Parent Guide

Camps ‘R’ Us fosters social interaction and personal growth, enriching the hearts and minds of all campers. We provide Service Excellence, a concept that requires the satisfaction of the following criteria:

Our Quality is demonstrated by our reputation for excellence.

Each Camps ‘R’ Us campus is accredited by the American Camp Association (All campuses are accredited after the first operating season, during which the American Camp Association (ACA) assesses strict quality standards that can only be demonstrated while the camp is in operation).

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for nearly 100 years, have joined together to share knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of its diverse 6,700 plus membership and exceptional programs, children and adults have the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

ACA-accredited camps meet up to 300 standards for health, safety, and program quality. Camps ‘R’ Us exceeds the recommendations of the ACA in almost every aspect of programming, safety, and staffing.

Our Affordability is unparalleled in the summer day camp industry.

Camps ‘R’ Us summer camps are a great value. Camps ‘R’ Us tuition is as low as $5.00 per hour (Amount based on 8 Week Session for 5 Full Days). That’s less than the cost of a babysitter, and babysitter’s cannot provide the level professional care for which we are best known.

Convenience is a necessity.

Our families need convenience. That’s why we bring the summer camp experience to you. Camps ‘R’ Us knows how difficult it is to raise a family, and we have expanded into communities where working parents need our services. We provide a range of sessions, days, and times to choose from, and we offer an extended hours program that gives parents the extra time they need in the morning and afternoon without having to worry about their children.

Summer 2008 Sessions and Rates

8 Week Session (June 30th - August 22nd)

5 Full Days - $1600
3 Full Days - $1450
5 Half Days - $1400
3 Half Days - $1300
C2 Program - $1250

6 Week Session I (June 30th - August 8th)
6 Week Session II (July 14th - August 22nd)

5 Full Days - $1500
3 Full Days - $1350
5 Half Days - $1300
3 Half Days - $1200

4 Week Session I (June 30th - July 25th)
4 Week Session II (July 28th - August 22nd)

5 Full Days - $1400
3 Full Days - $1250
5 Half Days - $1200
3 Half Days - $1100
Voyagers - $2400

Please Note...

• There is a $100 (non-refundable) registration fee per camper.
• All camp fees are priced per camper.
• Session weeks must be consecutive and cannot be split.
• There is a 5% discount for two siblings and a 10% discount for three or more siblings. This discount reduces the tuition for each sibling. It does not discount the registration fee.

 

Days and Hours

Camp operates Monday-Friday. The 3-day program can be either Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday.

Full Day - 9AM-5PM
Half Day - 9AM-2PM
Available only to campers enrolled in Tiny Tots and KinderKamp programs. The hours are extended to 9AM-3PM on trip days and swimming & bowling days.

 
Extended Hours Program

AM Extended Hours – 7:30AM to 8:40AM
PM Extended Hours – 5:10PM to 6:00PM

The fee for extended hours is $5 per use, per camper and is not discounted. It is a pay-as-you-go service and as such does not require scheduling. Payment is due at the time service is rendered in the form of cash or check.

Please Note: The PM Extended Hours are not available for campers enrolled in a Half-Day Program.  

 
Refunds and Change of Session

Refunds for terminations or session changes will be honored until May 1st of the current camp season. There will no change of sessions, group, dates, or days of attendance after May 1st.

Necessary Forms

To enroll your child at Camps ‘R’ Us, please complete and return the following forms:

Registration – Be sure to complete every item and read/sign the Terms of Agreement on page 2.

Medical Form – Physical examinations must be within one year of your child’s last day of camp. All medical forms must be dated, signed, and stamped by a doctor. The exam date must be indicated, not the date the form was filled out. Any child that does not have 3 copies of a completed medical form on file will not be permitted to attend camp until the form is received. There are no exceptions.

AAM Form – If your child requires medication during the camp day, please complete and return this form. The medication furnished must be brought in by a parent/guardian in the properly labeled original container from the pharmacy. It will be stored in a locked container to be accessed only by the Camp Director and the Health Designees. The camper must be able to administer the medication to him/herself under the supervision of the Camp Director or Health Designees as per the Health Department Regulations. Campers may not carry medication on them at any time, including inhalers and over-the-counter medications.

Camp Groups

Campers are grouped in divisions as follows:

Please Note: Camps ‘R’ Us will not allow a camper to be grouped with children in a higher or lower grade group. This is for the safety of every camper.

Specialized Groups

C2 (Counselor-In-Training) Program
Campers who are at least 13 years old are given the opportunity to assist and shadow a General Counselor with a younger group of children. Under the supervision of Group Leaders, they are assigned tasks that allow for supervisory interaction with the campers while maintaining a camper-to-camper relationship. Tasks include lineup skills, activity preparation, and game coordination. Skills learned and implemented as a C2 are meant to prepare these campers for positions in the childcare industry. Specifically, this is a training program for becoming a staff member at Camps 'R' Us. Campers who complete this program have a significant advantage in the hiring process when they become eligible to become Counselors. In addition to their "education," C2s also enjoy going on Trips with their campers, and participating in Special Events and Theme Days.

PLEASE NOTE - There are no trips for campers in the C2 Program. They will, however, be able to accompany their assigned groups on trips at no additional charge. For example, if a C2 is assigned to a 1/2 group, he/she may attend trips that are indicated on the calendar for that division (i.e. Pump It Up, Adventureland, etc.) as part of the C2 program.

C2s are assigned to groups based on a number of criteria.

1. There may be only one (1) C2 assigned to each group.
2. C2s must be at least 2 years older than the oldest campers in the group to which they are assigned.
3. C2s may rank their group preference after the 1st week group rotation, but are not guaranteed to be selected for that age group. Group Rotation allows C2s to experience one day with each age division at camp during their first week.
4. If there are more C2s than groups available in a particular division, there will be a lottery to decide the group assignments. Those not selected for their first choice in the lottery will be assigned to their second choice and the process will be repeated if necessary.

Camps 'R' Us Voyagers (Trip and Travel Program)
Our Teen Trip and Travel Program is for campers in grades 7 thru 9. Campers travel to hand-picked destinations during the first 4 weeks of camp, and are given the option to register for our C2 Program free of charge, to attend camp during the last 4 weeks of camp. Created in conjunction with Marc Hoberman of Grade Success Education Center, the Voyagers will also be given educational opportunities throughout the summer, meeting with local professionals in the child care and related fields. For tentative trip venues, please visit Voyagers.

 
First Day of Camp

The first day of camp is Monday, June 30, 2008. Please be advised that you may have to wait for some time to drop your child off because of the volume of parents and campers arriving. It is recommended that you wait until the afternoon dismissal to meet your child’s Counselor and Group Leader. Please do not enter the campgrounds unless escorted by a staff member. This is for the safety of all campers.

 
Arrival

When dropping-off your child, a staff member will escort him/her from the front desk to where the groups assemble in the morning. Please refrain from entering the campgrounds unless you sign-in and are announced by the staff members at the front desk.

 
Camp Activities

Each morning, the campers will assemble in the gymnasium/auditorium for announcements, collection of lunches, and to have attendance taken.

On a regular camp day, the camp groups follow a structured schedule that includes Arts & Crafts, Indoor & Outdoor Sports/Recreation, Game Room, Lunch, and Movie Time.

 
Lunch

Campers “brown bag” their lunch, which is kept refrigerated until eaten. A typical lunch includes a sandwich, juice pack, and a snack. The brown bag should be labeled with the camper’s first & last name and their group name.

Please do not send your child to camp with a lunch box or cooler. These items take up too much space in the refrigerator and can get lost. We will not be responsible for items that are lost or misplaced.

Every camper is given as much drink as they need throughout the day (water, iced tea, lemonade, juice, etc.) and everyone gets a snack during movie time/wind-down time. Snacks include cookies, pretzels, chips, ices, etc.

Special Theme Days

Many times during the summer we will have a special theme day. These events are scheduled and can be found on the Camp Calendar. On certain special days, campers may be asked to dress up, create a crazy hat, or wear certain colors. No one is forced to participate in our special theme days, but we encourage everyone to take part in the fun.

Optional Trips

Optional Trips vary by group and session, but occur at least three times during the summer for each camp group as shown on the Camp Calendar. Permission slips will go home with the campers at least one week prior to the trip date. If your child does not receive one, please feel free to ask for it.

The campers travel to the trip venues via school bus, and always return before the end of the day.

Campers must bring their lunch (unless otherwise noted), but they may also bring additional spending money for souvenirs, games, and/or snacks. In addition, all campers must wear their camp T-shirt and Sneakers on trip days. There will be no exceptions.

Due to the popularity of certain trip venues, we have no control over the queuing time for certain rides and attractions. It is possible that your child may not get to go on every ride in the park. However, we will try our best to make every camper’s trip as enjoyable as possible.

 
Swimming Days

Swimming and Bowling occurs twice per week.  There are no additional requirements for bowling, but please find information regarding swimming below.

At Camps ‘R’ Us, all campers are considered non-swimmers, regardless of age or ability. This means that all campers must be in water that is less than chest deep. There will be no ability assessments, and there will be no exceptions to this rule.

Campers need the following every swimming day:

Campers may bring the following (with parent/guardian discretion):

Please Note: On swimming days, the half-day program is extended to 3PM. Dismissal will begin once the campers arrive back at camp.

Wind Down Time (Movie Time)

At approximately 4PM, the campers assemble in the gymnasium to “wind down.” At this time, announcements are made, Arts & Crafts projects are returned, and campers receive their snacks. While they are waiting to be picked up, we show on a big movie screen a G or PG-rated children’s film. Movies are selected at the complete discretion of the camp administration.

Dismissal

When you arrive to pick-up your child, please report to the front desk and announce his/her name to one of the staff members. They will call the name over the loudspeaker and a staff member will escort him/her to you.  Please be patient during dismissal. Sometimes, campers will fall asleep or will not hear their name when it is first called.

If is necessary to pick your child up before the day is over, you must send in a note and call the camp office informing us of the time of pick-up and who will be picking up your child. Upon arrival, that person will report to the front desk and be asked for photo identification.

If, without prior notice, you are planning to pick your child up prior to 4:00PM, please call the camp office at least 30 minutes prior to your arrival so that we may have him/her ready. If you do not call ahead, you may be asked to wait as long as fifteen minutes for your child.

No child will ever be dismissed from camp to anyone other than the parents/guardians and the persons listed as “Emergency Contacts” on the camp application and the dismissal sheet. We will only allow for alternate arrangements if we receive both written and verbal instructions from a parent or guardian.

Messages

All messages, for whatever degree of importance, should be called into the camp office. In addition, a note should be sent with your child to give to their Counselor. Please do not send verbal messages. If your child is absent, please call the camp office in the morning. There are no refunds or make-up days for absences.

 
Behavior

If your child is behaving in an inappropriate manner, he/she will be brought to the office. We will call to inform you about your child’s behavior. Usually, a talk on the phone with a parent/guardian does the trick. In rare cases, you may be asked to pick you child up from camp for the day.

For the safety and general welfare of all campers and staff, Camps ‘R’ Us reserves the unrestricted right to terminate enrollment and dismiss a camper at its sole discretion, whose conduct or influence, in the opinion of the Director, is inimical to the best interests of the camp. In the event of such termination, Camps ‘R’ Us is not obligated to refund tuition or any unused amount of the tuition.

 
Clothing

Each camper will receive one Camps ‘R’ Us T-Shirt within the first week of camp. Additional t-shirts may be purchased from the camp office for $10 each. On Swimming and Bowling days, as well as Optional Trip days, the camp t-shirt must be worn.

Shorts, t-shirt, sneakers, and socks must be worn on a daily basis. The sneakers should tie or close with Velcro®. Sneakers with open backs are not appropriate, and will not be allowed. If your child comes to camp without sneakers, you will be called to bring their sneakers to camp before they can participate in any activity.

It is recommended that you send your child to camp with their bathing suit and towel on non-swimming days, because there are often activities planned that will get them wet. Campers must wear sneakers or water shoes for all water activities. Please do not send your child to camp with sandals or flip-flops.

Tiny Tots and KinderKamp – Please send in a small shoe box clearly labeled with your child’s first and last name and their group name. In the box, please include a change of clothes (shorts, t-shirt, underwear, and socks). These items will be stored in case your child accidentally soils him/herself.

Personal Belongings

Please label all items of clothing, towels, and any other belongings your child brings to camp with his/her name and group name. The camp will not be responsible for any items brought to camp that are lost or stolen.

Campers like to bring hand-held games to camp. Please realize that these are the responsibility of your child. We will store expensive games for safekeeping; at the camper’s request, a Counselor or Group Leader will bring the games to the office.

Cell phones, pagers, two-way radios and other communications devices are not permitted at camp. Please contact your child by calling the camp office.

If your child misplaces something, please check the lost and found, located in the office, immediately. Lost items will be discarded every two weeks.

 
Visitors

Visitors are always welcomed at camp. Visits begin the second week of camp, and should be scheduled in advance. Please call the camp office for an appointment if you wish to see your child at a specific activity. Upon your arrival, please check-in at the front desk. You will be escorted to the office, given a pass, and escorted to your child by a staff member.

There are no visits on rainy days due to schedule changes. All appointments will be automatically cancelled. Please call for another appointment.

If you need to speak with your child’s Counselor, Group Leader, Teacher, etc., please make arrangements through the camp office.

Weather

Due to unpredictability of summer weather, we pay close attention to the weather forecast and Heat Alert days. For the safety of the campers and staff, we may be forced to shut camp down for the day. If there is a day when the temperature and humidity are extremely high, and the children are at risk, you will be called to pick up your child.

In extreme heat conditions, it will be at the Director’s discretion if outdoor activities are modified or cancelled.

Please check our web site for weather forecasts about each campus location. Use careful judgment when deciding to send your child to camp. If there is a chance that temperatures will be close to or excess of 100°F, you may want to keep your child home for the day.

Last Day of Camp

The last day of camp is Friday, August 22, 2008. Dismissal is changed to 4PM.  All campers must be picked-up by 4PM. There will be no PM Extended Hours on the last day of camp. There are no exceptions.