Summer Camp FAQs
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about summer day camp.
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General Information Health & Safety |
Preparing for Camp At Camp |
General Information
Location - Where is the camp located?
Lake View Y Day Camp is located at: Lake View Y, 3333 N. Marshfield Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657. Kiddie Kamp and Specialty Camps are located at: Hamilton Elementary, 1650 W. Cornelia Ave. Chicago, IL 60657.
Hours of Camp - What time does camp start and end each day?
Extended Care drop off hours begin at 7 am and pick up runs to 6 pm. Regular Camp drop off begins at 8:45 am and ends promptly at 4 pm. Regular camp pick-up begins at 4 pm.
Newsletter - How can I stay updated about upcoming camp activities at the YMCA?
Every Monday a newsletter/schedule for the camp week will be handed out at drop off and posted on the camp page on the YMCA’s website. Activities may vary day to day including, but not limited to: sports, character development, arts and crafts, games, skits, songs, sports, swimming, and much more. Please keep in mind that these times are subject to change.
Registration - How do I register for day camp?
Registration must be done in person, one emergency packet is required for each child and must be completed and turned in at the time of registration. Forms are available at the Member Service Desk or online. All information on the registration form must be completed before you will be allowed to register your child. YMCA Member registration begins on Monday, February 27th at 7 am and Non-Member registration begins on Monday, March 5th at 7am.
Refunds - If I cancel a registered week of camp, will I be refunded?
Refunds will be granted based on the following criteria: you request the refund in writing and you request the refund prior to June 4th, 2012 (2 weeks prior to the first week of camp). All refunds will be minus the non-refundable registration fee. Refunds after June 4th will be issued for individuals attending summer camp, as long as it is for a valid medical reason, which must be accompanied by a doctor's note. There will be no refunds, credits or make-up days issued for single or multiple day(s) absences.
Health & Safety
Accreditation - Is YMCA camp accredited?
Yes, our camp is accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA). This is your assurance that our day camps are committed to the highest standards established for the camping industry. Accredited camps have their operations scrutinized and reviewed by camping professionals who know and value quality camping.
Camp Counselors - What are the qualifications of your camp counselors?
Our counselors are trained in CPR, First Aid, child abuse prevention, emergency procedures, water safety, and our camp curriculum including songs and games that incorporate values and education. All counselors are over the age of 18 years and must pass a background check prior to employment.
Illness/Injury - What happens if my camper is sick or gets hurt?
Parents will be notified by camp personnel if their child has not been feeling well for a period of time and does not seem to be getting any better. Moderate injuries will also be communicated to the parent once proper first aid has taken place. In the case of a severe injury needing professional medical attention, the parent or guardian will be contacted immediately.
Inclement Weather - What is the procedure for bad weather?
At the first sign of inclement weather, campers will be brought indoors and into safety. Rainy day field trip ideas will be considered for those camp days with a scheduled outdoor field trip.
Medication Administration - What is the procedure for when my child needs to take prescribed medication while at camp?
Parents/Guardians must have a signed medication authorization form on file for day camp staff to administer medication. The Authorization to Administer Medication form can be obtained during registration and a copy is placed in the emergency packet you receive upon registration. You can also ask any camp manager for a copy during the summer. Medication MUST come in the original pharmacy container. It must list clearly the camper’s name, the doctor’s name, the name of the medication, the correct daily dosage, and the correct time of the day the medication is to be administered. Please indicate whether the medication needs to be taken with or without food and/or water.
Ratios - What is the counselor to camper ratio?
The ACA guidelines for counselors to camper ratios are as follows: 1:6 (3 to 5 years of age), 1:8 (6 to 8 years of age), 1:10 (9 to 11 years of age), and 1:12 (12 to 18 years of age).
Water Safety - Does my camper need to know how to swim?
All campers will be participating in swim time. Campers are tested to determine swim ability and if they will be allowed to utilize the deep end of the pool. All lifeguards, both at the pool and at all water parks are certified.
Preparing for Camp
Clothing - What sort of clothes should my camper bring?
Your child will be spending time outdoors throughout the summer. Please have them dress appropriately. We have found that children dressed in breathable layers works best, so that they may adjust their clothes for the temperature and their comfort. Socks and closed-toe shoes are required. You may want to send along an extra change of clothes, just in case. Only swimwear is allowed in the pools. Also, flip flops may be worn on the YMCA’s pool deck and at water parks.
Day Camp T-shirts will be handed out during the first day of camp. All campers are required to wear their camp t-shirts on field trip days. If your child comes to the YMCA on a field trip day without a camp t-shirt you will be required to purchase a new one.
Items From Home - May campers bring toys and similar items from home to camp?
Children are not allowed to bring possessions from home (i.e. cell phones, ipods, toys, Gameboys, PSP, action figures, dolls, trading cards, etc). The YMCA is not responsible for any item that is broken, lost, or stolen during camp.
Lunch/Snacks - Does my camper need to bring lunch/snacks to camp?
Please make sure your child brings two snacks, a bottle of water and a lunch for the day. Also be sure to pack plenty of fluids(no soda), as children will be very active. Lunches cannot be stored in a refrigerator, so please pack food that will not spoil easily. We are a peanut free YMCA, so please refrain from packing your child's lunch with items that contain peanuts.
Orientation - Is there an orientation?
Parent Night is an informational meeting in regards to the summer camp program, activities, policies, and procedures. Parents and their children will get a chance to meet their counselors ahead of time, as well as ask questions. Parent Night is scheduled for Thursday, June 14th at 6 pm for Lil' Explorers/Jr. Adventure/Adventure/Teen/Specialty Camps, Wednesday, June 13th at 7 pm for C.I.T.'s and Wednesday, June 6th at 6pm for Kiddie Kamp. We hope to see you there!
Sunscreen & Insect Repellant - What additional items should my camper bring each day?
Campers should keep insect repellant and sunscreen for everyday use. For insect repellant, we suggest a lotion or roll-on brand. Please apply sunscreen to your child before coming to camp each day. Throughout the day, your child will have frequent opportunities to reapply sunscreen. Also, campers should bring a backpack, athletic shoes and socks, swimsuit, swim cap (for hair past ear length), towel, water bottle, and extra change of clothing.
At Camp
Absences - What should I do if my camper will be absent or late?
Please leave a message for the camp manager at 773-248-3333 ext. 2997.
Daily Activities - What is a typical day like at camp?
There is no such thing as a typical day or week at camp. When the camp is not on a field trip, campers will participate in various large and small group activities such as arts & crafts, songs, games, sport lessons, and swim time. Most of the day your child will be doing these activities with his/her assigned group. Sometimes groups may team up and do activities together.
Field Trips - Does the camp offer field trips as an activity?
Campers will experience a variety of field trips throughout the summer. If you do not wish for your child to attend the field trip, you keep them home that day. We will not issue credits or refunds for missed days. We ask that all parents have their children dropped off at Lake View no later than 9:00am on field trip days. We are on a tight schedule and need to leave on time. We will not hold up the bus. For the safety of the children we do not allow parents to drop off or pick up from field trip sites. Children are required to ride the bus to, and from, the field trip location, they are not permitted to ride with their parent/guardian. Children must wear their YMCA Day Camp T-shirt on field trip days. Failure to do so will result in a $5 fee to purchase a new t-shirt.
Groups - Will my camper be placed in a group with other campers of the same age?
Campers are assigned to groups according to their age. Due to the number of campers attending camp each week, we CANNOT take special requests to keep friends, siblings, or relatives together. We also cannot guarantee your camper will be placed with a particular counselor.
Lost & Found - What if my camper loses an item while at camp?
To minimize the chance of misplaced clothing and other items, PLEASE LABEL ALL CLOTHING AND OTHER PROPERTY CLEARLY. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR MISSING ITEMS. There will be a lost and found container at the sign-out station for all misplaced items each day. We will keep found items on site for a period of 2 weeks.
Parent Visits - Are parents allowed to visit our children while they are at camp?
The YMCA has an open door policy for the parents or guardians of all campers. Please first speak directly with a camp manager to let them know you are visiting. Parents are invited and encouraged to visit the program sites at any time, but must take care to not interfere with or disrupt the on-going activities.
Sign In/Sign Out - What is the procedure for campers checking in and out of camp?
All authorized parents/guardians are required to sign-in their child at the start of camp, and to sign-out their child at the end of the camp day. Children are not permitted to leave without an authorized parent/guardian's signature. A photo ID is required for all authorized individuals upon pick-up of the child. Anytime someone other than those designated will be picking up your campers(s), you are required to write their name on the Pick-up Form, and in the comment column on the daily sign-in sheet. Children, who are twelve years old and older, may sign themselves in and out after 4pm with the written consent of their parents. If you would like to pursue this, please speak to Molly Morelli, Camp Manager.
