MiamiDade County Parks Recreation Open Spaces Eco Adventures

Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Eco. Adventures Camp Manatee 2014 Counselor in Training Handbook

Eco. Adventures Mission Statement Vision Statement We will build and maintain a model parks and recreation system to provide for a healthy, livable, and sustainable community that enhances the quality of life for our residents and visitors. Mission Statement We create outstanding Recreational, Natural, and Cultural experiences to enrich you and enhance the quality of life for our community for this and future generations. Philosophy & Goals Eco. Adventures Nature Camps offers children the opportunity to experience and participate in a wide variety of activities in a safe, supervised, and wellorganized setting. All activities at camp are planned to help children achieve the following goals: 1. To foster stewardship of our natural resources. 2. To develop skills and knowledge in leisure activities including sports, arts & crafts, games and, of course, nature. 3. The development of social skills and respect for others. 4. To assist in the development of a positive self-image. 5. To have fun!!

Program Description Nature adventure camps for children and teens, boys and girls, together with naturalist guides that are also certified in water safety, will have fun exploring the South Florida environment through a variety of fun and exciting activities in a safe park environment ranging from nature hikes on wooded trails, canoeing, kayaking (age 10 and older), swimming (guarded pools), playing interactive nature games, arts and crafts, field trips to local park preserves, Zoo Miami, Monkey Jungle, Crandon Park, Shark Valley in Everglades National Park and more. Camps hours are 9: 00 am - 4: 00 pm, Monday - Friday, and offer 7: 30 am early dropoffs and 6: 00 pm late pick-up options. Camp Manatee Greynolds Park - Boathouse 17530 West Dixie Highway 305 -948 -2891/ 305 -944 -6111 Camp Manatee is a nature-based specialty camp for children 6 to 14 years, which teaches about the wonders of the environment through interactive games, activities, crafts and fieldtrips. Our summer session focuses on the South Florida’s unique ecosystems and fantastic history with Greynolds Park as a backdrop for exploration and learning. Examples of activities include canoeing (ages 10 and older), hiking, archery, swimming and hands-on nature studies. Environmental themes change weekly. Campers will meet at the Boathouse.

Registration, Payments, Orientation Program Fees Registration Fee - $12 annually per CIT, non-refundable Tuition- $25 weekly per CIT Registration starts May 1 st, 2014. Registration may be completed online or in-person. In-Person Registration may be completed at the Greynolds Park Boathouse location by appointment. Call 305 -944 -6111 or email archcreek@miamidade. gov to schedule an appointment. Greynolds Park is located at 17530 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, Fl. 33160 Online Registration Parents can register for the full 10 -week Summer Camp Program online at https: //rms. miamidade. gov/RMS 7/Activities/Search. aspx Select “Arch Creek Park” in the Place field. If registering online, all required paperwork must be completed and returned prior to the start of camp. Payment Procedures All payments for camp must be paid in full at the time of registration. Acceptable forms of payment include: cash, check, Visa, Master. Card, or AMEX. Camp Manatee cannot hold any weeks or availability without appropriate payment. All required registration forms must be completed and submitted at the time of registration. REMINDER: Save your receipts for your personal records. Camp Manatee does not issue end-ofyear statements, or reprint receipts. Child Care Federal Tax ID number is 59 -6000 -053. CIT Orientation Camp Manatee Parent Orientation will be held on Friday, May 30 th, 2014 at 7: 00 pm at the Greynolds Park Boathouse. We would like all parents and CIT’s old and new to attend.

Arrival and Departure Hours of Operation Drop-off: 7: 30 am - 9: 30 am Nature Camp: 9: 30 am - 4: 00 pm Pick-up: 4: 00 pm - 6: 00 pm Shifts CITs will be required to work from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. If there is a reason you can not be present, please inform camp supervisors as soon as possible. Please bring a note giving permission if you: • Need to leave camp early or will be arriving late one day. • Will be walking or riding your bike to and from camp. • Are to go home with another child/parent. • Will be signing yourselves in and out daily. Late Pick–Up For safety reasons, parents please be prompt in picking up your CIT. If you are running late, or made other arrangements for departure, please notify the staff by calling the nature center.

Policy and Procedures Forms Registration Forms Be sure to give us an IMMEDIATE emergency phone number, along with a list of people who we can contact for emergencies in the case you are not available. The Emergency Contact List , provided will be used during pick -up time. Only the individuals listed on the form will be allowed to pick up your CIT. Please be sure to bring your ID along as staff will be checking them to ensure you or any other individual is on the list. Please fill out the form precisely and with any pertinent health, medical and behavioral information we may need to know about your child. This just helps us continue to be sure your child is getting the proper care required and gets the most enjoyment out of camp. Fieldtrip Permission Forms This form gives the Nature Camp permission to transport your child in a Miami-Dade County vehicle or Franmar bus to and from the fieldtrip facility. Forms must be signed by a parent/ guardian and returned to Camp Staff prior to the fieldtrip. Forms can not be returned via fax or email and verbal permission is not accepted. The exact location of the fieldtrip as well as departure and return times from/to camp will be listed on the form.

Policy and Procedures Uniforms Items to Bring Daily • CITs are to wear plain solid colored t-shirts. (no logos or designs) • CITs will also be required to wear a ID tag at all times. • On Field Trips (most Fridays, unless other wise mentioned on schedule), will be required to wear blue Volunteer T-shirt and ID tag. • At Pool, CITs must wear appropriate modest swim/aquatic wear. • Girls: one piece swimsuit with shorts or rash-guard/t-shirt with shorts. • Boys: swim trunks with rash-guard/t-shirt. • T-SHIRTS can not become see-through when wet! • CITs must wear closed toed shoes (sneakers). • Self contained lunch & Snacks (no refrigeration is provided) • Swimsuit & Towel – On days when Aquatic activities will take place. • Sun block and insect repellant. • Gym shoes. No sandals or Crocs. • Plastic bag to hold wet articles. • A refillable water bottle with name on it. • No Crocs or flip flops/sandals.

Policy and Procedures What to Leave at Home Toys – The Nature Camp does not allow participants to bring toys and electronic devices from home. Items brought from home may become lost or damaged. The nature center will not be responsible for any toys or electronic devices brought from home. (Ex. : i. Pods, PSPs, etc) Cell Phones – We prefer that cell phones not be brought to camp but we do understand that some parents will want their campers to have them anyway. Please understand that the Nature Center, Staff and MDPROS are not responsible for any personal items, including cell phones. Please make sure that you understands that cell phones should not be used during program hours and that phones should be placed on silent. Weapons/Look-Alikes – Weapons/Look-alikes are strictly prohibited. Any participant caught with a weapon will be disciplined accordingly, including but not limited to removal from the program. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to removal from the program.

Policy and Procedures Illness A parent is an expert when it comes to knowing their child, and here at Nature Camp we really rely on your judgment in keeping all of us healthy! If your child is not feeling well before camp, or the night before camp, please keep him/her home, even if no real symptoms may have yet occurred. If a child becomes ill during the program, i. e. fever/vomiting, a parent will be notified and asked to pick-up the child immediately. If the parent is unavailable, an emergency contact will be called. In the case of contagious or serious illness, please contact the Nature Camp staff immediately. All parents will be notified as soon as possible. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. T-shirts One Volunteer t-shirt is included in the registration fee for the program. Additional tshirts maybe be purchased for $10 each. It is required that all CITs wear their t-shirts on field trip days.

Program Information Camp Calendar Camp Schedule is available online at www. archcreek. wordpress. com/camp. Camp Staff and Groups Nature Camps are supervised daily by the camp supervisor who is highly qualified and experienced in camp leadership. Camp counselors are a mixture of adults, mature and enthusiastic college and high school students. All staff has participated in pre-camp training, orientation and have some first aid training. Camp supervisors are CPR/ AED and First Aid Certified. Additional information about staff will be provided at the beginning of camp. Please make an effort to get to know your child’s camp counselor. We are proud of our staff and think you will feel the same. Campers are assigned into groups to provide better supervision and camper/counselor ratios. Groups are assigned by age. Field Trips Field trips are scheduled to enhance the week’s theme. Please be sure to check the weekly schedule for field trip locations and additional fees. Please make sure your child gets to camp at least 30 minutes before departure time. A school bus or 15 -passenger van is used for transportation. Field Trip Rules It is important that CIT’s know the rules while being on a field trip, so they can have an enjoyable time along with the campers. • • Stay with your group and group leader. Listen to your group leader. Wear your volunteer t-shirt. Follow all rules of the place we are visiting. • When traveling by van, campers must wear seatbelts at all times.

Program Information Behavior & Discipline Procedures Three verbal warnings will be given. If behavior continues the CIT will be dismissed from the program and asked not to return. CIT Responsibilities CITs are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. Participants Shall: • Show respect to participants and staff • Take directions from staff • Refrain from using abusive or foul lan guage • Refrain from causing bodily harm to self, participants, staff or park • Show respect to equipment, supplies, and facilities In addition, CIT’s shall assist with monitoring campers throughout the day, including drop-off and pick-up time, assist with setup and break down of games and activities, escort campers (preferably of the same sex) to the bathroom facility throughout the day, and assist assigned counselors with any additional tasks throughout the day, except attendance and behavioral issues. Parent Information & Responsibilities Parents of participants are responsible for providing the following: Cleaning up at the end of the day, includes • Maintaining appropriate and timely pay ment but is not limited to: of fees. • Sweeping up the Boathouse (breezeway and • Contacting the camp staff if your CIT will be porches) absent. • Organizing game & craft cabinets • Dropping off & picking up your CIT on • Return materials/supplies to storage area time. • Wipe down water fountain • Communicating with camp supervisors any vacation plans and/or doctors appointments. Participants who do not conform to these rules risk dismissal from the program.

Contact Information We are looking forward to an exciting, enjoyable, and safe summer. Should you have any other questions or concerns not addressed in this book, please contact the Camp Manatee at 305 -9446111 before June 9 th, if calling after June 9 th, call 305 -948 -2891. Greynolds Park – Boathouse (Camp Manatee) 17530 West Dixie Highway, Miami, FL 33160 18500 NE 22 nd Avenue, Miami, Fl. 33160 305 -948 -2891 archcreek@miamidade. gov Greynolds Park – Main Office In case of emergency and no answer at the Boathouse, leave a message (name, camper’s name and phone number) with the secretary and they will reach the camp director. 305 -945 -3425 Arch Creek’s Blog For schedules and Parent Handbook. www. archcreek. wordpress. com/camp Staff Directory Aimee Scott, Recreation Leader Camp Director 305 -944 -6111/ 305 -948 -2891 ascott@miamidade. gov

Information Acknowledgment Please take the time to review the materials provided. This signed memo will serve as your acknowledgement you have read and understand the policies and procedures of Eco. Ad- ventures – Camp Manatee – Counselor in Training (CIT) Program and will adhere to all rules and regulations. It is your responsibility to seek additional information as needed. If you have questions concerning the program, please direct them to us by calling: Camp Manatee - Arch Creek Park/Greynolds Boathouse 305 -948 -2891/305 -944 -6111 Participant: D/O/B: DATED: Parent Signature: Eco Staff Signature: WELCOME to Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Eco. Adventures - Camp Manatee Counselor in Training (CIT) Program