Summer 2009

Dear Camp Gan Yeladim & KinderCamp Parents,  

Welcome to the JCA’s Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp!  We have FANTASTIC PROGRAMS planned for your child this summer.  Whether it is leaning about dinosaurs or making s’mores during a “camp in,” your camper is destined to have a FUN SUMMER, full of excitement!

At Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp, young 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 young camper develop self-esteem, confidence, friendships, and lifelong skills.

Camp activities take place in our large, modern, just expanded  FABULOUS FACILITY .  All campers enjoy daily water experiences, cool air-conditioned cabins, clean play spaces, and creative playgrounds.  In addition, our program is FULLY ACCREDITED by the American Camping Association.

To ensure an organized summer for you, your child, and our staff, please read all the information in this orientation packet.  Fill out and return all necessary forms as soon as possible – we need them two one weeks before the beginning of your camper’s first session.   Please plan on attending our Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 14, 2009 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.  This is an excellent opportunity for you and your camper to get acquainted with camp staff and the facility.

          Please call the office if you have any questions about any of the information you have received.  We look forward to having your child join us while we make lifelong friendships and memories!  

Sincerely,                                         
 

Theresa Levy, Director                              Diane Campbell, Assistant Director

Camp Gan Yeladim & KinderCamp                Camp Gan Yeladim & KinderCamp

904/730-2100 ext. 237                            904/730-2100 ext. 256

Financial Policies

A $75, $50, or $25 non-transferable, non-refundable deposit for each child for each session must accompany the registration form to guarantee your space.  The registration fees are according to the following enrollment:

All deposits are applied to your camper’s session fee.  Full payment for each camp session is due May 15, 2009. If you are not paid in full by this date, your child may be taken off the camp roster, no longer guaranteeing your space. If you register after May 15, 2009 payment in full is due when you register.

Please note that non-refundable, non-transferable camp deposits mean that you may not transfer your deposit to other JCA programs outside of camp.  All forfeited deposits go into the JCA Camp Scholarship Fund.  There will be no exceptions for unanticipated vacations, illness, work schedules, withdrawals, absences, etc.   Camp tuition for JCA members during the summer of 2009 is as follows: 

Non JCA members must add $45 per camper per session.    To receive membership rates for camp, parents must be current JCA family members in good financial standing.

Please note:  Occasional extended care is not available. 

Camp Gan Yeladim & KinderCamp 2009 Session Themes

                                       
Session I (June 15 – June 26)

“Camping In” 

Session II (June 29 – July 10)

(camp is in session on July 3!)

“Once Upon a Time”

                                            (Tovim/KinderCamp UNDERnight, Wednesday, July 8, 6:00-7:30pm)
 

Session III (July 13 – July 24)

 “Rolling on the River”

                                          (Tovim/KinderCamp UNDERnight, Thursday, July 23, 6:00-7:30pm) 

Session IV (July 27 – August 7)

“I Dig Dinosaurs” 

If you have siblings in the upper camp, they may be dressing up on Fridays.  If your Gan Yeladim Camper wishes to participate they can, but most of the Gan Campers typically do not. 

Camp Daily Schedules

A typical daily camp schedule is as follows:

7:30 – 9:00           Good Morning!

9:00-9:40             Arts and Crafts

9:40-10:05            Water fun or Swim Lessons

10:05-10:30           Clean Up/Diaper or Potty/Snack/Music & Movement

10:30-10:55           Clean Up/Diaper or Potty/Snack/Music & Movement

11:00 – 11:30          Special Events

11:30 – 11:50          Great Outdoors/Story time

11:50 – 12:00         Carpool

Camp Groups
 

          All groups have more than one cabin.  Every full cabin has a head counselor and an assistant counselor.  All camp counselors are at least 18 years or older and are trained in building self-esteem in young children. 

          All groups participate in a wide range of age-appropriate activities including music, arts and crafts, cooking, Judaic activities, nature, water play, and more.

Resource Days/UNDERnights

          All campers enjoy camp wide festivals and resource days throughout the summer.  Check your session newsletter and cabin calendar for specific details regarding these resource days and events.

Tovim and KinderCamp campers will enjoy special resources brought in once a session.  Information regarding these special days will be in the session newsletter and cabin calendars.

These campers are also invited back to camp twice during the summer for camp”UNDERnights”.  Campers return to the JCA at 6 p.m. for a craft, keepsake photos, swimming, dinner, and activities.  After swimming they will dress in their pajamas and be ready for pick-up at 7:30 p.m.  Appropriately aged campers may attend whether enrolled in that session or not.

 The first UNDERnight is on Wednesday, July 8.  The next UNDERnight is on Thursday, July 23. The cost for each UNDERnight is $15.00 for members and $23.00 for non-members. You will receive more information on this program in your camp newsletter and via separate flyers. 

What to Bring

1.       On each camp day, your child should carry a labeled bag or labeled backpack with the following items inside:

KinderCampers & Tovim Campers:

An extra labeled change of clothes (including socks, shirt, shorts, & underwear) in case of an accident or messy craft activities!

K’Ton Campers & PattyCake Campers:

a.   An extra labeled change of clothes (including socks, shirt, shorts, & underwear) in case of an accident or messy craft activities!

b. Three diapers (per morning) and a container of wipes - only applicable, of         course, to those K’Tons still in diapers.  If your child is staying for extended care, please send three additional diapers.

c. One disposable or one reusable swim diaper for those campers in diapers.  Regular disposable diapers cannot go in the pool.   

d. Two pairs of underwear for potty trained campers.  Children should come to camp dressed in their bathing suit under their clothes.  Bring a labeled towel, plastic bag, and two pairs of labeled underwear (if applicable). 

2.  Please label everything! Sharpie Markers are great for this.

3.     Please apply sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher before arrival each morning.
 

4.     Children should wear comfortable clothing and closed toe shoes, suitable for outdoor play.  Please do not send your child wearing dangling jewelry, platform sandals or slide-on shoes.

Please label, very clearly, the outside of your child’s carry bag or backpack.  This helps assure that everything you send to camp returns home.

Clothing

Your child should wear comfortable play clothes with shoes and socks at all times.  Please send your children dressed in clothes that can get dirty!  It is advisable for children to wear closed shoes and no dangling jewelry.  Please send a labeled bag containing a complete, seasonal change of marked clothing, including socks.  Accidents do happen and crafts can be messy!  Please label each piece of clothing as well.  Remember that all children should come to camp dressed in a bathing suit under their clothes unless otherwise instructed by your camp counselor. 

All campers receive a camp T-shirt to wear on Fridays’ Shabbat celebration.   

Swim Program

The JCA prides itself in offering a top-notch aquatic program for summer camp.  KinderCamp, Tovim and potty trained K’Ton campers will benefit from swimming five days per week (four days of lessons and one water fun or free swim day).  Our enthusiastic aquatic instructors have Red Cross WSI certification as well as teaching and lifeguard experience.  Flotation devices that are worn, such as water wings or vests, are not allowed during participation in the aquatics program.

Those K’Ton campers not yet potty-trained may participate in water activities such as playing in the wading pool and in the sprinklers; provided they are wearing swim diapers under their bathing suits.  The PE Department does not allow any child still in diapers into the wading pool unless he/she is wearing a disposable or non-disposable swim diaper. 

Swim Evaluation for K’Ton, Tovim, and KinderCamp

In order to ensure your child is properly placed in our swim program, we ask parents to complete the summer camp Swim Evaluation Form included in the back of this orientation packet.  Please make sure you complete your form and submit it with your balance payment due on Friday, May 15, 2009 or as soon as possible before your child attends camp.  Parents of Patty Cake campers do not need to fill out this form.

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 changes and other important information.  If your camper does not come home with a newsletter on Monday (or Tuesday for Tues. /Thurs. campers), please call the office immediately.  You will also receive a written calendar from your camper’s head counselor at the beginning of each session telling you about their plans for that session.  Those signed up for a full day will receive a form detailing their entire day at camp.

We encourage you to come to the office to speak with us or to arrange a conference with your child’s counselor if you feel it is needed.  Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  At carpool times (9:00 a.m., 12 noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.) our office employees are occupied making sure your children are safely taken from and to your car.  Please try to visit the office at least ten minutes before or after those times.  If no one is available to answer your call, please leave a voice-mail at extension 235, 256, or 237, and we will contact you as soon as possible. 

If you need to reach a staff person immediately at any time regarding your child in our care, please follow these guidelines:

1)      Call 730-2100 and enter an extension (235, 256, 259 or 237)

2)    If no one answers, press ”0” for the receptionist

3)    Tell the receptionist you were not able to get through and need to speak to someone at Camp Gan Yeladim or KinderCamp

4)       Ask the receptionist to use the walkie talkie to page a Camp Gan Yeladim or KinderCamp employee
 

Camp Discipline Policy

It is a state requirement that each child care center informs its parents of its discipline procedures.  If a child behaves in an unacceptable manner, he or she is redirected, shadowed, or removed from the activity for a brief period.  Positive reinforcement is used as much as possible when the child is behaving in an acceptable manner.  Techniques may vary with each situation, however, physical punishment or inappropriate language or manner are never used by our staff and are totally unacceptable.

Unacceptable behavior by a camper is defined as that behavior which is disruptive to the group as a whole during a structured activity time, behavior which may be harmful to another child such as biting, hitting, pushing, etc., or behavior which compromises the safety of the group (i.e. a camper running away or hiding from the counselors).  If a camper behaves in an unacceptable way, the camp director reserves the right to suspend camping services.

Food Policies

All campers receive a snack with filtered water.  KinderCampers participate in the JCA camp lunch program and do not need to bring any food to camp.  Campers in other age groups need to bring a lunch with a drink if signed up to stay past 12:00 noon.  We observe the kosher dietary guidelines enclosed in this packet.  If you have any questions regarding these policies, please call.  Lunches for Patty Cakes and K’Tons are refrigerated.  Tovim lunches are not.  Please print names clearly on the outside of the lunchbox or bag.

All food sent to school must be pre-cut for the younger children and age-appropriate.  For example, please do not send your child with yogurt and a spoon if they cannot manage it independently.  Popcorn, nuts, and uncut grapes are choking hazards and are not permitted.  Please be sure to include all utensils.

If your child is a Patty Cake, K’Ton, or Tovim camper staying beyond 3:30 p.m., please send an afternoon snack with a drink.  Camp Gan Yeladim does not provide afternoon snacks.

Children arriving before 8:15 a.m. may bring their breakfast with them to eat at camp.  Breakfast is not served to children who arrive after that time.  Good nutrition is an important part of our program.  We request that only nutritious lunches, afternoon snacks or breakfasts are sent to school.  Please do not send candy or carbonated beverages.

Dietary Policies

The following dietary guidelines are observed in the ECE Department.  Please ask for help in the ECE office if you have any questions.

Any food provided by the ECE Department for our programming will follow these guidelines.  Any food handled in our kitchens must follow these guidelines: 

1.       Meat products of pork origin are not permitted. 

2.     Shellfish is not permitted.

3.     Meat and milk products may not be packed together for the same meal.  For example, a turkey sandwich is fine, but not a turkey and cheese sandwich.  A turkey sandwich is fine with juice, but not with a container of milk.  However, you may send dairy products for snack time and meat products for lunchtime, but they must be packed in separate containers.

4.     Full time children leaving breakfast food products in the kitchen must be sure those products are marked with an accepted kosher symbol (See symbols at the end of this section.)

5.     Packaged foods sent for snacks and lunches must be marked with an accepted kosher symbol.

6.     All food that is served to others for birthday parties or special events must be purchased from acceptable vendors such as Entemann’s, Krispy Kreme, Publix on San Jose just north of 295, and Carvel ice cream.

7.     Always check the package label for the seal or sign of certification.  Not all runs of a given product are necessarily Kosher.  Sometimes certification is discontinued unexpectedly.  In some lines, only certain flavors or varieties are kosher.

8.     Fresh fruits and vegetables are always acceptable.

9.     Snacks and lunches sent from home are to be packed in closed containers or bags.

10.  The following symbols are acceptable:
 

Medication

Medication is only given when accompanied by 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 CANNOT 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.
 

Health Forms

Summer camp is 40 days in duration.  Any children registered for more than 40 days of camp must submit state required health form 3040 and a current immunization chart.  These forms are available at your doctor’s office.

Sick Policies

1)      Parents, or designated caretakers, of children who exhibit any of the following symptoms will be called to come to the JCA to pick up their child within a one hour time period:

fever of 100.4 degrees and above

diarrhea

vomiting

abnormal behavior

2)    Please do not bring your child to camp with any of the above mentioned symptoms.  If in doubt about your child, please keep your child at home.  It is highly unfair to healthy counselors and campers to expose them unnecessarily to illness.  Remember also, that once a virus begins in a group, it becomes very difficult to control.  Please be considerate of others.

3)    Please alert the office when your child develops a communicable disease (like chicken pox) so that we can notify the other families via “Health Alert” forms.

4)    We understand that it is sometimes difficult for working parents to make arrangements for their sick children, but JCA programs are for well children only.  We are not set up to care for sick children.  It is the responsibility of the parents to have advance alternative plans.

5)    Children sent home with fever are not allowed back into the program for at least 24 hours after being discharged.  A note is made of dismissal time.  In order to return to the program, your child must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. 
 

These policies exist for the benefit of the campers and take the cooperation of all parents in the program in order to be effective.

Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures 

1.  Staff members are available to greet your child in your car at the side door (awning) entrance of the JCA (to the right of the main entrance) from 8:50 a.m. until 9:05 a.m. and then take campers directly to their cabins.  For safety and security reasons, parents must walk in through the main entrance with Patty Cake campers.  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 the main entrance only.  When entering through the main entrance, you will need to clearly display your JCA photo i.d. card.  If you are not a member or forgot your card, you will need to show another form of photo i.d., sign-in, and get a visitor badge before you will be allowed to enter.  This process applies to everyone including JCA staff.  

2.  Occasionally, during inclement weather, the assistant counselors and other early bird campers will be in the gym.  It is your responsibility to put your child’s things away in their cabin and escort them to the group.  Please do not leave your child until a camp employee has signed them in!  The head counselors are busy preparing for the day, and are not responsible for the children in their cabins before 8:55 a.m.  Early bird campers will be brought to their rooms when camp begins.

3.  Patty Cakes arriving before 8:55 a.m. go to a designated cabin in the Patty Cake/K’Ton area or on the playground.

         4.  We have afternoon carpools at 11:55 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.  We will bring the children down to the end of the hall, put them in your car, and buckle them up as you come through the carpool line.  Please remain in your car during this process.

         5.  All carpools begin at their designated time and end as soon as the last car in line leaves so please be in line at the time carpool starts.  For example, 3:30 p.m. carpool starts exactly at 3:30.  If the last car in line leaves at 3:35 and you arrive at 3:36, you will need to park and walk in through the main entrance to get your child. 

6.  You may park your car and walk up to the door for your child if you do not wish to use the carpool line.  Those who are waiting in the carpool line are given first priority in receiving their children. 

7.  Please do not get out of your cars to talk if you are in the line!  This will help dismissal to be as speedy as possible.

8.  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 their car (if they are using carpool,) must be sent to camp each time.  Please remind the person to bring a positive photo I.D.  Our staff will need to ask for proof of identity if the person picking up is unknown to them.

9.  Please note that for the security and protection of your children, the side entrance is only open at carpool times.  At all other times this door is locked.  Adults must enter and exit the building through the front lobby kiosk only.

Challah Program

We are pleased to offer a take-home challah program to you and your family.  This gives you the opportunity to have a delicious, fresh kosher challah in your home each week for Shabbat. 

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.  Checks must accompany your orders, and they should be made payable to the JCA.  You may order for as many weeks in advance as you wish.  Please include this form along with your check.

Summer Challah Order Form

Camper Name: ______________________________

__Gan Yeladim   __KinderCamp    __Theatre Camp   __Sabra    __Habonim     __TNT    

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:      $_____________    All challah is unsliced.

 

Swim Evaluation Form

For K’Ton, Tovim & KinderCampers

(Due back by May 15 or as soon as possible before camp starts)

We are pleased to offer a top-notch aquatic program for summer camp.  KinderCamp, Tovim and potty trained K’Ton campers will benefit from swimming five days per week (four days of lessons and one water fun or free swim day).  In order to expedite the placement of campers in swim groups according to skill level, please fill out and return this evaluation form by Friday, May 15, 2009.  Please answer all questions as objectively as possible.  Thank you.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Parent’s Name:  ______________________________  

Camper’s Name:  _____________________________

          ___K’Ton (3 by 9/1/09)   ___Tovim (4 by 9/1/09)   ___KinderCamp (5 by 9/1/09)

Attending Camp Sessions:  ___I            ___II            ___III        ___IV                                                                            
Previous Swim Instruction:  Place: __________________

Instructor:_________________

Water Entry (please check all that apply):

___Will not get in

___Will get in with assistance

___Gets in without assistance

Water Comfort/Skills (please check all that apply):

___Puts face in water

___Blows bubbles

___Can bob up and down 5 times

___Can kick with a flotation device (kick board, noodle, etc.)

___Swims independently for 5 yards

___Freestyle arms for 5 yards

___Can float supported on back

___Beginning backstroke

Please return this form to:  JCA Camp Gan Yeladim, 8505 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL  32217