Things to Bring to Camp Everyday

Guide for Registered Campers2017

Things to Bring to Camp Everyday:

Peanut Free Lunch and Snacks, Refillable Water Bottle, Running Shoes and Socks, Sunscreen and Hat, Swim Wear and Towel

Parent Information:

We’re committed to quality!Our programs are designed to be age-appropriate, safe, and fun! We see parents as partners and welcome your suggestions and comments. Please feel free to introduce yourself to our program staff at each location and get to know them. Each of our staff has been selected based on their skills, talents and commitment to healthy child development. They will be happy to answer any questions that you have. Get ready for an awesome week at camp!

Please remember:

The program will operate as usual on rainy days. Please dress campers appropriately. Program will not operate outdoors on rainy days if the weather is unsafe (including off-site trips). Reminder: Program will run on the August 7th Civic Holiday. On days where a Heat Stress Advisoryhas been issued, program is often modified, taking into account the temperature and/or humidity.

Please be aware that if your child has a life-threatening allergy, staff must be notified and parents/guardians must complete the required documentation prior to or on the first day of program. This includes a picture of your child which will be posted on site with the accompanying forms.

OnOff-Site Trip Days please ensure that you arrive on time. The bus will not wait for late arrivals. In addition, please take a site calendar to make yourself aware of each day’s trips/events so that you are able to plan accordingly. Please fill out any necessary off-site trip paperwork given to you by the staff. Some offsite trips require the permission of the parent prior to attending.

Please note that programming is subject to change for reasons of inclement weather, number of participants, etc. Check message board daily for updates and reminders!

Summer Day Camp Locations and Contact Information:

Carrefour Soleil (French Speaking) Summer Day Camp

Galt Arena, 98 Shade Street

Site Supervisor:Abigail Thomson

Supervisor Cell: (226) 751-6800

Dickson Arena Summer Day Camp

Dickson Arena, 30 Parkhill Rd. W.

Site Supervisor: Michelle Sousa

Supervisor Cell: (226) 751-6256

Hespeler Arena Summer Day Camp

Hespeler Arena, 640 Ellis Road W

Site Supervisor:Jocelyn Snary

Supervisor Cell: (226) 749-2854

Moffat Creek Summer Day Camp

Moffat Creek Public School, 710 Myers Road

Site Supervisor: Sarah Shortt

Supervisor Cell: (226) 749-2356

Preston Arena Summer Day Camp

Preston Arena, 1458 Hamilton St.

Site Supervisor:Megan Hooper

Supervisor Cell: (226) 751-4758

W.G. Johnson Centre Summer Day Camp

W.G Johnson Centre, 31 Kribs St.

Site Supervisor: Kimiko Clark

Supervisor Cell: (226) 751-3468

John Dolson Centre Summer Day Camp

John Dolson Centre, 212 South St.

Site Supervisor: Bhavin Mistry

Supervisor Cell: (226) 751-2465

Our Leaders and LITS:

All of our staff and volunteers wear different t-shirt colours to indicate their role. For instance, summer supervisors wear blue; summer leaders wear red; and summer LITs or Leaders in Training wear yellow. Summer leaders also wear a name tag, whistle and first aid fanny pack. They carry a cell phone at all times and a backpack on off-site trips.

Your Week at Camp – Parent Edition:

Monday Morning

Upon arrival please look for signs that indicate where the program takes place.

Drop Off and Pick Up

Drop-off is at 9:00 AM and pick-up is at 3:00 PM.

Children are not released into the care of any individual other than a parent or authorized caregiver. Program leaders need to receive a written consent form from parents in advance if a child is released to an adult other than themselves or an authorized caregiver. Authorized individuals are required to show photo identification when picking up children. All parents and authorized caregivers are required to sign children in and out daily.

Extended Hours

Extended care is offered at Hespeler Arena, Preston Auditorium, Dickson Arena from 7:30-9:00am and 3:00-4:30pm and is offered exclusively to those registered in the extended care program. Parents/guardians who leave their child/children at program beyond regular program time and are not registered in the extended care program may be charged the extended care fee. Extended care costs $40.50+HST/week. Decision to charge will be made by the Recreation Coordinator.

Extended care is also offered at the W.G Johnson Centre and John Dolson Centre from 7:30am-8:30am and 4:30pm-5:30pm and is offered exclusively to those registered in the extended care program. Parents/guardians who leave their child/children at program beyond regular program time and are not registered in the extended care program may be charged the extended care fee. Extended care costs $27.00+HST AM & PM or $13.50+HST AM or PM a week.

Offsite Trips

Offsite trips and activities are planned to begin promptly at the start of camp so please ensure your child arrives on time. If you are running late, please call the summer site supervisor so that staff can be notified. After the scheduled bus time, parents are responsible for providing transportation to the off-site trip.

End of the Week Parent Evaluation

In order to improve our future programs and to ensure that every child and parent is satisfied, we rely on your feedback. We kindly ask you to complete a parent evaluation.

Your Week at Camp – Camper Edition:

Lunch and Snacks

Each day we have a scheduled 15 minute snack break in the morning and afternoon, as well as a 30 minute lunch break. Please mark your name on all of your belongings.

Themed Days

As you can see on our program calendars we have a number of scheduled theme days that incorporate a variety of theme-related activities, games and crafts. Please feel free to dress up for any of our theme days!

Offsite Trips

Each week there is a scheduled off-site trip. Please remember to dress appropriately and to bring any necessary items like a swimsuit, towel, bug spray and so on. Off-site trips are subject to change. You will be notified of any changes on an on-going basis so that you are able to plan ahead.

Guest Presenters

In addition to our weekly trips there are also scheduled guest presenters each week. Like off-site trips guest presenters are subject to change.

Swimming/Water Days

Each week there is a scheduled swimming day at one of the city pools (Youth Camps). Please remember to bring your swimsuit, towel and sunscreen. If you have received a Green Card at a city pool please bring it with you to receive a Green Band. If you do not, you will have to redo the swimming test in order to swim in the deep end. Due to pool standards, Preschool Programs will not go swimming, but will participate in weekly water activities where a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen areneeded.

City of Cambridge 5 Simple Rules:

As members of the team, we have 5 general behaviour expectations:

1.Keep your hands and feet to yourself.

2.Speak nicely/positively to each other.

3. Touch only what belongs to you.

4. Stay within the program area.

5. Listen to your leaders/instructors.

It is our intention to maintain open lines of communication between home and program staff. If your child is having difficulty following these rules, staff will have a discussion with you about tools to help your child be successful in program. As a communication tool, staff may provide you with a behaviour checklist that aims at improving your child’s experience at camp. This is not a disciplinary process but rather the system we use in order to support your child to be successful in program and facilitate open communication with parents. Your support is appreciated in having a follow-up discussion with your child. If you have any questions at all, always feel free to contact the Summer Site Supervisor.

City of Cambridge Program Ready Checklist:

To assist in determining if a participant is “Program Ready”, the following criteria have been developed:

Participant is able to take direction and instruction from a staff person.
Participant is comfortable and able to interact in a group environment.
Participant is able to participate in the program. Participation, interaction and inclusionin programs are based on the child’s individual needs. However, it is asked that theparticipant can demonstrate the basic skills to participate in up to 50% of the program.
School-aged participants are able to attend school successfully.
Participant interacts and engages in the program in a manner that is safe for themselves and others.

Some participants may require additional support to assist them in being successful in our programs. Inclusion Services works to provide support for children with special needs to allow for their full participation in our municipal programs. If your child has special needs or may benefit from additional support please contact 519-740-4681 ext. 4292, or to discuss the available options, prior to the registration deadline, June 2nd.

City of Cambridge Peanut Policy:

Parents are reminded that The City of Cambridge has restricted peanuts and peanut products from our Recreation Programs because some of our participants have severe allergies to these products. While we recognize that this policy may cause some minor inconvenience to parents, we know that you want to provide a "safe" environment for all participants.

Adhering to these food regulations shall be the responsibility of all parties. The instructors, leaders and volunteers shall monitor participant’s lunches and snacks. If inappropriate foods are identified, the participants will be asked to save it until they return home. A friendly note or phone call shall be made to the parent by our staff. If it is found on a trip that a participant’s lunch contains peanut products that child will proceed to eat their lunch separate from the other participants with a volunteer. Upon finishing their lunch they will dispose of their waste and wash their hands and face.

Remember to send only peanut free lunches/snacks with your child each day. In addition, participants shall not share snacks or lunches with anyone. These food regulations apply to all parents, volunteers, leaders and instructors.

The City of Cambridge and the parents of children with peanut allergies, recognize that the implementation of this policy may reduce, not eliminate, the risk of accidental exposure. Please note that our facilities are NOT peanut and nut-free. Items in the concession or vending machines may contain peanut and nut products and customers using the facility may bring in peanut and nut products. We will send a note to all parents of participants in registered day programs encouraging peanut and nut-free snacks and lunches if we are alerted to the fact that a participant has a peanut or nut allergy!

Sun Protection and Bug Spray:

Day Camps do not provide sunscreen or bug repellent. You may wish to send bug repellent which is appropriate for your child’s age. Bug repellent can be applied prior to going outside or into the woods. Please be advised that the City of Cambridge does not recommend sunscreen/bug repellent combination products.

Health:

Children suffering from a contagious disease or condition may not attend City of Cambridge Day Camps. At the discretion of full-time staff, a child may be sent home if he/she appears to be ill or is risking the health of others. We suggest that if a child is not well enough to play outside, he/she should remain at home. If a child becomes ill during the program, a parent/guardian will be contacted.

Concussions:

Concussion awareness is a growing concern in the recreation setting. All Summer Day Camp staff are provided with concussion detection and monitoring training. For more information on concussions and what to do should your child experience a concussion, please visit

Administration of Medication:

Medication is only administered at Day Camp in the event of a life threatening condition, such as an allergic reaction requiring an EpiPen®. All other medications should be given before or after camp as leaders are not permitted to administer prescription or non-prescription medications. If you have any questions regarding the administration of medications please call the City of Cam-bridge at 519-740-4681, ext. 4331. If your child has a severe allergy, an Emergency Participant Al-lergy Alert form and an EpiPen® Release form must be filled out on the first morning at camp. Please bring a photo of your child on the first day to be attached to the forms.

As a parent of a child who has life-threatening allergies, we want to work with you as a team to help keep anaphylaxis manageable. To do this, we require you to do the following:

Inform the supervisor of your child’s allergies. Review specific signs and symptoms, as well as responses and follow up needs your child will require.
Provide necessary parent signature(s) on authorization forms:
Emergency Allergy Alert Form and Photo ID
Consent for the Administration of an EpiPen® Form
Assist staff by providing adequate infor-mation, instructions, clear directions, photo ID and orientation for your child’s specific needs and update as necessary.
Provide the child with the EpiPen® Kit, or two if necessary (noting expiry date). En-sure that a new EpiPen® is provided prior to expiry date.
Educate your child of the importance of the EpiPen® staying with him/her.
Obtain and encourage your child to wear a MedicAlert bracelet.

Lunch Tips:

Suggestion for keeping foods fresh and cold:

·Pack dips and salad dressings in containers separate from the foods they go with, to

·prevent foods from getting soggy.

·Pack sandwich components such as tomato and lettuce separately, for kids to put

·together before eating.

·Freeze fruit juices and individual lunch portions ahead of time. Most will thaw by

·lunchtime.

·Refrigerate all snacks and lunch overnight, even cookies and muffins. They are a

·suitable temperature by lunchtime, but help to keep other food cool in the meantime.

·Use a small, lunch-size freezer pack.

Ideas for cold foods to pack in a thermos:

·Potato or pasta salad with cubes of cheese or meat

·Chef or garden salad

·Fruit salad with cottage cheese

Ideas for warm foods to pack in a wide mouth thermos:

·Spaghetti, macaroni, other pasta or rice dishes

·Soups

·Stews, casseroles

·Chicken nuggets

·Leftovers

Other suggestions for snacks or to fill up a lunchbox:

·Cubes of meat or cheese

·Snack crackers such as Christie Bacon Dippers, Swiss Cheese, Wheat Thins or Scuba Snacks

·Raw veggies such as carrots, celery sticks and broccoli served with dip or cheese spread

·Fresh fruits such as apples, oranges, peaches, plums, grapes, melon and cantaloupe

·Popcorn

·Multigrain bars

·Soda crackers

·Quaker rice cakes

·Bread sticks

·Melba toast

·Nut-free cookies

·Nut-free dry cereal such as Shreddies, Corn Bran or Mini Wheat

·Raisins

·Snack size tin fruit

·Apple sauce

·Yoghurt and Yop yoghurt drink

·Pudding

·Jell-O

Miscellaneous other "any time" favourites:

·Pizza

·Nut-free muffins with yoghurt or cheese

·Hot dog

·Cold cereal

Tired of plain bread? Try:

·Whole wheat, oatmeal, rye or pumpernickel

·Pita pockets or English muffins

·Bagel, hot dog or hamburger buns

·Soft tortilla shells

·Crusty rolls

·Sub buns

·Tea biscuits, croissants, crackers or rice cakes

Sandwich Fillings:

·Chicken - can be spiced, smoked, or chicken salad

·Turkey - can be spiced, smoked or turkey salad

·Lean beef or ham - minced or sliced

·Pork - sliced or chopped. Try adding applesauce or relish

·Sliced meatloaf

·Lean luncheon or deli meats

·Tuna or salmon - prepared with mayonnaise, or relish for a change

·Cheese spread or molasses

·Sliced cheddar with jam or mayonnaise

·Processed cheese with apple, crumbled bacon, or pickles

·Cream cheese with chopped cherries, or chopped olives

·BLT - bacon, lettuce and tomato

·Apple butter or cinnamon sugar butter

·Cucumber or any vegetable