Summer Day Camp & Kindercamp 2009
The Colchester Day Camp Difference
The Colchester Day Camp Difference 2009 Welcome new friends to Colchester Day Camp and welcome back Camp Alumni! With snow on the ground, we are very excited to talk about camp! We are again, looking forward to providing a safe environment for all our campers who will learn how to build new relationships, cultivate friendships, explore and develop new skills, and enjoy growing individually as well. This is our commitment to you ~ our camp community. It is our honor and promise to create a safe world of wonderful character building “memories that will last a lifetime.” Summer after summer our super staff return to enrich and further develop Colchester Day Camp. The most mature, nurturing, skilled, carefully chosen and best-trained returning staff that were hand picked from a panel of our directors are on board again this year. Our staff is under the
leadership of Parks and Recreation Director Jason Cohen, Recreation Supervisor, Anita Miazga and Day Camp Director Shannon Tamosaitis (Miss T.) Camp is a favorite time of year for all of us and we have already begun creatively planning with our super staff over the holiday break. So, until the sun warms us again ~ Miss T says keep reading, go sledding, do your homework, and I can’t wait to see you at camp! Summer will be here before we know it! Our Administration team rounds out with five super specialists in core areas: Sports & Games, Archery, Nature, Drama and Arts & Crafts.
A Mature, Experienced Staff
Our Day Camp supervisors and Head Counselors are college students and mature high school students with several years of experience. We invite students entering eight, ninth and tenth grade to apply to be a part of our strong 4-week Counselor-in-Training (C.I.T.) program. There is a fee of $100.00 for this unique training experience. Application packets are available on our website at www.colchesterct.gov, and in the WJJMS & Bacon Academy Guidance Offices. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2009.
Please see the REC’ing Crew section of this brochure for the REC’ing Crew calendar of trips and activities. This program specially designed for campers entering grades 7 – 9. The spring/summer brochure will include various other camps for all ages including, Skateboarding, MLS Soccer Camps, Basketball and Multi-Sport camps. The summer brochure will be available in May.
Staff Training All staff is required by state law and OSHA mandates to receive training in Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control (HEPb/HIV). The Colchester Parks and Recreation Department also requires all staff to attend an extensive Camp orientation seminar prior to the start of camp. Counselors are active participants in training areas such as first aid and CPR, Epi-Pen, safety and security, emergency response, splash pad safety, record keeping, staff manuals, department policies and procedures, customer service, positive youth development, and character building. In addition, there are speakers brought in to train them in areas such as how
to schedule activities, games and leadership, child development and behavior, mandatory reporting, and lots of hands on activities such as sports and games, arts and crafts, traditional camp games and songs. We are very committed to maintaining and developing all our Day Camp staff.
We suggest that you subscribe to our email list for up to the minute notification on rainy day changes and other important information.
Registration Information Day Camp is for kids entering grades 1 – 6 in Fall 2009. Registration begins on Thursday, February 19th at 9:00 A.M in the Parks and Recreation Department located in the Town Hall. Register early for the best availability. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For your convenience you may call us at 537-7297. All registrations for Day Camp, Kindercamp
and the C.I.T. program must be made in person in the office. Please keep in mind all campers are required to have a current (within three years of the date of the exam) copy of their health record on file with Parks & Recreation. The following required forms are available in the Parks & Recreation office and on our website: Camp Registration Form, Medical Release & Pick Up Authorization, Special Authorization, Health Assessment. Please note, due to severe camper allergies, Colchester Day Camp is a PEANUT FREE CAMP. Registration for Day Camp and Kindercamp requires a 50% deposit. If prior to the start of camp a participant cancels their
registration due to an illness or injury, they will receive a refund or credit for fees paid. A doctor’s note is required for all refunds. There is a one time $10.00 administrative fee per child, which includes a 2009 Colchester Day Camp t-shirt.
Camp Fees Camp Fees –Prices based on 1 week sessions only: Monday – Friday $125 includes trip fee Extended Care AM $25 per week (7:00 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.) Extended Care PM $25 per week (4:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
ALL BALANCES MUST BE PAID IN FULL BEFORE JUNE 15TH. ANY REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER JUNE 19TH MUST BE PAID IN FULL AT TIME OF REGISTRATION.
Scholarship Info: There are a limited number of scholarships available to campers in financial need. Applications are confidential and can be obtained by contacting Jason Cohen in the Parks and Recreation office.
Camp Dates: Week 1 June 29 – July 03 Week 2 July 06 – July 10 Week 3 July 13 – July 17 Week 4 July 20 – July 24 Week 5 July 27 - July 31 Week 6 August 03 – August 07 Week 7 August 10 – August 14 Week 8 August 17 – August 21 (No extended Care on the last day of camp)
Non-Resident Policy Non-residents are welcome to participate if space allows. Non-residents will be charged an additional $15.00 fee, per-session, per-child. Non-resident registrations will be accepted two weeks after resident registration begins.
Location Day Camp is held at the Colchester Recreation Complex (RecPlex) located on Old Hebron Road. This facility offers a variety of amenities to support a general daily activity schedule which includes playscapes, picnic pavilion, tennis & basketball courts, Bocce courts, various ball fields, rest rooms and the very fun water splash pad and skate park!
Dates & Daily Hours Camp is held from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Camp is offered in 8 one-week sessions starting June 29th and ending August 21st. Please note there is no extended care available on the last day of camp, Friday, August 21st.
Sign In/Sign Out You will notice when you arrive at camp you will be asked by your child’s counselor to sign in and out each day. Please have your identification ready to ensure a quick and easy sign out. This is a great time to ask your child’s counselor any questions you may have. Your feedback is always welcome!
Arrival & Dismissal Campers are dropped off in their designated area at the RecPlex each morning at 9:00 a.m. Campers are grouped by grade, 1 - 6. Please look for a large sign and balloon with your child’s grade on it to determine where you should sign them in. Your child’s counselors will introduce themselves to you and your child, you sign them in and the wonderful world of camp begins! If your child arrives earlier than 8:45 a.m. they will be
signed in for morning Extended Care, fees will apply. Please pick up your children promptly at 4:00 p.m. at the same designated spot you signed them in. If your child has not yet been picked up by 4:15 p.m. they will automatically be enrolled in afternoon Extended Care, fees will apply.
Extended Care We have improved our Extended Care program to include organized activities, as well as an opportunity to unwind and relax. Extended Care does include a healthy snack to help beat the late afternoon slump. Extended Care is available for full day campers only. Morning Extended Care is available from 7:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. for a flat weekly fee of $25.00. Afternoon Extended Care is available from 4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a flat weekly fee of
$25.00. Please pre register for extended care. If an emergency arises and your child utilizes the extended care program a daily rate of $15 will be billed to you. Please note Day Camp staff are not permitted to accept payments. All payments must be made in our Town Hall office.
THERE WILL BE NO AFTERNOON EXTENDED CARE ON THE LAST DAY OF CAMP, AUGUST 21st 2009.
What do we do at camp? WE ARE SAFE & WE HAVE FUN! Day camp strives to expand imagination, creativity and friendships. Team building activities, enriching games, and a variety of athletics provide a perfect vehicle for building self-confidence, self-esteem, and physical fitness in all our campers through a non-competitive environment. Children are encouraged to reach individual goals and levels of success while having FUN! At the same time they learn to feel wonderful about their individual abilities and talents while developing the values of teamwork, friendship and good sportsmanship. Each day at camp offers a variety of programs such as drama, nature, sports & games, archery, arts & crafts, music, journalism, and many other team building activities. Our special events are designed around our weekly themes complete with costumes and special guest performers that are a memorable part of every camper’s summer. Its no wonder camp creates friendships that last a lifetime!
HUGE HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2009!
In our continuous efforts to create the best possible experience for our campers, we are happy to announce a number of exciting traditions to our full-day camp! Field Trips Drum roll please…. we have some new field trips this summer!!! All campers will attend these enriching and fabulous weekly field trips! See the camp calendar as we have added amazing new destinations to go along with our new themes this year! Hip-Hip Hooray!!! What a great way to end the
week! Please note, trips are scheduled to change without notice. Family Fun Days We welcome parents and family members to join us again during our two family fun days this summer on July 16th and August 13th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our campers and super staff want to share the magic of camp with the ones we love through our mystical magician on July 16th and our amazing annual talent show on August 13th. Elective Periods Each Monday, campers will choose a special activity they will take part in for one hour each day. The elective groups will change from week to week as super staff share and teach the campers their special talents and interests! Our weekly Camp Newspaper is always a special choice offering for kids to participate in! Third Annual Blood Drive The American Red Cross returns to Colchester day Camp at JJIS on July
23rd. We ask and encourage you to please come give the gift of life and donate! Our record breaking turnout the past two years was amazing and we are thrilled to invite you back again this year! A magnificent THANK YOU goes out to our CIT’s, camp staff, community members, and all who volunteered and donated.
2009 Colchester Day Camp Weekly Themes
Week 1: (June 29-July3) Camp Salutes American Troops & The 3 R’s! We will kick start our summer by again celebrating American history! Campers will wear red, white, and blue while they make new friends. For the past two years we have received responses from our letter writing to our American troops in Iraq, we will again be sending letters over seas. We also kick off our annual Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Campaign as campers of all ages find fun activities and projects teaching us more about waste reduction, reusing, & recycling.
Week 2: (July 6-July10) Pick You Star & Moon Walk! Is the moon really 2,000 miles across? Yes! & we’ll learn even more about the stars, astrology, constellations, eclipses, and our Planet Earth! At the end of the week will finish off our interesting science study in the planetarium at The Children’s Museum.
Week 3: (July 13-July17) What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? Encouraging the leaders of our next generation to dream big, we will explore many different jobs and endless opportunities to discover. We will invite to our camp an array of occupational guests; for example a vet, a nurse, a fireman and police man, a teacher, garbage man, secretary, waitress, school principal and our first selectman. Join us for our Family Fun Event this Thursday at 4pm!
Week 4: (July 20-July 24) Wonders of Nature Across The Globe! Interesting insects, animated animals, the tallest trees, land formations/masses & extraordinary natural phenomena’s will be discovered in this amazing week of incredible wonders of the world! Also, we ask you join us this week at JJIS for the 3rd Annual American Red Cross Blood Drive!!! Teens Saving Lives!
Week 5: (July27-July 31) Colchester Camp Olympics 2009! Let the games begin! Campers unite to represent their teams and countries at the Colchester Olympic Games. Together we learn and develop the value of good sportsmanship, fair play, and comradery while refining our game of skill. Annual Olympic game’s at camp to promote and teach good sportsmanship, fair play, and comradery while refining skills.
Week 6: (Aug 3-Aug 7) Travel the World! Ancient Greece, Amazing Africa, Walk like an Egyptian, Children of China, Happy Hawaii & The Land Down Under ~ Australian Outback! Come with us around the world to learn other countries customs, culture, and traditions. With the 3rd annual return of our Polynesian Dancers, we’ll wrap our counselors like Egyptian mummies and taste many different ethnic foods! Well end the week making ice cream and butter at Brook Bison Creamery in Brooklyn, Ct.
Week 7: (Aug 10-Aug 14) Colchester’s American Idol, Rock Band & Guitar Hero! It’s your time to shine with your friends! Form a team and become an instant rock star creating one of the best experiences of all time! Shine in our annual Talent Show During Family Fun Day at 4pm. Sing your heart out in our version of American Idol, and Are you smarter than a Camper? will push us to our limits, test our skills and release our special hidden talents during Campardy!
Week 8: (Aug 17-Aug21) Ticket To Ride! Seriously….Don’t miss it!!! What’s not to love about the most popular week of camp? You’ll have to be here to find out about the surprise special event and participate in the Pie Easting Contest, Cerdnaskrap Awards, and collect enough tickets to sink your counselors in the dunk tank while eating the best cotton candy around! Come and get your ticket to ride campers!!!!!
RED ZONE DAYS Red Zone or Extreme Heat Days are WET & WILD at camp! Many extra water activities are scheduled throughout the day. The WATER SPLASH PAD will be open and running and sure to be a favorite for all campers! There will be endless amounts of creative fun. However, if the heat becomes a hazard, we will move campers to Jack Jackter Intermediate School located on Halls Hill Road. You may visit our website at www.colchesterct.gov or call the Day Camp office at 537-6583 to confirm our location for pick up. We reserve the right to transport campers locally as needed (rainy days, special events, etc.). Visit our website and subscribe to our mass email list and we will notify you of any changes.
Discipline Our Day Camp staff adheres to a fair but strict discipline policy. Campers whose behavior interferes with a positive camp experience for other campers may be subject to dismissal.
Notices and Flyers If your child leaves camp before closing ceremonies or will be missing a day or two, please check with your child’s counselor for information and reminders about upcoming special events or other activities your child will need to be prepared for upon his/her return to camp. All flyers, reminders etc. are distributed to campers at dismissal time.
Insurance Information We are unable to assume responsibility for injuries/accidents occurring at programs or on park facilities. Such insurance would make programs and user fees cost prohibitive.
Photo Permission Participants permit the taking of photographs and video of themselves and their children during recreation activities for publication and use by the Parks and Recreation Department for promotional purposes unless otherwise stated.
What and what NOT to Bring to Camp!
- NO PEANUT BUTTER! We are a peanut free camp, please DO NOT BRING PEANUT BUTTER, or anything containing peanuts. Certain granola bars, chex mix, candy bars, cracker jacks etc.
- LABEL EVERYTHING!! In addition to all clothing, please label lunch boxes, towels, water bottles, backpacks, sunscreen etc. If your child loses something, check the LOST & FOUND located outside the Day Camp Office. All unclaimed articles will be donated to charity each Monday.
- SANDALS ARE NOT ALLOWED! All campers should wear sneakers. With the exception of CROC style shoes. Water shoes are required in the Water Splash Pad area. If a child does not have water shoes, he/she will not be allowed to enter the splash pad that day.
- Bathing suits, towels, lunch, and a water bottle should be sent with each camper daily. (Your camper will also have the option to purchase bagged lunch as they were last year. Further details will be available closer to the start of camp.)
- Please apply waterproof sunscreen to your child prior to their arrival at camp. We recommend that you send sunscreen with them daily and teach your child how to re-apply sunscreen at camp to protect them from sunburn.
- Please do not allow your child to bring expensive/valuable items to camp such as Gameboys, PS2’s, IPODS, MP3 Players, cell phones. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Lunch Please send your camper with lunch and a healthy snack each day. Do not send glass containers. There is NO refrigerator available, so please include an ice pack. We highly recommend sending your child with a water bottle, which may be refilled as needed throughout the day at the water fountain. Re-usable containers are encouraged to reduce waste at the water park. There will be occasions during special events when we will offer a special snack as it relates to a theme. Also we have a no tolerance policy for any knives or other dangerous objects. Please do not pack any butter knives for
your child’s lunches. Please remember, we are a PEANUT FREE CAMP.
Campers also have the option of purchasing a special sandwich lunch meal deal from a local restaurant, which id delivered to camp each day. Order forms are available in the Day Camp office.
Every child matters to us!
Kindercamp
Kindercamp (for children who will turn 3 years old before 12/31/08 through entering kindergarten) is our specially designed camp for pre school children. Under the guidance and care of our mature, gentle staff, our youngest campers are given a special experience. Our program recognizes the social and motor skill level of pre-school children. It has been created to provide a warm, nurturing atmosphere where our youngest campers are encouraged to expand their horizons while feeling safe and cared for. What better way can there be to start their wonderful years of camping? This terrific group of counselors join together to make each day at Kindercamp the best ever for our three, four and five year olds. With the wonderful world that has been created for them, it is no surprise that every day is magical for our youngest campers and that the Kindercamp experience establishes an enthusiasm and love of camping that will last well into adolescence while providing them with a lifetime of memories!
Kindercamp has an outstanding staff that works exclusively with our youngest campers. Kindercamp is held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday with other options also available. (See below) Kindercamp is offered in 8-one week session starting June 29th and ending August 21st. The staff to camper ratio for Kindercamp is 1:8. Extended care is not available for Kindercampers. Please be sure to send your child with a healthy snack each day. For the safety of all campers we are a peanut free camp. Please do not send your camper with any peanut products. Please apply waterproof sunscreen to your child prior to their arrival at camp. We also ask that you please send your kindercamper to camp in their bathing suit.
Again, please have your child wear a bathing suit to camp and apply waterproof sunscreen to your child prior to their arrival. For the safety of all campers we are a PEANUT FREE CAMP!!
Kindercamp Staff
Camp Fees – Prices based on 1 week sessions
Plan A Monday – Friday $ 60 Plan B Mon/Wed/Friday $ 45 Plan C Tues/Thurs $ 36
There is a one time $5.00 administrative fee per child, which includes a 2009 Colchester Day Camp t-shirt!
Arrival and Dismissal Kindercampers are dropped off in the designated area at the RecPlex each morning at 9:00 a.m., no earlier please. Kindercamp’s drop off point is under “Tim’s tree” the big tree located behind recreation field R5. They are picked up at 11:30 a.m. at either the playground or the spray park. There is no Extended Care for kindercampers. After 11:35, there is a $5.00 late charge for every 5 minutes or part thereof that a parent is late picking up a child. We appreciate your promptness.
The Daily Deal Kindercampers start their day with their own opening ceremonies. Then the world of camp opens! Activities vary; each day includes arts & crafts, games, music, storytelling, playscape time, water activities, nature hikes, special events and more! The WATER SPLASH PAD is a favorite for all campers! Some special guests include Kathye Flanagan’s Happy Notes, CT Audubon Society, Mystic Aquarium’s traveling touch tank, Polynesian Dance and
story telling, and Funtastic Inflatables which adds special excitement to our Kindercamper’s day!
Rainy Days at Kindercamp If it is raining, we will hold Kindercamp, along with the Day Camp, at Jack Jackter Intermediate School. Please use the gym ramp entrance. For consistency, we will try to make the decision as early as possible. Once your camper is signed in, if an issue arises, we will transport all campers to JJIS by bus. Kindercampers will travel as a group and will be accompanied by their counselors during the relocation process. If there is ever a question of where camp might be, please call the camp office at 537-6583.
Kindercamp Themes Week 1: Red, White & Blue Patriotic Salute Week 2: The Moon, The Stars, & Mother Earth Week 3: Bubbles, Bugs, & Butterfly’s Week 4: Under the Sea & Fun in the Sun Week 5: Winter, Spring, Summer, & Fall Week 6: In the Garden & On the Farm Week 7: Nursery Rhymes, Storytellers, Music & Movement Week 8: Crazy Kids Carnival & Ticket to Ride
Themes are subject to change without notice…
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