Parent Handbook

Each program has specific dates, times, locations, maximums, costs, deadlines and notes listed in their descriptions. The week prior to a camp your child is enrolled in, an email will be sent from recreation@cityofpriorlake.com (please save this address so our messages don't land in your junk folder). This email will contain reminders for that program as well as a link to the Parent Handbook. The Parent Handbook is identical to the text below.

2018 PARENT INFOMRMATION

The following information contains rules, policies and basic camp information that you as a parent will need to be aware of this summer. Please read through this booklet and if you have any questions you may contact any of the staff listed on the last page.

MISSION: To provide children with a safe and enjoyable camp experience where children can develop skills, form friendships and enhance self-esteem.

FEES: If you have enrolled in a program with the City of Prior Lake Recreation Department and have the program listed on your emailed receipt, you have paid in full.

REFUNDS: If a registration is canceled by the participant before the registration deadline, the registration fee is refunded minus a $5 processing fee per program. ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS are given if a cancelation is requested after the registration deadline or when the registration fee is $5 or less. Refunds will not be given for days missed.

CAMP HOURS: Camp hours vary per program, look carefully at your receipt for program dates, times and locations. Parents are expected to be on time for pickup promptly when the program ends. Campers can only be signed in/out during camp program hours. Early drop off and late pick up is not permitted.

STRANDED PARTICIPANTS: Participants still at the program site after regular operation hours will be attended by a staff person. Attempts will be made to contact parents/guardians and emergency contacts when a participant has not been picked up by 10 minutes after closing. Local authorities may be contacted, and staff will follow the directions of those authorities.

CHECK IN/OUT POLICY: To ensure your child’s safety, you or the authorized person(s) listed on your child’s registration form (completed at the time of registration) will be allowed to sign your child out of our programs. All persons authorized to pick up your child will be required to present an ID or other verification. Parents will be required to show an ID until staff becomes familiar with them. The checkout sheet must be signed daily. Your child will ONLY be released to the authorized person(s) on the list. Any changes must be made in writing and delivered to Recreation Staff no later than program check-in and must be delivered by a parent/guardian. Please notify the office by phone or e-mail if your child is going to be absent.

DRESS CODE: Please dress your child appropriately, keeping in mind the weather and active nature of our program and the fact that our programs take place outdoors at all times. It is required to wear shoes at all times during camp unless directed by staff for swimming.

PERSONAL ITEMS: Children should not bring phones, iPods, iPads, electronic equipment or any other items of value to camp. If your child needs to bring their phone to camp, it MUST be checked in with Rec Leaders when they arrive at camp.

What NOT to bring to camp	What to bring each day to camp
Electronic devices	Sunscreen
Valuables or cash	Water bottle
Toys	Other items as told in individual camp registration notes or email reminders

FOOD: Only when indicated in program notes, should campers bring food to camp. When asked to bring lunch to a program, make sure it is a non-refrigerated lunch with their names on it. Campers should eat breakfast/lunch before they come to camp unless otherwise noted.

SUNSCREEN: Please apply sunscreen on your child at home BEFORE attending camp. Campers should bring their own sunscreen each day. Camp counselors will remind camps to apply and will supervise the application of sunscreen but are not allowed to apply sunscreen to campers.

FIELD TRIPS: Some trips will require a release waiver to be signed, this will be indicated on your receipt. These can be found on our website under the ‘Forms and Documents’ tab. Trips often have requirements on what to wear and whether or not lunch is provided.

CAMPER EXPECTATIONS: Parents should review with your child(ren) our expectations of campers to make their time with the program a pleasurable experience. Rules and expectations will be posted so campers can refer to them. Rules and consequences will be reviewed regularly.

Campers must remain in the designated program areas.
Campers are expected to exercise respect towards all people, places of business and equipment.
Campers are expected to follow the rules associated with activities and program areas and ask a staff member for clarification, if needed.
Campers are expected to communicate and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Threatening words, tones of voice, gestures, foul language, teasing, bullying, harmful physical contact will not be tolerated and are prohibited.
In order for all participants to have a safe and enjoyable experience, all participants must demonstrate appropriate behavior and respect for themselves as well as others. Meeting this expectation will offer all campers and staff the greatest opportunity for success. Campers may be dismissed from camp without a refund if the guidelines within this packet are not followed.

DISCIPLINE: Discipline is handled on a case-by-case, depending on the transgression, up to two warnings are given before a child receives a “time out”. Parents will be notified in writing of any problems we are having with your child. Aggressive behaviors will not be tolerated, even on a first offense, and parents will be called. If your child’s attitude and behavior continually create disruption or that puts the group safety in jeopardy, parents may be asked to come and pick up their child at any time. Campers may be dismissed from camp without a refund.

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION POLICY: Prior Lake Recreation will not tolerate campers who display deliberate acts of violence, verbal abuse or acts that can be potentially harmful to themselves or others. Verbal abuse is defined as inappropriate language, profanity, or any comments that are sexual in nature. Violators will be subject to suspension or immediate expulsion. If your child is expelled from any program, he/she may not return for the rest of the year. Campers may be dismissed from camp without a refund.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

Send a lunch daily when specified in program notes.
Make sure children have the appropriate dress, sunscreen, and swimwear daily.
Keep the staff informed of any changes or incidents in the home which might result in a change in behavior or attitude.
Parents must sign their child in and out of the program daily.
Parents must inform office staff of any change of Authorized Pick-Up persons on their child’s account.
Check your email: two weeks before camp starts you will receive an email with detailed camp schedule and important contact information
Please label all personal belongings, a lost and found will be kept for up to two weeks after a program ends. Lost and Found items will be held at Prior Lake City Hall.
Staff will take photos during camp, watch for photos to be posted on the City Facebook page at the end of each week – www.facebook.com/cityofpriorlake/

WEATHER HOTLINE: The City of Prior Lake maintains a hotline you can call to hear a recorded message indicating if programs have been canceled or are running as scheduled. This hotline is updated at least 30-minutes prior to each program. The hotline number is 952-447-9825. Please program this number in your phone.

WEATHER CANCELATIONS: The City of Prior Lake monitors the weather and indicates if a program must be canceled. When a program is canceled due to inclement weather, no refund is issued. If a program is canceled BEFORE the program START time all participants will receive an email. If a program is cancelled DURING the program time, all participants will receive a phone call.

PRIOR LAKE RECREATION STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION:

Recreation Manager Recreation Programmer

Angie Barstad Kelsey Coy

abarstad@cityofpriorlake.com kcoy@cityofpriorlake.com

952-447-9822 952-447-9823

Recreation Main Line: 952-447-9820 || recreation@cityofpriorlake.com

Recreation Weather Hotline: 952-447-9825