Parent Handbook 2024

Parent Handbook 2024

Table of Contents:

General Information…………………………………………………….3 - 4

 Welcome

 Camp Dates

 Camp Hours

 Getting Ready for Camp

 Drop Off/Pick Up Locations

 Late Pick-Up

 Walking Permission Slips

 What to Bring Each Day

 What to Wear



Personal Property

 Lost and Found

Health & Safety………………………………………………………….4 - 5

 Illness

 Injuries and Medical Procedures

 Medication

Camper Code of Conduct………………………………………………5 - 6

 Behavior

 Discipline

 Parent Code of Conduct

 Suspected Abuse or Neglect

Camp Days………………………………………………………………6 - 7

 Swim Days

 Swim Bands

 Field Trips

 Inclusive Recreation Programs

ePACT Information……………………………………………………..8 – 9

Parent Handbook Acknowledgement Form………………………….10

WELCOME

Welcome to Lincolnwood Parks & Recreation Summer Camp 2024!

This handbook should be used as a guideline to answer your questions about the camp program. If you have additional questions, please call our office at 847-677-9740. We have designed our summer program to include a wide variety of activities in a safe, supervised environment. Please note that the majority of time this summer will be spent outside. Our dedicated and well-trained staff will provide fun and healthy activities that will allow campers to socialize and create new friendships. In the case of inclement weather, campers will be moved into the Community Center or Lincoln Hall School.

CAMP DATES

June 10 – August 9 *No Camp July 4

August 12 – August 16 Last Hurrah

CAMP HOURS

Early Risers

Camp

Sun Setters

7:30am – 8:45am

9:00am – 3:00pm

3:00pm – 6:00pm

Registration for the Early Risers and Sun Setters is separate from camp registration.

GETTING READY FOR CAMP

Lincolnwood Parks & Recreation utilizes ePACT to obtain all emergency contact and necessary medical information for your child. Parents will receive an email from ePACT asking them to complete the needed information for your camper which will need to be completed prior to drop off on the first day of camp.

ePACT details and instructions can be found at the back of this handbook.

DROP-OFF/PICK-UP LOCATIONS

Tree Tikes – Tent near the Aquatic Center

Little Lincolns - Proesel Park Pavilion

Proesel Pals – Tent near Fire Department

Campers must be signed in and out by an authorized adult. Photo ID’s may be required. Staff is unable to release children to any person (related or unrelated) who is not listed on the Camper Authorization Form as an authorized person to pick up child. This procedure is to ensure the safety of your child while in our care. If you wish to add individuals to the authorized pick-up list, you may do so by submitting changes in writing.

LATE PICK-UP

Campers who are not picked up by 3:00 p.m. will be escorted to Sun Setters and charged the Sun Setters’ daily fee. If a camper is not picked up from Sun Setters by 6:15 p.m., a late fee of $5 is charged for the first 1-15 minutes you are late. After 6:15 p.m., there is an additional $1 charge per minute for each minute you are late. If a parent is late, our staff will diligently call all phone numbers for parents and emergency contacts. If we are unable to reach any contacts, we will notify the police department.

WALKING PERMISSION SLIP

Children with walking permission slips will not be released until 3:00pm. If the weather is inclement, your camper will not be allowed to walk home, and an authorized adult will have to pick the child up. Walking permission slips are only for campers in Proesel Pals.

WHAT TO BRING EACH DAY

Please label all items with your child's name. Campers may not share personal items with other campers.

• Lunch: All campers are required to bring a sack lunch with a beverage. Please keep in mind that lunches are NOT refrigerated. Campers do not have access to microwaves so please plan lunches accordingly.

• Allergies: Campers with food allergies will sit in a "peanut-free zone" at lunch time. All campers must wash hands each day before and after lunch.

• Backpack: Please send your camper with a backpack to carry their belongings.

• Hat: Hats are optional but highly encouraged.

• Clothing: Camp can get messy, please dress your camper in play clothes daily and pack a ziplock bag with extra clothes in the event there is an accident or clothing gets extra messy.

• Sunscreen: Please apply sunscreen to your camper prior to camp. Send extra sunscreen in your camper's backpack so that they may reapply it later in the day. Campers will need to be able to apply their sunscreen themselves, so please provide them with a product that they are able to use/apply easily without assistance.

• Bug spray: Optional but encouraged.

• Reusable water bottle

• Snacks – one for the morning and one if enrolled in after care

• Swimsuits and towels on swim days

WHAT TO WEAR

Campers should wear comfortable, durable, play clothing appropriate for weather conditions. Clothing worn to camp may become dirty as campers will be outside, complete art projects, and have fun participating in other camp activities. Children must wear gym shoes. Please do not send your child in Crocs, flip-flops or sandals.

Every camper will receive a camp T-shirt. Please have your child wear their camp Tshirt on field trip days.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

It is recommended that campers do not bring valuable items to camp, especially toys, trading cards, money & electronics. The Village of Lincolnwood and its employees are NOT responsible for your child’s personal belongings. If a camper needs to bring a cell phone to camp, it must remain in their backpack.

Campers are allowed to bring up to $10 to use at the concession stand at the Proesel Park Aquatic Center and on field trips. It is strongly encouraged that campers utilize a smart watch for their money or a debit card (Greenlight, etc). While at the Aquatic Center, backpacks will be locked up and Camp Supervisors and Camp Coordinators will be the only ones able to access them when a camper needs something. The Village is NOT responsible for your camper’s concession money or how it is spent.

LOST AND FOUND

Be sure to label all belongings. Note: Camper items that are left behind each day are placed in the camp lost and found. If your camper leaves an item at camp, please ask the counselor to check the lost and found. Lost and found items not claimed by the end of the week will be given to charity.

ILLNESS AND INJURIES

Illness

1. If a child becomes ill during the program, a parent will be notified to pick up the child as quickly as possible. The child must be fever, vomit and diarrhea-free for 24 hours before returning. If a child vomits, they must go home immediately. If a parent is unable to pick them up, emergency contacts will be called.

2. Please be considerate of other children and staff and keep your child home if they show signs of illness.

3. In case of contagious disease, please notify camp staff immediately. All parents at that site will be notified as soon as possible.

4. A child must receive appropriate treatment, depending on the condition, before returning to the program and may require a medical release from a physician.

5. If a camper tests positive for COVID-19, notify the camp supervisor immediately so others can be notified of the exposure. The camper will not be identified

Injuries and Medical Procedures

If your child is injured and requires more than basic first aid, an EMT is called and the following procedures are followed:

1. Parent/guardian or emergency contacts are called.

2. If it is deemed necessary, paramedics will transfer the injured child to the nearest available hospital.

3. If a parent/guardian is not present, a staff member accompanies the child in the ambulance and remains at the hospital until parent/guardian or emergency contact arrives.

The parent/guardian is responsible for the emergency medical charges for all services rendered. Your authorization for the program permits staff to secure emergency medical attention for your child and your commitment for payment thereof is part of the registration agreement.

Medication

Strict policies have been put in place regarding the dispensing of medication to participants. These policies must be followed if a participant is required to receive medication while in the program. This includes restrictions for any over the counter medications (including cough drops and pain relievers) and any prescription medication. Parents are required to complete a Permission to Administer Medication Form for any and all medication to be administered to participants by the camp staff or the participants themselves. All medication must be in the original container with the prescription label that includes the patient’s name, physician’s name, pharmacy name, name of medication and complete dosage information. Each day the proper dosage should be sent in the original container. Participants are not allowed to keep medication with them; even inhalers must be kept locked up. If a child is administering the inhaler themselves, he or she will simply ask the staff when needed. The medication form must be uploaded to your child’s ePACT account before the first day of camp

CAMPER CODE OF CONDUCT

Behavior

Children are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. The following guidelines have been established to ensure the camp program is safe and enjoyable for all participants.

Equal Access: No participants shall, based on race, sex, creed, national origin or disability be denied equal access to programs, activities, services or benefits or be limited in the exercise of any right, privilege, advantage of opportunity.

Respect:

• I will respect other campers, counselors, and their belongings and the natural environment.

• I will refrain from causing bodily harm to self, other participants, or staff.

• I will use care and respect for equipment, toys and games properly so that other campers can enjoy them.

• When asked to do or not to do something, I will follow directions the first time.

Responsibility: It is my responsibility to remain with my group and within eyesight of my counselor at the campsite and on off-site field trips. I am to ask permission to go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, or join another group for an activity.

Play: I will not engage in any horseplay with other campers or counselors. This includes hitting, pushing or any type of aggressive behavior. I will keep my hands and feet to myself and use appropriate words to resolve my differences.

Appropriateness:

• I will refrain from using obscene language or gestures.

• I will not discuss inappropriate topics or contribute to demeaning conversations about other campers or staff.

Disciplinary Actions: The purpose of discipline is to help a child learn responsibility for their actions and take control of the negative behavior. Lincolnwood Parks and Recreation staff will use a positive, firm approach regarding discipline. We use positive statements and reinforcement to redirect negative behavior. The staff will discipline each child as needed and keep you informed.

Discipline

If an incident occurs where a child conducts themselves in such a manner which jeopardizes their safety, the safety of others, or is not in accordance with the Lincolnwood Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct, the following steps will be taken.

• First Violation - Warning – Staff will document the incident on a Camper Conduct Notice form and will review the information with the camper, and parent or guardian upon pick up. The camper may be removed from an activity, until he/she is ready to return and participate properly.

• Second Violation – Parent Meeting – Staff will document the incident on a Camper Conduct Notice form and will review the information with the camper. Parent or guardian will be notified of this upon pick up. The camper will be removed from the activity until they are ready to participate properly. A parent meeting with the Camp Coordinator, Camp Supervisor, Recreation Supervisor, parent/guardian, and camper will need to be scheduled within two business days of this violation.

• Third Violation – Suspension - Staff will document the incident on a Camper Conduct Notice form and will review the information with the camper. A parent or

guardian will be contacted and asked to pick up their camper from camp and will be suspended for the following day of camp.

• Fourth Violation – Dismissal – Staff will document the incident on a Camper Conduct Notice form and will review the information with the camper. A parent or guardian will be contacted and asked to pick up their camper immediately and the camper will be dismissed from camp for the remainder of the program without a refund.

Lincolnwood Parks & Recreation reserves the right to suspend and/or dismiss a camper whose behavior endangers his/her own safety or that of others, interferes with or disrupts the quality or enjoyment of camp by other participants, or impacts the ability of staff to conduct or manage activities. Refunds are not issued for days missed due to disciplinary suspension or termination from camp

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Any parent/guardian or authorized person on the emergency contact form who displays any of the following behaviors will no longer be allowed at camp and their child's participation in the program may be terminated at the discretion of staff.

• Physical abuse, shaking, grabbing, hitting or pushing of a camper or staff, verbal abuse, including inappropriate language or threats to a camper, other camp family or staff

• Disciplining, stalking, instructing or inappropriately approaching a camper other than their own child. If there is a problem between two children, the parent should bring it to the attention of camp staff.

Additionally, if staff suspect a parent/guardian or authorized emergency contact person of substance abuse or suspect any act of child abuse, the proper authorities will be notified. The camp staffs’ first responsibility is the safety of the children.

SUSPECTED ABUSE OR NEGLECT

All Village employees are mandated reporters in the State of Illinois. In accordance with the procedures set by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, any employee having reasonable cause to believe that a child known to them in their professional capacity may be an abused or neglected child shall immediately report the matter to their supervisor. The proper authorities will be notified.

SWIM DAYS

Little Lincolns and Proesel Pals will swim at the Aquatic Center Monday – Thursday from 12:30-2:30pm. Tree Tikes will swim on Tuesday and Thursday from 10:0010:45am Half Day Afternoon Camp will swim at the Aquatic Center on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. Half Day Afternoon Campers will need to be picked up from the Aquatic Center on these days. There will be no swimming if the pool is closed

Please send your child to camp with their swimsuit, towel, spray on sunscreen, and plastic bag to place any wet items in after swimming If your camper would like to bring goggles please label them clearly, as this is an item that tends to get lost easily. Campers should come to camp with sunscreen already applied.

SWIM BANDS

Campers will receive swim bands that identify their ability levels and which attractions they are able to use. Regardless of swim band color, all campers must meet the minimum height requirements for those amenities with height requirements. Swim testing for campers will occur on Mondays of each week of camp.

FIELD TRIPS

A special feature of day camp is going on field trips. Little Lincolns, and Proesel Pals campers will be going on field trips every Friday Campers need to be at camp by 9:00am; otherwise, he or she may miss the trip and not be accepted to camp that day. No exceptions. Each child will need to wear their camp T-shirt on each field trip.

INCLUSIVE RECREATION PROGRAMS

In a continuing effort to meet the needs of residents with special needs, MNASR (Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation) and Lincolnwood Parks and Recreation provide inclusive recreation services. This means that individuals with disabilities are able to participate in programs offered by the Village. Tell us about your special needs by communicating on the registration form and together, the Village of Lincolnwood and MNASR, will provide the support necessary for success.

Village of Lincolnwood Parent Handbook Acknowledgement Form

Contained within the Parent Handbook are guidelines which will make the camp programs both a safe and positive place to play. It is important that all parents and guardians review the Handbook and understand the policies and procedures.

I have read and fully understand the procedures, policies, rules and regulations outlined in the Parent Handbook. I am also aware that there are certain consequences that may affect me or my child(ren) for not following these policies and procedures.