March 2010   Dear Camp Molly Parents and Guardians,   2010 promises yet another exciting summer at Camp Molly Molasses!!  Each week is filled with creative themes, special events and Fun Friday’s which are sure to keep your children engaged all summer long!!  Whether returning or joining us for the first time, Camp Molly is a great place to make new friends and create lasting memories!! Although this is my first summer at the Bangor Y, I have six years of experience directing day camps and am so excited to join the Camp Molly family and kick off its 45th season!  We are thrilled to have many of our veteran camp counselors back with us, as well as to welcome some new faces!!  We are looking forward to a wonderful summer with you and your children. The attached Parent Handbook should help answer most of your questions.  Please note that you should read and understand all the information in this packet, for some of the information has changed.  If you have any other questions, please feel free to give us a call at the Bangor Y at 941-2808, or at Camp Molly after June 28th at 843-5424. On behalf of all the staff at the Bangor Y, thank you for entrusting us to provide a safe and fun-filled camp experience!! Jodie H. Burckhard Camp Molly Director   We dedicate ourselves to the pleasant task of opening the eyes of children that all may come to enjoy the beauty of the outdoor world, and to share in conserving its wonders forever. ~ Bangor Y Camp Molly Molasses Bangor Y Camp Molly Molasses PARENT HANDBOOK   ***ATTENTION ALL PARENTS*** ***PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION IN THIS PACKET***   ALL CAMPERS AND LITS MUST BE ESCORTED INTO THE GYM BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN EACH MORNING FOR SIGN-IN!    -   The bus will leave the Hammond Street Y at 8:00 a.m.             -All campers need to be in the gym prior to 8:00 a.m.             -Program ends at 5:30 p.m.             -All children need to be picked up prior to 5:30 p.m. unless signed up for extended care ($10/week for 5:30pm-6:00pm care)   ** A non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of $10 prior to April 30th and $25 after May 1st is required for each week you sign your child up for camp, but will be credited toward that week’s fee.  Payment in full is due the Wednesday one week before the week your child attends camp.  If payment in full is not received by Friday noon, we reserve the right to remove your child from the attendance list and call our waiting list to replace the slot reserved for your child.  This is essential if we are to provide a fair and equitable registration process for all parents.   ** A written notice is required for withdrawal of your child from any camp program.  Notices must be in by Tuesday, June 1st at 5:00 p.m. to withdraw from any week of camp.  Without written notice, you will be required to remit full payment on any weeks you have signed up for.  Read the fee agreement carefully and ask questions if you have them.    ** All information packets must be turned in at the time of registration.  Any child with an incomplete packet will not be allowed to attend camp until all information is turned in!  ALL IMMUNIZATION RECORDS ARE DUE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION  If you register your child for more than one Bangor Y day camp, we will copy your packet for both camps.  Payment is due in full for all registrations received after August 1st.   **REGISTRATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 6PM ON THE THURSDAY PRIOR TO THE WEEK OF CAMP.  FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.  Please sign up early to ensure that you have a spot at camp!   We appreciate your efforts!   FOOD   Children attending Camp Molly Molasses will need to bring a complete lunch and drink each day.  Snacks are sold at the camp store to supplement lunch.  We recommend that all lunches meet 1/3 of the child’s daily nutritional requirements.  Refrigeration is provided.  Please no warm ups as we do not have daily access to a microwave/oven during lunchtime.     CAMP STORE   The Camp Molly store offers fruit, crackers, chips, and other healthy snacks to be purchased by campers.  Purchases are limited to one drink and one or two other items each day.  These items range in price $0.10-$1.25.  Please do not send your child to camp with any large bills.  The Camp Molly store and beverage vending machines will be made available to your child during designated times in the day.     CAMP HOURS   Camp runs Monday through Friday, rain or shine.  All campers will meet the bus to go to camp at the Hammond Street Y between 6:30 a.m. — 8:00 a.m.!!  The bus will leave for camp at 8:00 a.m. sharp!  All campers need to be in the gym before 8:00 a.m.  The bus returns to the Hammond Street Y at approximately 4:45 p.m., children must be picked up no later than 5:30 p.m.  Between the hours of 9:00am and 3:30pm parents are always welcome to drop off or pick up at Camp Molly.   Limited care is available at 5:30pm and until 6pm.   All children who need to stay in the program from 5:30-6:00pm will need to register at the front desk and pay an additional $10 fee.   DOWNEAST BUS SERVICE   The Bangor Y summer camps provide transportation to and from the DowneastSchool to both Bangor Y locations for those who live in the neighborhoods surrounding the Downeast School.  Campers may meet the bus for pick up at Downeast School at approximately 7:30am and drop off at approximately 4:45pm.    Please understand that THE BANGOR Y DOES NOT PROVIDE SUPERVISION AT THE DOWNEAST SCHOOL FOR PICK-UP OR DROP-OFF.  PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE to see that their children board the bus safely, and meet the bus at the proper time when it returns from camp.  When written consent is given to transport to and from Downeast School, the child will be transported Monday through Friday for each week of camp that the child is registered.   ARRIVAL   It is mandatory that you come inside the building with your child and make contact with the camp staff upon arrival and departure each day. We cannot accept responsibility for any child dropped off, whose parents have not made contact with a camp staff person.  When bringing your child, please give the staff any special information about the health or activities of your child or family.  Such information helps the staff to better understand your child and to respond to his/her needs. DRIVE THRU DROP-OFF This is the parent’s favorite service. This service is available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. at Hammond Street.  Parents will drive up to the playground gate, sign the check in form, pick up any info and drive off in a 30-second stop.  In order to keep the line moving, please have everything ready so your child can get out of the car quickly and parents can sign the check-in form.  If any paperwork is missing for your child, you will need to park and come into the building to complete information before your child may be dropped off or attend camp.   DEPARTURE   It is necessary that you enter the building when picking up your child.  Please call the Camp Director if you are going to be late in coming for your child due to an emergency.      CAMP MOLLY: 843-5424                SECOND STREET Y: 941-2808   If a person other than one already authorized is to pick up your child, you must send a written note and give verbal notice to the Camp Director.  NO child will be released to anyone under the age of 18 even if they are a sibling or also attend camp.  As already stated in the Fee Agreement policy, children picked up after the program has ended will be charged a late pick up fee of $10.00.     For the safety of all campers, we ask for a picture I.D. from any person we are not familiar with who may be picking up a child, including parents, grandparents, relatives, etc.   PARKING   Parking availability for parent use is in the Hammond Street and Court Street parking lots.  Please make sure the Handicap Spots remain available for those in need, even on a temporary basis.    SUSPENSION AND DISMISSAL POLICY   The following will be considered grounds for suspension or dismissal:               1.Nonpayment of tuition             2.Continued disruptive behavior by the child after the parents have been consulted and appropriate measures have been taken to change such behavior.             3.Immediate dismissal may occur in extreme situations.             4.Repeated late pickup.             5.Failing to comply with Bangor Y policies.             6.Failing to provide essential emergency and medical information as required by the Bangor Y.   VIOLENCE POLICY   The Bangor Y strives to eliminate unsafe behavior by anticipating and closely supervising any potentially dangerous situations.  We believe all children and staff have the right to be safe from the threat of physical harm or injury, verbal assault, and intimidation.  We wish to promote an environment where children are free to learn and have fun without the adverse effects of violence.  Any act of verbal or physical violence by an enrolled child in a Bangor Y program will result in disciplinary action up to suspension and/or termination.   GENERAL HEALTH   During the course of the day, many individuals enter and leave a camp environment; therefore, our ability to control the introduction of infectious diseases is limited.   Everyone shares in the responsibility to consistently implement health policies.  These policies are aimed at reducing the introduction and spread of infectious disease.   A thorough medical screening prior to enrollment attempts to determine whether a particular group camp environment is in a child’s best interest.  Group environments are not suitable for every child.     Any child who is not well enough to participate in routine program activities should not attend or be admitted to any camp program.  Children must be healthy enough to participate in activities, both indoors and outdoors.   WHAT TO BRING   Please watch the weather each day and dress your children accordingly.  The winds coming off the lake can affect the temperatures at Camp Molly as much as ten degrees compared to in town.  As a rule, please have your children bring the following items with them on a daily basis; water bottle, bathing suit and towel (some families find an extra of each helpful due to double swim days), a plastic bag to bring home wet clothes, a lunch and a drink (no glass please), non-aerosol insect repellant, sunscreen, and extra warm clothing.  Rain gear is always a good idea as well.     Please put your child’s name on all of their belongings!!   OVERNIGHTS   The Camp Molly staff is happy to have sleepovers during on Thursdays, July 15th, July 29th and August 12th for campers to take part in.  Each overnight has a different theme.  You will be given a schedule of the nights’ events prior to the sleepover.  All sleepovers are on Thursday nights.  Your child will return to the Hammond Street Y around 4:45 (our regular arrival time) on Friday.  Though every sleepover is different your child will always need: sleeping bag, pillow, toothbrush/paste, pajamas, 2 sets of clothing, bathing suit and 2 towels.  Don’t forget to bring 2 lunches, one for Thursday and one for Friday.  Please see the Camp Director for any sleepover details and remember to sign up in advance at the Front Desk, as spots are limited!  The cost of each sleepover is $35.00 per child.   Registration for each will close at 6:00pm of the Tuesday prior to the overnight.   CAMPER T-SHIRTS   Monday and Fridays are Camp Molly spirit days.  All staff and children are encouraged to take part by wearing their Camp Molly T-Shirts.  If your child would like to take part in this spirited event or would like to have a Camp T-shirt as a souvenir, please note that camp shirts will be available for you to purchase at the front desk.  T-shirts cost $10 each.     TOYS & ELECTRONICS   We recognize that it is very important for children to have connections with home throughout the day. However, we do not allow weapons of any type, toys that require batteries (such as electronic games or cell phones), toys that make loud noises or toys that may stimulate aggressive behavior.  We are not responsible for toys or electronics that are lost or stolen because they came to camp. PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES   - Call Camp Director by 7:30 a.m. when child will be absent.   - Recognize importance of keeping sick children home.   - Arrange alternative care for your sick child.   - Please be aware that we send sick children home.  We will try to make every effort to contact you.  If we are unable to reach you, we may contact persons listed under emergency contacts.  Your child must be picked up as soon as possible after your phone call.   - Understand that any child contracting a contagious disease must bring in written permission from their physician stating that it is O.K. to return to a camp setting before they will be reinstated.     - Fill out registration forms completely.   - Exchange all pertinent information with the Camp Director during intake and as it changes throughout the summer.   - Assure that your child is on schedule for all immunizations.   - Assure that child’s lunch meets the daily nutritional requirements.   - Pick up time is by 5:30 p.m.  Please be prompt, there will be a late pick-up fee of $10.   - Keep all payment receipts — we cannot give out information for taxes.  *Federal ID # 01-0211485   MEDICATION   For camp program purposes, the term “medication” includes prescribed and non-prescribed medications, including cough drops, aspirin and non-aspirin pain relievers, cough medications, antihistamines, decongestants and ointments.  Prescribed medications can be given only upon written order of a physician.   A medication container label bearing the prescribing physician’s name may be accepted as the physician’s order.   All medications must be clearly labeled with:               1)Child’s name             2)Name of the medication             3)Clear directions for administration             4)Name of the doctor prescribing medication   The Director/Assistant Director, or designated staff member of the program will administer all medications.  An Authorization to Dispense Medication form must be completed by the parent before a camp staff member can administer any medications.  A new authorization to dispense medication form needs to be filled out each week.  These forms can be found at the front desk or at the sign in/out tables in the Hammond Street gym.     Occasionally it is appropriate for a child to self-administer his/her medication.  Parents must first speak with the Director and obtain written permission from their physician before a child can administer any medications.   MEDICAL EMERGENCIES   The parent/guardian will be immediately notified of medical emergencies.  You will be given the opportunity to participate in the needed treatment.  When notification or participation are not possible, the Authorization for Emergency Transportation and Medical Treatment (found in the camp registration packet) will facilitate quick and effective response to your child’s needs.     Upon occurrence of a medical emergency when a parent or guardian is unavailable for transportation, emergency transportation will be sought through the Bangor Fire Department, or an alternative Fire Department, depending on the location.  The Bangor Y vehicles or staff vehicles will be driven by staff members only when emergency transportation is unavailable or unadvisable, such as injury that merits medical advice but not extreme in nature.     Upon occurrence of a medical emergency when a parent or guardian is unavailable for participation in the needed treatment, medical advice and/or emergency treatment will be sought through the child’s family doctor.  When this is not possible, advice/treatment will be sought from EasternMaineMedicalCenter in Bangor or another medical facility if outside the Bangor area.   INSURANCE   The Bangor Y does not provide accident coverage for individuals or groups and is unable to take responsibility for injuries that may be suffered as a result of participation in Bangor Y related programs.   SOCIAL SERVICES   Any staff member knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect that an enrolled child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected shall immediately report or cause a report to be made to the Maine Department of Human Services.  Suspected neglect or abuse of an enrolled child must be reported.  Persons knowingly violating this obligation commit a civil violation for which a fine may be adjudged and disciplinary job action may be taken.   Any parent/guardian or person designated to pick up a child exhibiting evidence of intoxication will be discouraged from driving the child home.  The Director/Assistant Director will initiate alternative transportation.     CUSTODY ISSUES   Parents or guardians are asked to notify the Camp Director of any custody arrangements involving their enrolled child(ren).  We ask that you furnish documents, such as divorce decree, that state to whom your child may be released.  This information is required by law enforcement officers in the event an unauthorized person seeks to remove your child from our program.  Any childcare payment arrangements need to be handled between the child’s parents/guardian(s).  The Bangor Y will not become involved in any arrangements/disagreements between parents.