Summer Camp FAQ

Register online at stcparks.org/camps or in person at PCC. Camp registration closes the Monday prior to upcoming week. All camps fill quickly, register early as space is limited. A waitlist will be available for STC Camp (Grades 1-4), SPX, and Teen camps only. Staff will contact waitlisted participants if space becomes available. There will not be a waitlist option available for Flex Camp (Kindergarten, Grades 1-4, and 5th Grade), check online frequently for availability; open spaces are first come, first serve.in person at PCC. Camp registration closes the Monday prior to upcoming week. All camps fill quickly, register early as space is limited. A waitlist will be available for STC Camp (Grades 1-4) only. There will not be a waitlist option available for Flex Camp (Kindergarten, Grades 1-4, and 5th Grade), check online frequently for availability; open spaces are first come, first serve.

All Camps at Pottawatomie Park

• Participate in all sorts of fun activities making summer a journey to remember
• Take weekly walking trips to Swanson Pool, River View Miniature Golf and nearby local businesses
• May opt to participate in Before and After Camp

STC & SPX Camps for children entering grades 1-4 is a 5-day only option. Camp meets from 8am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday. A waitlist will be accepted for STC & SPX Camps. Staff will contact waitlisted participants if space becomes available. These campers:

• Travel to places like Otter Cove on a school bus provided through a contracted service and swim weekly at Swanson Pool & Otter Cove.

Flex Camp is a flexible camp option for children entering grades K-5 where parents may choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 days of weekly camp participation. Campers in grades K-4 meet from 8:30am-3pm on the days you have chosen. Campers in grade 5 meet from 8am-3:30pm on the days you have chosen and will travel to Otter Cove and a local destination on a weekly basis. Register early as all camps fill quickly. There will not be a waitlist option available for Flex Camp, check online frequently for availability; open spaces are first come, first serve.

A $25 initial payment (non-refundable after May 1) per child per week will be charged at time of registration. You may also pay the remaining balance in full, or schedule the balance to be charged to a credit card on file 7 days prior to each week registered.

Waitlists are only accepted for STC, SPX, and Teen Camp. There is not a waitlist option for Flex Camps (grades K-5), check online frequently for availability; open spaces are first come first serve. Staff will contact waitlist participants if a spot or opening becomes available, on a one-out-one-in basis.

Once your child is registered, to add camp days or change the days your child attends all requests must be made online before the final payment is collected the Monday prior to the weekly camp session. Outstanding or delinquent payments do not qualify for changes. Each change after May 1 will incur a $7 processing fee. Access the form: click here

Since camp is held outdoors and always on the move, campers are required to wear a park district camp t-shirt every day to ensure the safety of each child. T-shirts are available for an additional fee of $8 at PCC beginning May 1. Sandals and flip flops are not permitted. Wear tennis shoes every day. Campers should bring a sack lunch, water bottle, sunscreen and bug repellent each day. Campers are not permitted to bring electronics, trading cards or any other valuable toys to camp. The Park District is not responsible for any lost, stolen or broken items.

Following the Electronic Device Policy, campers in Flex (grades K-5), STC & SPX camps are not permitted to bring any electronics of any kind to camp. Electronics brought to camp may be confiscated by a counselor and returned to the person picking up your child at the end of the day. The Park District is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or broken electronics.

Electronic Device Policy
For the purpose of this policy, an electronic device is defined as any mechanical or digital device capable of playing, recording, storing, or transmitting sound, images, or data. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, smartwatches, tablets (e.g. iPads), iPods, handheld gaming devices, and computers.
To provide a safe, engaging, and socially interactive recreational environment, the use of electronic devices – including wearable devices – are not allowed during program hours. Continued non-compliance will result in disciplinary action.

Teen campers may bring electronic devices to use during downtime, but counselors are not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen items. If devices become a distraction, counselors have permission to hold onto devices but will return them at the end of the day. Counselors are not responsible for monitoring content on electronic devices.

Each camp has a maximum number of campers. Once that maximum is reached, additional registrations are not available. A waitlist will be available for STC & SPX (Grades 1-4), and Teen camps only. Staff will contact waitlist participants if a spot or opening becomes available, on a one-out-one-in basis. There will not be a waitlist option available for Flex Camp (Kindergarten, Grades 1-4, and 5th Grade), check online frequently for availability; open spaces are first come, first serve.

Before and After Camp is available for an additional fee. Extend your child’s day from 7am to 6pm. Spots fill up fast. Staff will do their best to accommodate all registration requests. Campers from both STC Camp and Flex Camp will join together for Before and After Camp. There is no Before or After Camp available for STC Camp held at Sportsplex.

STC Camp and Flex Camp meet in Potawatomie Park, 8 North Avenue. Drop off and pick up are in the south parking lot. SPX camp meets at Sportsplex, 1400 Foundry Street. You must walk your child into Sportsplex to sign in and sign out your child each day. STC & SPX camp drop off begins at 7:55am, Flex camp drop off begins at 8:25am. A counselor will come to your car with a clipboard so you can sign in your child for the day. Please do not let your child get out of the car until you have signed them in. If you choose not to use the curbside service, you may park your car and walk your child to a counselor with a sign in clipboard to sign your child in. Kindergarten Camp drop off is located at door 2 of PCC. Parents must escort their camper to sign them in. Teen camp meets at Baker Community Center, 101 S Second St. Drop off and pick up are in the west side alley of BCC. Teen camp drop off begins at 8:15am. A counselor will come to your car with the sign in sheet so you or your child can sign in for the day.

If someone besides the designated parent or guardian will be picking up your child, they must be listed as an Authorized Pickup Person in ePACT. All guardians and authorized pick-up persons should have photos uploaded to ePACT for counselors to review. As part of the District’s Emergency Response Plan, it is critical that all camper information is accurate and updated on an annual basis.

In the event that the pickup person is late, your camper will be sent to After Camp. The After Camp fee will be charged for any campers sent to After Camp. If your camper is at Sportsplex, there is no After Camp available and a late fee will be charged per minute. There is no after camp option for Teen Camp. STC Underground Teen Center is open for members Tuesday-Thursday 1pm-8pm and Friday-Saturday 1pm-9pm but closed on Monday. Parents will need to pick up promptly by 4pm on Mondays. A late fee will be charged per minute on Mondays.

All camps will be held indoors.

Camp swim days will be listed in the weekly email. Please note any posted swim days are subject to change. Staff will do their best to communicate changes as quickly as possible.

You will designate each child as a “swimmer” or “non-swimmer” when completing your account in ePACT. Campers listed as “non-swimmers” will be given RED wristbands and lifejackets to wear when near the pool.

Campers listed as “swimmers” will be tested on their first day of pool attendance at Swanson Pool only. Swim tests will only be conducted at Otter Cove for Teen Camp; all other STC, SPX and 5th Grade campers will only be able to swim test at Swanson Pool. “Swimmers” will be required to show staff their ability to:

• Enter the water and go completely under the surface.
• Recover then float or tread for 1 minute with head remaining above water.
• Turn completely around and swim on their front for a minimum of 25 yards without stopping or touching the bottom.
• Exit the water by pulling themself up and over the side of the pool.

Those proving to be capable “swimmers” will be given a YELLOW wristband. Those unable to complete the task will be noted as “non-swimmers” by the District’s safety standards, and given a RED wristband for the day. “Non-swimmers” will have the option to retest the next time they are at the pool, if they wish to do so. .

Swim status will be logged and counselors are expected to be familiar with each camper’s swim skills.

“Non-swimmers” will have access to the Activity Pool (with a max depth of 3.5 ft) at both Swanson Pool and Otter Cove Aquatic Park.

Counselors are strategically situated in the pool and around the pool’s perimeter to monitor children’s activities. They are rotated through these assigned positions. Likewise, counselors supervise campers in the sand area and monitor their movement between the sand and pool areas.

Counselors maintain a 1:10 ratio with campers at all times. Campers will be assigned to small groups for their pool visits. Campers are required to exit the pool and meet with their group and counselor on dry land to check in at various times throughout their visit.

Sunscreen is reapplied after changing into swimsuits and before entering the pool area.

Weekly schedules for each camp are posted on Follow Your Interest, under Summer Camps.

Campers are expected to follow the Youth Participant Behavior Guidelines . If a behavior is not acceptable in a day camp setting, a Participant Behavior Report will be completed for the person picking up your child to acknowledge. If offensive behavior continues, the child may be sent home early for the day. There will be no refund for missed days due to disciplinary infractions. All participants and parents are expected to follow the Participant and Parent Guidelines:
To maintain a safe and enjoyable environment, preserve a healthy program experience, and encourage self-responsibility for actions; District programs have the expectation that both parents and participants will comply with each program’s expectations.
Participants/Guardians in any St. Charles Park District program or event are expected to:

• Respect one another, including all participants, staff, volunteers, and patrons
• Obey all rules and policies, to maintain a respectful and safe environment for all
• Listen to and accept the decisions of employee or contractor direction without protest
• Be responsible for his/her/their actions, and demonstrate good sportsmanship throughout program duration
• Help to maintain and keep all equipment, supplies, facilities, and common areas in good condition
• Be courteous to all, and allow others in the program and facility to enjoy the activity without disruption

These guidelines are intended to encourage participation and enjoyment by all. Participants displaying inappropriate behaviors will result in a Behavior report. Program participant guardians who display inappropriate behaviors may result in a compromise of your child’s ability to participate.

Participants who have previously withdrawn or been dismissed from any District program with multiple violations of the Youth Participant Behavior Guidelines will be subject to following the Program Participant Re-entry Plan:

To promote a safe, respectful, and positive environment for all; participants who have previously withdrawn or been dismissed from any District program with multiple violations of the Youth Participant Behavior Guidelines will be considered for future participation on a case-by-case basis. Re-entry eligibility will require adherence to an individualized re-entry plan developed in collaboration with Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA).

CHILDREN WITH INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLANS (IEPS) OR 504 PLANS

St Charles Park District believes in the right to an excellent recreational experience for all individuals from all backgrounds and ability levels. If your child has special medical, physical, psychological, and/or emotional needs or has a 504 plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP) from the school district, please contact the program supervisor.

Lack of communication may adversely affect our ability to accommodate your child’s needs. To provide the best customer service, we ask for at least two weeks’ notice before the start of the program to coordinate modifications. Participation may be delayed for requests received after that time frame.

INCLUSION SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

St Charles Park District works in collaboration with the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA) to make reasonable modifications in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for individuals with disabilities. Modifications are determined in cooperation with FVSRA and may include a combination of additional training for staff, program adaptations, the use of modified equipment, and, when necessary, additional staff support.

Timeline for Services

For new participants, FVSRA aims to complete an intake assessment within one week of receiving your request for inclusion services. Once an individual has a completed intake on file, the average time to determine and coordinate modifications is two weeks. To provide the best customer service, we ask for at least two weeks’ notice before the start of the program to arrange modifications.

For more information on inclusion services, visit FVSRA’s FAQ: https://www.fvsra.org/inclusionfaq

All participants will be expected to follow the Youth Participant Behavior Guidelines with or without the support of FVSRA.

Program Participant Re-entry Plan:

To promote a safe, respectful, and positive environment for all; participants who have previously withdrawn or been dismissed from any District program with multiple violations of the Youth Participant Behavior Guidelines will be considered for future participation on a case-by-case basis. Re-entry eligibility will require adherence to an individualized re-entry plan developed in collaboration with Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA).

It is important that you complete the Emergency Information Forms through ePACT as they provide valuable information to counselors about your child’s health history and any specific needs your child may have. After registering, you will receive an eMail from ePACT, the District’s secure emergency network, to create an account and complete medical & emergency contact information. As part of the District’s Emergency Response Plan, it is critical that all camper information is updated on an annual basis. For more information on ePact: click here

No. For the safety of your child, please log in to your existing ePACT account to confirm correct and up-to-date information including allergies, medications, swimmer status, pictures of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.

For information on how to check or edit existing information on your account: click here

For more information on ePact: click here

As part of the District’s Emergency Response Plan, it is critical all camper information is accurate and updated on an annual basis. ePACT will send an automatic reminder each year to ensure your child’s information is up-to-date. For information on how to check or edit existing information on your account: click here

Yes. Medication information and instructions need to be included in your child’s ePACT account. Any medications needed during the camp day should be dropped off with your child to their counselor in a clear, labeled, plastic bag that includes original dispensing instructions. Medications will be stored and administered by counselors at all times. Medications includes cough drops, vitamins, pain relievers and over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Prescription drugs, epi-pens and inhalers need to be given to counselors at drop off. All items must be in their original container with original label including patient’s name, physician’s name, pharmacy name, name of medication and complete dosage information. All medications will be stored by counselors until needed.

All staff have been trained in First Aid and CPR and will always put your child’s safety first should any injury occur during camp. Be sure to include all phone numbers where you can be reached during camp hours in case an emergency should arise.