Welcome to Southeast Y Camp Arrowhead!Thank you for choosing YMCA Camp as your summer fun destination! Our staff is committed to providing your family with a rewarding and memorable experience.

This parent handbook is designed to prepare and assist you with sending your child to Summer Camp. It contains helpful and pertinent information that will make camp a positive experience for your whole family. Please read this handbook carefully and review the camp rules and guidelines with your child. If we can provide you with any additional information or be of any service to you throughout the summer, please do not hesitate to contact:

Chelcey Bostic, Camp Coordinator, at (812) 961-2168 or cbostic@monroecountyymca.org

Megan Irwin, Camp Coordinator, at (812) 961-2359 or mirwin@monroecountyymca.org

Chris Stone, Camp Director, at (812) 961-2157 or cstone@monroecountyymca.org

YMCA MissionTo put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

YMCA Summer Camp at a GlimpseCamp Arrowhead focuses on the four core values that influence everything we do: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Our summer program is based on educating our campers about these values in all environments. We will also help campers build self-confidence and independence, while challenging them physically, mentally, and emotionally. We emphasize the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, which is taught through fun activities to help your child incorporate this concept into their daily lives.

A Typical Day at CampCamp Arrowhead provides campers ages 3-15 with supervised activities that teach core values, conflict resolution, and leadership skills. Every day, campers will participate in a variety of activities such as group games, crafts, camp songs, and physical activity that encourage new friendships, self-confidence, teamwork, and growth in self-reliance.

MONROE COUNTY YMCA SOUTHEAST Y SUMMER CAMP2020 Parent Guide

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Summer Camp StaffWhen your child arrives, they will be greeted by many familiar faces as we have quite a few returning counselors this year. Although returning counselors are great, they can’t do it alone. We have also hired new staff members who will bring new ideas and enthusiasm to our program.

Each counselor is required to participate in over 20 hours of staff development. This includes team-building skills, YMCA child abuse prevention, emergency procedures, character development, behavior management, special needs training, universal precautions, basic First-Aid training, and CPR training. We take pride in the high expectations we set for our Summer Camp staff, and we evaluate both our staff and our programs regularly throughout the summer.

Refund and Cancellation PoliciesIf a refund is requested before June 12, you will receive a full refund. If a refund is requested after June 12, you may transfer your child to another week of camp if space is available for a $10 fee. Cancellations after June 12 will be given no refund. Due to the popularity of the camps and our important counselor-to-camper ratio, cancellations will only be considered if there are children on the waiting list. Any cancellation request after June 12 must be submitted in writing to a Camp Coordinator or Program Director prior to the first day of the session for which your child is signed up. Member Services cannot issue a refund.

Emergency and Medical InformationThis section is essential to your child’s safety and well-being while they are in our care this summer. At registration time, either online or at the Welcome Center, you will be asked to provide our staff with general information about your child, including allergies, medications, and emergency numbers for counselors to reach you if necessary during the day.

There is a designated section on our registration forms for you to list who you have authorized to pick your child up from camp. As a safety measure for every YMCA camper, anyone who picks up a child from camp MUST be listed on this form. Photo identification will be required. The camper will not be allowed to go with the person until he or she is added to the list by a parent or guardian. Each camper must be signed out—we do this for the safety of your child.

Medication AdministrationSummer Camp leadership staff will administer prescription medication provided that is in the original container and has been listed on the Emergency/Medical form in the medication fields. All medication must be turned in to camp leadership staff. Only the Camp Coordinator and assigned supervisors will administer medication, with the exception of emergency medications such as EpiPens and inhalers, which will be kept with with your camper or

their counselor. Medication will be administered per doctor’s orders only. If the dosage has changed from what is listed on the bottle, please bring in a doctor’s statement indicating proper administration and dosage.

Camp staff may also administer certain over-the-counter medications if parent permission is given on the Emergency/Medical form. These medications may include Calamine Lotion, Hydrocortisone, generic cough drops, Aloe, Children’s Tylenol, and antibiotic cream.

Behavior Management Policy The number one goal for Y Summer Camp is that all campers have a safe and rewarding experience. To accomplish this goal, discipline sometimes becomes necessary. The camper’s parent or guardian may be called to pick up camper if counselor’s redirection techniques are ignored and camper continues to create an unsafe atmosphere for him/herself along with the camp group.

What to Send and How to Dress for CampPlease send your camper to Summer Camp with the below items every day, and put your camper’s first and last name on all of their belongings in permanent marker. Campers should come to camp in clothing that can get dirty and is suitable for an active day. Many items that come to camp every day, such as towels, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc., look identical. Please send older versions of these items as they often get misplaced or left behind at the end of the day.

Please have sunscreen on your camper prior to drop off and encourage your camper to continue to apply sunscreen throughout the day. Camp staff will monitor sunscreen application at set times throughout the day. If your camper has a tendency to get sunburns, let your child’s counselor know, and be sure to send any special sunscreen your camper may need. Spray sunscreen is encouraged.

Helpful Tips to Prepare for CampThe following information is geared toward the younger campers and first-time campers, although any parent might find this information helpful.

1. The night before camp, you and your child could prep and pack the backpack your child will be taking to camp. Make sure all items are labeled with your child’s first and last name. If you know your child is going to spend most of the summer in one camp, Jr. Explorers for example, you could also write the name of your child’s primary camp group. This helps us and helps you, too!

2. Have your child practice carrying their packed backpack. If it is too heavy, choose a smaller backpack or items of a different size such as a smaller water bottle, an old bath towel instead of large beach towel, etc. Large beach towels are great for lying on a sandy beach, but when they get soaked with pool water, they become quite heavy and aren’t easy for small children to carry. Hooded towels or capes are best for young children, and bath-size towels are best for older children.

3. While you and your child may be excited about camp and want to purchase a new lunch box, water bottle, towel, etc., we would like to remind you that the majority of camp is OUTDOORS, and these items won’t be new for long. Please, please, please send items that have already been well-loved and save the purchase of new items for the beginning of the school year.

4. Please keep personal items at home. If your child is having difficulty with separation and a particular item is reassuring for them to have, please alert Camp Leadership so we can help your camper acclimate to camp with the emotional security of the item and for the item to stay with the camper and not get lost.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up ProceduresCampers will be greeted at the drop-off station and counselors will escort campers to their camp location.

Parents will be asked to list anyone eligible to pick up their child when they register for camp. It is the parent’s responsibility to keep the YMCA informed and up-to-date with the appropriate information, such as who can pick

up the child and emergency contact information.

Please sign in NO EARLIER THAN 8:50 am each day to allow counselors the necessary time to prepare for camp (EXCEPTION: on the first day of camp, sign-in will begin at 8:40 am). We do offer a morning Extended Day program for families who need care before 9:00 am. If you have any questions regarding where to drop off your child, ask a member of the camp staff or the Welcome Center. To ensure the safety of all campers, we will require photo identification when picking up your children on Monday of each session. Photo identification may be required at other times at the staff’s discretion.

Southeast YMCA Camp Arrowhead

Pathfinders (Age 3) Half-Day • Sign in at 9:00 am and pick up at 12:00 pm

Scouts (Ages 4-5) Half-Day • Sign in at 9:00 am and pick up at 12:00 pm

Little Leaders (Age 4) • Sign in at 9:00 am and pick up at 3:00 pm

Jr. Explorers (Age 5) • Sign in at 9:00 am and pick up at 3:00 pm

Explorers (Age 6) • Sign in at 9:00 am and pick up at 3:00 pm

Voyagers (Ages 7-8) • Sign in at 9:00 am and pick up at 3:00 pm

Trailblazers (Ages 9-10) • Sign in at 9:00 am and pick up at 3:00 pm

Challengers (Ages 11-13) • Sign in at 9:00 am and pick up at 4:00 pm

Campers will not arrive on the soccer field until 2:45 pm. If parents are picking up before 2:30 pm, they will need to inform a staff member at the Welcome Center. If possible, please notify staff at drop-off in the morning about any early pick-up needs. Parents arriving between 2:30-2:45 pm will need to wait for their camper to arrive. We will NOT sign out children from the soccer field until 2:45 pm at the earliest.

Designated parking for drop-off and pick-up from camp will be in the soccer field parking lot.

PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE LOT BEHIND THE YMCA. FOR SAFETY REASONS, THIS LOT WILL NOT BE USED FOR CAMPER DROP OFF.

SEND: • Healthy, filling lunch • Ice packs (suggested) • Reusable water bottle • Swimsuit and towel (excluding Sports Camps) • Hat or bandanna • Sunscreen (preferably spray can) • Clothing that CAN get dirty • Close-toed shoes with socks • Book or quiet activity • Backpack • Bug spray

DO NOT SEND: • Any electronics, INCLUDING CELL PHONES • Toys or personal belongings (NERF, cards, etc) • Valuables • Weapons • Sandals/flip flops

The YMCA will not be responsible for any lost or missing items.

This list is not exhaustive. If camp staff feel like an item is inappropriate or disruptive, it will be confiscated and returned to your camper at the conclusion of the day. Camp staff is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Campers are responsible for their own belongings.

What to Pack Your Day Camper

Southeast YMCA Sports and Specialty Camps

Sports Camp (Ages 6-14) Summer 2020 Sports Camp now includes AM and PM Junior Varsity (ages 6-9) and Varsity Camps (ages 10-14). All AM camps will begin at 9:00 am and end at 12:30 pm, and PM camps will begin at 12:30 pm and end at 4:00 pm.

Junior Varsity Sports Camp (Ages 6-9) • AM camps sign in at 9:00 am and pick up at 12:30 pm • PM camps sign in at 12:30 pm and pick up at 4:00 pm

Varsity Sports Camp (Ages 10-14) • AM camps sign in at 9:00 am and pick up at 12:30 pm • PM camps sign in at 12:30 pm and pick up at 4:00 pm

Specialty CampPlease refer to our policy of what to bring and what not to bring to camp. Any special materials you wish to send with your camper must relate to the camp session your camper is attending. Anything brought from home needs to be labeled with your camper’s first and last name and will be the camper’s responsibility to take care of throughout the week. Please note that some Specialty Camps will be conducting science experiments or playing outdoors, so clothing may get dirty.

Teen Options

Counselors-In-Training (CIT) (Ages 12-15) This program provides an opportunity for participants to learn valuable leadership skills through the experience of assisting both campers and counselors in the day-camp setting. They will be given the chance to practice both their social skills and leadership skills while taking on responsibilities for the care and supervision of others. CITs may be asked to plan activities and crafts or lead group games. There will be some group work and team building practices for the CITs before they lead in a camp group setting. This is an excellent opportunity for participants to exhibit their creativity and emerge as leaders in the program, and potentially as future camp staff. CIT performance will be evaluated by the program supervisor during each session, and they will be provided with insightful feedback to help them grow as a leader.

Extended DayWe are excited to offer complimentary morning Extended Day beginning at 7:30 am to any camper age three or older enrolled in a morning camp. Beginning at 8:45 am, camp staff will escort children from Extended Day to their camp. Camp staff have a full day of fun planned every day for your camper, so arriving on time is important. For your child’s safety, our policy requires that anyone picking up a child from camp, must show proper identification, be picked up at the appropriate time, and in the spaces designated for this procedure.

Weekly Morning Hours (registration not required)Days: Monday–FridayTime: 7:30–8:45 amFree of charge if your camper is enrolled in a 9:00 am camp and is three years old or older.

Weekly Afternoon Rates (registration required)Days: Monday–FridayTime: 3:00–6:00 pmCost: $40 for members/$45 for non-membersDaily Afternoon Rates: $15/$20

For any questions regarding Extended Day and registration, please contact our Camp Coordinator, Chelcey Bostic, at (812) 961-2168 or cbostic@monroecountyymca.org

What about Rain?

Camp is held rain or shine! We remain outside unless the weather becomes threatening. Although it is always challenging when drop-off or pick-up is changed, we will do our best to make it as easy as possible for parents, always putting the safety of our campers first.

SchedulePlease see the 2020 YMCA Summer Camp Catalog for information on camp themes, family nights, and special events. You can pick up a copy at the Welcome Center or view it online at MonroeCountyYMCA.org/summer-camp/catalog.

Can’t wait to see you at camp!