Summer Camp Policies - PottCoConservation...Summer Camp Policies Drop Off & Pick Up Food & Water...
Transcript of Summer Camp Policies - PottCoConservation...Summer Camp Policies Drop Off & Pick Up Food & Water...
Summer Camp Policies
Confirmation
After each camper registration is processed, a confirmation letter will be sent. Please review this
for correct camp themes and dates. Complete and return the Camper Information Form
requesting medical and emergency contact information along with your camp payment within
two weeks of verbal or e-mail registration to guarantee the spot. Failure to do so may result in
loss of camper space.
Cancellations & Refund Policy
Camp Behavior Expectations & Discipline Guidelines Please share these with any child registered for camp. Thank you. Basic rules that all campers
must follow are: 1) They may not hurt or endanger themselves. 2) They may not hurt or
endanger others. 3) They must stay with the group. 4) They must stay on the trails (unless
directed otherwise). 5) They must respect all others as well as the natural world.
6) No foul language or threats (verbal or physical) allowed.
Camp Registration Fees are due within two weeks of the confirmed reservation. If a camper
must cancel a reservation prior to the beginning of camp, they are required to notify the
Pottawattamie County Conservation Education Staff immediately. A refund of the registration
fee will be based upon the following schedule:
14 days (or more) notice.......................................50% refund
13-8 days notice....................................................25% refund
7 days or less notice.................................................no refund
If needed, staff will give a verbal warning to the camper first, followed by a time-out.
If 3 time-outs are given in one day, the parent or guardian will be contacted immediately
and that camper will be asked to leave. No refunds will be given in this situation.
Clothing
We will be actively exploring the outdoors and there is an excellent possibility that
campers will get dirty. Please make sure that campers are dressed appropriately.
Open-toed shoes are not allowed as they offer little protection against sticks and other
sharp objects that may be on the trails. We plan on going outside every day, so campers
should be dressed for the weather—even rain. You may choose to pack spare clothes—
please mark everything with your child’s name.
Summer Camp Policies
Drop Off & Pick Up
Food & Water With the exception of our KinderNature preschool camps, we ask that all campers bring a sack
lunch and reusable water bottle for each day of camp. Please put names on all materials. If your
child has a special food allergy or diet, please note on the Camper Information Form. A daily
snack and drink are provided for all ages. Water stations will be set up throughout the camp
areas to ensure proper hydration during the summer weather. Please send a reusable water
bottle with your camper’s name on it with her/him to use during camp. Thank you! .
Equipment
Pottawattamie County Conservation Education staff will provide all materials that are needed for
each day’s exploration. Personal items that might be handy include a hat, insect repellant and
sunscreen. Please mark these items with camper’s name.
Registration
Please be prompt in dropping off and picking up your camper(s). Campers may not arrive before
the start of their respective session and must be picked up promptly. This allows staff time to
prepare for and clean up from each session. You are required to remain with your child(ren) until
the staff opens camp each day. Your child will not be released to anyone other than a parent/
guardian unless you notify the staff ahead of time. We wish to avoid any potential accidents in
the parking lots, so please escort KinderNature, Discovery and Explorers campers to and from the
Lodge. Thank you.
Restroom Use Requirement
We require that all campers must be toilet trained, particularly all KinderNature preschool
campers. Our staff is not allowed to change diapers or pull-ups. Thanks for understanding.
Camp registration begins March 21st at 8:00 a.m. CST. Register online at www.mycounty
parks.com, the direct link can be found on the Pottawattamie County Website. Individuals may
call Rene at 712.242.1197 or e-mail her at [email protected] to register a child.
This process is on a first come, first served basis, so please be patient. We take registrations for
nearly 200 children and each call or e-mail takes only a few minutes. If you get a busy signal
when you call, try, try again. Please be prepared with your contact information & child’s t-shirt
size. Camp paperwork will be sent AFTER contacting staff to register. Each camp requires a
minimum of 10 participants.
Summer Camp Policies
Special Conditions & Emergencies
Special Needs Campers
Pottawattamie County Conservation Nature Camps try to accommodate all interested children.
However, they are extremely active camps with a large number of transitions and sensory
changes throughout the day. Children are expected to keep up and keep going. They must also
be able to follow all directions, rules and expectations independently. Children must participate
well with others and follow safety rules without adult prompts.
For certain special needs our camps are wonderful, for others it puts the child and the staff in
uncomfortable and unsafe situations. We are responsible for the safety and well-being of all the
campers and cannot allow one child to jeopardize that. Please call to discuss your child’s
particular needs. If possible, be prepared to discuss any school service plans applicable to your
child.
Weather Procedures
We all know the weather in Iowa is unpredictable. Pottawattamie County Conservation staff
and volunteers follow procedures to maintain the safety of your children. Precautions in place
include the following:
A weather alert radio is on during camp operations. Staff will respond accordingly when
alerts are announced. Staff also carry cell phones and/or radios at all times. If on the trails,
staff maintains contact with reception staff who monitor the weather radio.
If a warning is issued for the camp area, staff will move the campers to a place of safety
within the nearest building, e.g. the Loess Hills Lodge. The weather will be monitored until
the severe weather has passed. Staff will be responsible for helping to calm and reassure the
campers at such times.
At the first sound of thunder or first sighting of lightning, all campers will be required to
head indoors with staff and remain there until the threat is gone. Staff have appropriate
indoor nature-based activities available and ready for such moments.
If your child has a severe allergy or medical condition that requires medication or special care,
please note this on the Camper Information Form. Our staff is certified in CPR and First-Aid and
is trained to handle emergency situations. We will keep parents informed of any out of the
ordinary occurrences.
Summer Camp FAQ
For which camp should I register my child?
Summer camps are divided by grade level in order to provide
age- appropriate activities and learning opportunities:
KinderNature—Children ages 3-5 who have not completed
Kindergarten
Discovery—Children entering 1st and 2nd grades
Explorers—Children entering 3rd and 4th grades
Voyagers—Youth entering 5th and 6th grades
Pathfinders—Youth entering 7th and 8th grades
When can I register?
All Summer Camp Registrations begin on a Monday in
late March. Please see our registration policy section
for more details.
Yes, for KinderNature preschool camps. We offer six KinderNature Camps throughout the
summer & each explore a different nature theme. For each camp we offer a morning and
afternoon session. You may register for multiple camps, but may only register for one session
per day. All KinderNature Camps are held at Hitchcock Nature Center.
May I register my child for more than one camp?
No, for Voyagers Camp at Arrowhead Park and Pathfinders
Camp at Hitchcock Nature Center. We only offer one camp
per summer for both the Voyagers & Pathfinders Camps age
groups due to low enrollment.
Yes, for Discovery and Explorers Camps at Hitchcock Nature Center. We offer two different
themes for Discovery and Explorers Camps—one for each age group in June and July. You may
register your child for the June camp, the July camp, or BOTH camps.
PLEASE NOTE: We require a minimum
of 10 participants for ALL camps. As
the camp date nears, we will inform
you regarding enrollment status as
needed. Thanks.
Who are the camp teachers?
Yes. Each group has at least one instructor trained in CPR and
First Aid.
Is your staff trained in CPR and First Aid?
May I attend camp with my child? We’re sorry, but all camps are designed for the
appropriate ages and allow them time to bond with kids
of their own age. The only adults allowed are
Pottawattamie County Conservation staff educators. edu-
What about safety?
Our teachers are qualified and trained to be with children
outdoors; however, nature is unpredictable. Injuries can occur at any time. Bee or other insect
stings, tripping over roots or rocks, moving or slipping on natural terrain are all risks to which your
child will be exposed. While we understand that children are young and our teachers are ever
vigilant of dangers, we count on the children to be active participants in their own safety—not
wandering from the group, asking for clarification if they don’t understand instructions and
responding immediately to instructions to freeze or run. If you feel your child cannot handle these
situations, please think twice about sending them to nature camp. Thank you.
What is your camper to staff ratio?
For KinderNature Camps our camper to staff ratio is no
more than 5 campers to 1 staff member. For all other camps
our camper to staff ratio is 16 campers to 2 staff members.
These ratios do not include additional volunteer staff. The
number of campers is limited in order to ensure a fun,
safe and memorable learning experience for all.
Our camp instructors come from a variety of backgrounds,
some are professional, year round educators for Pottawattamie
County Conservation, others are school teachers, naturalists,
and masters and bachelor degree students in environmental
studies or education. At least one teacher in each group is 21 or
older (even though sometimes they don’t look it!) Many
instructors come back year after year. Our camp leaders thrive
on the joys and challenges of teaching about the amazing
facets of nature through hands-on creative and fun activities in
the summer setting and all are excited to share outdoor
experiences with your camper.
What if my child has a special need?
What and how should I pack for lunch?
A daily snack and drink are provided for all ages. Water stations will
be set up throughout the camp area to ensure proper hydration
during the summer weather. If your child has a special food allergy
or diet, please note this on the Camper Information Form. Please
send a reusable water bottle with your camper’s name on it with
her/him to use during camp. Thank you!.
Are snacks and water provided?
Pottawattamie County Conservation Nature Camps try to
accommodate all interested children. However, they are extremely
active camps with a large number of transitions and sensory changes
throughout the day. Children are expected to keep up and keep
going. They must also be able to follow all directions, rules and
expectations independently. Children must participate well with
others and follow safety rules without adult prompts.
What if my child needs medication?
The policy of Pottawattamie County Conservation Summer Camps is to
only give emergency, life-saving medications such as epi-pens or rescue
inhalers. If your child has other medication needs, such as antibiotics, we ask
that you administer them before or after the camp day. Camp staff is not
permitted to administer daily medications. If you do need to bring an
emergency medication to camp, you are responsible for all paperwork,
including medication forms signed by the doctor, and for having medication in their
original containers. If you do not bring in the properly signed paperwork according
to state law, the teachers CANNOT accept it. Thank you for understanding.
For certain special needs our camps are wonderful, for others it puts the child and the staff in
uncomfortable and unsafe situations. We are responsible for the safety and well-being of all the campers
and cannot allow one child to jeopardize that. Please call to discuss your child’s particular needs. If
possible, be prepared to discuss any school service plans applicable to your child.
Non-perishable items and/or an ice pack are a must. Lunches are
NOT and can NOT be refrigerated. For the environment’s sake
and for your sanity, put as much as possible in re-usable and
tightly closing containers. Make sure that your child has a large
water bottle and a separate drink and enough food for lunch.
Please note: lunches are NOT required for KinderNature Camps.
What are your restroom policies?
We all know the weather in Iowa is unpredictable. If the weather is
extremely hot, we take frequent breaks to cool off and drinks water.
If the weather turns rainy, it depends. Light rain will not keep campers
inside—we’ll still explore nature outdoors. If the rain turns heavy, if
we hear thunder or see lightning, or if we receive a weather warning
we will head indoors immediately. Please see our weather policy
section for more details.
What about extreme weather?
Are sunscreen and bug repellant provided?
Due to allergies and sensitivity of some children’s skin, we ask that
you apply these things BEFORE arriving to camp. Your campers
may bring their own items to camp for reapplication.
Campers should dress for the weather and in clothes that can get dirty
since we will be outdoors most of the time and occasionally use paint
and mud with craft activities. Sturdy walking shoes are required—no
open-toed shoes allowed. For all camps, except KinderNature Camps,
campers must bring a water bottle and their lunch each day. Campers
can also bring a hat, raincoat, camera, binoculars, sunscreen and bug
repellent. Each child is responsible for their own belongings. Please
DO NOT send video games, cell phones or iPods, etc. Items such as
pocket knives or other weapons are NOT allowed.
We discourage campers from bringing cell phones, iPods, toys, trading cards, video games,
and the like, which are disruptive and distractions at nature camp. Pottawattamie County
Conservation takes no responsibility for lost items. Any items we do find (including lunch
boxes, hiking boots, rain jackets, etc.) are put in lost and found and kept until one week
after the end of camp season.
All campers must be toilet trained. When campers are at camp,
they use Nature Center or Lodge restrooms or park outhouses.
Campers should inform their instructors if the need arises and
they will be guided to the nearest bathroom from the various
camp areas, including the Lodge decks, patio, and trails.
What do campers need to wear and bring?
May my child bring a cell phone or other stuff with them?