Next In-Home Date:
Monday
May 3rd

Buehler Camps Summer 2010 Online Program Guide
1400 West Northwest Highway Palatine, IL 60067
Phone: 847.359.2400
www.buehlerymca.org

 

CAMP INFORMATION

1400 W. Northwest Highway
Palatine, IL 60067
Phone: 847.359.2400
Fax: 847.359.5098
www.buehlerymca.org

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sack lunch with a drink in an unbreakable beverage container
• Healthy afternoon snack
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen

There are more than 50 camps, including several which are brand new, in which your child can take part in a "day camp experience." See each camp listing for exact session dates and fees.

All camps run from 9:30am-4pm daily, unless otherwise noted.

*There is no camp Mon, Jul 5. Fees have been adjusted.

• Extended care for all full-day camps from 7-9:30am and 4-6pm.
• Weekly field trip or in-house entertainment
• T-shirt is provided to all full-day campers. Campers attending multiple sessions receive one T-shirt for the summer to be worn on field trips.
• Additional T-shirts may be purchased for $5 a shirt.

A $30 non refundable deposit per session will hold your child's space in an available camp if it is received by the date indicated in the chart below. Payment in full will also hold your child's space in an available camp The balance due will be invoiced and payment is due as indicated below.

• Super Early Bird Registration is Feb 1, 2010. On this day ONLY you will get $15 off the per session fee for non-specialty camps.
• Early registration is held from Feb 2-Apr 5, 2010. During this time you will get $10 off the per session fee for non-specialty camps.
• Open registration begins Apr 6, 2010. All day-camp fees are at the published rate.

There will be no option to switch or transfer camps after the Wednesday of the week prior to camp in order to maintain staff/camper ratios needed for safety. A $15 switching fee applies.

The following camps are considered non-specialty and are eligible for the early registration discounts:

• Cheerleading
• Explorer
• U.B.E.R.
• Gymnastics
• Kindergarten
• Kindergarten Sports
• Pre School
• Pre School Sports
• Sports

• All campers must hold a valid youth or family YMCA membership to receive the member rate, and it must remain valid until Sep 1, 2010. If the membership is terminated prior to Sep 1, the program member rate is due on all camps attended.
• The last day to register and pay in full for camp is the Wednesday before the week your child will be in camp.
• If your enrollment papers, medical health forms and releases are not submitted in their entirety the Wednesday before your child's first day of camp, they will not be able to attend camp. You will receive your receipt when all paperwork has been submitted and reviewed. Your receipt is your ticket to participate in the camp.

This is your opportunity to meet Day Camp Program Directors, who will be interacting with your camper all summer. Please come for a brief presentation followed by an open question and answer period. Bring the campers for games and crafts while adults meet. We will also be accepting forms & payments at this time.

*Also Healthy Kids Day events 9am-12pm.

If the camp goes off site as part of the camp experience, campers will be transported to off-site locations by bus or mini bus.

Buehler YMCA will provide you with the information you need to sign up for an optional lunch program. Watch for a flyer with details in your Parent Information Packet.

• Scholarships are available for those needing help to pay for camp through the Illinois Action for Children organization. If you qualify, Action for Children assistance can be applied for all ten weeks of day camp.
• Applications for assistance through Action for Children may be picked up at the Member Services Desk with instructions for completing. You may also contact them directly at 312.823.1100 or by visiting www.daycareaction.org
• Bring completed Action for Children assistance forms to the Buehler YMCA business office between 8:30am and 4pm Monday through Friday for child-care provider signatures.
• You do not have to be a Buehler YMCA member to receive financial assistance from Action for Children.
• Action for Children assistance may be used towards any of our camps.
• If you do not qualify or were denied funds through Action for Children, you may apply for funds through Buehler YMCA. Buehler has scholarships available through our Strong Kids fund which was generated through donations and gifts from staff, members, and the community. Strong Kids Scholarship forms are available at the Member Services Desk.
• Buehler YMCA day camp scholarships are limited to two weeks per summer, per child for Buehler YMCA members only. These scholarships cannot be applied to any of the specialty camps. All campers must hold a valid youth or family membership from the date of registration until Sep 1, 2010.
• Assistance is based on annual income, family size, and supported documentation.
• A nonrefundable deposit per week is required to hold your child's spot in camp even if you have applied for Action for Children or Buehler's Strong Kids assistance. This deposit may be applied to your co-pay amount after approval has been obtained.

The key goal of Buehler YMCA is to help children develop positive self-esteem, build trust in the world around them, and develop autonomy and pride in their work. We are governed by these three rules:

• A child may not disturb or hurt others, verbally or physically.
• A child may not damage equipment.
• A child may not place him/herself in a dangerous situation.

We aim to keep children in camp and use a positive guidance approach. A supportive, nurturing environment with adults who model a caring demeanor is the first step for helping children learn inner control and appropriate behavior.
Inappropriate behavior will be shared with parents so that behavior can be modified before it becomes a problem. Our goal is to keep children in our camps because of the positive things that can be learned.
However, there are situations that can arise that require us to ask a child not to participate with us. These situations can be defined as "any actions of one child that are deterring the YMCA from accomplishing its goal in the camp, or puts a staff member, camper or him/herself in danger." Asking a child not to return to our program is a last resort, but it has happened. Other alternatives that may be used prior to this step, in addition to conferences with the parent (in no particular order) are:

• Shortened swim time
• Written apology letter
• "Time out" from activities

Every effort will be made to notify a parent ahead of time if their child will be missing activities due to inappropriate behavior. If situations with the child persist, parents will be notified to pick up their child within one hour. In the event that the parent/guardian cannot be reached, the emergency contact person will be notified.
We will document inappropriate behavior that breaks any of the above rules using the three (3) strike system (3 "strikes" = suspension). Please note that if the situation warrants, steps may be skipped and the camper dismissed immediately.
1. The first offense or "strike" will be a verbal warning, documented in writing and parents informed.
2. The second offense or "strike" will be a written warning.
3. If a third offense or "strike" is issued, your child may not participate in camp activities for the following day or days depending on the severity of the offense.
4. If a fourth offense or "strike" is issued, your child will be dismissed from the camp.
There will be no refund of fees for suspension or dismissal from camp due to behavior.
Remember, our goal is to help the children make positive choices for themselves. If you feel your child is having difficulty, please let us know. Children of differing abilities require different approaches. We want your child to have a fun and rewarding summer camp experience with us.

Periodically throughout the summer we will ask you to complete an evaluation form. We appreciate your cooperation in filling these out; they help us plan and design our program to meet your needs and desires, and most importantly, those of your camper.