SUMMER DAY CAMP
DAY CAMP INFORMATION
Our main goal for Summer Day Camp is that our campers have the Best Summer Ever! Daily activities are designed to enhance each camper’s competence, connections, character, confidence and in the long term, their individual contribution to our community. One of the ways in which we achieve these goals is by providing challenging activities in both small and large group settings. In addition to swimming, sports and other traditional outdoor camp activities, we provide experiences that connect campers to the natural environment of our town parks.

Camp staff is chosen carefully and trained to provide campers with a fun and supportive atmosphere. Our staff members facilitate an environment where campers can learn new skills, make friends, and most importantly develop self-confidence. Newtown Parks and Recreation’s Summer Day Camps provide the opportunity for your child to feel safe, run, sing, laugh and grow.

THE FACILITIES
Camp is held at Treadwell Park, 47 Philo Curtis Road, Sandy Hook, CT and at Dickinson Park, 50 Elm Drive, Newtown, CT. The facilities offer a variety of amenities, which include playground areas, a picnic pavilion, tennis & basketball courts, ball fields, skate park (Dickinson Park only), Pool (Treadwell Park only), and restrooms.

THE STAFF
Camp directors and counselors are teachers and college students who have been camp participants themselves. We invest in advanced skill training for all of our staff, making them even more child-centered and skilled so as to positively impact the campers. We have returning staff each year, which is a wonderful indication of how much our team loves working at camp and with your children.

DAY CAMP HOURS
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with drop off time beginning at 8:50 AM and pick up promptly at 3:00 PM. Please respect the camp hours and make every effort to drop off and pick up your child on time.

A TYPICAL DAY AT CAMP
Every morning all counselors and campers come together for “opening circle” which starts the positive energy flowing. During opening circle, our camp director welcomes everyone and shares plans for the exciting day to come. Camp ends with “closing circle” which is presented by either the camp director or a counselor and is a review of the fun day that campers experienced.

Throughout the day, campers will participate in a variety of activities. Activities include the following:
• Sports
• Arts and Crafts
• Skateboard Lessons (Dickinson only)
• Swimming (Treadwell only)
• Water Slide (Dickinson only)
• Tuesday Tunes Live Summer Concerts on select weeks (Dickinson Day Camp only, 2-3pm)
• General games
• Camp-wide activities
• Fun theme days such as Pirates Day, Hawaiian Day, Wacky Day and Carnival Day.
• As part of our innovative curriculum, we have special guests and presentations which are included in select event activities.

We culminate with an entertaining season-end talent show to which all parents, grandparents and guardians are invited.


RAIN POLICY
Camp will be held under the pavilion in the event of rain. The counselors have rainy day activities planned to keep their groups active and fun. If there is a thunder and lightning storm, the lightning detection system will sound at Treadwell Park. Dickinson Day Camp communicates with Treadwell Day Camp. (The lightning detection system at Dickinson Park is not yet operational). If lightning continues longer than 30 minutes, camp will be canceled and you will have to pick up your child immediately.

SIGN UP FOR CANCELLATION NOTICES WITH E-ALERTS
For cancellations, sign up for E-Alerts on the Town of Newtown website at www.newtown-ct.gov. Go to the bottom of the page, click on “Sign Up for E-Alerts,” go to “Urgent Alert” and check boxes for both Recreation Cancellation Alerts & Urgent News or Announcements.
PLEASE NOTE: E-Mail blasts are sent out via the E-Alert notification system. Phone calls will not be made regarding weather related changes or cancellations.

WHAT SHOULD MY CAMPER BRING TO CAMP?
Each day throughout the summer, campers should bring the following in a backpack: lunch, swim suit, towel, water, drink, sunscreen, hat, fruit and a snack. Campers should wear sneakers every day for safety reasons as our outdoor camp involves plenty of walking and running.

Please be sure to clearly label all of your campers' personal belongings with first and last name, including towels, lunch bags, water bottles, etc. Labeling will ensure that any misplaced items are returned to you. If by chance your camper loses something, there will be a Lost & Found located in the camp shed that you can check all summer long for lost items. Please note that Lost & Found is removed and donated to a local charity every two weeks.


THINGS NOT TO BRING TO CAMP
Campers are encouraged to keep personal items and valuables at home. NO video games, CD players, IPods, MP3 players, cell phones, skateboards, trading cards or anything that is valuable. We cannot be responsible for these items, and it is easier if they are kept home. Additional items that are not permitted at camp are water guns, any sharp objects or weapons, gum or glass bottles.

FIELD TRIP
Field trips and special events will be planned for each session at a nominal fee. Detailed information on field trips is found online. All campers must be registered online by 7AM on the day of the field trip to avoid disappointment. To find trips please search online under activity number 77777 and all trips will show up below. Camp will be held for those children not attending field trips.

MEDICATION
Please notify the Parks and Recreation Office, Site Directors and Counselors in writing if your child takes medication or has any allergies (i.e. food, bees, nuts, etc.). All Head Counselors have been trained in First Aid, CPR, AED, & Epi Pen administration. Our Site Directors, Head Counselors and the Camper Support Counselor have been certified in Medical Administration. Please note that Counselors are not permitted to remove ticks. You will be contacted if a tick is found on your child during camp.

BEHAVIOR
If a counselor is experiencing behavior problems with a child, the parents will be called. We will provide support and do all we can to resolve any issues. If the problem continues, the parents will be asked to remove the child from camp. REFUNDS will not be given if a child is asked to leave camp.

SUNSCREEN POLICY
We ask that you apply the appropriate SPF sunscreen protection to your child/children before they head off to camp. Please include sunscreen protection in your camper’s backpack. We recommend that your child/children apply their sunscreen throughout the day. We will remind all campers to reapply their sunscreen.

If your child needs help in applying sunscreen, please speak with your child/children’s counselor. Please fill out permission/release form and give to your counselor. The same applies to bug spray application.

We recommend you send your child with spray sunscreen.

LUNCH AND SNACKS
We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping your child hydrated throughout the hot summer days. Please send your camper with plenty of liquids (especially water).

Campers must bring their own lunch every day labeled with their first and last name. We have refrigeration on site to store lunches - please let the counselor know if your camper’s lunch needs to be stored in the refrigerator. Otherwise, please pack with ice-packs. Campers should also pack plenty of snacks (labeled with first and last name), especially if they are in the PM extended day program. If your child needs assistance in consuming lunch/snacks please let the counselor know.

DROP OFF & PICK UP PROCEDURES
Transportation to and from camp is the responsibility of the parents (including summer school campers).

Pick Up and Drop Off time can become congested. It is important that you remain in your car while picking up or dropping off your child/children. Your child’s camp counselor will come to your vehicle to greet your child or bring your child to you. Please swiftly sign your child in/out and proceed in line towards the park exit. Please remember that the park is open to the public while Summer Day Camp is in progress which causes additional vehicle traffic. Patience is required.

IF YOU PLAN TO EXIT YOUR VEHICLE, please park in the parking spaces and walk your child/children to his/her counselor

DAILY SIGN IN & SIGN OUT POLICY
Each day during the summer parents/guardians will be required to sign their child/children in and out of the camp program. The counselors in your child’s group will be required to have you sign in and out each day. If someone other than you picks up your child, you are required to fill out a permission form with the Site Director 24 hours in advance. Our staff will not permit your child to go home with anyone other than yourself or any persons specified on your child’s camp registration form unless you provide the required permission form. Please note that we will ask for photo ID before releasing your child/children to anyone other than the parent/guardian.

CAMP RULES
We ask that all children treat fellow campers and counselors with respect. Campers must listen to their counselor at all times and keep hands to oneself. Kicking, biting, hitting, throwing objects will not be accepted. Campers must stay with their group at all times. Swearing and other inappropriate language is not allowed at camp.

RESPECT is required for other people’s property, i.e. no touching or taking other items or food that does not belong to oneself. Fighting/bullying is not allowed at camp and is grounds for suspension from the program (no refunds will be given).

Each child is expected to clean up after him/herself including clearing and disposing of any lunch-time or snack trash.

Campers should report any problems to their counselors immediately.

CAMP T-SHIRTS
Each child will receive a camper T-shirt, which must be worn on all field trips. Children enrolled in more than one session will receive two shirts.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY
Cancellations can be made one week or more prior to the start of each session. Refunds, less a $50.00 administrative fee, will be processed.

Once the session starts, NO refunds will be given. As such, it is requested that careful consideration be given prior to registering for Day Camp.

We at Newtown Parks and Recreation would like all campers to have the best summer experience. If at any time you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 203-270-4340.

SAFETY FIRST. Rules are made for the safety of the entire group.
HAVE FUN!