Welcome to Outpost Summer Camp! 

 

            Summer camp is an exciting time for children.  Here at OSC, we are committed to each child in our program having a summer full of fun, friends, adventures and positive experiences.  This handbook is designed to prepare both campers and parents for their upcoming summer at Outpost Summer Camp.

 

            Please read this information carefully.  Your child is much more likely to have a successful and positive first day at camp if you have helped prepare him/her for what to expect.  If you have any questions after reading this guide, call us at (858) 842-4900, or email us at info@outpostsummercamps.com.

 

            We look forward to meeting you this summer!

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

·         Open House

·         Transportation

·         What happens on the first day?

·                  First day on the van

·                  Morning Campfire

·                  Lunch

·                  Swimming

·                  Afternoon Campfire

·         Small Camps Structure

·         Clothing

·         Lost and Found

·         Medical Information

·         Parent Visits

·         Family Picnic

·         Other important information

·         Talking to your child about making friends

·         Communication with our directors

·         Benefits of Outpost Summer Camp

 

Open House

            On the Saturday before each session, we hold an Open House for all families.  The Open House is held at camp, and is an opportunity to meet the staff, see where camp is held and pick up your camp t-shirts.  This is the best opportunity to help your camper learn what to expect at Outpost Summer Camp (as well as help yourself learn about camp too!).  You received an invitation to the Open House with your confirmation information. Open House is a drop by event - come by anytime between 9AM and 11AM.

 

  2011 Dates and Times
  First Session:          Saturday, June 18, 9AM to 11AM

  Second Session:   Saturday, July 9, 9AM to 11AM

  Third Session:        Saturday, July 30, 9AM to 11AM

 

Transportation

            One of the services OUTPOST SUMMER CAMPS provides for its campers is door-to-door transportation within our designated pick-up area. Our vans are driven by our senior counselors, who each hold a California Class B license and have maintained a perfect driving record.  We have extensive training in the vans prior to camp.  Outpost Summer Camps is certified by the California DMV as a licensed driver trainer.  All of the vans have seat belts and the drivers take care to see that each camper is correctly buckled up. The drivers inspect the vans each morning before the routes begin.

THE WEEKEND BEFORE EACH SESSION BEGINS, our counselors learn their routes and will contact you as to the approximate pick-up time (between 8:00 and 9:00 AM).  Our driver will come by your home on Saturday afternoon and leave a door hanger telling you his/her name and what time to expect the van the first day of camp.  If you have not heard from a driver by the Saturday evening before your camper's first day, please call the office.

Some campers who attend camp five days per week may have two drivers: one driver for Mon-Wed-Fri and one for Tues-Thurs.  Don't be surprised if you have two drivers stop by on their practice runs.   In some areas, we do not pick-up door-to-door, but have pick-up spots.  The drivers will call these families with an approximate pick up time.  Please contact the office if you have any questions about your area.

The camp fun begins on the van and most of the campers love the drive.  We work hard to make the trips to and from camp as short as possible by careful planning.  If your camper is coming 5 days a week, be aware that the route on Mon-Wed-Fri can be totally different from Tues-Thurs and therefore have different pick-up/drop-off times.  Although the routes are carefully planned, they take more time on the first few days of each session. 

 

If your camper will be absent, please call the office before 7:30 AM that day.  This way, the driver will not come by your home and disturb you.  If you call before we are in the office, please leave a message on our voice mail. 

 

A responsible person must be at the entrance to your home to receive your camper when he/she returns from camp.  We do not assume any responsibility for the camper other than dropping him/her off at your house.  Any special instructions for pick-up or drop-off must be approved by the office.  Please do not make any personal arrangements with the driver.  You must call the camp office.

 

Here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind regarding our transportation service: 

 

1.      If you need to pick up your child early from camp, please call the office, preferably the day before.  This makes it easier for the counselor to have your camper available at the correct time.  You must sign your camper out with a director.

2.      If you need to bring your child into camp late, please call the camp office (the day before if possible) so we can coordinate getting your camper together with his group.  Be sure to sign in your child with a director.

3.      There are some residences that we consider to be inaccessible (private driveways or winding, narrow roads), even though the address might be in our regular pick-up area.  Please contact us if you think this might be a problem.

4.      Do not send food on the vans in the morning (no breakfast on the road).

5.      Pick-up and drop-off times that the drivers give you the weekend before camp starts are approximate.  Please have your child ready at least 10 minutes before the designated pick-up time, and please be sure someone is at home at least 10 minutes before the anticipated drop-off time.  The times will become regular as the drivers learn the neighborhoods better.

6.      Please call the office if your child is going to be absent: don't just tell the driver (drivers can be absent, or might forget.)

7.      Any changes, such as drop-off at a neighbor's house, must be cleared with the office, not the driver.

8.      Campers are not allowed to switch vans to or from camp.  If campers are going to someone else's home to stay overnight, or to another destination, then outside transportation must be provided by the parent.  Vans are limited to 15 passengers only!

9.      Special pick-up and drop-off times cannot always be arranged.

 

What Happens on the First Day?

            On the first day of camp, your camper will meet his or her counselors and the other campers in the group.  Although meeting new people and trying out new things can be fun, many campers are a little anxious on the first day of camp.  We understand that being comfortable in those first few moments of camp is important to having a great summer, and our staff do everything they can to help alleviate first day jitters.  It is on this day, in fact, that the special friendships and pride in the group start to form.

         

          During the first few days of camp, counselors take extra time to familiarize their groups with camp and to help each camper feel like he/she belongs.  So that your child knows what to expect on his or her first day at Outpost Summer Camp, here are some highlights of the first few days. 

 

 

The First Day on the Van

            The van will arrive to pick up your camper at the time given to you by the driver on the weekend before the first day of camp.  Please make sure your child is ready on time and has his or her swimsuit and lunch in hand, clearly marked. We prefer that you and your child wait outside your home for the camp van as this helps our routes be as efficient as possible.

           

            Please also keep in mind that the van routes could run a few minutes late on the first few days as the drivers (and campers!) get more familiar with the morning routine.

 

Morning Campfire

            When your camper arrives to camp, he/she will meet his/her counselors and other campers in the group at the Logs for Morning Campfire.  Morning Campfire is the kickoff to the camp day, with songs, cheers, and skits that get everyone ready for a fun and exciting day at camp.  Your child will be greeted in the morning, then called up by name by his/her counselor to join the group.

           

            After Campfire the campers will work together to create a group name and a group identity.  It is in these first few days that groups search for a Hidden Fort in the wilderness and make it their group's own.  We play lots of name games and get-to-know-you games, which teach children that at Outpost Summer Camp we value getting to know everyone at camp immediately.

 

Lunch

            Campers bring their lunches every day to camp and store them with the groups' lunches in a shady spot.  Refrigeration is not available so please pack non-perishable items.  Please send a sack lunch rather than a lunch box, so that your camper will not have to remember to take it home.  Please mark your camper's name clearly (first and last name) on the sack.  Do not send thermos bottles: they are not necessary since we provide a cold drink at camp.  Feel free to send a drink with your child if there are any allergies about which you are concerned. 

Swimming

One of the adventures your camper will have in his or her first few days of camp is swimming.  Groups swim five days a week: Mondays through Fridays. 

 

Our #1 priority is to create a safe environment in which campers of all ability levels can have fun and become comfortable in the water.  Some children are nervous about being in a big pool for the first time.  The first time your camper comes to pool, he or she will be assessed as to his/her swimming ability.  This assessment of your child's swimming level, conducted by our own Red Cross certified lifeguards, helps us place your child in a safe and appropriate swim activity group. 

 

While we do not provide formal swimming lessons, our closely supervised activities will encourage your child to try new skills in the water, whether that means putting feet in the water for the first time, diving for starfish in the deep end, or learning new swim strokes.  Our beginner campers stay in the shallow end closely supervised by staff trained to work with both non-swimmers and beginners, while our more experienced swimmers enjoy activities with their counselors in the deeper parts of the pool, including the diving board. 

 

Please encourage your child to participate and seek a counselor's assistance if he/she isn't comfortable in the water.  Our campers gain so much through the challenges that are put before them and through the sense of accomplishment in meeting these challenges.  Campers are required to participate (our minimum level of participation is to change into a swimsuit and put feet in the water) unless there is a note or phone call accompanying the child from home. So please make sure you let us know if your camper has a cold or an earache, etc as we require all of the campers to participate otherwise.  Also, if your camper benefits from goggles, you may send along an inexpensive pair.

 

          Please do not send towels.  Campers learn to dry-off on the deck in the warm sun and towels almost always become part of the lost and found.  On those rare colder days when towels are necessary, we will provide them for the campers to use.  

 

Afternoon Campfire

            At the end of the day, groups meet at the Logs for Afternoon Campfire.  Counselors bring their groups up at Campfire and tell of their special adventures, often challenging other groups to find their Fort or their hidden group flag.  Afternoon Campfire is a loud and exciting show of group and camp pride and is a wonderful close to a fun filled day. 

 

            At the end of Campfire on the first couple days of camp, your camper's van driver will come and call every camper in his/her van group's name.  Together they will board the van for the ride home.  This is to ensure that campers don't get nervous about remembering names after a long exciting day.  Parents can help out by reminding the camper his or her driver's name throughout the summer.

 

Our Small Camp Structure

 Our Day Camp Program (grades K-5) is made up of three separate, small camps: Lower Camp, Middle Camp and Upper Camp. Each camp is made up of four to five groups, and each group at camp has 10-13 children in the group.

 

Our model of individual groups within a smaller camp has served us very well. The three smaller camps are led by two directors: you can read about them on our Director Page. Our Directors know each of the 60+ campers in their camps and are available to field any parental concerns or comments through our camp office. Please feel free to contact your son or daughter's director at any point before, during or after the summer.

 

Clothing

            At Outpost Summer Camp, children have hands on experience in the outdoors.  Because of this your camper may come home full of pride in how dirty he or she is!   We recommend that you send your child in old clothes that are ready to be worn out, and don‘t be upset if shoes are soaked and muddy when your camper gets home!

 

Campers must wear closed toe shoes that can get dirty or wet.  Shorts are ideal for hot days, unless your child is highly susceptible to sunburn.  Please do not send expensive sweaters, towels or any unnecessary items that could easily become lost.  On the first day your camper should bring a swimsuit (no towel), which will remain at camp with your child's counselor for the entire session. PLEASE HAVE ALL BELONGINGS (lunch sack to socks) CLEARLY MARKED.  Do not send money with your child. 

 

Two camp shirts will be handed out at the Open House held the Saturday before your camper's first day. The shirts given will be the size designated on your child's enrollment form.  If you need to exchange them for another size, please return them unwashed and unworn along with a note stating the camper's name and size desired.  We will send new ones home with your camper the next day.  Additional shirts can be purchased through the camp office.

 

 

Lost and Found

 Campers do not need to bring anything to camp each day other than a sack lunch unless it is okayed by their counselor in advance.  Everything brought to camp should be marked with the camper's name. 

 

Although the staff will try to prevent articles from getting lost, please encourage your camper to be responsible for his or her own clothing, etc.  On the last two days of each week we hold up any lost and found articles for the campers to claim.  Every attempt is made to return labeled clothing to your children, but we cannot be held responsible for personal belongings brought from home.  At the end of summer, we collect the labeled lost and found and contact you if we have found something belonging to your camper. Unclaimed items are given to a children's charity.

Medical Information

The safety and well being of your child is of utmost importance to us.  Since your child will be in our care, it is extremely important that we are prepared to assist him/her at any time should a medical problem or emergency arise.  You have supplied this information on your camper's enrollment and health history form.  If there is any condition or problem about which you feel the office or your child's counselor needs to know, please call the office with that information.

 

All of our Senior Counselors have First Aid and CPR Certificates and most of our Junior Counselors are certified as well.  Paramedics are two miles north of us, and we have two excellent hospitals within ten minutes of camp.  In the event a child is hurt at camp and needs emergency treatment, the staff will contact the camper's parents, the emergency contact, and/or the family doctor.  Because we are in a day camp setting and, in most instances, you are within an hour's drive from camp, you are the initial contact.  It is important that in the event of an illness or injury you, or someone designated by you, be available to come to camp to pick-up your child.

 

OUTPOST SUMMER CAMPS' accident insurance covers, up to our policy limits, any injuries received at camp to the extent that they are not covered by any other health and/or accident insurance covering the child.

 

Parent Visits

Parents are welcome to visit camp, but please call the office to set up a time for your visit.  Since all days have special time schedules, some are better for visiting.  Meet a director at the Clubhouse and he or she will take you to where your child and his/her group is located.  Please plan on making your visit a short one as sometimes a parent can put a damper on what the group and your child is doing.  (Sometimes it can be hard to have a secret fort with the parents looking on!)

 

Family Picnic

A great way to visit camp and meet your child's counselors and friends is to attend our traditional FAMILY PICNIC on Thursday, August 11th, 2011.   This is an informal gathering that lasts from 6:00PM until 7:30PM.  Your camper will have a chance to introduce you to his or her favorite activities and new friends through a typical Campfire.  Make sure you bring a picnic dinner and a blanket (or beach chairs) to sit on!  We sent an invitation to this Family Picnic with your confirmation packet, and will send a reminder home later in the summer.

 

Other Important Information

1.      Please do not send any cell phones, equipment, toys or anything valuable such as radios and tape recorders. Jewelry and watches should also be left at home.  All knives, weapons, or other dangerous items are prohibited.

2.      Pictures are taken once each session.  If your camper is absent he/she will not be in the picture.  The camper will, however, receive a picture of his group with his counselors and friends.

3.      No make-up days can be given for any reason.

4.      Our camp policy prohibits staff from accepting monetary and expensive gifts from parents. 

5.      We sometimes leave camp during the day to visit other spots like nearby streams and trails where we can hike, catch frogs or have other adventures.  Therefore, please let us know in plenty of time if you want to pick-up your child early.  We are unable to notify parents in advance that their child might be out-of-camp.

6.      Please remember that the campers do spend time in the sun everyday.  Our staff help campers put sunscreen on throughout the day, especially before and after the pool.  We strongly recommend that you apply it at home in the morning and consider sending your camper with a hat if he or she has sensitive skin!

7.      The counselors give the campers frequent opportunities to drink water during the day.  When the group goes hiking, they carry squirt bottles with water.  

8.      Due to events outside of our control, the pool may be closed without advance notice.  On days the pool is closed, we will enjoy other water-based activities.

9.      Each session we have at least two theme days that our campers and staff enjoy.  One of these theme days is always scheduled on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday (for our MWF campers) while the other is scheduled on a Tuesday or Thursday (for our TTH campers).  We vary the days each year so that annual favorites like Halloween in August can be enjoyed by both groups of campers, however, because we do not duplicate days at camp, and if your camper comes MWF or TTH, he or she will not be able to participate in that particular theme day.

 

Talking to Your Child About Making Friends

(just in case someone's a little nervous about going to camp!)

           

            Summer camp is a time for adventure, excitement, and exploration, as well as a unique opportunity for your child to make new friends.  Making friends is often the main area of anxiousness for children before attending anything for the first time. You can help prepare your camper for the social test of making new friends at camp.  A few suggestions:

 

·    Ask how your child is feeling about making friends at camp.  This will help you understand how she is feeling.  If she is nervous or anxious, acknowledge these feelings.  "It is harder when you don’t know anyone."  Remind her she's not alone.  "And a lot of the other kids are feeling the same way too."

·    Ask your child what he's done to successfully make friends at school or in other environments.  For example, "How did you make friends with Timmy?"  This helps your child think about making friends in a positive and successful context. 

·    Compliment your child on her friend-making skills.  If she talks about walking up to someone and introducing herself, be impressed with her choice to do so.  "Introducing yourself to someone you don't know is really nice!"

·    Suggest some additional ideas.  Small, kind gestures of friendship are often the first steps to a long, mutual friendship.  "Tangible" ideas like sharing something from a lunch, asking a question about a favorite cartoon or place to go for dinner, or letting the potential friend go first in a game or activity help children learn "things to do" to make friends.

·    Be respectful of your child's own pace: some children are naturally more outgoing than others.

·         Stay involved!  Ask how things are going on a daily basis.  Don't hesitate to call us if you have any concerns as we welcome these types of calls from parents.

 

Communication with Our Directors

            Outpost Summer Camp is a family-owned business, and as such we are dedicated to providing a program of the highest quality.  As parents ourselves, we welcome your comments, suggestions, questions and feedback, at all times. Please do not hesitate to contact us earlier rather than later if you have something you wish to discuss with us.  Often, we are able to address any issues more successfully if we are contacted immediately.

 

Benefits of Outpost Summer Camp

               

We're proud of our program and what we do for kids.  Here are some key messages that define our program:

 

            Camp is a caring community!  Our campers experience belonging and are part of a true community: getting along with others, accepting differences, and working together.  The joys of acceptance and sharing prompt our campers to try out new positive behavior like choosing new partners, expressing caring thoughts about others and successfully resolving conflicts.

 

            Camp is a safe and nurturing environment for children.  Kids are at less risk when they have a sense of community, intergenerational relationships, and first-hand experiences.  Our trained and caring staff help each of our campers feel loved, capable and included.

 

            Camp is a vital element in a child's education!  Children connect with the natural world directly at Outpost Summer Camp: not through the filters of television, computers or movie screens.  Discovery, exploration, and active participation are the methods of learning at camp!

 

 

Thank you for trusting us with your child this summer.

We look forward to seeing you!

 

Call us with any questions at (858) 842-4900

 or email us at info@outpostsummercamps.com