J Day Camps Parent Information

Camp’s behavior management focuses on positive reinforcement. Counselors are trained to encourage positive behaviors rather than bring attention to negative actions. However, if your child continues to display unacceptable behaviors while at camp, the below procedures will be followed:

• Offense #1: A staff person and supervisor will remind the participant of the behavior guidelines and rules and, if necessary, involve the Program Director who may contact the participant’s parent or guardian. Possible actions can include reprimand, sending the participant home, and/or ending the participation in the Program as staff deems appropriate under the circumstances.
• Offense #2: The participant will meet with the Program Director to discuss the situation. A phone call to the parent or guardian will be made. The parent may be asked to speak with the child or to pick up the child. Depending on the severity of the behavior, a child may be suspended or expelled from the J Youth Program.
• Offense #3: The Program Director will call the parent or guardian, the participant will be sent home and the participant will be suspended or expelled from the J Youth Program. If these behaviors do not improve after the temporary removal from camp, the camper may be removed from camp for the remainder of the summer.

The J reserves the right to cancel a child’s enrollment in the J Youth Program if counseling and/or appropriate disciplinary actions do not result in cooperation and improved behavior, in the case of persistent and willful disregard of the Rules or when a participant has endangered the health and/or safety of themselves, other participants, and/or staff. No refund of fees or tuition will be made and the J further reserves the right to refuse to enroll the child in future J Youth Programs.

Please Submit A Signed Copy of the Behavior Policy Before Camp Begins

Guardian and child (if able to sign) must sign the youth program behavior policy form. You can download the policy below.

• Youth Program Behavior Policy Download

Please Submit Your Medical Authorizations

All information in the health records is kept confidential and health details are shared with staff only when necessary for proper care and safety.

• Long-Term Authorization Form Download
• Short-Term Authorization Form Download

Camp provides an authentic summer camp experience with activities designed to engage your camper. To ensure the best experience possible, campers are not permitted to bring a cell phone or any other electronic devices to camp without directors approval. If a cell phone or electronic device is brought to camp, camp staff will collect the item and store it in the camp office until the end of the day or contact a parent/guardian to pick it up.

Camp will provide a full refund to participants if the program is canceled due to low enrollment or other departmental reasons.

Cancellations must be made at least two weeks prior to the start of the camp week to qualify for a refund. The deadline for cancellation is Sunday at 11:59 PM, two weeks before the camp week begins. The $50 deposit fee will be charged per cancellation, per child.

Camp participants will not be refunded for partial weeks of camp or days missed.

Removal from camp as a disciplinary action will not warrant a refund.

Each Friday a welcome email will be sent to all families with campers attending the following week. The letter will include general schedule and roster of all the campers.

Please bring to camp each day:

• Lunch, unless registered for Plus Lunch. SFC lunches are refrigerated. Fox lunches are not refrigerated.
• Swimsuit and towel (optional: goggles)
• Sunscreen to reapply during the day (prefered spray sunscreen)
• Full water bottle (we will refill throughout the day)
• Closed-toe shoes and socks (optional: pool shoes)
• Backpack

Your child’s day at camp promises to be filled with engaging activities. We provide a variety of games and equipment for campers to use. Therefore, we require all personal belongings to be left at home. This includes but is not limited to cell phones, Pokémon cards, fidget spinners, headphones, etc. If a personal item like the ones listed above is brought to camp, it will be confiscated by camp management and returned at the end of the day unless a parent comes and picks it up

Please leave the following at home:

• Toys and stuffed animals
• Cell phones and other electronics
• Swimsuits with metal rivets or accessories as these cause damage to our slides and play equipment
• Backpacks with wheels or tote bags
• Open-toe shoes such as flip flops or sandals (except for use as pool shoes)
• Cards (Pokémon etc.)

Please send your camper in closed-toe shoes with socks each day. They should wear something comfortable and suited for camp activities. Please apply sunscreen to your camper each day before leaving home. We regularly remind campers to reapply their sunscreen. Don’t worry, we can help your little camper reapply throughout the day as well as long as it is spray.

Campers are to bring lunch in a reusable soft lunch sack (or a brown paper bag) Monday through Friday. Out of concern for the health of other campers, please refrain from bringing items containing nuts. If your child has food allergies, please notify your Camp Site Director. Due to the different food needs of all our campers and staff, individual lunches may not be shared. You can send food your camper enjoys; the most important elements are nutrition and variety.

If you choose to use our Plus Lunch program, we will provide your camper with a Kosher, nut-free lunch each day. This includes a main entree, vegetable/fruit and dessert each day for $50 per week. To add Plus Lunch, please contact camp director. Lunches must be purchased by Monday the week prior to your camp week.

You do not need to send snacks with your camper. We provide campers with a Kosher, nut-free snack daily. If your camper has any other dietary needs, please speak with your Camp Site Director.

Campers must be signed in and signed out by a parent/guardian. Parents and guardians will need to show a valid ID to confirm their identity before they will be allowed to take a camper home.

Chesterfield (Fox)
Drop-off begins at 8:45am, Please have your camper dropped off by 9am each day. Pick up is at 3pm each day.

Please note that during the renovations, the drop-off/pick-up location may change to avoid construction equipment.

Creve Coeur
Drop-off begins at 8:45am, Please have your camper dropped off by 9am each day. Pick up is at 3pm each day.

If your camper is signed up for AM Care, you may drop off any time between 7:30 – 8:45am. If your camper is signed up for PM Care, please pick up your camper any time between 3:15 – 6pm.

Chesterfield
AM Care drop off is in the Community Room – the first room to the right of the front desk.

For PM Care pick-up, please find your camper’s location on the whiteboard in the lobby.

Creve Coeur
AM Care drop-off will be at the Staenberg Day Camps Pavilion.

PM Care pick-up will be in the multipurpose room. Please enter from the front of the J Fitness & Wellness Entrance.

Please always aim to use our designated drop-off and pick up times; however, in the case you are running late, please notify your camp site director.

Please note that if your camper is not picked up by 3:15pm (or 6PM for PM care), you will be charged an initial $5 late fee the first minute after the registered pick-up time. And an additional $1 will be charged each minute beyond the initial $5 charge. Primary guardians and authorized pick-ups picking up any child after their registered pick-up time will be required to pay a late pick-up fee. This will be strictly enforced with no exceptions (including traffic, construction, personal affairs, weather, etc.). The child will not be able to participate in any J activities until the late pick-up fee has been paid.

Chesterfield
Jess Bauer
Director of Youth Services, Chesterfield
314-442-3431

Creve Coeur
Chloe Johnson
Camp Site Director
314.442.3265

In the case your camper will not be attending camp for whatever reason, please contact your camp director.

Chesterfield
Jess Bauer
Director of Youth Services, Chesterfield
314-442-3431

Creve Coeur
Chloe Johnson
Camp Site Director
314.442.3265

Daily Schedule

Each day of camp offers something new and exciting for your child to enjoy. Schedules are designed to keep campers engaged all afternoon by incorporating diverse activities. Throughout the day, your child’s group will visit multiple stations, rotating approximately every 45 minutes. Each station will focus on new games and different skills to provide your child with an experience that never gets old. Each station will rotate games every 10-15 minutes to maintain camper engagement and interest.

Camp schedules are designed to incorporate indoor and outdoor locations every day. Schedules will be adjusted as needed due to heat, rain, etc. At every station, counselors have scheduled both active and passive games. This rotation of activities is intended to offer multiple opportunities for all campers to get involved. In addition to scheduled games, campers will swim daily. On rainy days, counselors will work with the pool managers to ensure the best opportunity for campers to swim safely.

Camp Wide Activities

Once a week, Camp participates in a camp-wide activity. These activities are larger, organized events that often incorporate competition between groups. Camp-wide activities include activities like a scavenger hunt, talent show, counselor jeopardy, newspaper fashion show, and other camp traditions.

Our Aquatics mission is that each camper has a safe and enjoyable experience while developing skills they can use for a lifetime. Each Kindergarten – 2nd grade camper will be assessed on the first day of camp and placed into an appropriate swimming class. During Instructional Swim, campers will work with our instructors to improve their comfort and skills in the water.

In Creve Coeur (SFC), 3rd-7th grade campers do not have swimming lessons. If lessons are requested, campers will get lessons in the morning. In Chesterfield (Fox), 3rd-6th grade campers have swimming lessons twice per week.

All campers will have free swim throughout the week. During free swim, campers have the chance to use their skills in the pool appropriate for their abilities and on our water play equipment.

To easily send messages from home, email your camp site director. If you would like to speak directly with the staff, you may park in the parking lot during drop off or pick up and speak with your camper’s counselor in person.

Chesterfield
Jess Bauer
Director of Youth Services, Chesterfield
314-442-3431

Creve Coeur
Chloe Johnson
Camp Site Director
314.442.3265

Although we make every effort to make sure your camper has all their belongings at the end of the day, things do get misplaced. Please help us by labeling all your camper’s belongings and only sending them with the listed required items. J Day Camps is not responsible for lost or damaged items, but we may help you search for an item if you let us know what is missing. Similarly, if your camper comes home with something that does not belong to them, please give us a call.

The summer camp lost and found tables are located:

Chesterfield
Community Room, Pool, and Front Desk

Creve Coeur
Day Camp Pavilion

Please contact your camp site director and we will devise a plan for dispensing the medication. All medications must be stored with the Wellness Coordinator in their original packaging and pharmacy label. All forms must be submitted for medication.

Camp staff may dispense only prescription medication contained in its original container. Medication must be in a prescription bottle labeled with the following information:

• Child’s name
• Dosage amount
• Prescription name and number
• Direction for use
• Physician’s name
• Date of original issue or refill

With the exception of epinephrine pens, camp staff is only authorized to dispense non-injection medications. Any medication requiring injection will not be dispensed or monitored by camp staff.

At least one week before camp begins, camp staff must have a release form signed by a primary guardian on file for each medication the child will take.

Forms:

• Short-Term Medication Authorization (Less than a month)
• Long-Term Medication Authorization (Greater than a month)

Primary guardians must provide a letter from the prescribing physician stating the medical diagnosis and confirming the need for the medication during camp hours. Included in the letter must be the physician’s prescription for each medication the camper will take.

One of Camp’s top priorities is to provide a safe environment for your child. All camp staff undergo training to ensure that your child receives the safest experience possible. Camp staff receive training on proper emergency responses, mandated reporting, inclusion services and several other skills that prioritize your child’s safety.

Our staff is trained to help with minor illnesses, bumps, cuts, and bruises. If your camper is sick a staff member will call to notify you of the situation.

If your child becomes ill at camp, camp staff will contact you to come and pick up your child.

If your child becomes injured at camp, camp staff will follow the below procedures:

• Minor injuries will be treated, and camp staff will make attempts to contact and inform a primary guardian before pick up.
• Head injuries will be treated, and camp staff will make all attempts to contact and inform primary guardians immediately.
• Significant injuries will be treated and involve emergency medical personnel if necessary. Camp staff will make all attempts to contact and inform primary guardians immediately.

In case of an emergency or accident, staff will make attempts to notify a parent or guardian immediately. It is extremely important that all the current and correct contact numbers are provided.

Camp will not be canceled in the event of extreme weather. However, we encourage parents to consider this when determining to send your child to camp.

• Camp staff will make every effort possible in order to cope with hot temperatures by setting up water games, sprinklers, activities in the shade, swimming, etc. However, Camp is primarily an outdoor camp, so most of the day will be spent in the sun. Sunscreen and water breaks are mandatory at camp, but parent assistance is needed when reminding campers of this.
• In case of rain, campers will be moved indoors for continued activities. Swimming will be canceled at the discretion of the Aquatic Facility Managers.
• Please still pack all personal items and clothing as normal, as camper’s schedules can change at any time.

We are always prepared to run camp, rain or shine. Indoor programming will be unaffected, and all outdoor programming will be moved indoors. While some programming may need to be altered, such as swimming and outdoor sports, our staff are always ready with new and exciting indoor play. If rain occurs during drop off or pick up, we will have someone available to direct you through indoor pickup procedures.

Each week of camp, we will send a newsletter including what the campers and counselors did that week, exciting activities and photos, and a letter from Camp Director Mat DeWinters. Please keep an eye out for The J Day Camps Chall’er in your inbox each week your camper attends camp!

Photos are taken of campers throughout the week and posted to the J Day Camps Facebook Groups. Parents will need to request access to the page to view photos.

Join the SFC J Day Camps Facebook Group
Join the Fox J Day Camps Facebook Group