JCA Summer Camp 2009 parent orientation packet

Parent/Staff Communication
We maintain a strong belief in the value of good and open communication. On the first day of each session, you will receive a camp newsletter outlining the plans for the session and informing you of other important information. If your camper does not come home with a newsletter on Monday, please call the office immediately. We encourage you to come to the office to speak with us or to arrange a conference with your child's Camp Director if you feel it is needed. Office hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. At prime carpool times (9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.), our office staff is occupied making sure your child is safely taken from and to your car.

Please try to visit the office twenty minutes before or after those times. If you have trouble reaching office staff (a directory is on first page of this packet), please leave us a voice mail message, and we will contact you as soon as possible. If you are having trouble reaching someone in the office and you feel a voice mail message will not suffice, please dial "0" and ask the JCA receptionist to reach us through the walkie talkies. The walkie talkies are with our staff people whose primary concern is watching your child, so please save any phone calls that are not of an emergency nature for our office between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Required Forms
All campers are required to have health forms returned by May 15, 2009. The form is included with this packet. In addition, release forms are required for certain Habonim specialties. If they are required for your child, they will also be enclosed in this packet and need to be returned two weeks prior to the beginning of their camp session.
Sick Policies
Parents, or designated caretakers, will be called to come to the JCA to pick up their child if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:
• Fever of 100.4 degrees and above
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abnormal behavior

We expect pick-up to be within one hour of notification.


	Dear Camp Parents, Welcome to JCA Summer Camp! We have FANTASTIC PROGRAMS planned for your child this summer. Your camper is destined to have a FUN SUMMER, full of excitement! At JCA summer camp, children are nurtured and guided by some of the FINEST COUNSELORS in the area. JCA counselors are mature, enthusiastic and safety conscious. They are specifically trained to help your child develop self-esteem, confidence, friendships and lifelong skills. Camp activities take place in our modern, 99,000+ square foot FABULOUS FACILITY. All campers enjoy daily swimming, cool air-conditioned cabins, clean facilities and a nutritious lunch. To ensure a fun and organized summer for you, your child and our staff, please read all of the information in this orientation packet. Fill out and return all necessary forms as soon as possible. We need them two weeks prior to the beginning of your camper's first session. Please call the office if you have questions about any of the information you have received. We look forward to having your child join us while we make lifelong memories during our FUN SUMMER of 2009! Camp Directors - Telephone/Voice Mail Directory
	(904) 730-2100 • Fax: (904) 730-2444 Camping Services Coordinator Shelly Hughes, ext. 252 Camp Gan Yeladim & KinderCamp Theresa Levy, ext. 237; Diane Campbell, ext. 256 Camp Sabra Audra Latham, ext. 249 Camp Habonim Betsy Miller, ext. 245 Theatre Camps Shelly Hughes, ext. 252 Prime Time Teens ext. 252 Adventure Days Rio Robinson, ext. 250 Program Registrar Debbie Rosamonda, ext. 228 President David Miller, ext. 270 Executive Director Myron I. Flagler, ext. 246
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	Camp Policies and Procedures Admission to the JCA Admission to the JCA is through the main entrance only. For the safety and security of our campers, all adults entering the JCA building will be required to present either a JCA membership card OR a photo ID with NO EXCEPTIONS. Our receptionist will ask for this EACH time you enter the building, so please be prepared in advance. In addition, daily name badges will be issued to non-members to wear while in the JCA. Children with membership cards age 10 and older may sign in without an adult. All other children must be escorted by a parent or caretaker unless arriving through the 9:00 a.m. carpool line. Cabin Groups There will be times (specialties, group activities such as swimming and etc.) during the day when campers are in mixed age groups. For the remainder of the day, however, campers are grouped according to age or the grade they are entering in the fall. All children accepted into JCA camp programs must be able to function within the group size, adult-to-camper ratio and age group combination. In addition, cabin requests must be reciprocal. Clothing All campers should wear comfortable play clothes, socks and tennis shoes at all times. Busy, active children will get their clothes dirty, so please dress accordingly. In addition, we suggest no dangling jewelry. Please wear camp t-shirts (each camper will receive one) on Mondays for camp spirit! Daily Items to Bring On each camp day, campers should carry a tote or backpack with the following items. All items must be labeled with the camper's first and last names. • Bathing suit & towel (The JCA towel service is NOT available to campers). • Appropriate gear for specialties (tennis rackets, painting shirts, water bottles, etc.)
	• Sunscreen if age-appropriate for self application; children should have sunscreen applied before arrival at camp. If staff needs to re-apply sunscreen during the camp day, the parent must send a note authorizing application. • Please do not bring anything of value such as Gameboys, iPods, CD players, cellphones, collector cards, etc. The JCA will not assume responsibility for loss, theft or damage of such items. • Pocket knives, or other items that may be construed as weapons, are forbidden anywhere on or in the JCA grounds and facility.

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	Discipline Unacceptable behavior is defined as behavior that is disruptive to the group's well being or harmful to others (or one's self) i.e., hitting, punching, threatening or inappropriate language. Our staff will use behavior management techniques such as redirection, conflict resolution and positive reinforcement when handling behavior situations. A child with disruptive behavior will be given an opportunity to correct him/herself. If the behavior is not corrected, the child will be removed from the group for a specified time period depending on the age of the child. Parents will be informed if their child's behavior is disruptive and will be expected to work cooperatively with the JCA staff to correct the behavior. The JCA reserves the right to dismiss a child from the program when behavior problems continue to disrupt the program and/or the camper is not able to positively function within our group size and counselor-to-camper ratio. There is no refund for a child who is asked to leave camp. Drop Off and Pick Up—9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For drop off, our staff members are available to greet your child in your car at the main entrance of the JCA from 8:55 a.m. - 9:05 a.m. and from 3:15 p.m. until the last car leaves. At 9:00 a.m., our staff will take your camper directly to his/her cabin. If your child is a first-time camper, or needs you to walk him/her into camp, please feel free to do so by parking your car and using our front entrance. If you arrive prior to 8:55 a.m., you must park your car and walk your child into camp. Do not create a stationary carpool line as it is hazardous to our flow of traffic. For pick up at 3:30 p.m., the staff will bring your child to your car. We request that you use the carpool line, but if you need to park and walk in to get your child, please be sure he/she is signed out to you by our staff. The 3:30 carpool campers will be in the Bessie-Setzer Frisch Auditorium.
	The staff's priority at that time will be to dismiss the carpool riders safely, so please understand if you have to wait to receive your child. Please refer to the carpool map included in this packet and follow the arrows for carpool directions.
	Also, please post the carpool pick-up sign in your lower windshield (included in this packet). Keep in mind the 5 mph speed limit. Our parking lot is very busy at drop-off and pick-up times, so we ask that you follow the signs posted, use caution and safe driving skills. Do not get out of your car to talk if you are in the line, and please do not use your cellphone while driving in our parking lot or carpool line. We want dismissal to be as safe and speedy as possible and we rely on your cooperation!

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	Drop-off & Pick-up—Early and Afternoon Extended Care See Admission to the JCA on page 2 for admission policies. Children registered for early care are to go, or to be taken, to the following locations where they will be greeted by the early care staff: Camp Grade Location Sabra entering 1-2 Green Room Habonim entering 3-6 DuBow Adult Center Theatre all ages Bessie Setzer-Frisch Auditorium Adventure Days all ages Richter Adult Lounge If your child's group is not in the classroom, the group's whereabouts will be posted. Put your child's belongings away and escort him/her to the group where they must be signed in. The early care staff will bring your camper to his/her room or specialty when camp begins. Children registered for afternoon extended care will be in a variety of locations where they will be involved in specialty activities under the supervision of our extended care staff. The extended care office is located in the Bessie-Setzer Frisch Auditorium. To pick up your child, please go to this location, and we will bring your child to you for sign-out.
			Drop Off and Pick Up—Security and Safety Procedures If your child is to go home with any adult other than yourself, written permission, along with a brief description of the person (if unfamiliar to us) and a description of the car (if using the carpool line) must be sent to camp each time. Please remind this person to bring a photo ID. Our staff will need to ask for proof of ID if the person picking up is unknown to them.
	Anytime your child is with you in the parking lot, please hold his/her hand or keep him/her near you for safety reasons as there is a great amount of traffic. Please refrain from the use of a cell phone while driving in the parking lot, as phones are a distraction and interfere with the safety of our campers. We strongly urge all campers to wear seat belts to and from camp, and we caution you against transporting your children in non-passenger vehicles such as in the back of pick-up trucks. All drivers are expected to proceed slowly and carefully while in the JCA parking lot. Please use caution at all times!
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	Financial Information All families must be in good financial standing with the JCA prior to the beginning of the camp season. Balances for all camp programs regardless of session must be paid in full by May 15, 2009, in order to complete enrollment. The JCA will not guarantee placement if balances are outstanding after that date. Refunds of camp fees for any sessions will be granted, less deposits, only if the JCA is notified (in writing)
	of withdrawal prior to May 15, 2009. Notification of withdrawal after May 15 will result in loss of all fees paid. Forfeited fees will go into the JCA Camp Scholarship Fund. All changes (in writing) regarding registration, including schedules, sessions, specialties/electives, will result in a $15.00 per change fee payable at the time the change is made. Food Campers will receive a daily kosher snack and lunch. Please do not send money for the vending machines, as campers are not permitted to use the machines while under camp supervision. If your child has allergies or unusual dietary needs, please indicate this on the required health form and call your camp director to verify this information as noted.
		Late and Early Fees Our early and extended care staff are hired according to registration received for that time of the day. When children arrive earlier or stay later than their scheduled times, it can jeopardize the staff-to-child ratios. We ask that you abide by the times for which your child is registered. To enforce this policy, we will charge $1.00 for each minute of care which is not pre-registered. In extenuating circumstances, or to change your child's schedule, please call the camp director.
	Financial Information All families must be in good financial standing with the JCA prior to the beginning of the camp season. Balances for all camp programs regardless of session must be paid in full by May 15, 2009, in order to complete enrollment. The JCA will not guarantee placement if balances are outstanding after that date. Refunds of camp fees for any sessions will be granted, less deposits, only if the JCA is notified (in writing) of withdrawal prior to May 15, 2009. Notification of withdrawal after May 15 will result in loss of all fees paid. Forfeited fees will go into the JCA Camp Scholarship Fund. All changes (in writing) regarding registration, including schedules, sessions, specialties/electives, will result in a $15.00 per change fee payable at the time the change is made.
	Medication Medication cannot be administered without a completed medication form (available in the office). Medication must be in its original container with the child's name on the prescription label. We will NOT give over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, etc. If your child is in need of such drugs, he/she is not well enough to be at camp.
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	All children are expected to behave properly and listen to their counselors while traveling. Departure and arrival times will vary for each trip and camp specialty. Call the camp office for pertinent times. All buses/vans are equipped with first aid and emergency equipment, and at least one staff member per bus/van will have a cell phone for emergency communication. When traveling, camp staff will have the emergency and health information of each camper with them. In addition, emergency and health information is located in each camp office and the registrar's office.
			For information on arrival times returning to camp or to a specific location, call the JCA receptionist at 730-2100, ext. 0. When traveling, the staff-to-camper ratios are consistent with those while at the JCA. When deemed necessary, additional staff and/or parent volunteers will be added to the supervision ratios.

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Challah Program

We are pleased to continue to offer a take-home challah program to you and your family. This gives you the opportunity to have a fresh challah in your home each week for Shabbat. In addition, it will help reinforce some of the concepts that your children are learning at JCA Summer Camp.

Below is the order form you will need during the summer. Orders must be in the office at least one week in advance of the Friday listed on the form. A check (made payable to the JCA) must accompany your order. You may order for as many weeks in advance as you wish. Please include this form along with your check.

Challah Order Form

Name________________________________________

Friday, June 19 ___ Challahs @ $5.00 each =

Friday, June 26 ___ Challahs @ $5.00 each =

Friday, July 3 ___ Challahs @ $5.00 each =

Friday, July 10 ___ Challahs @ $5.00 each =

Friday, July 17 ___ Challahs @ $5.00 each =

Friday, July 24 ___ Challahs @ $5.00 each =

Friday, July 31 ___ Challahs @ $5.00 each =

Friday, August 7 ___ Challahs @ $5.00 each =

Total due payable to the JCA: $