March Break Camp

Camper Safety

Winter Clothing

All campers and staff are required to have warm attire for when children go outdoors. Parents are asked to send their child with boots, snow pants, winter jacket, hat and gloves to camp. Children will also require indoor shoes.

Special Needs and Integration

The Municipality of Port Hope, Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture invites people of all abilities to participate together in our programs and services. We strive to include everyone in the activities of an individual’s choice to enhance the quality of life for all. We do not have a designated Inclusion Staff to assist with integration needs, behaviour monitoring, and 1:1 supports . If you have individual needs, please email us to discuss options.

Camper Behaviour

Our goal is to make camp enjoyable and safe for everyone! Our staff emphasize kindness, and are trained in behavioural management strategies, and incorporate resources from the High Five Principles of Healthy Child Development. Inappropriate/coarse language, harassment, bullying, eloping and aggressive behaviours are not permitted at camp. These behaviours will be documented and reported. Serious or persistent challenging behaviours may require immediate attention from camp staff and parent/guardians, and may result in dismissal from camp. Parents/guardians are expected to make arrangements for their child to be picked up from camp within 30 minutes of receiving a phone call about behaviour. Staff will review the following behaviour expectations with campers at the beginning of each day and throughout the day as well:

• Respect participants and staff, and care for the building, equipment and materials provided

• Follow staff direction and instructions and be open to trying new things and participating

• Use appropriate language and be kind to others (no bullying behaviour)

• Always remain with your assigned group and staff

• Hands Off – no touching other participants or their belongings

• Have fun!

Nut-Sensitive Environment

Due to nut allergies, we ask that NO NUTS or other nut-added products be brought to camp. If a camper arrives to camp with a lunch containing nuts, a parent will be called to replace the lunch. If a camper has a snack with nut products it will be removed by camp staff and returned to parents labelled at the end of the day. 

Medications

If a child requires prescription medication on a regular basis that is to be administered at camp, please note the following procedures for sending medication to camp:

1. Parents must indicate at registration the type of medication, dosage and optimum time to dispense
2. Only send the correct dose for each day.
3. All medications must be in its prescription bottle with the child’s name and dosage.
4. Staff are not permitted to administer medications, the child must be able to self administer with cuing from staff. Non-prescription drugs are not permitted at camp. 

Please fill out the required medication form before camp.

Camper Sign In and Out

It is required that campers be signed into and out of camp each day. Photo ID will be requested upon sign out. The camper may only be signed out by the authorized pick-up listed with the Municipality.  Please ensure you include parents names in the authorized pick up list. Please understand that staff take the security and protection of campers seriously and can't be expected to identify each campers parents by memory. Please ensure you provide up to date information at the time of registration or notify us of any changes.

Sick or Absent Campers

If your child is displaying signs of illness, please do not send them to camp for the consideration of other campers and staff. If your child is not attending camp on a day they are registered for, please call 905-885-7908 or email the Recreation Program Coordinator for inquiries about absent campers. If campers become ill during the camp day an authorized person needs to be available to pick the child up within 30 minutes of the call. Refunds for illness are only accepted with a doctors note.

What to bring to camp

Please send your child with these items every day:

• Nut-Free Lunch and Snacks for morning and afternoon. Please try to use reusable containers with no packaging waste as we are moving towards being more environmentally friendly
• Refillable water bottle
• Indoor and outdoor shoes
• Warm, outdoor clothing (boots, hat, snow pants, gloves)
• Backpack to carry everything

These items are not encouraged to come to camp:

• Electronic Devices such as phones or tablets
• Money
• Personal or sentimental items children would be sad to lose or break