

Campers:  Campers include school-age girls and boys from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of interests and abilities.  A majority of campers return from year to year. It is also great to see new faces at camp each summer.  Campers are carefully placed in groups according to age and/or interests.

Qualified and Experienced Staff:  Over half of our experienced team of directors and staff return from one summer to the next.  Each camp’s staff consists of the camp director and camp specialists.  All staff are certified in First Aid and CPR/AED.

Camp Hours and Fees:  Day Camp operates from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily and the fee is for day camp is $140 per week.  Half day camps operate at Glacier Creek
from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the fee is $73.  Half day camps operate at Camp Connection from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the fee is $102.  Fees are charged on a weekly basis, but may be pro-rated at programs that surround summer school (refer to registration form).

Before and After Camp Care:  Before and after camp care is available independently from the registration of the summer camp day and can be used to surround summer
school enrollment.  Before camp care is available daily from 7:00 a.m. to the start of day camp or summer school.  After camp care is available daily from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The fee for either before or after camp care is $20 per week and care for both before and after camp care is $40 per week.

Monday Camp Kick-Off:  Every Monday the camp director and staff welcome all of the campers for the new session.  The camp director reviews the camp rules, explains daily routines, the week’s schedule, and familiarizes new campers with the camp space. The Monday Kick-Off concludes with a fun all-camp activity sure to help everyone get comfortable with one another and excited about their week.

Snacks and Lunches:  Campers bring their own lunch and beverage to camp.  Snacks are served each morning and afternoon.  Snacks include fresh fruit, cereal, milk, juice, crackers, cookies, bagels, ice cream, sandwiches, and many others.  Lunches should be packed so as to not require refrigeration or microwaving.

Field Trips:  Each group of campers, in the 5-7 and 8-12 age groups, takes field trips related to their unit or theme or “just for fun”.  Field trips are taken via chartered school bus, AFTER SCHOOL van or bus with an approved driver.  All campers must wear a camp shirt on all field trips.

Swim Trips:  Campers will need a swim suit, towel and camp shirt for these trips. Typically, once a week the 5-7 and 8-12 camper groups take a trip to an area public beach or swimming pool, weather permitting.  Campers swim only at beaches and pools where lifeguards are present and only in areas designated as safe by the city and county health departments.  Swimming and playing at the beach is a highlight for campers and is a long-time tradition at AFTER SCHOOL Day Camp.  Camp Cub participants do not take swimming field trips but do have plenty of water fun
to help cool off on hot days!

Convenient Locations:  AFTER SCHOOL Day Camps are conveniently located in your community. All buildings provide the necessary space for the variety of activities and programs offered by AFTER SCHOOL.  We have also carefully chosen facilities that have plenty of access to green space since summer camp means being outside!

Friday Festivals:  Each Friday afternoon each camp has a celebration of the week.  Included is an opportunity for groups to share their week followed by an all-camp activity guaranteed to end the week with fun and festivities!

ACA Accredited:  AFTER SCHOOL Day Camps are American Camp Association accredited programs. ACA accreditation verifies that a camp complies with 300 individual health and safety program-quality standards and assures parents that our programs meet or exceed national standards. The ACA Accredited Camp logo is a mark of distinction that only 25% of camps in the United States have earned and is evidence of our commitment to a safe, high quality camp experience.

CAMP PROGRAM

Camp Cubs for 4-5 Year Olds

• Age appropriate day camp experience for children four years old or children five years old who have not completed 4-K.
• Themes that explore new intersests and help to build school readiness skills.
• Literacy, math and social skills woven through each week.
• Daily schedule provides for an afternoon rest period.
• Special events and special guests take the place of field trips for these young campers.
• Camp Cub participants must be able to use the restroom on their own.

Themes for 5-7 Year Olds

• A physically and psychologically safe environment serves as the base from which children explore, learn and have fun!
• The entire camp program centers on the weekly theme.
• Specific activities are planned in advance by the camp specialists; however, campers’ interests and needs will guide the execution of these plans.
• Field trips such as swimming, nature excursions, and theme-related outings occur throughout the week.
• With themes that stretch the imagination and fun activities that guide children's growth, AFTER SCHOOL Day Camp is the perfect place for a 5-7 year old!

Units for 8-12 Year Olds

• Each unit group of campers spends their week together getting to know one another, focusing on activities related to the unit, and enjoying traditional day camp activities.
• Campers spend at least half of each program day in unit-related activities, projects, or field trips.
• Camp specialists plan specific activities and field trips in advance; however, children's interests and needs will guide the execution of those plans.  Specialists strive to explore the broadest range of unit related activities, providing a variety of activity types to meet the varied interests of this age group.
• Units are not lessons, but consist of a variety of activities designed to broaden a camper's understanding of a topic, provide opportunity for new experiences, and spark a new interest.   These activities happen in the context of a traditional day camp program which includes opportunities for all-camp activities, field trips, recreation and plenty of fun!

CAMP INFORMATION

Swimming Release:  It is important for parents to understand that a release for participation in swimming activities is included as part of the registration agreement. If you have questions after reading the release, do not hesitate to call the AFTER SCHOOL Administrative Office and speak with the camp program director.  You will be asked to choose the appropriate swimming level for your child as part of the registration process.

Sunscreen/Insect Repellent:  As part of the registration agreement, parents are notified of the brand and strength of the camp supplied sunscereen and insect repellent and give consent for staff to apply these products to the child.  An Authorization to Administer Sunscreen and Insect Repellent is also required from each parent prior to camp attendance.  If an alternate brand of sunscreen or insect repellent is desired, parents must provide and maintain a supply of that product to the camp director at the beginning of the child's enrollment. 

Participation in an AFTER SCHOOL Camp:  Every camper enrolled in an AFTER SCHOOL Summer Camp is afforded the opportunity for full participation in weekly programming, including all planned activities and field trips, unless restricted by a special need that cannot be accommodated.

Special Needs/Behavioral Concerns:  We acknowledge that AFTER SCHOOL Summer Camp may not meet the individual needs of all children and families enrolled. The first week of a child’s attendance in the program is probationary.  When it is found that a child is experiencing difficulty due to a special need or inappropriate behavior, the camp staff will work with the child and family to help retain the child within the camp program.   However, AFTER SCHOOL reserves the right to remove a child from the program upon one week's notice if it is determined that an individual child's behavior is considered too disruptive, or if the child has considerations that cannot be accommodated within the normal staffing pattern.  Should the safety of staff or other campers be jeopardized, immediate termination may result.

Lost, Stolen or Damaged Personal Property:  AFTER SCHOOL is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged personal property, including clothing.  Children are discouraged from bringing personal items beyond what is needed for the camp day.

Keeping Parents Informed: Once registered for camp, parents will receive a confirmation letter with valuable information about camp, including camp policies. During the summer, the sign-in area at camp will have posters or notices providing important information. Parents should feel free to contact the camp director with questions or concerns.