Camp Galaxy - Parent's Handbook - June 26th 2018 - August 3rd 2018 - Town of Eastchester

Camp Galaxy
    June 26th 2018 – August 3rd 2018

           Parent’s Handbook

 Town of Eastchester Recreation Department

Welcome to Camp!

Dear Parents:

We would like to welcome you and your child to Camp Galaxy for the 2018 summer camp
season. We are very excited about the upcoming camp program and we have many new and
exciting activities, events, and trips we are sure your child will enjoy.

Camp Galaxy will be held at TWO locations this summer. All campers going into grades 1 – 3
this Fall will have camp located at the Anne Hutchinson School Campus and all campers going
in grades 4 – 6 this Fall will have camp located at the Greenvale School Campus, Mondays-
Fridays. Camp for both will begin Tuesday, June 26th and is held each weekday through Friday,
August 3rd. NO CAMP will be held on Wednesday, July 4th. Camp hours are 9:00 AM until
3:00 PM. Campers can NOT be dropped off before 8:45am. For those who are registered for
extended day, camp will run until 5:30 PM.

Camp Groups- If you would like to request that your camper is placed in the same group as
his/her friends over the summer or the complete opposite NOT placed with someone over the
summer please look at the enclosed sheet that has information on how to make requests. Please
note requests are NOT guaranteed but we try our best to accommodate everyone.

DURING CAMP-If you have an issue with something in camp, PLEASE call the Camp Office
FIRST. If the issue cannot be resolved, please then call the Recreation Office. We are all here to
HELP but issues AT camp itself can be attended to quicker if the camp itself is called as that is
where the campers and staff are.

This booklet has been put together to assist parents in our process of managing the camp to best
minimize confusion. We are not having a parent orientation this year so we encourage you
to read this handbook and please feel free to call us should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

The Eastchester Parks and Recreation Staff

ABOUT OUR CAMP

Mission Statement
The goal of the Eastchester Recreation Department is to provide quality day camp programs for
the families in our community. The camp will be conducted in a non-competitive, safe and fun
environment. All participants will have the opportunity to grow and play in a positive and
nurturing atmosphere. Through the hard work and enthusiasm of our staff, most of whom are
Eastchester residents; our goal is to provide the best programs possible.

Staff
Camp Galaxy maintains an overall staff to camper ratio of no less than 1:8 or 1:6 depending on
the campers’ age. Under New York State and Westchester County Health Department
regulations, we must have one staff member per 200 campers certified in American Red Cross
Responding to Emergencies (RTE) and one staff member per 200 campers certified in CPR for
the Professional rescuer. Camp Galaxy exceeds these requirements.

Superintendent of Parks and Recreation- Sally Veltidi
Camp Galaxy Junior Director (grades 1-3) – Rosemarie Salantiro
Camp Galaxy Senior Director (grades 4-6) - Andrew Colasuonno

Staff: Medical Director, Specialists, Group Leaders, Counselors, Counselors-in-Training, and
Lifeguards.

Camp Phone Numbers & Camp Office Locations
Camp Galaxy Junior: 793-6130 ext. TBD
Galaxy Jr. Office: Nurse’s Office
Camp Galaxy Senior: 793-6130 ext. TBD
Galaxy Sr. Office: Room TBD
Recreation Department: 771-3311

*Please note- If you have an issue with something in camp, PLEASE call the Camp Office
FIRST. If the issue cannot be resolved, please then call the Recreation Office. We are all here to
HELP but issues AT camp itself can be attended to quicker if the camp itself is called as that is
where the campers and staff are.

  Once camp numbers are finalized we will post them online at www.eastchester.org in the
                                       Recreation section.
Medical Information
New York State and Westchester County Health Department regulations require that all children
attending camp must have their medical history on file BEFORE they start camp. The Health
Department requires proof of at least one dose of live measles vaccine at or after 12 months of
age. It is strongly recommended that children 4-6 years of age who are attending camp also
receive a second dose of measles vaccine.

If your camper is required to take any type of medication during camp hours, a signed form from
you and your physician MUST be handed in with the medication. (form enclosed) All
medication MUST be in its original container. Medication will be left with the camp health
director who will oversee and supervise all children self-administering their own medication.

By law, no camp personnel can dispense internal medication to a child unless licensed to do so.
The physician and parent can give written permission for a camper to carry medication that is
needed for emergency purposes (i.e. epi-pen, asthma inhaler, etc).

Camper Orientation
All campers will attend an orientation during the first day of camp to cover policies and
procedures. The orientation will include the following:
     Staff Introductions
     Fire Safety
     Trips and Trip Rules
     Swimming Procedures
     Buddy System
     Camp Rules
     Health Procedures
     General Safety
     Lost Camper Plan
     Camp Tour

                                 GENERAL INFORMATION

Clothing
Campers should come to camp dressed as comfortably as possible. Shorts and t-shirts are
recommended. Sneakers MUST be worn to camp everyday. Please note that “Heeleys” are
not permitted in camp. Any camper who comes to camp with wheels in their sneakers will
be asked to remove them. Sandals “Crocs” are allowed but there is a greater risk for ankle
injuries if worn to camp everyday.

Galaxy Trips
Each group is scheduled to attend at least four trips this summer. All trip fees have been included
in the camp registration fees. The list of trips is found on the permission slip included with this
handbook. Permission slips must be returned in advance at least 3 week days prior to the
trip. Children attending trips MUST WEAR THEIR CAMP T-SHIRT. Please note you may
NOT drop off/pick up your camper at any trip site or Lake Isle County Club on swim days. If
you do not want your child attending a specific trip you may either keep them home on that day
or you may send them to camp and they will be placed with a group not scheduled for the day’s
trip. There are no refunds if your child does not attend camp the day of a trip or any other day.

Permit
The Town Of Eastchester must have a permit to operate from the Westchester County Health
Department. Our camps are required to be inspected twice yearly. Inspection Reports and
required safety, medical, and fire plans are on file at the Westchester County Health Department,
Bureau of Public Health Protection, 25 Moore Ave., Mt. Kisco, NY 10549. The number to reach
the Department is (914) 813-5100.

Traffic
Traffic during the morning drop-off and the afternoon pick-up is an area of concern. We need
everyone to follow the same procedure to ensure safety and avoid confusion. We need your help
to make the traffic flow efficiently.

Please follow the direction of the counselors directing traffic when dropping off and
picking up your campers. If you must speak with someone at camp, please park your car
in the parking lot. In the event of heavy rain/thunder/lightning during these times it is a
Board of Health requirement that all campers wait inside (gym) and the counselors will
bring your child/ren outside. All pick-up/drop-off will take place in the back of
Anne Hutchinson School for Galaxy Jr and in the front of the Greenvale
School for Galaxy Sr.
Late Arrivals/Early Departures
Daily attendance is taken to ensure that our counselors account for their children throughout the
day. If you arrive late in the morning or need to pick up your child before regular dismissal time,
you must sign your camper in/out at the camp office. If you will be picking up your camper
early, you MUST send a note with your camper to give to his/her counselor. Camp Galaxy Jr.
Office will be located in the Nurse’s Office and the Camp Galaxy Sr. Office will be located in
TBD. Please note you may NOT drop off/pick up your camper at any trip site or Lake Isle
County Club on swim days.

Notes/Communications
It is very important that a constant line of communication be kept between camp and home.
Therefore, for the safety of your camper(s), written parental permission must be sent for the
following:
      If your child is to leave with someone other than their usual ride.
      If your child has permission to walk or ride a bike to/from camp.
      If you will be picking your child up early.
      Any change in your child’s regular routine.

For any car pool arrangements that will last the entire summer, one note specifying days and
name of person picking up/dropping off will be kept on file. Notes should specify your camper’s
name, grade, group, date and group leader as well as any other pertinent information.

Things to Remember…
Swimming Program
Campers are transported from Camp by bus to Lake Isle Country Club on swim days. All
campers must wear a wristband to identify them as part of Camp Galaxy. The Junior Camp will
swim on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the Senior Camp will swim on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays. Please note you may NOT drop off/pick up your camper at any trip site or Lake Isle
County Club on swim days.
All campers will be swim tested by a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) within the first two weeks
they attend camp. The WSI will determine if the camper is a “swimmer” or a “non-swimmer.”
Campers will be required to wear swim bracelets to distinguish them as such. “Swimmers” will
be permitted to swim in the big pool, and “non-swimmers” will be limited to the Mushroom
pool. Until the camper has been swim tested, he/she will be considered a “non-swimmer.” Please
notify the Director if you have any concerns with the swimming program.
PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE SEPRATE INSERT (IN THIS PACKET)
REGARDING SWIM TEST REQUIREMENTS.

Swim Attire/Gear
Campers in Camp Galaxy should wear their bathing suits under their clothing and, if necessary,
bring a change of clothes in their bag/backpack to change into after their swim time. This will
alleviate the need for changing which is extremely helpful with younger campers. Bathing suits
are required for both campers and staff to swim at Lake Isle Country Club. The following
items are necessary for swim time: bathing suit, towel, and hair ties for long hair.

Parents will need to provide permission (form enclosed) for campers to carry sunscreen that is
FDA approved for over the counter use ad for the staff to assist the child, at the parents’ request,
in the application of the approved sunscreen, without physical contact of the child. Counselors
will NOT apply sunscreen on any campers directly. We recommend that you send your child
with a spray suntan lotion.

Attendance
For the safety of the campers, attendance will be taken at the beginning and the end of each camp
day. Periodic checks will also be made throughout the day, before, during and after trips, and
during swim times.

Illness
If your child becomes ill during camp hours, we will attempt to reach you first before calling the
emergency number you list on the registration form. Please keep the list updated and let the
camp office know whenever changes are necessary. If your child is ill or is not attending camp
on a particular day, it is not necessary to call.

Personal Belongings
We ask that parents not allow children to bring their personal belongings to camp (i.e. toys,
iPads & iPods, radios, DSs, PSPs, cell phones, etc.). This sometimes causes friction between
groups and campers and makes it difficult for the counselors to keep the group working together.
The camp is not responsible for any personal items that are lost, stolen, broken or
confiscated.

Lunch
Campers are to bring their lunch and drink each day. It is recommended not to pack things that
could spoil due to heat. Lunches will not be refrigerated. Please do not pack glass containers or
drink bottles. Please try to label your child’s lunch. There is water fountains located throughout
the school but you may (Recreation Dept. suggests) pack extra water in your child’s backpack.