Welcome to Outpost Pre Camp! 

 

            Summer camp is an exciting time for children.  Pre Camp is the perfect way to introduce your child to an exciting, safe, and memorable summer camp experience. 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 Pre Camp.

 

            Please read this information carefully.  Your child is much more likely to have a successful and positive first day/days 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

·         Talking to Your Child about Camp

·         Open House

·         What happens on the first day?

·                  Dropping Off and Picking up Your Camper

·                  Morning Campfire

·                  The Fort

·                  Crafty Cave

·                  Lunch

·                  Afternoon Campfire

·         Clothing

·         Lost and Found

·         Medical Information

·         Parent Visits

·         Family Picnic

·         Other important information

·         Communication with our directors

·         Benefits of Outpost Pre Camp

 

Talking to Your Child About Camp

(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 and interact with nature in a safe and structured environment.  Here are a few tips for preparing your preschooler for Pre Camp:

 

·    Ask how your child is feeling about going to 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."

·    For nervousness about other kids, 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 - that's a great way to meet someone!"

·    Prepare your child by describing the activities simply and not "overselling" them. Our typical day is pretty simple to explain: we meet in the morning under the tent and sing silly songs, we go with our group to the fort and the crafty cave, where we get to play and make things together, we eat lunch, we play games, we have snack, we do a theme day activity like BUG DAY where we make antennas, go on a bug hunt, and learn a bug dance! Then we have afternoon campfire and each group gets to go up and tell the other groups about their day!

·    Be respectful of your child's own pace - some children are naturally more outgoing than others. Our directors will be there at the beginning and end of each camp day to address any parent feedback or concerns.

·         Stay involved!  Ask how things are going on a daily basis.  We often put "ASK ME ABOUT ___" stickers on our Pre Campers so that parents don't have to guess or struggle with their campers about what happened at camp. We try to make it easy! Don't hesitate to call us if you have any concerns as we welcome these types of calls from parents.

 

Open House

            On the Thursday afternoon 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 begins promptly at 2PM and involves a camp tour and runs on a schedule - please try to arrive prior to 2PM so you are there and ready to go with your Pre Camper.

 

  2011 Dates and Times
  First Session:          Thursday, June 16, 2PM - 3PM

  Second Session:   Thursday, July 7, 2PM - 3PM

  Third Session:        Thursday, July 21, 2PM - 3PM.

Please note that Session Three Open House is held one week earlier than it should be held, due to our site being unavailable during the week of July 25-29.

 

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."  We spend a lot of time with our Pre Campers on the first day/days simply "getting them used to camp" - walking them around, explaining, familiarizing, showing, telling, and watching to make sure each child is showing increased comfort with his/her new surroundings.

         

          During the first few days of camp, each senior counselor takes extra time to familiarize their groups with the expectations and rules and to help each camper feel like he/she belongs.  We go over a lot of this at our Open House, additionally, 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. 

 

Dropping Off and Picking Up Your Camper

            You may drop off your camper each morning beginning at 9:15 (please NOT earlier - camp starts at 9:30). When you enter the parking lot from Poway Road, turn right and park at the end of the lot closest to the preschool entrance. Walk your child into the site and if he/she is not already sunscreened, our "Sunscreen Station" is set up at the top of the stairs for your convenience. You must sign in and sign out your camper each day. Make sure any other adults who will be dropping off and/or picking up your camper are on our approved list. When leaving the church parking lot, please continue through the lot and use the Springhurst Street exit (do not exit the same way you entered). This is for everyone's safety. You may pick up your camper between 1:15 and 1:30PM each afternoon.

 

Morning Campfire

            When your camper arrives to camp, he/she will meet his/her counselors and other campers in the group at the benches under the big tent for Morning Campfire.  Morning Campfire is the kick-off 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.

 

The Fort

            After Campfire it is time for the group to set off for their first adventure of the day, the fort! At Pre-Camp we have a designated fort area shared by the groups. The forts are decorated each morning according to the theme of the day, prior to the campers arrival. When the campers show up they dive right in and get to making the fort an amazing place!

 

The Crafty Cave

            Each day each group will visit the Crafty Camper Cave. In here they will get to create a variety of crafts to bring home. We will also have hands-on art: finger painting, silly-puddy molding, hat decorating and much more!

 

Lunch

            Campers bring their lunches every day to camp and store them with the groups' lunches in a shady spot.  If possible, please send a sack lunch rather than a lunch box, so that your camper will not have to remember to take it home.  Our staff work hard to make sure that campers eat the contents of their lunch as much as they can, mostly by creating a group environment in which eating the contents of their lunch is FUN! Please mark your camper's name clearly (first and last name) on the sack.  If you have any concerns about allergies, please contact the Pre Camp Director at our office at (858) 842 4900.

 

Afternoon Campfire

            At the end of the day, groups meet at the benches for Afternoon Campfire.  Counselors bring their groups up at Campfire and tell of their special adventures.  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 each day of camp, our campers gather around their own Senior Counselor, who is responsible for signing out each camper with their parent or designated adult. Please be patient during this time as we want to ensure each child receives a personal goodbye and that all our campers leave with the correct adult.

 

Clothing

            At Outpost Pre 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. 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, from time to time jackets, sweaters or hats are left in mysterious places.  On the end of each day we try to have all lost and found at the pick up zone.  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 many of our Junior Counselors are certified as well.  Paramedics are minutes north of us, and we have an excellent hospital within five 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 Wednesday August 3.   This is an informal gathering that lasts from 6:15PM until 7:15PM.  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 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/her 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. 

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 lunch (midpoint of the day).  We strongly recommend that you apply it at home in the morning, or at our sunscreen station, 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, and there are water fountains at several locations on our site.  

 

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.  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