Summer Adventures Parent Letter - City of Vancouver

June 4, 2013
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s):
Thank you for registering your child(ren) into Summer Adventures Youth Day Camp. We want to welcome your
child(ren) to camp! The goal of day camp is to provide activities that encourage and promote confidence, team
building, good decision making and values, respect, fitness, compassion, environmental awareness and to have fun.
We strive to maintain a staff:child ratio of 1:8.
To make it a smooth summer, please read this letter carefully. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact
me at 487-7084.
Participant Information Form/Waiver:
Be sure to complete the Summer Adventures Participation form that is available online at
http://www.cityofvancouver.us/parksrec/webform/marshall-community-center-youth-day-campparticipant-information-form
Your child cannot attend without this completed form. It will also be
available at camp.
Contact Number:
Parents should provide at least 2 contact numbers where they can be reached during camp time.
Sign-in/Sign-Out
The camp is based at Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd in the gym. Please enter through the
north entrance lobby and proceed down the stairs to the gym. This is where our sign in table will be. You must
sign your child in and out each day.
Parents/guardians must sign in and sign out their child when they are dropped off and picked up. Only the
person(s) listed on the Summer Adventures Participation form will be allowed to take the child with them. Photo ID
may be requested. Children cannot leave by themselves. If camp has already left for the field trip, you will need
to take your child to the field trip site and sign them in there. Attendance is taken throughout the day and the sign
in/out system is essential in maintaining a secure environment for the children.
What to Wear
Please provide your child with proper camp attire for playing. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. Refer to the
field trip schedule and provide sunscreen on the appropriate days. Staff is not permitted to apply sunscreen. Shirts
and hats should be worn to prevent sunburn. Each camper will receive a camp t-shirt to wear on Thursday field
trips for easy recognition. Additional shirts are not available.
Lunches & Snacks
Please be sure that your child brings a lunch, snacks and water to camp everyday. Lunches are not provided but
pancakes will be provided on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for no additional charge.
Swimming & Other Weekly Activities
Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:30-3pm we will be swimming at the Marshall Center pool. Please have your
child bring their swimsuit and towel on these days. Twenty-five cents will purchase a lock for a locker. Weekly
activities include, but are not limited to, sports, games, crafts, playground time, gardening, interactive
presentations, movies, walk to the library and reading. Weekly activity schedules are available at camp.
Literacy
Most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays we will have some reading time. Feel free to have your child bring a
book to read on these days. Camp has a limited supply of books. Throughout the summer on Tuesdays, children will
PO Box 1995 Vancouver, WA 98668-1995 360-487-7084 www.vanclarkparks-rec.org

walk to the central library in downtown Vancouver so if they have a library card and want to check out books,
please have them bring it to camp.
Field Trips
*Marshall Center camp field trips are on Thursdays. We have a school bus and city vans that we use to transport
the children.
*Departure times vary from trip to trip so please see the weekly activity schedule provided at camp for exact
departure times and have your child to camp at least 30 minutes prior to that time.
*Children are required to wear the camp t-shirt they are provided with on all field trip days. This assists the
staff with easy recognition.
*For late arrivals and early dismissals, you will be responsible for getting your child to/from the field trip site.
Children must be signed in and out with a camp employee.
*Return times are indicated on the weekly schedule and are approximate depending on unforeseen things like
traffic, sick children, etc. If camp staff sees that we will be returning later than expected, we will call Marshall
Center front office with an approximate return time. You are welcome to call the camp cell phones or the Marshall
front office at the numbers indicated on this form.
*There may be trips where the children have an opportunity to shop at a gift shop or concession stand. These will
be noted on the weekly parent information sheet available at camp. Parents should be frugal if supplying campers
with spending money. Staff is not responsible for a camper’s personal money.
Late Fees/Child Pick-up Policy
Camp ends at 5:30pm Monday-Friday. For safety reasons, our policy requires two staff stay with a child until the
parent/guardian arrives. After 60 minutes, 911 will be called. A late fee of $1 per minute after 5:30pm will be
charged when children are picked up late.
*The third time a parent is late, a meeting will be arranged to discuss alternative measures which can include but is
not limited to financial compensation and removal from camp.
*Please be respectful of staff time. They often have other jobs, college courses or activities to get to right after
camp ends.
Injuries
If a child is injured at camp, the staff will administer basic first aid. An accident report will be completed and
parents will be notified via phone call or parent notification form (depending on extent of injury). All leaders have
First Aid and CPR certifications. In case of a serious accident or illness, 911 will be called and then the parents
contacted.
Medications
Camp staff cannot administer medication. However, we can keep medicine for children in our locked box.
Medication must be in its original container. The child must be able to administer their medication. Staff can remind
them when to take it. A Medical Authorization form must be completed by the parent prior to the child attending
camp.
Personal Items/Electronic Toys
Children should not bring any personal items such as toys, games, trading cards, ipods and other electronic
equipment to camp. If a child brings an item, it will be taken into custody by camp staff and returned to the child
at the end of the day. Children’s cell phones and money should be kept in their backpack. Please be sure your
child’s name is on their items. Day Camp is not responsible for children’s personal items, damage or loss.
Camp Rules & Discipline
Our expectation is that the children enjoy the program and respect others in all activities. We take a positive
approach to discipline, striving to be fair, reasonable and consistent. When discipline problems arise, if we need to
use a discipline form, the staff person and child will discuss the situation and discover ways to redirect and problem
PO Box 1995 Vancouver, WA 98668-1995 360-487-7084 www.vanclarkparks-rec.org

solve the behavior. The completed form will be sent home with the child for a parent/guardian to read and sign.
The signed form must be returned to camp before the child can return to camp. If there are continual discipline
problems, staff may request a meeting to discuss alternative solutions which can include dismissal from the program.
If the offense is serious, the child may be immediately dismissed from the program.
Inclusion Program
The City of Vancouver is committed to providing special services so that all children may attend day camp and be
successful. If your child is on an IEP at school and/or meets the essential eligibility requirements of the inclusion
program, we can help your child by placing an inclusion mentor with him/her to ensure success. To request an
inclusion form, call 487-7057. Once the form is submitted, it will take 10 working days to make accommodations
for your child.
Child Abuse & Reporting/Non-Discrimination
Parks and Recreation staff are all required by Washington State law to report immediately to the police or Child
Protective Services any instance where there is reason to suspect the occurrence of physical, sexual or emotional
child abuse, child neglect or exploitation.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age, orientation or disability.
Day Camp Closures
Camp will be closed when the Marshall Community Center is closed due to bad weather. Please call our weather
line for further information at 487-7065.
Camp Contacts
Day camp cell phone numbers are (360) 607-5271 and (360) 607-5015. These are only in use during the weeks
and hours of camp. Marshall Community Center Customer Service can be reached at (360) 487-7100.
We look forward to a summer of fun adventures!
See you soon!
Becky Anderson
Recreation Specialist
360-487-7084
becky.anderson@cityofvancouver.us
Summer Adventures Youth Day Camp
Rules for Participants
1. Have Fun!
2. Use nice words to communicate.
3. Keep our hands and feet to ourselves.
4. Treat others how you want to be treated with respect
and kindness.
5. Listen and follow staff directions.
6. Respect building property and other people’s personal
property.
7. Clean-up after snacks and projects
8. Take a buddy to the restroom with you.
PO Box 1995 Vancouver, WA 98668-1995 360-487-7084 www.vanclarkparks-rec.org