SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS OR ALLERGIES?:
Children with medical conditions, who take medications, who have serious allergies, etc., should complete an Additional Info Health Form. If your child has an epi-pen or inhaler, ask the front desk staff for a blue "Allergy Kit" fanny-pack that will be used to hold your child's materials.
WHERE DO I GO ON MY FIRST DAY?:
Mill Valley: Strawberry Point School | 117 E. Strawberry Drive | Mill Valley, CA 94941 (park in the main lot, walk onto campus and you'll see us just off the playground based out of room #4). There will be a CIT (counselor in training) at the front gate during the main check-in time with a bright colored vest who will be greeting you upon your arrival with a warm smile and directions as to where you can get checked in for the day.
Larkspur: Marin Primary & Middle School | 20 Magnolia Avenue | Larkspur, CA 94939 (You will enter through the main wooden gate which will be clearly marked with Camp Doodles signs. There will be a CIT (counselor in training) at the front gate during the main check-in time with a bright colored vest who will be greeting you upon your arrival with a warm smile and directions as to where you can get checked in for the day. MP&MS is secured with gates that requires a 4 digit code to access the facility. Please ask the front desk staff for this code which will be needed for adults arriving on campus in the middle of the camp day.
San Rafael: Dominican University | 90 Acacia Avenue | San Rafael, CA 94901 (we're right on the corner of Acacia & Magnolia in the heart of campus. if you are parked temporarily no permit needed - take a left on Magnolia for more parking options. parking can be a bit San Francisco-ish, so give yourself an extra 5-minutes or so please). There will be a CIT (counselor in training) at the front gate during the main check-in time with a bright colored vest who will be greeting you upon your arrival with a warm smile and directions as to where you can get checked in for the day.
On the first day of camp please park in the main school parking lot. You will enter through the main wooden gate which will be clearly marked with Camp Doodles signs. There will also be a CIT (counselor in training) at the front gate with a bright colored vest who will be greeting you upon your arrival with a warm smile and directions as to where you can get checked in for the day. Marin Primary/Middle School is secured with gates that require a 4 digit code to access which is 1020. This code will be needed for anyone wishing to come into the school grounds. If you have any more questions please feel free to contact us.
Sign-In / Sign-Out:
All campers are signed in and out with our custom summer camp software, which allows only their parents or someone pre-authorized (by their parents) to check them out using a touch-screen monitor. Our software enables us to have real-time contact and medical information pertaining to each camper available at all times.
When a parent signs-in, a nametag sticker prints out with important information including your child's name, codes to alert the staff of any important allergy/medical information and space for "notes to the camp staff". At check-out, an "out" sticker can only be printed by an authorized pick up individual (mom, dad, babysitter, etc.) which allows the camp staff to ensure that your child is going home with an 'okay" person - we often have staff at the front gate saying "goodbye" to the campers whose primary responsibility is to check 'out' stickers, for safety purposes.
While it may sound quite fancy (it is) and not very 'camp-like', this setup was specifically designed by Camp Doodles as one of our many proactive methods to ensure the safety of your children, which is our #1 priority. You can feel comfortable knowing every step has been taken for your child's well-being. The parent, camper and staff reaction to this process has been great!
NOTIFICATIONS:
Our camp management system has the option to send parents an email notification everytime there child is checked in or out of camp. By default this is turned off. If you would like to have this feature turned on, just send us an email.
Authorized Pick Up Individuals:
Authorized Pick Up People are stay in our system until we receive, in writing, a request to remove someone from the list. This includes people that were authorized in previous summers. Authorized Pick Up People will have their own pin # to use. Please do not share your pin # with others.
HOW DO I CHECK IN?
To sign-in and out, our software requests a “Pin #”, which is typically your cell phone number, with the area code (e.g. 415 388 4386). We're happy to change your pin # to something else - just ask.
PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT SHARE YOUR PIN # WITH ANYONE, NOT EVEN YOUR BABYSITTER!
If someone special is going to pick up your child, just let us know and we will add their name to our software system and assign them a pin # when they arrive (default pin # will be their cell phone number). Again, please do not give your pin # to anyone else so that we may accurately track who campers go home with.
Weekly Schedules:
Weekly schedules, detailing special activities (dress up days, bike days, themes, etc.) and special announcements, will be posted at the entrance to the camp office. Advance copies of our Weekly Schedules can be found online. Please review these schedules in advance of arriving at camp. Occasionally, additional announcements will be listed on the camp check-in screen and on our camp BLOG.
Celebrate Your Child's Birthday:
We love to celebrate birthdays and other special events at camp! If your child is having a birthday, you are welcome to bring in some healthy snacks for his/her group or for the entire grade (don't forget their counselors & CIT's). Please bring healthy (and nut free) snacks such as favorite fruits, veggies with ranch, etc. We request that families do not bring cupcakes, cookies, cake, etc. as we try to promote healthy eating.
Lost & Found:
Is collected on a regular basis and displayed on our clothes racks. From shirts to sweatshirts, towels to shoes and lunches to toys, any items that are left at camp from one week to the next are given away or washed and kept at camp for any 'emergencies'.
Personal Property:
Alcohol, drugs, animals and any type of weapons are prohibited at camp at all times. The camp maintains a very large amount of sports/arts & crafts equipment. Campers should leave all toys, trading cards, game-boys and personal sports equipment at home. Vehicles are not permitted on camp grounds without explicit permission from the director or school district. Bicycles should be walked on campus and locked up safely. The camp is unable to assume responsibility for any lost or stolen equipment or belongings.
Recommended Check-In Hours:
Check in at your convenience - anytime between 9:00am and 9:45am. Check out at 4:00pm. You are, of course, welcome to drop off or pick up your child at anytime. Some lucky parents have the flexibility of getting lunch off and are always welcome to drop by camp to say 'hello' or eat lunch with us.
Extended Care:
Camp officially starts at 9:45am. Extended care is available from 7:30 – 9:00 and 4:00 - 6:00. If you’re running late, your child will automatically join the extended-care program and our computer will automatically charge $10/day (unless you pre-registered). Extended-care closes at 6:00pm sharp. Late pickups will be automatically charged $2 a minute per child after 6:00pm. Because we want our staff to be able to plan their lives outside of doodles, we strictly enforce this policy.
Yummy Hot Lunch Program:
Campers may bring their own lunch (with a drink & snacks), sign up for our delicious hot lunch program, or do both. Each day we offer a different lunch special ranging from Stefano’s Pizza to Pasta & Caesar salads to Grilly's burritos, quesadillas & taco salad wraps to Arigatou's sushi and chicken teriyaki. Yes, you can sign up for hot lunch each morning, including the first day of camp.
Campers who sign up for lunch also receive free drinks (milk, juice) and snacks. Please order no later than 10:00am each morning.
Daily Lunch Cost: $7 / day (be sure to sign up, then put a lunch sticker on your child's nametag)
Weekly Lunch Cost: $30 / week (be sure to sign up, then put a lunch sticker on your child's nametag)
Sign up for lunch at the check-in table when you arrive at camp. Much of camp is run on the honor system - lunch signup is no exception.
1.) Write your child's name down on our clipboard listindicating your lunch selection.
2.) Attach a lunch sticker to your child's name-tag so they can breeze through the lunch line.
3.) Leave your payment (get change if you need it).
The camp would prefer not to provide refrigeration or heating for lunches brought to camp from home.
It Takes A Community:
Summer camp teaches and enforces a wide variety skills that may or may not be learned in the classroom. While playing sports activities, the children are learning about working together as a team and beginning to better understand their bodies. When doing art projects, their creative sides are being further developed. When listening quietly to instructions, they are learning self control. One could go on and on about the benefits of camp, but we feel we can offer this and more.
The Camp Doodles staff feel a certain obligation to teach and encourage a variety of healthy habits, including washing hands before eating and choosing nutritious items. We are doing our part to educate and properly nourish our future by providing all of our campers with fresh milk (we'll pick up the extra cost) and trying to provide wholesome snacks, including a variety of different fruits. If you have any suggestions to improve our lunch options, we really want to hear them!
Please Keep Peanut Products At Home:
In past years we have had an increasing number of children with severe, life-threatening allergies to peanuts & cashews. While it is understood that it is impossible to make as public a place as a camp completely safe for children who have life threatening allergies, we can try to make it a safer place for these children...with your help. Please refrain from sending your child to camp with products containing the above products (M&M's, brownies, PB&J sandwiches, etc.).
A peanut/nut sensitive environment is one where peanut and nut products are avoided. Foods that carry the warning, “May Contain Nuts” are okay to bring to camp, (even though they are unsafe for the peanut and nut allergic children), as the risk of contamination of these products with peanuts or nuts is low. However, if possible, please leave even these foods at home.
Avoiding nuts is not enough for anyone that has a nut allergy. Even tiny amounts of nut residue on table tops, toys, books, and playground equipment can be harmful and potentially fatal. Nut residue will remain on a surface until it has been thoroughly cleaned with soap and water.
As safety is by far our #1 priority, we will provide your child with a free camp hot lunch if it is an inconvenience for your family to use peanut-free products. Please contact us ahead of time if you would like to pursue this option. What would you do if it was your child who was allergic? What steps would you want us to take to protect your child?
First Time / New Campers:
We recommend that new campers, who may have difficulty transitioning, arrive at around 9:30 as we usually bring the entire group together for assembly and split into groups around 9:45/10:00. If your child is new or is having any difficulties adjusting, please let the front desk staff know and they will pair him/her up with a camper or staff buddy to help smooth the transition. Please remind us each day your child may need an extra little boost - it can make a large difference in their day if we can start them off on a good note. Let's work together to make sure your child has an amazing experience.
Camp Attire:
Loads of sunscreen & closed-toed shoes are highly recommended. While we do encourage the use of smocks, some of our activities and arts + crafts can get a wee bit messy, so please dress your child appropriately. We try to apply/reapply sunscreen each afternoon.
Camper Reminders:
If your child has medications or needs to be reminded to re-apply sunscreen or eat their carrots, please bring a note with you to camp and be sure the medications are in the original doctor-prescribed container. Additionally, please complete an Additional Info Health Form. We always try to apply sunscreen to all campers after lunch on hot days and constantly remind the (younger) children to use the bathroom.
Trips Off Campus:
On Tuesdays we walk to a local ice cream store – our treat! In addition, the camp may walk to the local shopping center / downtown for scavenger hunts or hike or bike on trails around the school. See our daily calendar for a list of organized activities and our Field Trips for scheduled off-campus trips using charter bus and/or public transit. For the most part, our kindergarten and first grade campers stay on campus.
Safety:
Our #1 priority. We make every attempt to play safely, cross streets safely and continuously scan for any potential hazards, before they can occur. For high visibility and easy communication, our counselors have business grade Motorola walkie-talkie radios, STAFF shirts and nametags. Our Camp Manager is a former EMT and a current Red Cross Instructor who is certified to teach CPR, First Aid and AED classes. Any significant injury or illness will result in a call to 9-1-1 as well as parent notification. In the event of any natural or other disaster, children will remain under the direct care and supervision of the Camp Doodles staff until an authorized individual is able to check them out. If your child is still in our care 24 hours after a major disaster occurs, they may be released to a neighbor or other person the child feels comfortable staying with.
Sick Children:
"How Sick Is Too Sick for Camp?"
WATER DAY:
Prepare yourself for a fun water day on Thursday afternoons, complete with a huge water-slide, "get-wet" relays, "Splish Splish Splash", water balloon tosses and more. Please send your child to camp with a swimsuit on (ideally under their clothes) and have a cozy towel tucked away in their backpack. Children are not required to participate in the water activities, but we recommend sending your child with the above supplies as experience shows us many children change their mind once they see the fun we're having!
We typically watch a (G-rated) video during Water Day extended-care as everyone is exhausted from playing in the water & sun.
Daily Slideshows:
Most days, at approximately 3:45pm, we have a digital slideshow of picture taken throughout the day at camp. This serves as a great way to ‘wind down’ and to think back to the fun projects, games and activities we participated in that day.
|
