WELCOME
We are so excited you have chosen the City of Jersey Village Parks and Recreation Department Milky Way Summer Camp for your children!
This handbook will teach you all you need to know about our activities, policies, and expectations of our program. Summer camps are a tried and true way of supporting the development and growth, both mental and physical, of children. The support opportunities like this give to working parents cannot be understated- and we are committed to making this experience carefree for all parents choosing to place their children in our care.
It is important to acknowledge this handbook is a living document- meaning it is subject to updates and revisions, especially when we identify changes that can enhance the experience, safety, or growth of our campers, staff, families, and the City of JV Parks and Recreation Department. We have worked to include the most up to date practices and guidelines to ensure the best experience for everyone involved.
As parents, you know your children best. There may be activities and situations that put your children out of their comfort zone- but that also stimulates growth! We hope you can be part of encouraging and supporting your children through these growth opportunities. In turn, we hope for your active involvement in providing feedback and suggesting changes that enable continued success and safety.
We are so excited for the summer ahead!!
Alexander Harris Recreation and Events Supervisor
City of Jersey Village Parks and Recreation Department
MISSION & GOALS
Mission
To help youth have incredible experiences while developing life skills that contribute to their ongoing wellness and development, by providing high quality supportive staff, innovative programs, and a welcoming, safe camp environment.
Goals
Enable campers and parents to have a fun, safe, stress free summer that introduces them to new activities & develop healthy play habits. Provide activities that stimulate camper development, including leadership, social skills, and problem solving.
Offer an amazing camp experience at a low cost to participants, ensuring camp continues and grows for future JV generations.
About Our Parks & Recreation Department
We are a small but mighty Parks and Recreation Department, whose focus is on elevating quality of life for residents and program attendees by providing beautiful parks to enjoy, high quality recreation opportunities, and events that truly bring the community together. We listen to our community and provide the experiences they want to see.
We work to make Jersey Village the best place to play!
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT
Due to limited space, camp registration is a first-come first-serve basis. We do not accept walk ins or same day registration.
All registration and payments can be made via our summer camp page, at https://www.jerseyvillagetx.com/page/Milky%20Way%20Summer%20Camp or at the Jersey Village City Hall, 16327 Lakeview Drive, Jersey Village TX (ask for Parks and Recreation), or by calling at (713) 466 2189. Office hours are 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. We accept credit, debit, cash, or check.
What if a program I want is full?
Once each camp session reaches capacity, additional participants are added to a waitlist. If a spot opens up, whomever is at the top of the waitlist will be moved into the camp roster. Once participants are moved from the waitlist to the roster, an automated email will be sent, to confirm or decline the rostered spot. Participants who do not respond to this email or text (713) 466 2189 within 24 hours will be removed from the roster, giving their spot to the next waitlisted participant.
Refund Policy
The deadline for registration is April 30th. From May 1st - 15th a 50% refund will be awarded to anyone cancelling their camp experience. From May 16th onwards, refunds will not be available. A request for cancellation and refund must be in writing to the Parks and Recreation Department’s Recreation and Events Supervisor at aharris@jerseyvillagetx.com.
HOW THE DAY TO DAY WORKS
Early drop off is 7:30-8:45am. Regular drop off will be 8:459:00am.
On the first day, campers will meet their ‘crew’ that they will be doing programs with. They will do some icebreakers as a group and as a camp.
They will then jump into their activities- which vary, depending on theme of the week. Water and sunscreen breaks will happen consistently, but campers will be rotating between indoor and outdoor activities. Lunch will happen from 12-12:30pm.
On days with field trips, the first round of campers will be leaving between 9 and 10am.
Friday at the end of the week will typically be a field day. Pickup will be from 2:30-3pm.
OVERVIEW
MILKY WAY SUMMER CAMP, under the direction of the Jersey Village Parks and Recreation Department, will bring a variety of recreation opportunities to Jersey Village and the surrounding area. Our innovative design has allowed us to offer 2 field trips per week while keeping it affordable for everyone!
Registration opens February 3rd for residents and March 3rd for nonresidents. Deadline for registration is April 30th.
Serving children ages 7-12. Campers will be sorted into age similar groups.
Cost: $250/week for residents, $300/week for nonresidents
During weeks with holidays (6/19 & 7/4), cost will be $200/resident and $250/nonresident
Want to sign them up for all 6 weeks? $1,300 for residents, $1,600 for nonresidents.
Sibling discounts: $50 discount on weekly prices!
Dates/Times: 9am-3pm, Monday- Friday (excluding holidays). Weeks 3 and 5 will be 4 days due to Juneteenth and July 4th. Regular drop off is 8:45-9am.
Early drop off 7:30-8:45am is $10 additional per day
Late pick up is $20 for 3-4pm and $40 for 4-5pm. Past 5pm it is $15 for every 15 minutes.
Duration: 6 weeks of camps will run from June 9th-July 18th.
Field trip locations include: Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Jersey Meadow Golf Club, Brazos Bend State Park, Gametime Players, and several visits from animal programs.
**All dates and activities subject to change, including field trips due to weather or other circumstances**
CAMP STAFF & QUALIFICATIONS
Alexander Harris, JV Recreation and Events Supervisor (Camp Director). CPRP, AFO.
Alec has worked in private, university, nonprofit and government recreation settings for over a decade. He has been with Jersey Village for a year- overseeing events and recreation programs. He holds two graduate degrees and has also overseen Day Camps, Therapeutic Recreation programs, and after school programs. He has guided or taught a wide array of adventure sports. He built and will oversee the Milky Way Summer Camp.
Rebecca Franco, Camp Manager
Becca is a National Camp Accreditation Camp Director and Youth Protection Training Facilitator. With many years of camp management experience, she has been a camp director for several large Boy Scouts of America camps, the Houston Summer District Day Camp, and currently runs the Outdoor Classroom Program for all the Cy-Fair ISC 3rd and 5th grade students. She is deeply passionate about making camp experience fun, full of learning, and above all safe.
Anissa Bax, Assistant Camp Manager
Anissa has been working in childcare for over a decade, beginning at a YMCA. During the year she works at a special needs Cy-Fair ISD campus. She has previously been a summer camp director with Memorial Lutheran School and as a lead teacher at Children’s Learning Adventure. Many years ago she also worked as a camp counselor. She is passionate about working with children, and feels she learns as much from campers as they do from her.
Isaac Recinos, Parks and Recreation Manager. CPRP, AFO, CPSI, LGI.
Isaac has worked in JV Parks and Rec for several years and is now the Parks and Recreation Department Manager He holds a graduate degree. He oversees general management of programs, parks, events, and full time staff. He will be serving as extra support as Camp Director as needed. He is a certified Lifeguard Instructor.
General Counselor and Staff Qualifications
In order to be offered a position as management staff, lead counselor, or counselor at Milky Way Summer Camp, applicants go through several rounds of interviews to have their experience and character evaluated. Upon being chosen, their references are contacted, they are then put through a rigorous background check, and a drug screening process before beginning their position. Before working with children, they must go through a state approved child abuse prevention course, and are also certified as lifeguards through American Red Cross. Before camp begins, they are put through program training and camp specific training as well. All management staff will also be required to take Advanced Child Care through the American Red Cross.
Pick up/Check out
EQUIPMENT LIST
Everyday, campers are responsible for bringing:
Lunch
Sunscreen (30 SPF and up)
Refillable plastic water bottle (you will receive one from camp)
Backpack
Campers should not bring:
IPad, Tablets, Laptops, etc, as well as valuables such as expensive jewelry or lots of cash.
Field Trip Days
Swimsuit (depending on the specific field trip). Do not bring street clothes to swim in. We recommend one piece suits for females and swim trunks for males because they are more stable for activities.
Towel (depending on the specific field trip)
Lost and Found
It is up to campers to manage their own belongings- but counselors will work to make sure campers collect all their belongings. Please let camp staff know if your child has lost something.
Dress Code
Campers are expected to dress appropriately for active play outdoors; socks, sneakers, and breathable clothing is a must. Shoes made of plastic, open toed shoes, thin strap tank tops, long earrings or other jewelry, are now allowed. Sandals and flip flops can be used for field trip days to Hurricane Harbor Splashtown. All apparel should be marked with name and phone number.
Campers MUST wear their camp tshirt on field trip days. They will receive their shirts on the first day of camp. Each camper will get one tshirt for the summer. Additional shirts are available for purchase.
ACTIVITIES & THEMES
Each of our 6 weeks of camp has a different theme... and there are 2 field trip activities per week. See the themes and trips for each week here:
EMERGENCY INFO
Emergency Response
When completing the forms included with camp sign up on our Amilia platform, you may have noticed one of the questions on the adult form is regarding opting in or out of an emergency response system. Opting in allows us to invite you to register with our emergency response system, through CivicReady. When you are sent the registration invite, you will be able to choose the communication method that works best for youtext, email, or voice message. When an emergency occurs or there is some kind of mass communication that needs to go out to parents, this is the fastest way to get that alert. You are also welcome to opt out, in which case we will contact you directly via a communication method of your choosing, also indicated on the adult form, though you may experience a delay because we have to reach out to you individually.
Medications
Sign ups that indicate use of medication is required during camp time will receive a medication form. Issuing and dosing medication will meet the following criteria:
Medication must be prescribed/recommended by a physician.
Written parental authorization must be provided for medication to be issued; and the form must correctly indicate timing, dosage, and potential side effects.
Prescription medication must be in its original container, and directions on the container will be followed.
Non-prescription medication must be labeled with the child’s name, dosage, and timing.
Any new medication, or a change in dosage to current medication, must have its first dose administered at home. Medications that the child is taking must be logged on the medication form, including Tylenol, Aspirin, etc.
Medications that are daily should be given at home.
Staff cannot force children to consume medication.
HEALTH PROCEDURES
The following are some hygiene suggestions for home that will enable campers to fully participate in camp and minimize health related concerns common in camp programs. They are suggestions that will help to make camper experiences safer, healthier, and more inclusive. The handwashing and illness sections will be enforced at camp.
Hygiene
Good hygiene habits are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For the benefit of campers and staff, some of these habits include:
Changing into clean clothes after getting dirty
Washing the whole body during a shower/bath
Covering their nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing
Avoiding sharing drinks and utensils
Cleaning cuts and keeping them clean
Cleaning out their lunch box or exchanging their lunch bag each day
Brushing teeth twice per day
Hand Washing
Hand washing is key to limiting illness and communicable conditions to others; this is especially important in a children’s day camp. Germs can live for a long time on many surfaces, so good consistent hand washing is key to protecting themselves and others. Children attending camp will be:
Washing hands after each bathroom visit
Washing hands before and after meals
Washing hands before and after aquatic activities
Washing hands after playground play
Washing hands after handling animals
Using hand wipes and sanitizer when on a field trip if hand washing is not readily available
Illness
If a child becomes ill at camp, they will immediately be sequestered and contacts will be called and texted to pick up their child. If your child has a fever of 100 or higher, are displaying signs of sickness including vomiting, diarrhea, drippy eyes, drippy nose, or any condition they may have been exposed to, DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD TO CAMP.
If contacted to pick up your child, you will be expected to do so within 90 minutes. If campers are potentially exposed to communicable diseases or conditions, parents will be notified as soon as possible, and if life threatening, will be notified immediately.
HEALTH PROCEDURES: COMMON CAMP ISSUES
Head Lice
Contracted by head to head contact, anyone with hair can get a lice infestation. If you find lice, notify camp staff asap.
Prevention Tips:
Do NOT share hats, combs, or other hair accessories.
Avoid head contact with others.
Wash hair regularly.
Signs & Symptoms:
Appearance of lice eggs on hair shafts or visible lice on the scalp
Itching, especially behind ears and at nape of neck.
Sores on the head caused by scratching.
Policy:
Camper immediately isolated. Parents informed and required to pickup child within 90 minutes. Camper cannot return to camp until treatment is completed. All parents will receive an email warning about the incident and to check their children.
Rashes
Rashes can happen for a variety of reasons, some are contagious and some aren’t.
Prevention Tips:
Wear flip flops in areas people may have walked barefoot (pool, changing rooms).
Wash hands frequently.
Be aware of local plants that might give a rash.
Signs & Symptoms:
Itchiness & red skin or skin that develops rougher texture from itching.
Formation of blisters or other swelling that may drain when scratched.
Policy
Most rashes are ok- but if the rash is accompanied by fever, weeping, or is potentially contagious, camper will be sequestered, parents contacted for pickup within 90 minutes, and must stay at home for at least one day. Camper can return after being fever free for one day without meds or rash has dried and is no longer weeping.
HEALTH PROCEDURES: COMMON CAMP ISSUES
Cold/Flu
Both cold and flu are contagious illnesses caused by different viruses.
Prevention Tips:
Get vaccinated.
Wash your hands regularly.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Signs & Symptoms:
Fever or chills.
Cough and/or runny nose.
Muscle or body aches, sore throat.
Policy:
Campers with flu like symptoms will be sequestered. Parents will be asked to pickup their children within 90 minutes. Campers can return to camp after being fever free for 24 hours without medication. Campers must have improved symptoms before returning to camp.
Pinkeye
A highly contagious infection, spread by touching someone with the condition and touching your own eye, or via them touching their eye and then your own.
Prevention Tips:
Wash hands frequently.
Refrain from touching your eyes or other people’s faces.
Use tissues, cover mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing.
Signs & Symptoms:
Redness or itchiness in one or both eyes.
Gritty feeling in one or both eyes.
Discharge/weeping from one or both eyes, often creating a crust overnight.
Tearing.
Policy
Child is sequestered and parents notified to pick them up within 90 minutes. Camper can return to camp 24 hours after starting antibiotic drops.
EXPECTATIONS
Parent Responsibilities
Fill out all the forms on time. They are due by the first day of camp, at the latest.
Read ALL communication distributed to parents regarding camp.
Make alternative arrangements if your child is ill or becomes ill and needs to be picked up.
Keep staff updated of any situations at home that might cause a behavior change.
Properly check your child in and out of the program daily with camp staff. A photo ID is necessary.
Work with staff to address any behavioral or other concerns of camper.
Parents are financially responsible for their child when:
They deface our building/grounds/equipment/vehicles and others belongings.
Tamper with or pull the fire alarm without cause.
Camper Expectations
Parents, please review expectations with your child, for their benefit as well as staff. It will help make their whole camp experience more enjoyable.
Campers are expected to be respectful and polite to everyone: staff, other campers, people and staff while on field trips, etc.
Campers are expected to follow camp and activity rules as well as any staff directions. Campers must remain in designated areas with their groups.
Campers must take any prescribed or provided medications. Be kind, respectful, listen to staff and conduct yourself appropriately.
Parents are key to camp success!
Go through the activities your child can expect during their time at camp. Explain what they might experience. Take time to go through their equipment list each morning, and get all their forms in on time! Provide feedback to our staff when you see something that needs addressing!
DISCIPLINE POLICY
Our Philosophy
Children attending our camp are empowered to have a meaningful, positive camp experience. However, children that display continuous, deep rooted behaviors that are negative or disruptive may be unable to have this experience and may negatively impact other campers experiences. In this case, these behaviors can be defined as, “ongoing patterns of uncooperative and defiant behavior. Their responses to authority figures range from indifference to hostility. Their behavior frequently impacts those around them, including teachers, peers, and family members.” (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)
If an attending camper acts to jeopardize their safety, the safety of others, or acts in a way that reflects against our behavioral policy, there is an escalation that will take place:
1.
Talk about the situation, come up with a verbal agreement to correct the behavior to something more desirable, and establish consequences (time out from an activity)
If the problem continues and the consequences do not alter said behavior, staff will complete a Behavior Incident Report and will discuss the issue with parents. 2.
3.
If the behavior continues to persist, the camper will be sent home for the day. This can be further extended as necessary.
If staff feel that a child should be sent home for any reason, a parent or emergency contact will be obliged to pick up said child within 90 minutes. No refund will be given. In certain cases, the Recreation and Events Supervisor may send a camper home without completing steps 1 & 2.
Suspension Policy
While all campers are empowered to have a great experience at our camp, safety is always #1. If a camper takes action to injure themselves or others, they may be removed from the camp setting to continue to have a positive environment for all the other campers.
Initial response: Behavior incident report and meeting with parents. This may or may not warrant suspension. (Steps 1 & 2 under Our Philosophy)
1st suspension: If the behavior persists after initial response, camper will face from 1 to 3 days of camp suspension. No credit or refund will be given.
2nd suspension: If the behavior persists after a 1st suspension, the camper will be suspended for up to 5 camp days. No credit or refund will be given.
3rd suspension: If the behavior persists after a 2nd suspension, the camper may be suspended for the rest of the program for the year. In certain cases, immediate suspension of one year may be warranted.
BEHAVIOR POLICY
As explained in our expectations, we expect polite, respectful, appropriate behavior from campers towards other campers, staff, visitors, and general observers- to enable everyone to have the positive experience at camp they have been empowered to have.
On Specific Behaviors
Unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to:
Creating a disturbance and disrupting an ongoing program/activity.
Endangering the health/safety of themselves, campers, staff, patrons, or observers.
Refusal to follow program or facility use guidelines.
Verbal harassment, including racial slurs, vulgarity, or other profanity.
Physical harassment, including pinching, bullying, violence, and fights.
Damage, theft, of vandalism of city property, including facilities, equipment, and supplies.
Possession or use of illegal substances.
Clothing with offensive words or photos, or is too revealing.
Possession or threat of use of a weapon.
Gang activity, including wearing symbols, gang speech and membership solicitation, and making related threats.
Steps to address and escalate these issues can be found in our discipline policy.
Overview
Campers are expected to behave in a way that is kind, welcoming, and respectful - to follow the rules of camp, to follow staff directions, and treat our facilities and equipment with respect. Participants who behave inappropriately will have a written notice sent to their parent/guardian. If the behavior is repeated, a parental/guardian conference will occur - and depending on the severity of the incident, may be asked to leave and return once this conference has taken place. Staff present may be a combination of counselors, the camp director, or Jersey Village full time staff. During this meeting, a Contract (written agreement) may be constructed to frame behavior moving forward, and be situation and camper specific. It will include consequences of not modifying behavior/ not following the contract.
BEHAVIOR POLICY
Camp fees will NOT be refunded for campers temporarily removed or suspended for breaking our Behavior Policy.
Facilities
Each facility may have different rules. Campers are expected to follow facility rules, and abusing or breaking these rules can result in removal from the facility for a chosen length of time.
Observers
Any family that wishes to observe camp programs is also expected to behave accordingly. The same standards apply to observers as to campers. Inappropriate behavior witnessed by staff may require removal from the facility, which can involve law enforcement if necessary.
Appeals
Campers have the right to appeal their suspension or termination from camp. Appeals can be made to the Recreation and Events Supervisor within 10 business days of their suspension or termination. A meeting will be scheduled to hear the appeal. Within 2 business days after meeting, the Recreation and Events Supervisor will notify the camper and their parents, in writing, whether the suspension or termination has been upheld, modified, or cancelled. Persons involved in the initial meeting shall all be notified of the decision.
IMPORTANT INFO
Emergency Phone Contact
Should an emergency arise when your child is at camp, you may call our Recreation and Events Supervisor’s office between 8am-5pm at (713) 466 2189. We will get you in touch with your child or deliver a message to them if they cannot be reached immediately.
Photography Policy
Our Parks and Recreation Department take photos of our programs- and camp will be no exception. Any photographs and videos taken are for our social media, printed publications, website, communication, or marketing purposes. They become our property. You can opt out of this by declining on the photo permission form.
Refund and Withdrawal Policy
The deadline for registration is April 30th. From May 1st - 15th a 50% refund will be awarded to anyone cancelling their camp experience. From May 16th onwards, refunds will not be available. A request for cancellation and refund must be in writing to the Parks and Recreation Department’s Recreation and Events Supervisor at aharris@jerseyvillagetx.com.
Emergency Parents Response
When completing the forms included with camp sign up on our Amilia platform, you may have noticed one of the questions on the adult form is regarding opting in or out of an emergency response system. Opting in allows us to invite you to register with our emergency response system, through CivicReady. When you are sent the registration invite, you will be able to choose the communication method that works best for you- text, email, or voice message. When an emergency occurs or there is some kind of mass communication that needs to go out to parents, this is the fastest way to get that alert. You are also welcome to opt out, in which case we will contact you directly via a communication method of your choosing, also indicated on the adult form, though you may experience a delay because we have to reach out to you individually.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is it located?
The camp will primarily take place at the City Campus, 16518 Jersey Drive.
What does the drop off and pickup process look like?
Parental ID is required for drop off and pick up. Drop off will happen from 8:45-9:15am and pickup will be from 2:30-3pm. Parents will check in with camp staff before children will be able to leave with them (For more information see the pick up and drop off procedures). Safety is our #1 priority. Early drop off is from 7:30-9am, has less than the usual 10-1 ratio of campers to staff, and does not have structured activity.
What age range does the camp accept for campers?
Campers must be within the 7-12 years old age range.
How do I register my child for the camp?
You can register your child for each week on the JV Parks and Recreation website, under New Milky Way Summer Camp 2025.
When will sign ups open?
Signups will open February 3rd for residents and March 3rd for nonresidents.
Is there a resident discount?
Yes, residents get a discount of $50 per week.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the refund or cancellation policy?
We can do full refunds until April 30th. May 1st - 15th we can do 50% refunds. On May 16th or later, refunds will not be available.
What safety measures are in place?
Our facilities are only accessible to staff. We also have procedures and practices for managing risk, minimizing accidents, and doing consistent headcounts.
Can field trips be cancelled?
Field trips can be cancelled due to issues such as weather, facility closures, low signups, sickness, or other emergencies.
Are the activities age appropriate?
The activities were chosen and designed for children and young teens.
Are background checks conducted for staff members? CPR training?
All of our staff members have gone through background checks and are also Lifeguard CPR/AED First Aid certified through the American Red Cross.
Are meals and snacks provided?
Snacks and drinks are provided. Lunch is not provided and must be brought along by the camper. We will provide options for allergy free snacks!
Are there forms that will need to be filled out prior to camp?
Yes, there will be forms covering liability, medications, food restrictions, understanding pickup and drop off policy, etc.
HOW CAN WE STAY UPDATED?
Schedules, updates, and announcements for MILKY WAY SUMMER CAMP can be followed on our webpage, New Milky Way Summer Camp 2025 via the Parks and Recreation home page.
You can also scan this QR code to give us your contact info so we can email you updates directly:
We will be posting updates on our social media (Facebook & Instagram) as well. Be sure to follow us by scanning these qr codes and following:
Interested in buying some camp merchandise?? Starting in February, we will have some up for sale.
THE FIRST 50 SIGNUPS TO CAMP WILL RECEIVE A FREE CAMP TSHIRT
**All dates and activities subject to change** 23