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 rene.stroud@pottcounty-ia.gov 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?