Sumter County Parks and Recreation Department

This page will present basic information on the traditional Day Summer Camp that is offered by the Sumter County Parks and Recreation Department. Memorable experiences, making friends, and just plain fun are all a part of our Summer Camp.


HOURS, SIGN-IN AND OUT, WALKERS AND FIELD TRIP INFORMATION

Camp runs from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Upon arrival every morning, campers will have their parent or guardian walk in with them and sign the children in. At the end of the day, the parent or guardian will also sign the child out. No one that is not listed on the pick up list will be permitted to pick up a child. Parents should send a note if their child's pick-up routine will change. We also request that all parents/guardians bring picture identification with them until the staff gets to know each parent.

There is a mandatory LATE pick-up charge for any child who is left after camp hours. For the first twenty minutes, the charge is two dollars. Anything over twenty minutes is five dollars. We require that you call the Recreation site or the SCPRD office immediately if you're going to be late. We will attempt to call someone on the pick up list to pick up your child. If a child is left, and we haven't heard from a parent or if the parent can't be reached and no one is available to pick up your child, the Americus Police Department will be asked to help us find the parent and/or transport the child to a place of safety.

If a child will be walking to and from camp every day, we will have to have a signed written notice on file, but the pick-up list is still required. If a child will be walking on occasion, a signed written notice is needed each time. No phone calls will be accepted about letting a child walk home or to someone else's house. This will be okayed by a signed written form only.

In the event of an upcoming field trip, the hours and additional price will be announced about one week in advance. Permission slips will be sent home with all information and must be signed and returned before the child can attend.


RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents need to label all of their child's belongings. The belongings must be in a bag with their name on it. We recommend you use a bookbag for this. The child's cooler needs to be labeled if they are bringing their own lunch. We discourage bringing Gameboys, Walk-men, or any items of value to camp. We are not responsible for any item lost or damaged while at camp, and we will NOT replace any item brought from home.


CAMP ADMISSION POLICY

We will enroll children in our camp without regard to race, sex, religion, or national origin.


REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Campers must be registered before they can attend Summer Camp. Completed registration forms must be on file. Parents or guardians are also required to sign a transportation/discipline agreement before the first day of attending camp.


WHAT SHOULD YOUR CHILD BRING FROM HOME?

They should bring these items every day:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Bag to keep their wet clothes

ALL ITEMS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CHILD'S FIRST AND LAST NAME!


DAILY SCHEDULE

The campers will rotate from activity to activity with an age appropriate group and a counselor. They will be involved in swimming, indoor/outdoor recreation, supervised free time, arts and crafts, and games daily. The Summer Camp will also be geared around weekly themes. Among the themes that have been used before are exploration, Hawaiian Week, Things on Wheels, and Red, White and Blue Week.


HEALTH POLICY

Parents have the responsibility of monitoring the daily health of their children. If their child is ill, they may not attend Summer Camp. If the child has a fever, diarrhea, or any contagious sickness, they will not be permitted to attend Summer Camp. If a child shows signs of illness while at camp, we will notify that parent and the child must be picked up as soon as possible. If a child is to take medication while at Summer Camp, we must have a completed Authorization to Administer Medication Form on file. The medication must remain in the original container from the drug store and must be prescribed by a doctor in order to be given by our staff.


WEATHER/EMERGENCIES

While at camp, in the event of an unpredictable situation, such as bad weather, the campers are taken to a safe area. Parents and guardians may pick up their children as soon as possible if the weather permits. In the event that we have to evacuate the children, they will be taken to a local emergency area, which will be posted on the camp site door. We will make every effort to contact parents if an evacuation becomes necessary. Our staff will remain with the children until they are picked up.


ACCIDENT PROCEDURES

In the event a child is injured while attending Summer Camp, these steps will be taken:

• Minor scrapes and cuts will be cleaned and bandaged
• If an extreme emergency, we will call 911 and then notify the parent. An SCPRD staff member will go with the child to the hospital if transport becomes necessary. We will not transport children in private vehicles.
• Accident reports will be completed for all accidents and must be signed by parents.

THE SUMTER COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR SUMMER CAMP PARTICIPANTS. WE DO, HOWEVER, OFFER INSURANCE THAT CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE TIME A CHILD IS REGISTERED FOR SUMMER CAMP. INSURANCE WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENTS. IF PARENTS DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE, WE SUGGEST YOU OBTAIN IT PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF SUMMER CAMP.


DISCIPLINE POLICY

We expect Summer Camp participants to behave in an appropriate manner at all times. Violent or abusive behavior will not be tolerated. A ZERO tolerance policy is in place for weapons - a camper will be removed IMMEDIATELY for bringing any item that is intended to be used as a weapon. There is also a ZERO tolerance policy for alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substances. Any Summer Camp participant found with any of these will be removed IMMEDIATELY. Any violations that break local law will be turned over to the Americus Police Department.

The Summer Camp staff has been given a three written warning system for poor behavior. If three written warnings are issued, a child will be removed from the program for the entire summer. No refunds are given if a child is removed for discipline reasons. We also have the right to immediately remove a child if their behavior is detrimental to the program, and NO refund will be given.

For fighting, the first offense will be a one day suspension, and the parent will be notified. A second offense will result in a three day suspension and the parent will be notified. A third offense will result in permanent camp suspension. For other disruptive behavior, the first and second offenses will result in us notifying the parent (it's also possible that a one-day suspension could be given with a second offense). For the third offense, the child will be permanently removed from camp.


WATER BREAKS

Every group is given a water break every twenty minutes during outside activity time. Water is available for outdoor recreation activities at designated areas.


OLYMPIC DAY

During the second session, an "Olympic Day" is put together and all campers can participate. Hand outs on the games and activities are given out in advancce, and time is set aside during the day for practice for "Olympic Day."


BREAKFAST/LUNCH

All campers are served breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is served approximately between 7:45 and 8:15 a.m. Lunch is served between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m.


PLAY/PARTICIPATION

The campers will be guided and taught to play and must participate in all activities. All activities are supervised, and safety precautions are taken to avoid injuries.


WITHDRAWAL FROM SUMMER CAMP

If it becomes necessary to remove a child from Summer Camp, the parent must notify the SCPRD. To receive a full refund, the SCPRD must be notified between the first day and the third day of the camp session.


SUMMER CAMP OBJECTIVES

The mission of SCPRD's Day Summer Camp is to foster the spiritual, mental and physical well-being of camp participants from diverse backgrounds and abilities within a caring environment while creating a meaningful sense of community between them. The SCPRD Summer Camp Program strives to be an active, positive experience for the children who take part. We work daily to ensure each participant has opportunities for new experiences and new challenges in a safe and caring environment. We will work daily to achieve these goals:

• Safety of the children is first and foremost.
• Children will be exposed to new recreation challenges.
• Children will be exposed to new activities in a safe environment where they are not criticized or made fun of.
• Children will have an opportunity to play in a non-competitive environment.
• Children will be taught team work and fair play.
• Children will be valued and recognized.
• Children will be exposed to different cultures and values and learn tolerances from that exposure.
• Children will be exposed to positive adults and learn appropriate behavior from what's modeled.
• Children will be involved in community service programs and hopefully leave with a stronger sense of community.
• Children will be recognized as individuals.
• Children will be exposed to non-traditional activities and adventures.