HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 Summer Camp Parent Packet (2)1
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Admission
A child is eligible to enter the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department Summer Day Camp
program under the following conditions:
• Space is available.
• The child will have completed any grades K-6 by June 2020. Those completing Kindergarten
by June 2020 must have also turned age 5 by Sept. 14, 2019.
• All required forms are properly completed and returned with full payment.
Staff
Counselors are carefully chosen for their interest and experience in leading children’s recreation
activities. Staff members trained in First Aid and CPR will be on-site at all times. Our expected
staff-to-child ratio is 1:9 for most activities. Specialists will lend expertise in the planning and
leading of recreation programs offered at camp, assuring you and your child well-planned, safe,
and exciting activities every day.
Arrival and Departure for Summer Camp
• Check-in at Mercer Park Aquatic Center/Scanlon Gym between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.
Parents must check their child(ren) in with camp staff every morning, by signing the log.
Child’s temperature will be taken prior to entry each day. City staff and campers will be taking
precautions and practicing social distancing and washing hands throughout the day camp.
Please drop your child(ren) off no later than 9:00 a.m. If you will be dropping them off later
than 9:00 am, please clarify to staff prior to that date that your child(ren) will be dropped off
past 9:00 am.
• Check-out at Mercer Park Aquatic Center/Scanlon Gym between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m.
You must present a valid I.D. as a form of verification when your child is being signed out.
Campers will not be allowed to leave for any reason other than the above without advance,
written notification to the Supervisor. You must contact staff in writing in cases where children
are expected to walk home, catch a bus, leave early, or deviate in any way from the regular
camp procedures.
* You must complete the permission for release form in advance if someone other than the
responsible parent or guardian will be picking up your child(ren). This form must be completed
before any individual not on the pick-up list is allowed to pick up your child(ren).
What to Bring to Summer Camp
All children should bring their daily needs inside a backpack or bag, as we carry our
possessions with us most of the day.
• Lunch: Campers must bring their own lunch every day. Refrigerators and microwaves are not
available during camp hours. Due to storage restrictions, bulky coolers are discouraged.
• Supplemental snacks (if desired): We will provide two simple, healthy snacks each day,
scheduled for mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Parents may wish to supplement according to
their own child’s needs. We suggest packing fruit, cheese, crackers, etc. Purchasing of snacks
from vending machines will not be allowed during camp hours.
NOTE: Parents of children with special dietary needs should contact Joyce at joyce-
carroll@iowa-city.org to obtain the list of snacks we provide.
• Water bottle: No glass, please.
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• Non-water-soluble sunscreen: A medical release is necessary for staff to apply sunscreen
and is included in the registration packet. Please note that spray sunscreen is not allowed
at camp. We have found in past summers that spray sunscreen can be highly ineffective and
easily wasted. We recommend lotion sun-screens and/or sun protection swim shirts in order to
sufficiently protect your camper from the sun.
What to Leave at Home
• Electronic games/devices and trading cards
• Personal cell phones: If a camper needs to contact a parent throughout the day, a phone will
be provided. Playing games and holding conversations on cell phones will not be allowed.
• Jewelry and other valuables
• Money for vending machines: Children are not allowed to purchase items from the vending
machines during camp. Vending machines are not available at this time.
• Please make sure your child does not have prohibited items, and make sure their bag
isn’t too heavy as they may be carrying their backpacks for portions of the day.
What to Wear
• Clothing: Shorts or pants are both acceptable and should be chosen according to weather
conditions. Closed-toe shoes are required for camp. We highly recommend athletic shoes.
• Masks: Please send child to camp with a face covering.
• Please mark the inside of all apparel with the child’s name and phone number.
Illness and/or Injury
Please DO NOT bring your child to camp if he/she/they:
• Has or has had a fever of 100° or above in the last 72 hours
• Is vomiting or has vomited in the last eight hours
• Has a communicable illness such as chickenpox, strep bacterial infection, or any illness
considered to be contagious by the Johnson County Health Department. You will be contacted
immediately if your child exhibits any of the above symptoms. You will be asked to remove
your child until all symptoms have subsided.
• If your child is ill or will not be attending camp call the Recreation Division customer service
after 6 a.m. at (319)356-5100.
• If your child becomes ill or injured during the day, we will call according to the EMERGENCY
CONTACT INFORMATION you provide. If this information changes during the summer,
please notify us.
Medications
• Medications should not be sent to camp in your child’s backpack.
• All medications MUST BE in the original container with the name of the medication,
physician’s name, and amount to be given on the label. Pharmacists are willing to divide
medication into two separate bottles upon your request.
• Parents must fill out and sign a medication release form during check-in for medication(s)
to be administered. This includes prescription, non-prescription drugs, creams, lotions, etc.
Please leave your child’s medication and release form with the check-in staff. You may pick it
up at the end of the day if necessary.
• A new medication release form is to be filled out for each one-week session.
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• Epipens, emergency inhalers and other medications used for emergency conditions will
be carried in the child’s backpack. All other medications will be held by staff.
• All medication will be administered by Recreation Division staff.
Inclement Weather
In case of inclement weather, children will remain at Mercer Park Aquatic Center/Scanlon Gym.
Parks and Recreation Live Program Updates
Go to the City website: www.icgov.org/rainoutline to subscribe.
Special Needs
Parents of children with disabilities or children requiring special arrangements should note these
special needs on the registration form AND make a special accommodation request in
writing to RaQuishia Harrington at raquishia-harrington@iowa-city.org and joyce-carroll@iowa-
city.org The more time we have before the program begins, the better we will be able to meet
the needs of the individual. Insufficient or lack of notice may delay your child’s attendance.
Contact us and we’ll be glad to help!
Low-Income Requirements
• The Parks and Recreation Department will accept applications for fee discounts on summer
camps, based on income.
• Applications are available at the Recreation Division office. Eligibility applies only to
residents of Iowa City.
• For further information, contact the Customer Service Desk, (319)356-5100.
Refund Policy
Refunds for health reasons may be considered. Requests must be made in writing to the
Program Supervisor, Joyce Carroll at 220 South Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 or to Joyce
Carroll at: Joyce-carroll@iowa-city.org A doctor’s certificate may be required.
Dismissal
The following will warrant dismissal:
• The child cannot adjust and requires individual attention at a level that prevents the leader(s)
from caring for other children.
• The child exhibits social or emotional problems so severe they are detrimental to themselves,
other children, or staff.
• We will work closely with parents to discourage inappropriate, disruptive, or dangerous
behavior. In all cases, no child will be permanently withdrawn without an attempt to
conference with parents.
• Behaviors such as fighting, physical aggression, choosing to leave the group/camp area,
bullying behaviors, severe or consistent noncompliance and disrespect will require parent
conferencing. If behaviors do not improve, dismissal from camp will be an option.
• Physical aggression, disruptive or dangerous behavior may be cause for immediate dismissal
from camp.
• Please discuss concerns in advance of attendance. This can save us all from needing to
discuss issues later.