Parent Information for Camps

1. I have registered my child for 4 Week/8 Week pass; can I withdraw them from one of the weeks and get a refund for that week?

No, the passes work similarly to a gym membership where you can attend as much or as little of the program as you would like. If the participant will not be able to come in for a week of the pass, withdrawal is not possible as you would be withdrawing from the full pass and not just the individual week, thus giving up your spot in the program.

2. My child is currently 3 years old, are there any program options available for this age group?

Our SNAP Summer camps are for participants ages four to 10 years old. Participants must be four years old by the time they start in the program. This means that they can be three years old at the time of registration; however they must turn four by the first day they will be in the program. Furthermore, participants that are four years of age are only eligible to attend camp at the SNAP Junior locations at the Haber Community Centre or Brant Hills Community Centre.

3. Do you provide respite care for individuals with disabilities such as 1 on 1, free of charge?

The City of Burlington Summer Camps are recreation based programs with leaders in high school, college and university. Staff receive training in recreation leadership and basic behaviour management; they are not training therapists or respite workers. The City's programs run at a minimum 1 to 4 ratio, with some programs running at 1 to 12 or 1 to 15. Should parents want to send a 1 to 1 worker with their participant, they can do so at no extra cost to them. 

4. What forms do I need for the first day of camp?

On a participant's first day of camp, they should have the following forms filled out and signed by their parent or legal guardian.

• The Participant Information Form
• Photo Release Form
• Medical Consent Form (if applicable)

All forms are available under the Documents section below.

5. Where are all of the camp locations?

6. What is your camper to staff ratios?

Our ratios are listed below for each program area:

On trip days, flex staff are present to secure lower ratios for groups. Flex staff attends all training and has submitted the same qualifications that all City of Burlington summer camp staff are required to obtain.

7. Who are your staff and what qualifications and/or training does your staff receive?

All program locations are staffed with a minimum of two caring and qualified leaders. Our program staff are university, college and high schools students who are committed to participants' safety and enjoyment.

All program staff receive extensive training in leadership, program planning, dealing with child abuse issues, risk management, communication, behaviour management, problem solving and are required to complete:

• Standard first aid and CPR-C level training
• A Police Records Check with Vulnerable Sector screening
• HIGH FIVE training
• Behaviour Management Systems Training

8. Can I have my child drop-in for the day?

Participants are able to drop-in at locations as a first come first served basis, depending on numbers for the day. We encourage those wanting to drop in to arrive at 9 a.m. to allow for the Senior Staff on site to know if their ratios for the day allow for an additional participant for the day. You may also call our camp clerk to ask about availability at 905-335-7600 ext. 6262. Please note, we do not accept drop-ins on trip days.

9. When do your programs run?

This summer, programs will be running from Tuesday, July 4 until Friday, Aug. 25. Due to facility availability, some programs will only run until Friday, Aug. 18. Program hours are from 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Sites that offer extended care run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., depending on location.
 

10. What are your procedures during extreme weather?

Our camp programs seek to actively engage campers outdoors as much as possible. During a declared heat event, staff will ensure children are in shaded areas, focus on low intensity games/activities, and have access to water. In certain declared heat events, programs may be relocated to a different venue for the safety of children for example moved to an air conditioned facility. During any other extreme weather events, safety of participants is our number one concern so modified programming may occur.

All program locations are staffed with a minimum of two caring and qualified leaders. Our program staff are university, college and high schools students who are committed to participants' safety and enjoyment.

All program staff receive extensive training in leadership, program planning, dealing with child abuse issues, risk management, communication, behaviour management, problem solving and are required to complete:

• standard first aid and CPR-C level training,
• a Police Records Check with Vulnerable Sector screening, and
• HIGH FIVE training.

Participant Information Form

We want to make sure participants have a safe and enjoyable program experience. Please complete a Participant Information Form and return it on the first program day.

Medical Administration

Does your child require medication to be administered during program hours? Complete the Medication Consent Form to provide us with the information we need to be sure your child receives their medication safely. All medications must be in the original container. Please only send enough medication for one day at a time.

EpiPens and Inhalers

Participants who need an EpiPen or inhaler must bring it with them in a separate fanny pack and wear it at all times. Please check the expiry date on supplies before starting a new program.

Food Allergy Alert

Due to an increased number of children with nut allergies, we request that you refrain from sending peanut products with your child to program. If your child has a food allergy, please ensure you have leaders record it on both the Participant Information Form and Medication Consent Form.

In case of illness

You may be asked to pick up a participant immediately if he or she becomes ill at program. If your child shows signs of severe illness or communicable disease, please follow the guidelines outlined on the Halton Region Department website.

Arrival and dismissal

As part of our safe arrival and dismissal procedure, parents or guardians must sign their child in and out. Program participants will only be released to those indicated on the Participant Information Form. Anyone picking up a child who is not that child's parent or guardian will be asked for picture ID and must sign before the child is released from the program. Participants are permitted to sign themselves in and out as long as this is noted on the Participant Information Form. Participants will be dismissed at times other than the posted program end times only with parent permission.

Code of Conduct

The goal of our  programs is to provide enjoyable, age-appropriate activities in a safe and positive environment. All participants, parent and guardian are required to sign off on the code of conduct prior to the program start.

Photographs

Occasionally, photographs may be taken for promotional purposes either by Parks and Recreation staff or local papers. If you have any objections to your child being photographed, please inform the senior leader or a staff member at your site. Please also indicate this preference on the Photo Release Form.

Supervision

To ensure the safety of your child, all City of Burlington programs maintain 100 per cent supervision of participants at all times. All activities are planned with full visual supervision (including but not limited to washroom breaks, transitions and off-site trips). Leader to participant ratios vary, but are no larger than 1:15 onsite and 1:10 for offsite trips. In addition, participants are not permitted to leave the group to which they are assigned.

Extended care

Extended care is available at some program locations. Please note that late fees will apply for picking up children after the extended care hours.

Air quality

Our programs encourage outdoor activity. Please note that not all program facilities are air conditioned. During periods of poor air quality, staff will ensure  participants are in shaded areas, have access to water and participate in low intensity games and activities. We encourage you to keep your child at home on these days if you have concerns. Visit http://www.airqualityontario.com/ for more information about air quality in the Halton-Peel area.

Holidays

There will be no programs running on Civic and Statutory Holidays.

What to bring to program

Please ensure participants bring the following:

• Sunscreen
• Hat
• peanut-free lunch
• two peanut-free snacks
• labelled water bottle/jug (reusable)
• running shoes (for safety, please keep sandals at home)
• active clothes that can tolerate some program fun and are weather appropriate
• completed Participant Information Form (available on our website and at each program site)

Program refund policy

You will receive a full credit or refund if you withdraw from a program up to 10 days prior to its start date. A cancellation fee of 10 per cent will be applied if you withdraw from a program nine days or less before its start date. No refunds are granted after the program start date.