Dear Parents,

 

Welcome to another summer of fun! This year, our theme for the whole summer will be “Going Green”.  We would like to continue the lunchtime nutrition focus along with going green.  Please be aware as you pack your child’s lunch how much packaging materials are in their lunch cooler.  We will be recycling throughout the summer and emphasizing the use of containers that are REUSABLE. Your cooperation is important to us in teaching healthy eating and keeping our planet healthy by choosing lunch food that is good for you and is NOT packaged in disposable containers. (Lunchables DO NOT FIT either of these requirements)

 

We are including a list below of suggestions for you to use when you are shopping for your childs lunch.

 

                                                                   Thank You,

 

                                                                  

Kay Smith

                                                                   Day Camp Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registration and Payment

 

Registration

Registration begins and camp information packets can be picked up at the YMCA Service Desk beginning March 15, 2010.

The last day for open registration is Friday, May 21, 2010. Registrations will be taken after May 23 with the Director’s permission and an

added service charge of $10.

All forms must be returned by May 21, 2010.

 

**PLEASE NOTE: All registrations are taken on a first come, first serve basis. Due to the increased popularity of our program, there is a possibility of registration closing earlier than May 21 if we reach the maximum number of children per age group.

 

We will be having a Summer Camp Kickoff on

Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 6:30 pm

All parents and children are encouraged to come. Every family present will receive a $10.00 Day Camp Coupon! Day Camp staff will be present for introductions, questions, and tours. Refreshments will be served.

 

 

Payments

All payments must be made the week prior to attendance in order to reserve a spot for your child. Please register your child for one of the following options:

2 days per week

3 days per week

5 days per week

 

There are no single-day or partial-day registrations available. Additional days can be added to a previous registration and days can be changed within the same week. Phone registrations can be taken using a credit or debit card only. No refunds or credits are given for missed days.

 

 

Scholarships

Scholarship rates are available. The YMCA offers full and partial scholarships for Day Camp participants. There will be a limited number of full and partial scholarships granted. Applications are available at the Service Desk. They must be filled out with proof of income at time of application.

 

 

Cost For Day Camp

 

One time registration fee:   $20.00 for members / $40.00 family

    $50.00 for non-members / $80.00 family

 

Rates

                                        2 days/week   3 days/week      5 days/week

1st Childà   $48             $72             $110

2nd Childà  $36             $54             $80

3rd Childà  $26             $39             $60

 

Scholarship Rates

                                        2 days/week     3 days/week      5 days/week

1st Childà   $36             $54             $80

2nd Childà  $26             $39             $60

3rd Childà  $22             $33             $50

RATES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUAL DAYS

 

Early Morning Care Fees

 

6:30am – 7:30am           $2.00/1st Child              $3.00/family rate

 

Early care fees should be paid daily or weekly. Please be specific when paying this fee.

**Regular Day Camp Hours are 8:00am to 5:30pm**

 

After Hours Fees

Pick-up after 5:30pm is acceptable in emergency situations.  Children will be taken to our nursery at 5:30pm.  If they are not picked up by 5:45pm, a $5.00 late fee is charged.  This should be paid when the child is picked up.  Please be specific when paying this fee. There is no aftercare available on Fridays. Children must be picked up by 5:30pm.

 

 

NSF Checks

A charge of $15.00 will be assessed for checks returned from the bank.  Cash, credit card, or money order will be the only acceptable forms of payments for NSF checks.

 

 

 

Sign In and Sign Out Policies

 

Children will have their own sign in/out sheet.  These are kept in a binder at the front desk. If you are bringing your child to the YMCA between 6:30am – 7:30am, you must come inside the building to sign your child in.  If you are bringing your child between 7:30am and 8:15am, there will be a Day Camp instructor outside the lower parking lot entrance door.  This instructor will have the sign in binders and you may drive up to the lower entrance, sign your child in and drop your child off with the instructor.

Children should arrive at the YMCA by 9:00am or your child’s group may have left the building for an activity.  If your arrival is past 9:00am, you should be prepared to drive your child to meet their group.  The desk staff will assist you by phoning the group to find their destination.

Arrangements may also be made for children in band or summer school.  Communication between staff and parents is very important to make these arrangements work.

 

 

Trekkers, Explorers and Rovers

 

The Summer Day Camp is separated into three age groups.

 

Children age 5 – 7 are Trekkers. This group gives opportunities to learn new skills, explore nature and make new friends through age appropriate activities.

Children age 8 – 10 are Explorers. A highly active camp filled with experiences designed to develop self-esteem, perfect skills and create lasting friendships.

Children age 11 – 14 are Rovers. This program develops leadership and teamwork skills as well as self-confidence through many outdoor activities.

 

 

We’re On The Web

 

If you should need to verify any activity about the Summer Day Camp, or any of our programs that we offer, please log on to our website  www.ottawaymca-IL.org .  Here you will be able to see the calendars and a list of departure times for field trips. From the programs link, click Day Camp, and you are there!  If you have specific questions regarding Day Camp, please email ottawaymcasummerdaycamp@hotmail.com.

 

 

Items From Home

 

The YMCA cannot be responsible for items brought from home.  Anything brought from home should be labeled with names.  Do Not bring game boys or electronic devices to the Y.  Bringing other games and toys is up to your head counselors’ discretion.  Please communicate with them if you have questions.  This program encourages activity and game boys, etc, are not part of the program.  These types of items also end up lost or stolen all too often.

Part of the YMCA Summer Day Camp is learning responsibility.  Children are responsible for their own belongings.  Instructors cannot possibly keep track of 30 water bottles, swim suits or lunches.  For the youngest children this is a learning process.  Parents must be a part of this by labeling all lunch boxes, clothing, water bottles, etc.  It also helps if the child is aware of what their belongings look like.  All too often a small child cannot find his towel because he does not recognize it.

Shoes worn to the YMCA should fit the child well. Hiking is an important part of our program and shoes that are too small or inappropriate for walking (i.e. Sandals that cause blisters) are very uncomfortable for your child. Please send a good pair of tennis shoes (and socks) everyday.

 

These items should be sent on a daily basis.

Backpack – Labeled

Lunch Box Cooler with Ice Pack -- Labeled

Swim Suit & Towel -- Labeled

Sweat Shirt or Light Jacket -- Labeled

Reusable Water Bottles - Labeled

***Water bottles with a strap work best***

 

 

Snacks and Meals

 

Children are given a healthy snack in the morning. Lunches should be brought to camp in a lunch box cooler with an ice pack to keep the lunch cold. Lunch is eaten at 11:00am. Please put your child’s name on the outside of the cooler. On Friday lunch is provided by the YMCA. Please send a lunch if your child does not care for the provided lunch.

*Children are not allowed to drink soda or energy drinks during Summer Day Camp.

Parents are responsible for the afternoon snack.  All families will be assessed a $10 snack fee. This is a one time fee payable in June or July.

 

 

Packing Your Child’s Meals

 

In an effort to go green this year, we will be making every attempt to cut down on waste and packaging being used up by the children. Please see attached tip sheet for ideas you can use in packing your child’s lunch.

 

 

Field Trips

 

Children must wear their GREEN day camp t-shirts on field trips.   Field trips are taken on Wednesdays (with the exception of Monday,

July 13). You will receive a schedule for trips, departure times, destinations and activities.  Money needed for the trip should be in an envelope marked with your child’s name, amount for the trip and extra money to be spent.  Please arrive at the YMCA at least a 1/2 hour before departure so we can get the children prepared to leave on time (this includes bathroom time, money collecting, etc).  All children in attendance on Wednesdays are bussed to the field trip. No care is available at the YMCA due to late arrival or conflicting activities. Attending a field trip is a privilege. This privilege can be taken away due to inappropriate behavior. Children should be dressed appropriately for the activity and this usually includes layered clothing, tennis shoes and socks (sandals are not good for hiking).  If it is chilly in the morning and your child wants to wear pants, please also pack a pair of shorts as it usually warms up and they get overheated.  We have planned some of our trips to places of large population.  Please be sure your child is aware of safety rules and the importance of staying with their group.  We also will be stressing these points and are looking forward to some new and fun experiences.

 

DATE            WEEKLY THEME                 FIELD TRIP

June 7-11            Welcome To Our GREEN Summer!   Illini State Park

June 14-18          Ready, Set, RECYCLE                       Recycling Plant &

Roller Skating

June 21-25          An Apple A Day                                 Celebrations 150

June 28 – July 2  We Got Game                                    Matthiessen Park

July 5-9                Holiday Happening                           Chuck E. Cheese

July 12-16            Wild Things                                       Buffalo Rock

July 19-23            Take Me Out To The Ball Game         Peoria Chiefs

July 26-30            Splish Splash                                    Joliet Splash Station

August 2-6           We Are The World                             Starved Rock

August 9-13         Naturally Nature                               Camp Tuck

August 16-20       Magic Moments

 

Each week the YMCA Day Camp staff chooses activities, games and crafts according to the weekly theme.  Children are expected to cooperate with all activities unless there is a medical reason not to.  These activities vary daily with appropriate age level programs. 

 

 

Discipline Policy

 

Our main form of discipline used is a time out. The time varies on the infraction.  If a child persists in misbehaving during the same day, time outs will also increase in length.  If this kind of behavior persists over a period of days, then a short conference with a parent will be arranged to inform them of the problem and this could result in a suspension of a field trip for that child.

 

Normally the time out works very well, as the children just need a break and time to step back and cool down.  Our activities can be vigorous and sometimes a cooling off period is the only thing needed for further cooperation.

 

For more serious infractions such as fighting, swearing, racial discrimination or stealing, parents will be contacted immediately.  This kind of behavior will not be tolerated and could result in expulsion from the program if it persists.

 

On the last page, you will find a copy of our behavior report to parents.  We will be using this form to record behavior incidents that are persistent or serious. Parents and staff can then communicate without confusion as to what happened that day.

 

 

Rules and Regulations

 

1.     Display Christian Values In All that We Do

2.     Obey The Instructors At All Times

3.     Follow Directions

4.     Show Respect For Others’ Possessions

5.     No Fighting, Pushing, Shoving, Or General Rowdiness That Could Cause Harm To Someone Else

 

 

 

 

Affirmative Action Statement

 

Ottawa YMCA Day Camp advertises in the public media in order to make openings known to all.  Children are admitted regardless of race, color, creed, sex, national origin or religion.  Handicapped children will be accepted on the approval of the instructor, Director and Board.

 

Medical And Emergency Policies

 

Sick Children: Children who are sick should not attend Day Camp. If your child becomes ill during the day, parents will be called and expected to arrange for their child to be picked up.

 

Medication Policy: Written instructions are required from a physician when a child is to be given medication, along with authorization from a parent.  Prescription medications must be in the original container with the pharmacy label attached.

 

Medical Emergency: Our staff is trained in first aid and first aid supplies are taken along when groups are outside the building.  Parents will be called if a child requires emergency care.  If a parent cannot be reached, the adult named on the information card to handle such a situation will be contacted.  In case of extreme emergency, an ambulance will be called. Charges incurred for medical treatment will be paid by the parents.

 

 

 

We Build

Strong Kids,

Strong Families,

Strong Communities