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Day Camp

Parent Handbook

Crown Valley Park 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Online Registration: CityofLagunaNiguel.org/Registration

The new Crown Valley Park Community Center is on the

way! The City of Laguna Niguel Parks and Recreation

Department is looking forward to sharing with the com-

munity a new building, pool deck renovations, and the

expansion of recreation classes, events and programs.

During the construction of the new community center,

parking will continue to be limited. We strongly encour-

age parents to park along Crown Valley Pkwy. and to

walk into the camps. Please allow extra time for arrival

to camp, especially on excursion days.

STAY CONNECTED:

Welcome to the City of Laguna Niguel’s Parks and Recreation Day Camps!

Mission Statement Camp is more than just a fun way for kids to spend their summer. Camp is a place where we can make a positive difference in young people’s lives. All of the activities at camp are tools that provide opportunities for children to participate, build new skills, and form friendships.

Ratios We strive to meet or exceed the national standards which are de-veloped by the American Camp Association. Our goals for camper to staff ratio are:

Squirrels: 8:1 Coyotes: 10:1

Who is Watching your Child? Our summer camp staff consists of college and high school stu-dent Recreation Leaders and camp VolunTeens (13-17 years old). All of our Parks & Recreation employees have passed interviews, reference checks, fingerprinting, and a physical. Mandatory Staff Training: CPR & First Aid/ Epinephrine Auto-Injector/ Asthma Inhaler, child development, conflict resolution, campers with special needs, discipline, customer service, child abuse reporting, leadership skills, bullying prevention, emergency procedures, and supervision of campers while in the water/ beach and excursions.

Squirrels Summer Day Camp Program:

Campers entering 1st-3rd grade in fall of 2019

Squirrels campers will experience the park through active and passive games, arts & crafts, nature exploration, discovery stations, and swim-ming in our Laguna Niguel Aquatics Center. New this year are weekly excursions which will be on Wednesdays. The day camp experience is an ideal place for campers to practice responsibility and develop a sense of independence. Learning to keep track of their belongings at day camp, such as their swim suit, towel & goggles helps campers build confidence! A great way to inspire campers to develop a sense of independence is to give them choices: discovery stations & free choice activities, to make meaningful decisions about their time at camp. Typical Daily Schedule

7:30-8:30 Extended Camp (covered picnic area by softball field)

8:30-9:00 Parent Sign-In/ Construction & Discovery Stations

9:00-9:30 Opening Circle/ Rules/ Ice Breaker Games/ Songs

9:30-10:15 Field Game/ Nature Hike/ Fairy Garden

10:15-10:30 Morning Snack (brought from home) Hydration Station

10:30-10:45 Bathroom/ Sunscreen/ Free Choice Activities

10:45-11:30 Arts & Crafts Time

10:45-12:00 Walk to Pool/ Lesson/ Walk back from Pool (Tu/Th)

11:30-12:30 Lunch from Home/Table Games/ Camp Clean-Up

12:30-1:00 Getting ready for Pool/ Camp Songs/ Walk to Pool

1:00-2:45 Pool time/ Pool Rules/ Swim Test/ Swimming / Diving

2:45-3:30 Walk to camp/ Changing/ Sunscreen/ Hydration Station

Afternoon Snack (brought from home)

3:30-4:00 Discovery Stations/ Free Choice Activities/ Closing Circle

4:00-4:15 Group Game/ Camp Clean-Up

4:30-5:30 Extended Camp (covered picnic area by softball fields)

Date Excursion Arrive by Return

June 19 Knott’s Berry Farm 8:15am 4:00pm

June 26 Boomers 8:30am 1:30pm

July 3 Discovery Cube 8:30am 2:00pm

July 10 Pretend City 8:30am 1:30pm

July 17 Circus Trix 8:30am 1:30pm

July 24 Legoland 8:30am 4:30pm

July 31 Bowling 8:30am 1:30pm

Aug. 7 Medieval Times 8:30am 2:00pm

Parents will receive a flyer each week with trip details and sup-plies to bring on excursion day. Parents pay for food expendi-tures on excursion days.

Campers receive one t-shirt on Tuesdays for the Wednesday

excursion.

Campers who attend consecutive weeks will receive one

t-shirt for the summer.

Rules and Reminders

For your child’s safety, please make sure they wear closed toe shoes to camp everyday (not flip flops). Campers should wear sunscreen to camp and will be reminded to re-apply sun-screen throughout the day.

A Gold Health form must be completely filled out and given to the Recreation Leader who is supervising sign-ins on the first day your child attends camp.

To maintain a safe environment, appropriate behavior is ex-pected from all campers. Name calling, hitting, scratching, swearing, biting, and bullying are not tolerated!

Campers must bring: sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, lunch, drinks, 2 snacks (optional: hat & goggles). A refillable water bottle is recommended as we provide a hydration station.

Summer Day Camp Pool Time: 1:00-2:45pm

Lifeguards are on duty at all times when the pool is open.

Campers who wish to be a deep water swimmer must take a swim test administered by lifeguards. The swim test consists of swimming the width of the pool in the shallow water, making sure not to touch the bottom of the pool or use the lane line for support.

Once the camper passes the swim test, they may swim in the deep or shallow parts of the pool.

Shallow water swimmers do not have to take a swim test.

We use wristbands to identify shallow & deep water

swimmers.

Recreation Leaders are assisting Lifeguards by supervising campers from the deck & in the water.

If there is a personal reason for your camper to stay out of the pool, we encourage this time to be used for reading a book or magazine from home.

Frequently Asked Questions/ Squirrels Program

Where do I drop off & pick up my Squirrels camper?

Sign-in & Sign-out will be at the covered picnic area

by the softball field at Crown Valley Park.

What does my camper bring to camp?

1. Completed Gold Health Form

2. Lunch, (2) snacks, water/ drinks. Please label the lunch with your child’s name. Soft lunch coolers or mini-coolers work well.

A refillable water container is ideal to bring, as we have a

hydration station at camp.

3. A backpack or small bag to keep track of their belongings.

4. Towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, (optional: goggles & hat).

5. Closed toe shoes (flip flops can be worn at the pool only).

May I drop off earlier than 8:30am or pick up later than 4:30pm?

Camp starts at 8:30am and ends at 4:30pm. We offer two hours of extended camp at an additional rate for campers. Please reg-ister in the Registration Office at Crown Valley Park. Extended camp is from 7:30am-8:30am, one hour prior to the beginning of camp and one hour after camp finishes, 4:30pm to 5:30 pm. Ex-tended Camp is at the covered picnic area by the softball field.

What if I am late picking up my child?

$1.00 per minute will be charged for late pick-up after a 10-minute grace period. Be prepared to pay the late fee at the time of pick-up. Please call the office if you have an emergency. (949) 425-5100. All payments are made in the Registration Office.

There is no grace period for extended camp as the staff goes into overtime after 5:30pm. Please be prompt when picking up your child.

Parking limited during Special Events:

The Summer Concerts Series has been moved from the Amphi-theater to the Crown Valley Park lower soccer field.

Concert dates: June 21, July 4, July 19, & August 2 (6:30-8pm)

What if I drop off my camper late, or come to pick them up early?

Please go to the covered picnic area by the softball field. If the camp-ers are not there, then check with the Registration office. We cannot accommodate late arrivals or early pick-ups on excursion days.

Can another parent pick up my child? If an alternate adult is picking up your child, a parent/ guardian must sign the Going Home Release Form, which is in the back of this booklet and in the Registration office. In the case of an emergency, please call the Registration Office at (949) 425-5100 for a verbal release to another adult.

Coyotes Summer Day Camp Program:

Campers entering 4th-8th grade in the Fall of 2019

Our camp activities are designed to be safety oriented, both emotionally and physically. We encourage active participation in fun activities that promote teamwork, problem solving, and conflict resolution. If campers chose not to participate in an active game, they may act as a referee, collect balls, or assist staff. If campers opt out of the game or referee option then they will walk around the field during the game.

The camp travels on a school bus. The beach trip is on Tuesdays and the excursions are on Thursdays. Parents pay for food expenditures on beach and excursion days.

Tuesdays are beach days. Campers arrive at camp by 8:30 am. Campers bring: a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, flip flops, water, lunch or money, snacks, Optional: boogie board & fins. No skim boards or surfboards. Four umbrel-las will be set up at the beach for campers who would like some shade.

Typical Camp Schedule 7:30-8:30 Extended Camp (covered picnic area by softball field)

Cards and Table Games

8:30-9:00 Parents sign-in at (covered picnic area by soccer field)

Table/ Board Games/ Field Free Play

9:00-9:30 Rules/ Icebreaker Games in Small Groups/ Teambuilding Activity

9:30-10:15 Active Field Games/ Hydration Station

10:15-10-30 Snack and Drink (from home), Sunscreen

10:30-11:00 Activity Stations/ Table Tennis/ Board Games/ Bottle Bullseye

11:00-11:45 Arts & Crafts/ Free Choice Activity Stations

11:45-12:15 Lunch (from home)

12:15-12-50 Get Ready for Pool/ Sunscreen / Swimsuits/ Camp Clean-Up

12:50-1:00 Walk to Pool

1:00-2:45 Pool Rules/ Swim Test/ Swimming / Diving

2:45-3:15 Walk to camp/ Change into Clothes/ Sunscreen

3:15-4:00 Board Games/ Arts & Crafts/ Challenge Activities

Snack (from home) Hydration Station

4:00-4:30 Small Group Games/ Closing Circle/ Camp Clean -Up

4:30-5:30 Extended Camp/ Cards and Low Energy Activities

(covered picnic area by softball field)

Summer Day Camp Pool Time: 1:00-2:45pm

Lifeguards are on duty at all times when the pool is open.

Campers who wish to be a deep water swimmer must take a swim test administered by lifeguards. The swim test consists of swimming the width of the pool in the shallow water, making sure not to touch the bottom of the pool or use the lane line for support.

Once the camper passes the swim test, they may swim in the

deep or shallow parts of the pool.

Shallow water swimmers do not have to take a swim test.

We use wristbands to identify shallow & deep water

swimmers.

Recreation Leaders are assisting Lifeguards by supervising campers from the deck & in the water.

If there is a personal reason for your camper to stay out of the pool, we encourage this time to be used for reading a book or magazine from home.

Date Excursion Arrive by Return

June 20 Knott’s Berry Farm 8:00am 4:30pm

June 27 Boomers/ Bowling 8:30am 4:30pm

July 3 Circus Trix (Wed) 8:30am 1:30pm

July 11 Disneyland 7:15am 4:30pm

July 18 Universal 7:00am 5:00pm

July 25 Disney CA. Adventure 7:15am 4:30pm

Aug. 1 Sea World 7:00am 5:00pm

Aug. 8 Medieval Times 8:30am 2:00pm

Frequently Asked Questions / Coyotes Program

Excursions: Campers are grouped in two groups; Yellow-Cautious, or Green-Go. Yellow means the camper is cautions & selective about their amusement park experience. Green means the camper will go on ALL rides at the park. Campers will ride on a charter bus to Universal Studios and Sea World. Camp-ers will watch a movie and have access to the restroom on the charter bus. School buses from Certified Transportation will transport the campers to the beach and all other excursions.

Where do the Coyotes meet?

Sign-in & Sign-out will be at the covered picnic area

by the soccer field at Crown Valley Park.

What do I bring to camp?

1. Completed Gold Health Form

2. Lunch, (2) snacks, water/ drinks. Please label the lunch with your child’s name. Soft lunch coolers or mini-coolers work well.

A refillable water container is ideal to bring, as we have a hydration station at camp.

3. Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen. (optional goggles & hat)

4. Closed toe shoes (flip flops are ok: pool & beach day)

What should I leave at home? 1. Electronic devices: cell phone, i-watch, i-pod, tablet, and any

other digital equipment not permitted at camp.

2. Weapons of any sort,: slingshots, water guns, and air soft guns are not permitted at camp.

May I drop off earlier that 8:30am?

You may sign your camper into camp at the covered picnic area by the soccer field at 8:30am.

We offer two hours of extended camp at an additional rate for campers. Extended camp begins at 7:30am-8:30am, one hour prior to the beginning of camp and one hour after camp, 4:30-5:30pm. Extended Camp meets at the covered picnic area by the softball field at Crown Valley Park.

What if I am late picking up my child?

$1.00 per minute will be charged for late pick-up after a 10-minute grace period. Be prepared to pay the late fee at the time of pick-up. Please call the office if you have an emergency. (949) 425-5100. All payments are made in the Registration Office.

There is no grace period for extended camp as the staff goes into overtime after 5:30pm. Please be prompt when picking up your child.

Parking limited during Special Events:

The Summer Concerts Series has been moved from the Amphitheater to the Crown Valley Park lower soccer field.

Concert dates: June 21, July 4, July 19, & August 2 (6:30-8pm)

Can another parent pick up my child?

If an alternate adult is picking up your child, a parent/ guardian must sign the Going Home Release Form, which is in the back of this booklet & in the Registration office.

Day Camp Bully Policy Guidelines (Adapted from C.U.S.D. policy)

At the Coyotes & Squirrels summer day camp programs we will treat

each other with respect and refuse to tolerate bullying of any kind.

Definition: Bullying means systematically and chronically inflicting phys-

ical hurt or psychological distress on one or more campers, Recreation

Staff or VolunTeens. It is further defined as unwanted purposeful

written, verbal, nonverbal, or physical behavior, including but not lim-

ited to any threatening, insulting or dehumanizing gestures, by an adult

or camper, that has the potential to create an intimidating, hostile, or

offensive camp environment or cause long term damage, cause discom-

fort or humiliation; or reasonably interfere with the individual’s camp

participation. This behavior is carried out repeatedly and is often char-

acterized by an imbalance of power.

Basically, we can determine if a behavior is bullying by using this acro-

nym, is it…?

P. Pervasive (frequent)

I. Intentional (on purpose)

E. Escalating (increasing)

Bullying behaviors include the following:

Hurting someone physically by hitting, kicking, tripping, or pushing

Stealing or damaging another person’s things

Ganging up on someone

Teasing someone in a hurtful way

Using put-downs, such as insulting someone’s race or making fun of

someone for being a boy or a girl

Touching or showing private body parts

Spreading rumors or untruths about someone

Leaving someone out on purpose, or trying to get other campers not

to play or sit with someone

Campers will do the following things to prevent bullying:

Treat each other respectfully

Refuse to bully others

Refuse to let others be bullied

Refuse to watch, laugh, or join in when someone is being bullied

Be inclusive in play by inviting everyone to join in the activity

Report bullying to a staff member!

Staff will do the following things to prevent bullying and help children

feel safe at camp:

Closely supervise campers in all areas of activity

Watch for signs of bullying and stop it when it happens

Respond quickly and sensitively to bullying reports

Look into all reported bullying incidents

Consequences for Violation of the Anti-Bullying Policy

Depending on the severity and nature of the incident, Squirrels

& Coyotes Recreation Leaders will take one or more of the

following steps when bullying occurs.

Intervention, Warning, and Redirection

A Staff member or VolunTeen will ensure that the immediate

behavior stops and reinforce to the camper that bullying will

not be tolerated. During this meeting with the camper, the

Recreation Leader will redirect the camper and come up with a

plan for success, in case they find them selves in a similar

situation in the future.

Notification of Parents

A Staff member will notify the parents of involved campers.

Resolution with the Target of the Bullying

The camper may be required to write a letter of apology to the camper who

was bullied. Depending upon the nature of the incident, the campers involved

may meet to help resolve the problem and ensure it does not happen again.

Consequences of Bullying

Campers may be asked to sit out of an activity, such as swimming at the pool,

or may be required to assist staff with set up and breakdown of activities.

Sometimes the camper may need time to reflect and will be asked to write

down the incident which will be shared with their parents.

Behavioral Issues that Result in Dismissal from Camp

Ignoring repeated requests of Staff to obey the camp rules.

Hitting, kicking, slapping , biting, of campers or Staff.

Vandalism of City property, loss of equipment.

Bullying behaviors: name calling, racial slurs, profanity, physical aggres-

sion, swearing, sexual suggestions, and religious slurs.

Theft of camper’s / Staff belongings or City property.

Behavior that results in the violation of safety rules and established camp

standards.

Any behavior that is deemed unsuitable or unsafe as determined by the

Recreation Supervisor; Gretchen Malcolm, (949) 425-5100

gmalcolm@cityoflagunaniguel.org

Refund Policy A full refund (minus online convenience fees) will be given for cancellation

of any activity with a doctor’s medical excuse prior to the commencement of camp.

No refunds will be issued for no-shows, special events or excursions. If patron cancels five (5) or more business days prior to the activity, patron will receive a refund, minus a $10 transaction fee. A cancellation made four (4) or less business days prior to the activity will

result in the forfeiture of the entire class fee. Please Note: If your child is asked to leave camp due to behavioral prob-

lems, there will be NO REFUNDS for the remaining week of camp. Please refer all refund questions to the Registration Office.

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