Updated 4/3/18

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Summer 2018 Dear Parent, On behalf of the Recreation Department and the Camp Staff, I’d like to welcome you to the 2018 season. Thank you for selecting us to provide a memorable summer of fun for your child. This handbook has been provided to assist you in preparing for the summer. It should also help answer most of the questions you may have regarding the camp season. Once camp begins, you will also be receiving supplemental e-mails that will pertain to the numerous special events that are conducted in each camp. Please do read the handbook and any e-mails thoroughly, since they contain pertinent information. New and important information has been italicized and bolded or your convenience. I am happy to announce that the Briarcliff Manor Super Camp will take place at the Briarcliff High School / Middle School complex. The 2018 camp dates are July 2nd – August 3rd. The Recreation & Parks Department is committed to providing a quality camp program and, as always, we are open to your ideas and suggestions for improvement throughout the camp season. If at any time you have questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 941-6560 or email me at kkuzio@briarcliffmanor.org. The Camp Staff and I are looking forward to a great season. We’re glad that you have chosen our camp to make this a memorable summer for your child and we thank you for your support. I look forward to meeting you and your child (ren)! Sincerely, Karen Kuzio, MSEd Recreation Supervisor

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CONTENTS PAGE CAMP OBJECTIVES………………………………………… 4 GENERAL INFORMATION………………………………… 5 – 9 Communications Parental Concerns

Transportation Attendance/Illness Camper Medication/Food Allergies

Birthday Celebrations Camper Clothing Sunscreen application Personal Aides Evaluation Camper Discipline Policy SUPER CAMP SPECIFICS…………………………………… 10 – 12 Times Staff Camp Office Personal Items Lost & Found Trips Camp groups

Snack/Lunch Swimming Orientation Daily Schedule

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BRIARCLIFF MANOR

DAY CAMP OBJECTIVES

The underlying goal of each of our day camp programs is to provide the children of our community with a safe, healthful, stimulating and enjoyable summer camp experience.

We will strive to:

- Provide the finest adult, young adult and teenage role models for campers to identify with and relate to.

- Provide exciting, fun and memorable recreational, educational and social activities for each

camper.

- Instill a sense of self-assurance and confidence in each camper through the use of active participation and positive involvement in a variety of leisure time pursuits.

- Stimulate friendships and break down barriers that tend to isolate children, inhibit creativity

and undermine confidence.

- Help each camper acquire new skills and interests, as well as provide them with opportunities to improve existing skills.

- Make every child feel safe, accepted and worthwhile.

SUPER CAMP

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GENERAL INFORMATION

CAMP ORGANIZATION CHART

Board of Trustees

Village Manager

Superintendent of Recreation & Parks

Recreation Supervisor

Camp Directors

Specialists

Counselors / CIT’s

FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND PROTECTION

The New York State Public Health Department requires that all parents be informed that:

1) New York State Health Department requires licensing of all camps, including The Briarcliff Manor camps.

2) Camps are to be inspected twice a year by the Westchester County Health Department for compliance with the laws relating to camp operations.

3) Information may be obtained from the Westchester County Health Department, 25 Moore Ave. Mt. Kisco, NY

COMMUNICATIONS Approximately two weeks before camp you will receive your child’s group roster via e-mail. The camper’s daily schedules as well as the special events calendar will be posted on the departments’ webpage www.briarcliffmanor.org . You will find this information helpful in preparing your child for camp and its activities. Once camp begins, you will receive weekly e-mails on Fridays regarding the upcoming week’s events. Be sure to provide us with a current (and frequently checked) e-mail address, up to 3 per family.

PARENTAL CONCERNS Throughout the camp season, you may feel the need to discuss or inform me of a situation that needs attention. While I spend a majority of my day out of the office at the camp sites, I do check my e-mails frequently, so feel free to e-mail me at kkuzio@briarcliffmanor.org. Our directors can be reached at the camp office number which will be provided with your child’s group information in June. Please do not discuss issues with the staff during drop off or pick up, their full attention needs to be on the safe arrival and dismissal of all the campers.

TRANSPORTATION Transportation to and from camp is a parental responsibility. For an additional fee, private bus service to and from camp is available, based on household location, through the Briarcliff Bus Company. The transportation deadline is June 1st. Call them at 941-5139 for more information.

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DAILY ATTENDANCE If your child will not be attending camp for an extended period of time due to a family vacation or

the like, please send a note to the group counselors or e-mail me (kkuzio@briarcliffmanor.org). You do NOT have to call/e-mail in daily absences.

CAMPER ILLNESS In the event your child becomes ill during the camp day, we will first try to contact you at the phone numbers you’ve provided. If the parents cannot be reached, we will then call the emergency contact person on your child’s application. As a reminder, you have authorized the camp, by signing the application, to transport your child to the hospital for necessary emergency medical treatment. Please advise me immediately if your child develops any contagious illness/disease such as fifth’s disease, Chicken Pox, Head Lice, Pink eye, measles, etc. Highly contagious illnesses such as these (and others) have to be reported to the Health Department and to the camp parents for the safety of everyone at camp. The camp maintains a No-Nit policy, therefore all campers with head lice must be nit free before they are permitted to return back to camp.

For the safety of all campers (including yours), if your child runs a fever or vomits, you must keep them out of camp until they are fever free or stopped vomiting for at least 24 hrs.

EARLY DISMISSAL/PLAY DATES If you would like to pick up your child prior to the end of the camp day, you must send a note to your child’s group leader stating what time you will pick them up. Please come to the camp office to pick up your child and sign them out. If your child is going home with another camper, BOTH campers must come to camp with a note (indicate child’s group), as our own checks and balances system.

CAMPER MEDICATION The camp staff is not permitted to dispense any medications. However, if your child needs to take medication during camp hours, they can self medicate under the supervision of our camp medical director. If you wish to store medications at camp in case of emergency, you must complete a medical authorization form, which needs to be signed by your child’s physician. In all cases (both prescription and over the counter), the active ingredient must be indicated on this authorization form; for example, Diphenhydramine, not Benadryl, the same for common and generic prescription drugs. This form can be obtained from the Recreation Department website. All medications must be stored in its original container in the camp office and again, must be dispensed by either a parent or the child. All prescription medication must have the original prescription label on the original container/box.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY Our Directors are certified in American Heart First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. All of our group leaders and specialists are certified in First Aid and CPR. In case of serious injury or accident, the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department Ambulance Corps will be called. In all cases, the camper’s parents or emergency contact person will be notified. Accident reports are completed and kept on file at the Recreation Department for such situations. In some cases, the Health Department must be made aware of the incident.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS We love celebrating campers’ birthdays at camp!! Since we want your child’s entire group to share in the special occasion, we ask that if you want to bring in a celebratory treat, please make sure you check in with our medical director, as they will check the group for any/all food allergies. Pre-packaged treats are preferred for any group with an allergy.

FOOD ALLERGIES Anaphylactic reactions are sudden, potentially fatal allergic reactions that can involve several organ systems in the body simultaneously, often impairing breathing. Anaphylaxis is caused by, but not limited

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to, allergies to food, stinging insects, medication, and latex. Some children are so exquisitely sensitive that they develop symptoms when the allergen comes in contact with their skin or when present in the air. Therefore, at camp we will not permit any trading or sharing of food, food utensils and food containers. Also, snacks made with peanut or nut products are prohibited. Since peanut allergies can be a matter of life and death, any group that has a child with this particular allergy in it, will automatically be a Nut Free group. These two measures will allow us to take extra precaution to keep all children safe at camp. If your child only eats peanut butter, as long as they are not in a “peanut free” group, you can send it in, providing the outside of the container must be labeled with “PB” so the staff can take necessary precautions. If you do not wish for your child to be placed in a peanut free group, please make note on your form so groups can be made accordingly by the campers registration deadline. If your child has a food allergy, please provide our Medical Director with complete and detailed information as to specific foods your child is allergic to, the probable symptoms, and appropriate action to take to aid your child. Also, please provide us with any/all appropriate emergency medication. This information and appropriate prescriptions must be indicated on the self-administered medicine authorization and signed by you and your child’s physician. All medical information will be kept strictly confidential. Although we try our best to make all reasonable accommodations for the safety of all campers, we cannot guarantee that the camp will be completely free of any/all allergens.

CAMPER CLOTHING Make sure everything is labeled with your child’s first and last name! Campers should come to camp as comfortable as possible. We recommend shorts, the camp shirt or another t-shirt, socks and a pair of sneakers or closed toe, rubber bottom sandals (ex: Keens, etc). Since the campers will be very active, open toed sandals, flip flops and crocs are prohibited. Bathing suits and towels should be worn / brought each day that your child has swimming, even if it is raining in the morning. On the days where your child has swimming twice (1st grade only), if you want your child to change in between swim times please send in two bathing suits. We will make sure the children have ample time to change. They must be able to independently change with minor assistance from staff. Since the sun is always shining at the Briarcliff Day Camps, please dress your child appropriately for the weather, be it a hat, or sunscreen, etc. The children will be outside and exposed to the sunlight so we want them protected at all times. All campers will receive two (2) camp shirts on their first day of camp. Camp shirts MUST be worn on camp photo day and for the camp trip. On regular camp days, the shirt should be worn when the wash cycle permits.

SUNSCREEN APPLICATION While, we cannot physically apply sunscreen to your child, the staff can squeeze the lotion into the camper’s hands, but cannot rub it in. A buddy system can be used to get their backs. Therefore, please instruct your child how to apply sunscreen to themselves prior to the start of camp. If you are comfortable with a spray, this works the best for camp setting, as the staff can spray it on your child while the camper rubs it in.

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PERSONAL AIDES (P.A.s): also known as - SEITs, Shadows, One-to-Ones For one reason or another, your child may be assigned a Personal Aide (P.A.) by the school district, to provide a continuation of services during the summer. The camp permits these services to be given during the camp day providing the following guidelines and procedures are adhered to.

Prior to Services being provided: Parent must contact Karen Kuzio, Recreation Supervisor to discuss services to be provided. P.A. must directly contact Karen prior to services are allowed to be provided at camp P.A. is required to submit an immunization record to be kept on file at the camp P.A. is required to submit their Date of Birth to be screened through the New York State Sex

Offender Registry P.A. must provide two (2) written references

During the Camp Season: P.A. must sign in/out upon arrival/dismissal with the camp director. The P.A.’s only focus is their assigned camper and ensuring a positive experience as a member

of the larger camp group. The P.A.’s must provide their own transportation to and from the pool, and/or trips if they are

approved to attend. It is the P.A./Parents’ responsibility to pay for any costs incurred by the PA during attendance on a trip.

It is the parent’s responsibility to communicate with the P.A. and to mutually agree on an appropriate time in the child’s schedule to provide services. The parent must also sign off on PA’s hours, my staff does not have the authority to do this. This schedule should be communicated in writing to the Camp Directors once camp begins. All services should be performed at the camp site; no services at the pool will be permitted (unless the P.A. is assigned for the entire camp day). While we have had many positive experiences with P.A.s at camp, we have had instances where these additional caregivers have over stepped their bounds in the context of our camp group supervision. These guidelines have been developed in the hope of alleviating past issues. Communication is the key to a successful summer for your child. We want the best possible experience for all campers in attendance, so if the P.A. hinders or is unable to work within the dynamic of our camp groups, they may be asked to provide services outside of the camp day.

PHOTO POLICY The Recreation Department reserves the right to photograph program participants for promotional purposes. Images of participants engaging in Briarcliff Recreation sponsored activities may be used in flyers and brochures and may also be displayed on the Village website and in online publications. Names will not be associated with photographs used unless prior consent to do so is obtained from the individual, or in the case of a minor, the Parent or legal guardian of the child. If you do not want your child photographed, please e-mail Karen.

EVALUATIONS The only way for us to provide you with the service you desire is for you to let us know how we are doing. Toward the end of the camp season a link for an online survey will be e-mailed to all participants. These evaluations are helpful to me in planning subsequent camp seasons.

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CAMPER DISCIPLINE POLICY

Ensuring that day camp is an enjoyable and positive experience for everyone requires that each camper exhibit and maintain an acceptable level of behavior within the group setting of camp. Establishing parameters for proper behavior and consistently enforcing a fair and reasonable discipline policy assists in protecting the health, safety and security of all campers. The following is an outline of the standard operating procedures that will be followed by our staff members when dealing with behavioral issues in camp:

1st incident: Group counselor(s) will speak to the camper about their behavior & explain why the behavior is unacceptable. The camper will be given a brief “time-out” from the group activity and will also be informed that any further incidents will result in the Camp Director having to call their parents. Counselors report 1st incident to the Camp Director who makes a note in their daily log.

2nd incident: Group counselor(s) will speak to the camper again, explain why their behavior is unacceptable, and issue another brief “time-out” from the group’s activity. The counselor will also explain to the child that the Camp Director will now call their parents to inform them of this 2nd behavioral issue, discuss the situation and seek their help in eliminating any further incidents. Counselors report incident to the Director who documents the incident and makes the call to the parents. Director also informs the full-time Recreation Supervisor and the Superintendent of the incident and the call to the child’s parents.

3rd incident: Group counselor(s) will bring the camper to the Camp Director who will speak to them about their repeated unacceptable behavior and explain what will happen if it continues. The camper will stay in the camp office and will not participate in group activities for a time period to be determined by the Director. The Director places a second call to the parents to review the situation and inform them that the next incident (which will be their child’s 4th) will lead to a suspension. The Director also informs the Recreation Supervisor and the Superintendent of the latest incident and subsequent discussion with the child’s parents.

4th incident: Group counselor(s) will bring the camper to the Camp Director who will contact the child’s parents, request their immediate pick-up from camp and explain that the child is suspended from camp for the next two (2) camp days. The Camp Director, Recreation Supervisor and/or Superintendent, and at least one parent must have a face-to-face meeting prior to the child being permitted to return to camp. (This meeting may take place at the time the parent picks the child up if all parties are available.) This parental meeting will be the final discussion regarding the child’s behavioral issues and it will be made clear that the next incident will result in the child’s dismissal from the program with no refund of fees paid.

5th incident: Group counselor(s) will bring the camper to the Camp Director who will contact the Recreation Supervisor. The Recreation Supervisor will consult with the Superintendent. Upon the direction of the Superintendent, the Recreation Supervisor will place the call to the child’s parents to inform them of their child’s dismissal from camp and request immediate pick-up.

It is certainly not our desire to dismiss children from the program, and most behavioral problems will be corrected long before a third, fourth or fifth incident occurs. Our policy is designed to resolve behavioral issues promptly, and with the assistance of the camper’s parents. Poor behavior by one child can, and usually does, impact all of the children within their group and their counselors. We will not allow recurring incidents of unacceptable behavior to ruin the camp experience for others, and we expect that parents will understand, agree, and work with us to avoid such incidents.

Please note that the disciplinary steps outlined here are standard procedures, and all incidents in camp will be reviewed and handled based upon the individual circumstances involved. If an incident is determined to be of a more serious nature than the standard procedures are designed to address, the Day Camp Director will involve full-time Recreation Department personnel immediately and subsequent actions will be determined and directed by the Superintendent of Recreation and Parks.

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Super Camp Specifics . . .

Briarcliff’s Super Camp is organized in a manner that enables each camper to participate in a variety of activities each day. Campers will experience a well-rounded summer of fun, skill development, friendship and excitement. Super Camp activities include but are not limited to, sports & games, arts & crafts, swim lessons, free swim, theater, and more. Full day campers will also have the opportunity for free swim periods at the pool in the afternoons, three days a week.

TIMES Drop off takes place between 8:45am – 9:00am. Pick up takes place at 2:45pm. Drop off and pick up traffic details will be sent out with camper welcome letters.

STAFF Super Campers are directly supervised by a well-rounded staff consisting of adult specialists, college and high school aged counselors, and counselors-in-training. Our camp groups are structured to be led by a Group Leader, at least one counselor, and at least one counselor-in-training, varying when registration dictates otherwise. Our Medical Director will be there to take care of all the bumps, bruises, belly aches and any incidents that occur at camp. If your child has medical needs that the Medical Director needs to be aware of please feel free to contact them at the camp during the first day (or any other day). The Medical Director is also the only person who can accept your child’s medication.

CAMP OFFICE The camp office is where the Directors and Medical Director call home. This is also the place where you can drop off a late camper, pick up a camper prior to dismissal time, drop off a forgotten item or drop off camper medication. CALLING CAMP: A camp number has been established in case you need to reach out to the Camp Directors or Medical Director. This phone will only be in use from July 2nd – August 3rd between 9 am – 2:45 pm. During this time, our staff may be busy with the children, and will be unable to answer the phone, please leave a message and someone will get right back to you. When leaving a message, please make sure you leave the child’s name AND group name. If there is more than one child involved in the message, please leave all campers names and group names.

PERSONAL ITEMS Toys, electronics, cell phones or other personal items are not allowed at camp. We do not want to have unhappy campers, when their personal belonging is lost or accidentally damaged while at camp. We have plenty of activities to keep the campers engaged for the entire day!

LOST AND FOUND Please put your child’s name on any and all clothing and personal items brought to camp. In the event that something is lost, please notify the Group Leader immediately (or e-mail Karen). The camp lost and found will be located in the main lobby marked “Camp Lost & Found”. The camp is not responsible for the loss of personal items.

OUT OF CAMP TRIPS Super Campers will participate in three out-of-camp trips. Campers not participating in an out of camp trip should not report to camp on the trip days as all staff members will be utilized for trip supervision. Parents will be given notice of all trips through the weekly flyer, which will be e-mailed home. The Super Camp Special Events Calendar will also have the trip dates. This calendar can be found on the Recreation Department’s webpage. If you would like further information, please e-mail Karen at kkuzio@briarcliffmanor.org.

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CAMP GROUPS Super Campers will be broken into groups based on grade and are co-ed unless registration

numbers dictate otherwise. Typically we have 12-15 campers in each group, based on registration numbers. Each group is staffed with one adult (18 yo+) group leader, at least one counselor and one

counselor-in-training. For the safety of our campers with nut allergies, “nut free” groups will be formed. These

groups will consist of non-allergic campers to ensure all campers the opportunity to be with their friends.

REQUESTS: Deadline May 2nd at 4pm. All requests are kept confidential No request is guaranteed If you have a specific child you do NOT want your child placed with for any reason, make

your request directly with Karen, (do not make note on the camp form). It is the parents responsibly to make sure your requested friend is attending similar weeks.

Multiple requests will not be accepted to cover all weeks. Children that are both listed as the #1 request on each other’s forms have the greatest

chance for being placed in the same camp group (but again, not guaranteed). If peanut butter, or other nut product, are a staple in your child’s diet, you may request to

be placed in a “nut ok” group. Make note on the camp registration form. Requests for specific staff will not be accepted.

SNACK Please pack a non-perishable nut free snack each day (not just nut free groups). For full day campers, the snack must be packed separately from the lunches as it will remain in the child’s bag until snack time.

LUNCH – FULL DAY CAMPERS ONLY All Full Day Super Campers will be required to bring a lunch to camp each day. All bags/coolers should be labeled with the child’s name. Children should pack a beverage in a refillable container along with their lunch. All lunches containing peanut butter, must be labeled with PB on the outside of the lunch container. Lunches will not be refrigerated.

SWIMMING All Super Campers will receive swimming instruction (4 days a week) as part of their day camp

experience. Groups will be transported to & from the pool by bus. The Department of Health requires each child to be tested on swim ability before they are allowed in the water for free swim. All campers will be expected to participate unless a written note is provided to the Group Leader excusing the child. Each camper will receive one of the following classifications:

Beginner: is a camper who is unable to demonstrate to the Swim Director they can swim across the shallow end of the pool without stopping. These campers may only swim in the shallow end, and wear a red wristband.

Intermediate: is a camper who can successfully demonstrate to the Swim Director they can swim from one end of the shallow end to the other without stopping. These campers are allowed to be in the shallow end or the middle of the pool up to the 4’2” dividing line. These campers will wear a yellow wristband.

Swimmer: is a camper who can successfully demonstrate the ability to swim two laps without stopping in the middle of a lap and can tread water for one minute. When treading water, campers may not touch the wall and must keep their head above water during the minute. These campers are allowed to swim in the entire pool, including the deep end and use the diving board. These campers will wear green wristbands.

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SWIMMING con’t All campers are expected to be swim tested prior to the start of the camp season. Several

weekend dates will be available to ensure campers are tested. The Camp Swim Director is the only person certified to assess your child’s swim level, so please address all questions to them at the pool at 488-2115. Please be aware that even though your child may have excelled in another program (the Y, Club FIT, etc) or in the heated pool in your backyard, your child may not have demonstrated those talents in our pool to our Swim Director. We base our swim levels on the strict guidelines set forth by the American Red Cross, which many other places do not adhere to. Our Camp Swim Director will allow retests every Friday for those campers whose swim instructor feel are ready to test out to the next level. This method has been used since 2009 and has been a great motivating tool for the campers to do well in their swim lessons.

Campers will be monitored at the pool through our “Buddy Board” system which has been approved by the Westchester County Health Department. Buddy checks are mandated by the Department of Health to ensure the safety of the campers while enjoying the pool. Buddy checks are performed every 15 minutes. If you would like further information about Buddy Checks, give me a call at the office.

ORIENTATION While there is no formal Parent Orientation, if you are new to the area or to Super Camp and have questions about the program, contact me. I am happy to answer all your questions. DAILY SCHEDULE

Sample Schedule