Summer Camp Policies

We strive to nurture the potential of every camper to help them grow and develop into the best person they can be. Our Summer Day Camp experience encourages campers to:

• Grow personally
• Learn values
• Improve Personal and family relationships
• Appreciate diversity
• Become Better leaders and supporters
• Develop specific skills
• Have Fun!

6/7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Before Care

9:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies

9:30 AM
1st Activity

10:15 AM
Snack

10:45 AM
2nd Activity

11:30 AM
3rd Activity

12:15 PM
Lunch

1:00 PM
4th Activity

1:45 PM
5th Activity

2:45 PM
6th Activity

3:30 PM
Closing Ceremonies and transition to aftercare

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Aftercare

• Wear close toed shoes
• Wear play clothes
• Swimsuit & Towel (swim days shared on weekly newsletter)
• Plastic bag for wet gear
• Lunch
• 2 snacks
• Refillable water bottle
• Apply sunscreen before camp and send along for reapplication.

Camp fun never stops! We may have an alternate schedule of activities on rainy days. Campers may stay outdoors in light rain and will head indoors in the event of lightning or thunder.

Parents are responsible for transportation to and from camp. We will provide transportation in the event of an emergency evacuation and or if your child is attending a field trip as a part of their camp program.

If the heat index is 90 to 95 degrees, or if there is a heat Advisory in effect, campers should only be outside for short periods of time (15 -30 minutes or less). Time is based on the children’s appearance and behaviors. If the campers are running around and playing, and do not exhibit any signs of heat illness, they can be out on the longer end. However, if campers are sitting or standing around in the shade, staff are to bring them inside. When the heat index is 95 degrees or higher this is considered to meet the regulations definition of “extreme”. On these days it would be expected that children would not have to go outside at all.

We adhere (at minimum) to the staff to camper ratios of the Pennsylvania DHS and ACA (American Camp Association).

• Camp Preschoolers through children entering first grade: 1 to 6
• First, second and third grades: 1 to 8
• Fourth grade and older: 1 to 10

Our staff are extensively trained, however, do not have specialized training in the areas of behavioral or mental health and are not able to provide 1:1 staff to camper support. If your child has a support staff or 1:1, we welcome them to attend camp with your child. Reach out to us at summercamp@philaymca.org to chat about how we can best set your camper up for success.

Campers swim a minimum of two times a week. Swimming periods are recreational. On each campers first swim day of the summer, they will participate in a swim test facilitated by a lifeguard. The camper will then be assigned a swim band level based on their skills. If a child needs a PFD, we will provide one. Campers can retest each week they are in camp. If attending camp at one of our offsite locations, campers may be bused to the main YMCA for swim if the offsite location does not have pool access.

Our goal is to have every camper succeed in our program. We work to incorporate our values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty into our daily program. Campers are responsible for following YMCA camp rules, which are designed to provide the best possible experience and a safe environment for all our campers and staff team members. Our counselors will work with the campers daily as role models, helping campers to make great choices. If your child exhibits a behavior that does not align with our rules or negatively impacts the camp experience for themselves or others, we will redirect in the moment and then partner with you to make a plan to best help your child succeed in camp. If a behavior or pattern of behaviors that is harmful to oneself, peers or the staff team, your camper may be removed from camp or shift to a modified camp schedule. All decisions will be made with the camper's best interests in mind.

Our team will communicate in the following manner if there are behavioral concerns. Examples include disrespectful actions, not following directions, physical or verbal aggression, bullying, threatening, destruction of property, leaving assigned area and harm to self or others.

1. Staff team member will verbal redirect and remind camper of appropriate behavior in the moment. Staff member will inform the parent.
2. If the behavior continues, the Camp Director will set up a meeting a family meeting to create a plan to best help the child succeed in camp.
3. Parent meeting will be held with a designed child action safety plan.
4. If the behavior persists while implementing agreed upon strategies to help the camper succeed, it may result in removal of the child from the camp program depending on the level of concern for the child and others.

Reason for Immediate Expulsion

Unfortunately there are some reasons we must expel a child from our program either on a short term or permanent basis. We will make every effort to work with families in the event that expulsion from the program is necessary. However, if the child or parent/guardian presents a direct threat to their own or the safety of other participants and team members, the YMCA may call for an immediate expulsion from the program. These threats can include, but are not limited to, physical violence and verbal or implied threats.