Camp Grow 2024 - Cardinals 2 (Ages 6-8)

About Camp

Camp Grow 2024 - Cardinals, Session 2 (Ages 6-8)Camp Schedule:Monday-Friday, July 22 - July 26, 20249:00 am - 4:00 pmCardinals will participate in a variety of activities including nature hikes, gardening, games, pond exploration, arts and crafts, nature hunts, live animal presentations, afternoon splash games, and more! All Cardinal activities will be at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.By registering for Camp Grow, campers and their parents or guardians agree to our Camp Grow Policies and Rules of Conduct that focus on fostering a safe, positive, and cooperative camp environment.Refunds: There are no refunds for missed days due to changed work or vacation schedules, sick days, or other non-emergency reasons. Refunds must be requested at least 60 days prior to the first day of the camp session. Refunds will only be made if we are able to fill the spot created by your cancellation. All but $50 will be refunded if we are able to fill your vacancy.CAMP GROW DETAILS AND POLICIESCardinals CampCamp Hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pmCamper Check In: 9:00 am to 9:15 amCamper Check Out: 4:00 pm to 4:15 pmBoth camper check in and check out take place in the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Visitor Center and require a signature from an adult (with ID) who is on the camper’s Pick-Up Authorization List created in the online camp registration process. After registration, a parent may add to this list by emailing jmaloney@nvrpa.org prior to the camp week or by informing staff at the Camp Grow Check In/Out Table on the first day of camp.WHAT DO CAMPERS NEED TO BRING TO CAMP GROW EACH DAY?Since most camp activities are outdoor, campers should come to camp every day with the following items labelled with your child’s name:• Backpack• Sunscreen and bug repellent (Please apply each morning before camp.)• Water bottle (Water is available for refills so large-capacity water bottles are not encouraged since they are heavy to carry on our walks.)• A lunch and a snack in a lunch bag/box for half-day and full-day camps. (Campers work up a big appetite.)• Sneakers. No open-toe or Croc style shoes are allowed.• An extra change of clothes – in case campers get wet• Raincoat if calling for rain (A fold-up rain poncho is easy to keep in camper backpacks.)• Other helpful items are a towel, a hat, and gardening gloves.Camp PoliciesWelcome to summer camp at NOVA Parks! Our goal is to provide children with a safe and enjoyable camp experience where children can develop skills, form friendships, and enhance self-esteem. Please make certain that you have gone over this document with your child and read the information thoroughly. By registering your child for our camp, you are agreeing to these Camp Policies.Administering Medication: NOVA Parks staff will not administer oral medication to children while participating in our camp programs. In the event of anaphylactic or asthma related emergencies, NOVA Parks staff will assist children with the administration of epi-pen injectors and asthma inhalers and provide transitional care until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive on scene.Sick or Ill Children: If a child arrives with symptoms of illness or has a temperature over 100.4 degrees, the child will not be permitted to stay. If a camper becomes ill or starts exhibiting symptoms, parents will be required to pick up their child immediately. Sites will notify all parents about disease outbreaks or infections. Camp Management will consult with families on when children may return. In case of serious injury, parents will be notified immediately.Signing In/Out: Authorized individuals 18 years or older must sign the child in and out each day. Staff are required to check the ID of all persons picking up children. Children will not be released to anyone not authorized for pick up. Please contact us if you are arriving late.Children’s Belongings: Please label ALL belongings. NOVA Parks and the site staff are not responsible for lost/stolen items. Personal belongings should be kept in a bag or backpack, which will be stored in specific area. Electronics and other similar items should not be brought to camp unless specified.Late Parent Policy: If a parent or authorized person is 15 minutes late in picking the child up, a late fee of $2.00 per each additional minute may be applied. If a child is consistently picked up late, the child may be dismissed from the program. A staff member will remain with the child for up to one hour after the program ends. After one hour, Child Protective Services will be called if parents cannot be reached.Behavior Management: If a child brings a weapon to camp, intentionally harms others, vandalizes property, or displays other extreme behavior, he/she will be dismissed from the program and no refund will be given. For inappropriate behavior, parents will be notified verbally and/ or in writing with notification of further action. NOVA Parks reserves the right to immediately dismiss a child from any program. All participants enrolled in NOVA Parks programs must meet the Rules of Conduct (see below).STAFF WILL NEVER: use physical punishment, be verbally abusive, force, withhold, or substitute food, give any child the authority to punish another child, place a child out of visual/hearing sight, in the dark, or in an unvented place, or punish a child for a bathroom accident.Food From Home: Lunches and snacks are brought from home and are not to be shared with others. This is a NUT- FREE CAMP.Sunscreen and Lotion Application: Staff are not permitted to apply sunscreens or lotions to campers. Please apply these to your campers before attending camp each day.Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect: If it is suspected that a child has been abused, neglected, or exploited in any way, NOVA Parks staff is required to report it to Youth Services and Child Protective Services.Special Needs and Accommodations: Our staff is committed to providing a week of enriching activities that will engage all campers. Parents and guardians are welcome to communicate their children’s special needs (extreme shyness, fears, learning or social challenges, services received at school, special accommodations) with Program Manager Jules Maloney at 703-255-3631 x103 or jmaloney@nvrpa.org.Inclement Weather and Summer Heat: While most Camp Grow activities are outdoor, camp makes use of the Visitor Center and Log Cabin (both with AC) as well as gazebos, shelters, and other shady spots. All-camp water breaks are frequent, and each day’s schedule is made and altered with attention to the weather and air quality.Refunds: There are no refunds for missed days due to changed work or vacation schedules, sick days, or other non-emergency reasons. Refunds must be requested at least 60 days prior to the first day of the camp session. Refunds will only be made if we are able to fill the spot created by your cancellation. All but $50 will be refunded if we are able to fill your vacancy.CAMP GROW RULES OF CONDUCTAll NOVA Parks camp participants are expected to adhere to the rules of conduct and agree to them through their participation in our program. Refusal to follow these rules may result in dismissal from our program.Children must:Let camp staff know if they are experiencing symptoms during / before campFollow established hygiene and safety procedures such as handwashing, etc.Maintain personal care (bathroom use, changing) without staff supportStay with assigned group at all timesRespect others in what you say and doListen to program leaders and follow directionsUse appropriate languageKeep hands to oneself and maintain self-controlTake care of their own belongingsKeep food and snacks to themselves, i.e. no sharing of food or drinkUse equipment and supplies in a safe and appropriate mannerReport incidents of teasing and/or bullying immediately to camp staffParents must:Let camp staff know as soon as possible if their camper is experiencing symptoms during / before camp, and wait until given guidance by Camp Management on when they are cleared to rejoin campCommunicate any special needs, medication, allergies, etc. for their child to camp staff before the camp week beginsSign children in and out of the camp each day and bring proper IDBe on time to drop off and pick up campersAssist staff in resolving behavior issuesContact Camp Management team immediately should issues ariseGrounds for Immediate Dismissal (no refund given):A parent or child who refuses to follow NOVA Parks policies and conduct as stated in this documentA child who brings a weapon to campA child who intentionally harms them self or causes injury to another child or staff member, or refuses to keep hands to self. A child who vandalizes the property of the camp facility, staff or other childrenA child who steals items from the camp facility, staff or other childrenA child teasing and/or bullying othersA child who displays inappropriate behaviors repeatedlyBy registering for Camp Grow, parents/guardians agree to the Camp Grow Rules of Conduct (above). They further agree that their child is able to consistently adhere to all behaviors listed above and agree to discuss these behavior standards with him/her.NOVA Parks Statement of Inclusivity: It is the intent of all NOVA Parks camps and programs to include children of varying abilities to the extent that appropriate support and care can be provided. If your child has a disability, whether it be physical or mental, or a condition that requires medication or other special attention, please inform your NOVA Parks activity of your child’s needs at least 2 weeks prior to the start of that activity. All information is confidential and will only be shared with staff members on a need-to-know basis. Once the parent/guardian informs their respective activity, NOVA Parks will consider all information on a case-by-case basis to provide the best possible experience for all.NOVA Parks Day Camp program is exempt from licensure based on Section 22.1- 289.030 B.6- a program of recreational activities offered by local government. This program is subject to safety and supervisory standards established by the local government offering the program.