Great Explorations Summer Camp
~ Parent
Handbook
~
Great Explorations
Post Office Box 2829 Nantucket, Massachusetts 02584 (508) 257-9779
Welcome!
Thank you for choosing Great
Explorations!
Please read this
~Handbook~ thoroughly, as it covers very important policies and procedures which pertain to the care of your child and govern our camp contract agreement. If you have any questions regarding my policies, please ask. The policies set forth in this handbook and are effective June 22, 2009 through September 4, 2009.
Mission Statement
It is my mission to offer each child a social and educational environment that is supportive, affirming and FUN! My main goal is to build social and academic confidence through love and encouragement thereby helping to set in place the strong foundations needed for healthy and positive relationships and learning skills.
I strive to: - Build a sense of security in this vast and often overwhelming world in which we live. - Give children the courage to make mistakes and learn from those experiences. - Help reinforce the values that the children’s’ primary educators, their parents, are instilling at home. - Support children in working together with their peers in small groups and pairs to promote a healthy attitude toward community and a better understanding of how interconnected and interdependent we all are.
Setting Great Explorations is a home based camp program. Providing a safe and healthy environment for your child is my primary objective in any activity that we engage in. I encourage good communication, healthy relationships and respect for others and ourselves. Our daily schedule provides tremendous opportunities for learning through play, circle-time, play, arts & crafts, play, outdoor adventures, play, story-time, play, sing & dance, down time and play. We work on educationally important themes throughout the summer. Some of the fun we will be having: natural science, minimysteries, green-week, woodworking, scavenger hunts, theater-week, obstacle courses, sports, arts & crafts, and a whole lot more!
Policy and Procedures
Registration In order to reserve a space for your child you will need to fill out and sign a registration form, and pay a deposit of 10% of the total enrollment cost. This initial payment will be considered a deposit and will not be refunded if for any reason you choose to not have your child attend my camp. Otherwise it will be applied to your fee when your child comes to camp. Hours Great Explorations is a licensed day camp offering a well-rounded enlightening experience for children ages 4 – 7 years. Our day runs from 9:00am until 3:00pm. Drop-off and pick-up is at the Teen Center parking lot on First Way. Our home base is located at 27 Cornwall Street in Tom Nevers. I will draw up a contract that reflects the hours and days that your child will be coming to camp for both you and I to sign. I am not able to substitute hours for hours missed. Please notify me if you will be late in arriving or absent for the day so that I can make adjustments accordingly. If you arrive late without a phone call we may miss you if we have left on our adventures. Please be punctual in picking up your child. Children
look forward to seeing their parents and waiting for a late parent can be stressful and disappointing. To ensure the safety of your child please me to let me know if someone other than yourself will be picking your child up. There is a $1.00 per minute charge for children picked up after 3:00pm. Parent’s Responsibilities Open communication. Please explain clearly and precisely your desires and expectations about your child’s care. Provide updates on problems and progress that your child is making. Good communication helps us work together in the best interest of your child. Meals and Snacks In order to ensure that your child receives the nutrition that you feel is best for them I have parents provide a lunch and snacks for their child. In keeping with what the children learn at my camp about healthy foods and healthy choices I ask that you not pack any ‘junk food’ or foods loaded with sugar. Please remember that lunch boxes will not be refrigerated and pack accordingly. Clothing & Supplies It's summer: Please provide sunscreen, sun hat, bathing suit, and towel each day. Please make sure you have applied sun block (all over - not just to arms and legs) prior to arriving to ensure that your child is protected to your standards. We 'top-off' with sunscreen throughout the day but they need to have a good foundation prior to starting out. Discipline Discipline is a learning process and not a punishment. Misbehavior will be handled in a firm, consistent and POSITIVE manner. No child will be handled roughly, shamed or humiliated. No corporal punishment will be used, even at request of parents. My philosophy on discipline is to help children gain respect for each other and to teach constructive and positive alternatives when conflicts arise. I am required by law to
report to Child Protection and/or police, any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. Immunizations Massachusett’s law requires that all children enrolled in camp must have signed, and up-to-date immunization forms kept on file at camp. These must be completed before your child can join us on his/her first day. Health/Illness The Health Department regulations prohibit the admittance of any child into camp that exhibits any of the following symptoms: Fever (100 f. or higher) – child needs to be fever free for 24 hours Diarrhea – child must be symptom free for 24 hours Vomiting – child must be symptom free for 24 hours Discharge from eyes or ears Lice – child needs to be treated before return Communicable diseases – chicken pox, measles, mumps, conjunctivitis (pink eye), influenza etc. The child may return when the incubation and contagious period is passed and the child is well enough to resume normal camp activities. If your child develops any of the aforementioned symptoms while in my care, I will contact you for immediate pick-up. If I have to call a parent to pick up a child that is too ill to participate in the day’s activities the child will also be required to stay at home the following day. *There are no refunds in fees for absences due to a child's illness. Full fees are required regardless of whether or not your child attends. Ill children expose other children, as well as the camp counselors, to the spread of the illness and require additional care and attention that I am unable to give. Moreover, sick children want care from their parent in the comfort of their own home. Due to the fact that we do not have a certified medical person on staff, we will not dispense any medications (prescriptions or otherwise). We will however, hold
medications in a locked box and remind the child when it is time for them to take their medications Injuries All camp counselors are certified in CPR and First Aid. We will make every effort to ensure the safety of your child while in our care. Unfortunately, minor accidents may occur. I will notify parents immediately of any illness or accident, which requires first aid treatment. In the case of a serious accident or injury, I will make every effort to contact you immediately. If I cannot contact either parent, I will call the emergency contact numbers supplied to me to make the medical decisions for the child. If I feel the injury is life threatening I will call "911" or take your child to the nearest hospital. We look forward to seeing you soon at Great Explorations! We are forecasting another fantastic season of fun and adventure!