Camp Staff

Our dynamic group of camp staff receive a variety of training opportunities including health and safety, WHMIS, accessibility, CPR and first aid, behaviour management, fire extinguisher training and inclusion services. In addition, we seek out training for staff in High Five Principles of Healthy Child Development and Mental Health first aid. They are required to produce a negative criminal records check with vulnerable sector screening in advance of their first day with campers. Through extensive training and mentorship, 75 % of camp staff are returning staff so they are familiar with the Ramara Recreation core values and principles and are dedicated to providing a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for everyone.

Want to be part of the fun? Camp staff are a different breed of person. They too come in all shapes and sizes and personalities but each of them brings their unique talents and way they see the world to our programs. Consider applying to camp today!

Inclusion Support

Ask yourself – does my child require extra support while at school? If your answer is yes, then chances are they will require that at camp- and that's OK. At Camp Ramara, we are pleased to offer Inclusive Summer Camp Experiences for children through the use of an Inclusion Facilitator. There are limited spaces available but we also welcome parents and caregivers to employ their own personal mediators (at their expense) and welcome them to join our camp program after the appropriate safety measures and meetings have been put in place.

If your child will require extra support while at camp, make an appointment with the Recreation office to discuss. We will make every effort to include your child and their extra needs if they want to come to camp. Although we wish we could, there may be a time when we cannot accommodate all needs while at camp and retain the right to make decisions based on the information we have and the overall experience level of our staff to provide a safe and supportive program for all. Your honest answers to our Child Information Package questions will ensure a rewarding experience for everyone.

Camp Payments and Refund Policy

Staffing is determined in advance by the number of registered campers. We therefore adhere to a strict payment and refund policy.

Payments

Payments for camps must be made two weeks prior to the start of the camp the child is attending. Every attempt will be made to contact the family to arrange for payment in advance. Failure to provide payment within these deadlines may cause you to lose your spot and allow someone on the wait list to sign up in your place. Please help us to avoid this disappointment by making payments on time.

Payment Arrangements

Yes! We do allow for payment arrangements. We know camp is a big financial commitment and we know the need to secure a spot for your child in advance. We can save future spots and talk to you individually about arranging payment as long as we can make sure payment for a week is made on time. Speak to our Camp Office and we will work with you to consider multiple transactions or when subsidy payments are being assessed.

Refunds

Plans changed? Need to make changes to your schedule this summer? Because our camps run at full capacity most of the time, our staffing levels are determined due to the number of children we have enrolled. Therefore, we adhere to a strict but fair policy on camp refunds.

Refunds will only be provided if, at least 7 days notice has been given prior to the start date of the camp program. Pro-rated refunds will be considered if a medical certificate has been received before the halfway point of the week. An administration charge for any account changes, including refunds or transfers, will be charged at $10.00 per incident. If we have to remove a child for any reason, a pro-rated refund will be assessed for the number of days remaining in the week/ in the summer.

Pizza Fridays

Take the guesswork out of having to make lunch on Fridays because “Fridays are pizza pie days”! We order pizza (cheese or pepperoni) and have it delivered to camp for just two dollars per slice. Talk to your Counsellors and make sure you order and pay by 9 am on Friday morning.

Hours of Operation and Extended Care

Camp runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. Any care outside these hours is at an extra cost. The extra cost covers your camper from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and is subject to staff availability. We ask that you register in advance so that we can adjust our staffing levels. The costs are as follows:

[tablecaption: extended care costs]

** please note that EXTENDED CARE is part of the proposed model of activity for pending 2021 camps - we will know soon if we can offer extended care to our camp families** 

Camp Packing List

What do I bring to camp?

• 2 clean facemasks - one worn and a spare in your child's backpack
• A good nutritious and filling lunch – this includes lunch and 2 snacks (ALL NUT FREE)
• A refillable water bottle
• Sunscreen
• A hat
• Change of clothes
• Running shoes or sandals with a back strap (no flip flops please!)
• Towel and swim suit for water activities
• A great attitude!

Optional

• Sunglasses
• Breakaway lanyard to hold mask during lunchtime
• A book for extended care time
• Sweater or light jacket
• Comfort item
• Hand sanitizer

What not to bring?

• Electronic devices
• Money or items of value – we will not be responsible!
• Inappropriate reading material or items

Photography Consent

Unless a parent or guardian indicates, in writing, the assumption will be made that permission is given to take pictures during any program that may be used to promote what we do. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Camp office to discuss.

Medical Information and Medication Consent

On your child's first day at camp, give yourself a few extra minutes at our door- especially if your child has extra medical needs. You will be asked to update your child's medical information to ensure we have the most current information in our files. Any child who requires medication while at camp needs to have a Medication Release Form signed. Medication must be stored in its original container and will be kept in a secure location. Epi-pens will be kept with the camper or camp staff assigned to your child's group.

If your child's medical information changes during the summer please contact the Camp Office so we can update our records. Thank you for your support!

Financial Support

Registering your child for quality programs and camps can sometimes add up. Consider applying for subsidies through the following programs.

Healthstar – designed to help with active recreation programs to get kids moving and participating in sport.

Jumpstart  – will fund day camp activities and allow a child time at camp where it might not have been financially feasible.

Both Healthstar and Jumpstart are administered by the YMCA Simcoe Muskoka.

Youth Reach – is a Simcoe County based charity that helps provide kids with the opportunity to get involved in the programs they want to participate in. They try their best to help as many kids in their communities as they can.

Kid Sport Canada – is a national not-for-profit organizations that provides financial assistance for registration fees and equipment to kids aged 18 and under.

Our Expectations

The main goal of the Township of Ramara Recreation department is to ensure that your child(ren) have a rewarding, memorable, safe, and fun summer while participating in our camp programs. In order for that to happen, we feel it is important to outline our essential aspects for safety. Please go over these rules with your campers and make sure they are understood. All children are expected to comply with our camp rules.

1. I will respect myself, others, equipment, and the property.
2. I will stay with my group at all times, unless I am given permission to leave.
3. I will never use aggression against another person at camp, staff or another camper. Verbal aggression, including inappropriate language, and physical aggression will not be tolerated at any point in time.
4. I will respect and listen to my Counsellors without arguing. They are the leaders and are looking out for my best interest and safety to make camp fun.
5. I will participate as fully as I can in every activity. If I don't participate, I am missing out on fun. If an activity is not for me, I will ask to sit out respectfully until the next one comes along.

Personal Information

The information we collect about your child is to help create a record of registration for the operation of our camp program. Collection is in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and is not a public document or available for public inspection.