FAMILY GUIDE 2019 - Camp Jacobson

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FAMILY GUIDE 2019 - Camp Jacobson
FAMILY GUIDE 2019
FAMILY GUIDE 2019 - Camp Jacobson
Dear Camp Jacobson families,

    We are excited to share Summer 2019 with you! Each summer our campers
    enjoy making new friends, reuniting with old friends, building new skills,
    developing as a person, and feeling a part of our special Camp Jacobson
    community. Our preparations have been under way all year. Our group leaders,
    specialists and staff members join us in welcoming you. We are looking forward to
    seeing you when camp begins on Thursday, June 27.

    We would like to assist you in preparing for the opening day of camp by
    providing this Family Guide. Your understanding of our procedures and policies
    helps ensure a safe, fun and successful summer for all!

    We hope to see you at the upcoming Family Fun Day on Sunday, June 23,
    10:30am-12:00pm. This is a new event for all enrolled families to come to camp,
    enjoy a morning of rides, games, and camp activities, as well as meet your child’s
    staff for the summer.

    If you would like to contact us personally, we can be reached at the email
    addresses below. We are counting the days to another incredible summer at
    Camp Jacobson!

    Thank you,

    Paul Isserles                Adam Grundfast                Lindsay Mauer Berez
    Director                     Assistant Camp Director       Assistant Camp Director
    paulisserles@sjjcc.org       agrundfast@sjjcc.org          lberez@sjjcc.org

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FAMILY GUIDE 2019 - Camp Jacobson
CAMP MISSION STATEMENT
Camp Jacobson is a place where all children flourish in a safe,nurturing
environment based on Jewish values and ideals. Camp Jacobson
encourages each child to learn and have fun as they grow, teaching
sportsmanship and camaraderie while establishing lifelong friendships.

CAMP DATES
Thursday, June 27–Thursday, August 22, 2019
(Please note camp is closed Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5)

CAMP HOURS
Office: 7:30am–approximately 6:00pm
After 6:00pm, please call us at 516.626.1094 and leave a message or
email campjacobson@sjjcc.org and your correspondence will be returned
as soon as possible.

SID JACOBSON JCC
Camp Jacobson is one of the many programs offered by Sid Jacobson
JCC (SJJCC). Our camp program, like all of the Center’s activities,
operates on the premise that each person is important and learns and
grows through formal and informal experiences.

Sid Jacobson JCC offers families and individuals a variety of programs
at our main campus in East Hills, our Old Westbury campus —
Bernice Jacobson Day School & Camp, and additional off-site
locations throughout Nassau County. For more information about
programs or becoming a member of SJJCC, visit sjjcc.org or contact
SJJCC at 516.484.1545.

ACA ACCREDITATION
Camp Jacobson is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).
ACA is a community of camp professionals who have joined together
to share vast knowledge and experience to ensure the quality of camp
programs for nearly 100 years. ACA-accredited camps must meet over
300 standards for health, safety and program quality.

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FAMILY GUIDE 2019 - Camp Jacobson
CONTACTING CAMP
    We want to make sure that you get the proper attention each time that
    you contact us. In order to do so, here is some information to help get
    you to the right person:
    •   Camp Jacobson: 516.626.1094, campjacobson@sjjcc.org
    •   Camper/Staff-Related Issues: The Group Leader is the primary
        contact for your camper and their staff
    •   Billing/Registration: Office Staff
    •    Transportation/Bus: Office Staff
    •    Allergy and Medical-Related Issues: Nursing Staff/Allergy Specialist
    •     General Inquiries: Office Staff
    It is our policy to return phone calls and emails in a timely manner.

    CAMP JACOBSON CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
    An important goal of our camp is to not only do our part to help our campers
    develop athletically, but to also help them grow mentally, emotionally, and
    spiritually. At Camp Jacobson, character development and values are a part of the
    fabric of our entire program. We reinforce the values you teach at home.
    We believe in and act upon our core “BEAR” values.
    • Bravery – To be strong, willing to try new things, make new friends
    • Empathy – To respect others, be willing to help others, be friendly, listen to
          each other
    • Awareness – To care for others, use self-reflection, be aware of differences
    • Responsibility – To follow rules, show teamwork, take care of our own things
          and the camp environment

    IN ORDER TO ATTEND CAMP, ALL CHILDREN
    MUST HAVE:
    •    ayment received by us in full or an approved and up-to-date payment
        P
        plan in place.
    •   Health History completed online by a parent or guardian and a Physical
        Exam completed after August 21, 2018 and returned to camp before your
        child’s first day.
    •   Documentation showing that your child is up-to-date with all vaccinations,
        as may be evidenced by an immunization form from your child’s doctor.

    MEDICAL
    If your child requires medication to be administered during camp:
    • All medication must be labeled with the following: camper’s name, group,
         proper dosage, expiration date and in its original container,

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FAMILY GUIDE 2019 - Camp Jacobson
with enough medication for the full 39 days of camp.
•    If your child has asthma or allergies, please supply the camp with an extra
     inhaler and/or epi-pen.
•    Please note all allergies and medications on your child’s Medical
     Form, even if he/she does not take any medication during camp.
   
Our on-site nursing staff is well equipped to deal with most camp-related
illnesses or injuries. You will be contacted should your child require
out-of-camp services.

The more we know about the health of your child, the better we can prepare.
Families must complete a Medication Consent Form and Food Allergy
Action Plan, available under Forms in your CampMinder dashboard, prior to
administration of any medication.

CAMPMINDER
CampMinder is your online portal for forms, documents, newsletters,
photos and more! Familiarizing yourself with this system is essential for staying
informed of all camp happenings.

1.   Start at campjacobson.com
2.   Click on ‘CampMinder Login’ (at the top)
3.   Enter your email address and password. If you don’t know your
     password or you are a first time user, click on “Retrieve/Set
     Password”.

FORMS & DOCUMENTS
The camper forms are an opportunity for you to share any and all physical, social,
and emotional insights and information about your camper. All forms can be
found on CampMinder.
• The top of the page lists the forms specific for each camper.
• The bottom of the page lists the forms for the family.
• The “computer” icon indicates forms that can be completed online.
• The “paper” icon indicates forms that are to be printed and returned to the
    camp office.
• The “arrow” icon indicates notices that are for your information.

Forms will appear RED when past due, GREEN when successfully
submitted, and BLACK when not yet due. Your child can not attend
camp unless we receive all required forms.

CAMPER INFORMATION
Update individual camper information such as nickname, school and grade,
as of September 2019, to ensure proper communication and administration.

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FAMILY GUIDE 2019 - Camp Jacobson
UPDATE ADDRESSES/PHONE NUMBERS
    Update address, phone number, and email information.
    *If you change your address, cell phone number, or email, please contact us!

    PHOTOS
    You can view and print pictures of your children throughout the summer. Simply
    select your child’s group name from the drop down menu and save the photos you
    like. Photos are uploaded by the end of the business day for each group.

    ABSENCES
    If your child is going to be absent from camp, please contact the camp office as
    early as possible at 516.626.1094 or email us at campjacobson@sjjcc.org.

    PARENT DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES
    No cars are permitted on our roadway from 8:45–9:30am and 3:45–4:15pm.
    Campers being dropped off in the morning must arrive after 9:30am. Campers
    should be dropped off at the Welcome Gazebo. Campers being picked up in the
    afternoon must be picked up before 3:45pm.

    Safety is our priority. We will hold visitors at camp until all buses are cleared for
    morning and afternoon dismissal. If your child will not be going home on the bus,
    please notify camp in advance and we will have your child ready to be picked up
    at the Welcome Gazebo. Parents must sign in and out with security at the
    Welcome Gazebo.

    BEFORE & AFTER CARE
    For families in need of extended childcare, we offer Before & After Care from
    7:30–9:00am and 4:00–6:00pm. Program includes quality supervisors, special
    activities and projects, and afternoon snack. For more information or to sign up
    for this service, contact the camp office.

    TRANSPORTATION/BUS RULES
    The bus driver and bus counselor will work with your child to understand the bus
    rules and ensure their safety. Campers are required to sit at all times. There is no
    eating or drinking on the bus at any time. Children must be greeted at the bus by
    a parent or approved adult in order to be taken off the bus. Play dates after camp
    must be arranged through our office, not through your bus driver. Infant car seats
    and booster seats are provided as required or requested. You can email our
    Transportation Coordinator at transportation@sjjcc.org.

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FAMILY GUIDE 2019 - Camp Jacobson
AQUATICS PROGRAM
Campers participate in two swim periods per day (mini-day campers will participate
in one swim period). The morning swim is an American Red Cross instructional swim
period. The afternoon swim is a supervised, recreational swim period. Reports will be
sent home periodically throughout the summer to inform parents of child’s progress.

LUNCH
A kosher, nut-free lunch is provided daily, offering one hot item each day as
well as a selection of cold item alternatives. You can consult the camp menu
for daily offerings.

Due to allergy restrictions, no outside food is allowed on our campgrounds.
Your child will have lunch choices each day, which is why it is necessary all
dietary restrictions and allergies are known prior to camp starting. If your camper
has dietary restrictions or food allergies, please complete the Allergy Action Plan
form in Campminder.

HYDRATE!
Send in a labeled water bottle that we can refill throughout the day at one of our
water stations so your child is cool and refreshed all summer. At home, make sure
your child drinks plenty of water each night and in the morning before camp.

SUNSCREEN/INSECT REPELLENT
Apply sunscreen and insect repellent to your child every morning before camp.
Send in labeled sunscreen/insect repellent to keep in your child’s cubby so we
can re-apply throughout the day. Parents must complete the Sunscreen
Authorization form available in CampMinder before your child’s first day.

RAINY DAYS
Send your child to camp in a raincoat and shoes that can get wet and muddy.
Upper Camp and Explorer campers may go out of camp for a rainy day field trip.
Parents are notified via email if a trip is planned.

CAMP T-SHIRTS
All campers receive a t-shirt on the first photo day (Travel Campers receive
t-shirts prior to the first camp trip). Camp shirts must be worn on trip days
and photo days.
• Early Childhood through Upper Camp will receive one t-shirt.
• Explorers (Grades: 5-8) will receive two t-shirts.
• CIT’s (Grades: 9-10) will receive three t-shirts.

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BIRTHDAY PARTIES
    Children with birthdays during the summer have the opportunity to
    celebrate with campmates. You can order baked goods from our approved
    list of kosher/nut free bakeries. Contact the camp office for more details.

    TRIPS
    Campers entering 2nd-4th grade will attend various trips throughout the
    summer. Campers entering 5th grade and up enjoy a mix of day/overnight
    trips as well as time on camp. Consult the camp calendar for a detailed list
    of trips for your child’s group.

    THEME DAYS, DRESS UP DAYS AND
    SPECIAL EVENTS
    Each Wednesday throughout the summer, we offer your child the opportunity
    to show camp spirit by participating in theme days. We also have planned a
    variety of specialty programs and entertainers each week. Our camp-wide
    Goodwill Games offer campers and staff the opportunity to participate in
    athletic and creative challenges to earn points for their teams. Consult the
    camp calendar for a complete list of theme days and specialty events.

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    We encourage you to like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram
    to stay updated on camp happenings.
      Facebook: Camp Jacobson
      Instagram: @campjacobson

    Share your photos with us on Facebook and Instagram using the
    hashtag #campjacobson!

    NEW FOR 2019! VISITING DAYS
    Visiting days are a special part of the Camp Jacobson experience, and a great way
    to see your child in action. From Week 3-Week 5 (Mondays-Thursdays), families
    can sign up for a day and time for parents, grandparents, and siblings to come to
    camp and spend a few camp periods with your child and their group.

    The form sign-up will be available on our website after June 15.

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COMMUNICATION
We pride ourselves on effectively communicating with you throughout the
summer. You should expect to receive correspondences throughout the week
to ensure you are aware of all that is going on with your child at camp.

Communication with Group Leader — Beginning with a pre-camp phone
call, you will receive regular communication with the Group Leader, including
personal emails and phone calls. The pre-camp phone call is a great opportunity
to meet them over the phone as well as to give any important information about
your child.

Camp News — You will receive a weekly email blast to notify you of upcoming
important dates, events at camp, online newsletters, visiting opportunity
information and more.

Remind App — Stay up to date with camp information by using the
free Remind App
• Option 1: Visit the App Store or Google Play and download the
      Remind App to your smartphone for free. Open the app, select “Join a
     Class” and enter the code “CJSummer19” following the @ symbol.
• Option 2: Send a text message to 81010 and type “@CJSummer19”
     in the message line.

Backpack — We will provide each camper a backpack at the start of the
summer. Please make sure to check your child’s backpack at the end of each
day, as this is a key part of how we will correspond with you. Arts & Crafts
projects, swim updates and other communications will be sent home in
backpacks. If you find you are missing any of these correspondences, please
feel free to contact us.

NO TIPPING POLICY
We have a no tipping policy at Camp Jacobson. We promote the work our
dedicated staff does throughout the summer with a dynamic bonus system.
We ask our camp families to refrain from providing cash tips to any staff member.

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WHAT TO WEAR AND
                     PACK EACH DAY ...

     Sneakers to                                         Water bottle
     wear at all
     times except
     during swim

                                Campers should wear a bathing suit to
                                camp every day of the week

                                Full Day Campers should pack an extra
                                bathing suit for their second swim period

     Appropriate camp           All campers should pack underwear
     clothing that may          and an extra pair of shorts to change into
     get wet and/or dirty       after swimming

          Towels are provided and washed each day by Camp Jacobson

              ALL BELONGINGS MUST BE LABELED
                  WITH THE CAMPER’S NAME
                    OUTSIDE FOOD IS PROHIBITED

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WHAT TO LEAVE
      AT CAMP ...

An extra set of clothing, including underwear, t-shirt,
shorts and socks

	
 Pool shoes to be worn during swim only

		Sweatshirt/raincoat and sweatpants
   for chilly and rainy days

			
   Sunscreen/insect repellent

ALL BELONGINGS MUST BE LABELED
    WITH THE CAMPER’S NAME

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REMINDERS
 •     Lunch/snack, transportation, towel service and staff gratuities are all
       part of your child’s tuition. Additional options such as horseback riding,
       Before & After Care and post-camp lessons are offered at discounted
       rates to camp families.

 •     Our Group Leaders will be calling the homes of our campers
       before the first day of camp to introduce themselves and discuss any
       pertinent information about your child.

 •     We care about your opinion. Throughout the summer, we offer
       families the opportunity to complete online evaluations about the staff,
       program and your overall camp experience. Please check
       your email with links for our surveys.

 We are always interested in speaking with you. Please do not
 hesitate to call our office any time at 516.626.1094.

                    Thank you for choosing Camp Jacobson!

                           campjacobson.com

        This camp is permitted to operate by the Nassau County Department of Health.
     As such, the camp is required to be inspected twice per year. Inspection reports on the
                 camp are filed at 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, NY 11501.

                                          CAMPJACOBSON.COM

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