Parent Handbook

Kids in the Game provides positive experiences and opportunities through sports and creative play. We believe those opportunities do not stop when school is out for the Summer. Staying physically active and engaged is a very important part of Summer break. At Kids in the Game, we aim to provide a comprehensive Summer experience for children as young as Pre-K, all the way up to those entering 7^th grade. A well-rounded Summer is an important part to every child’s development!

Summer Goals

At Kids in the Game’s Summer Camp, we want to ensure every child has a fun and enriching Summer. Providing an environment for growth and exploration to help children reach developmental landmarks is a year-round goal at Kids in the Game.
Throughout the camp season each child will:
- Learn a new skill
- Play a new sport or game
- Develop a positive relationship
- Make new friends
- Have fun!

Communication Information

To provide the best Summer Camp experience possible, we think it is important to maintain open lines of communication. Leading into the camp season, you will meet and have direct contact with your specific child’s Camp Director and leadership team. Closer to the camp season you will receive your camp location’s specific email address and phone extension.
For any general questions or inquiries please contact us using the following methods:
- Email
  - info@kidsinthegame.com
- Phone
  - 212-634-7262 ext. 2
We welcome you to reach out to Kids in the Game and/or your Camp Administration with any questions before, during, or after the camp season!

Registration Information

Registered Weeks

Camp registration and management will be handled through an online account via a partnership between Kids in the Game and UltraCamp. You can access all your camper’s registration information leading up to and throughout the Summer via the UltraCamp website using the account you create.
Here, you can review items such as the week(s) you are registered for, payment balances, after-care sign-ups, swimming registration, individuals you have authorized to pick-up your camper, and more.
You can make adjustments via your UltraCamp account to all your camp registration needs throughout the Summer.

Trip Consent

The Trip Itinerary and Consent form will allow your child to attend our weekly field trips as well as any “off site” travel, such as trips to the local park. These forms have a detailed outline of each week’s day-trip and will allow you to pick and choose which trips you want your child to attend.
These documents will be shared with you prior to the camp season and are expected to be returned to your camp administration prior to the first day of camp. Please be aware that your camper will not be allowed to attend camp without these forms on file.

Health Form

To fully enjoy the action-packed Summer, we must ensure your child is healthy! The Camper Health Form is required for enrollment in Summer Camp. This form must be completed by you and your child’s primary care physician or pediatrician.
You should receive the acceptable form via email upon registration. The form is also available on your UltraCamp account.
Campers MUST have a completed health form before the morning of the first day of camp to be dropped off. Without this form, campers are not permitted to attend camp. This form must be filled out no more than 1 year prior to the last day your child will be attending camp.
- For example: If the camper’s last day of camp is August 4th 2025, the earliest date that can be listed on the health form is August 3rd, 2024.
Please complete this form and upload it to your UltraCamp account, send it to info@kidsinthegame.com or fax it to 917-525-4372.

Parent Orientation

In preparation for the Summer Camp season, we invite you to join us at one of our parent orientations with the option of attending in person or virtual options. We ask that you attend one of the orientation dates to learn the ins and outs of Kids in the Game Summer Camp and confirm you have all required paperwork (health form, trip consent form). Parent orientation sessions will include information on safety procedures, day to day processes, field trips, swim, and much more. Site specific dates will be communicated once finalized in the Spring.

Payment Information

Payment Balance

Full payment is required before your camper arrives at camp.
If registering during the camp season, the balance is to be paid leading up to camp and no later than the Friday before your child is registered to attend.
All accounts have a scheduled payment for 8/22/25 (the last day of the camp season) that will clear up any incidentals or outstanding balances that have not been paid prior.

Refund Policy

Deposit
- A non-refundable $100 deposit is required for each week registered per child.
Transfers
- Your camper’s weeks are able to be switched pending availability (price may vary). Weeks cannot be transferred to another child. All transfers must be made before May 15, 2025.
- Refunds for any weeks or funds transferred to the 2025 camp season will be issued as the amount paid minus $100 per week. Refunds must be requested before May 15, 2025.
Cancellations
- Cancellation of all weeks made for the 2025 season:
  - Refund in full minus $100 per account before January 15, 2025.
  - Refund in full minus $300 per account before March 15, 2025.
  - Refund in full minus $500 per account before May 15, 2025.
  - There will be no refunds beginning May 15th.
- If canceling some weeks, but not all, there will be a non-refundable fee of $100 per week up to $500 per family in line with the above date ranges. All remaining fees paid will either be refunded (if paid in full) or allocated toward the season’s outstanding balance.
- If canceling weeks, the base price per week will change. This includes weeks already attended if cancellations of additional weeks are made. Changes in price will be reflected based on the new tier price. These changes will result in an outstanding balance that will be reflected in your auto-payment schedule. If not on auto-pay or camp has already begun, the balance created due to these changes made in price per week is required to be submitted before the end of the camp season.
- If a family pays for multiple weeks in full and would like to cancel certain weeks, they can do so before May 15th. There will be no refunds or credits granted after May 15th.
- There are no refunds or discounts for being absent due to sickness, vacation, unexpected travel, inclement weather, other programming, or any other reason including but not limited to moving, unexpected circumstances, expulsion from the program, etc.
- Cancellation within 24 hours of registration will result in a full refund of the amount paid minus a 3% processing fee.
Add-Ons
- If a family pays for swim lessons and would like to cancel certain weeks, they can do so before May 15th. This will be a full refund of the swim lesson fee. There will be no refunds or credits granted after May 15th.
- Unused after-care days booked as part of the discounted weekly bundle price can not be transferred to another week or camper.
Any refunds will be processed 30 days from the date of confirmation from Kids in the Game.

Tax Information

Kids in the Game’s Tax ID is 46-2686302

Daily Procedures

Drop-Off

Procedure
- Drop-off starts at 8:15AM and runs until the camp day officially starts at 9AM.
- If you will be dropping your child off via car, please be sure to drive safely in the vicinity of camp, and do not block any road ways.
- There is a process for dropping off lunches upon sign-in. Camp administrative staff will assist in this process on day one of camp.
- The Camp Director and members of the administrative team will be at the sign-in / registration table to welcome you and your camper as well as answer any questions you may have.
- Upon signing-in your child, they will join their group for the day!
  - We ask that you say your goodbyes to your child upon signing them in. We know that this is the first camp experience for many of our campers, and want to help accommodate that. We often find that lingering can prolong the goodbye and make separation more difficult. Our coaches are highly skilled and excellent at making your child feel welcome upon your departure! If any problems persist, you will be contacted immediately.
Late Arrival
- If you will be arriving after 9AM, please contact the camp administration. This will allow them to let your campers’ coaches and division leaders know that you are on the way. The camp day begins at 9AM and groups will begin to travel to their first activities shortly after the morning rally.
- We ask that you please try to arrive by 9AM so that the camp day can get off to a great start without delay!

Lunches and Snacks

All food brought to camp must be nut-free due to allergen requirements. Your understanding and support is greatly appreciated in providing a safe environment for all campers!
Lunch
- All campers are required to bring their own lunch.
- Please label your child’s lunchbox as well as items inside.
- Lunches will be organized upon drop-off and placed in refrigeration units at the beginning of the day.
- We suggest sending your child with a nutritious and non-perishable lunch.
- Please avoid sending items that need to be reheated.
Snack
- We ask that you send your camper with a healthy snack to get them through the active day.
- Snacks should be packed separately from lunch, as the lunches will be put away in refrigerators until lunchtime.

Pick-Up

Procedure
- Pick-up starts at 3:30pm and runs until 4:00pm for campers entering Kindergarten or up (at 4:00 your child is checked-in to after-care, and you will be charged for that time).
- Pick up for Pre-K campers starts at 2:30pm and runs until 3:00pm (at 3:00 your child is checked-in to after-care, and you will be charged for that time).
- Anyone picking-up a child must show a valid ID upon sign-out.
  - To sign a child out, you must be listed on that child’s authorized pick-up list.*

*This list can be edited throughout the summer via your UltraCamp account. If you would like to add or remove someone on site, the camp administration can also assist in making those edits.

Camp administration, including the Camp Director and Assistant Directors will oversee this process daily and be available to answer any questions.

After-Care

After-Care
- If you are unable to pick-up your child by 3:30PM you can register them in after-care.
- After-care runs from 3:30-5:30pm (K-7^th Grade)
  - Pre-K after-care runs from 2:30-5:30pm
- After-care can be added or removed on-site as needed. You can also pay for after-care on-site as needed.
- If you are unsure when you may need to utilize after-care, please communicate with the camp administration as soon as you know when you will be using it. We understand that schedules change, and we are happy to accommodate!
Payment
- After-care is an additional cost of $25/day per camper entering Kindergarten or above. After-care for Pre-K campers is $40/day.
- Payment can be made online beforehand or on site if you are using after-care as-needed.
- If your camper is not signed-up for after-care and they are not picked up by 4:00, they will be checked-in to after-care. A note will be made on your account. Upon pick-up, if you would like to pay for after-care in cash or check, that can be completed. Otherwise, the charge can be added to the card you have on file on your account.
- Picking up after 5:30pm will result in a $30 late fee per child for every 15 minutes after 5:30pm. As we are only permitted in the building until 5:30pm, it is extremely important that all campers are picked up on time so we can close up the building safely.

	Time	Cost
Pre-K Campers	2:30-5:30pm	$40/day
K-7^th Grade Campers	3:30-5:30pm	$25/day

Activities
This is an extension of the camp day but with fewer kids. Children in after-care will have a few options of activities each day. After a long active day, after-care options include relaxing games, arts & crafts, and other ways to unwind and recharge for the next day.

Absence

Please notify camp administration if your child will be missing a day of camp. For your child’s safety, if we are not alerted of their absence a call will be made to ensure they are under your watch. The Health Director and administrative staff are responsible for reaching out.
Illness – If your child has been diagnosed with a contagious illness or you have reason to believe they have such an illness, please hold them out of camp until they are well enough to participate and interact with their peers.

*Field Trips & Sp**ecial Events*

Kids in the Game Summer Camp offers great experiences, not only at camp, but away from camp headquarters as well. There are a few things to be aware of if your child is attending our weekly field trips:
Trip Consent
- If you have not filled out the trip consent form, your child will not be allowed to travel with the rest of the campers on the trip. If you do not want your child to attend a particular trip they will remain at camp that day and participate in normal camp-day activities.
- Please be aware of any announcements on the days leading up to a trip. These will be made at the registration/sign-in table and made known at pick-up and drop-off.
Day of…
- Please be sure to arrive on time on field trip day. Some trips require that we leave camp shortly after the start of the day at 9AM.
- Before leaving camp, campers will go through an orientation for the day’s trip and be reminded of all safety procedures and rules.
- The camper to coach ratio for field trips is 5:1. Once campers are assigned to their field trip group, they will remain with those five campers and counselor all day.
- If campers are delayed in their return to camp, the administration will communicate with parents and guardians about a potential late arrival back to camp that day along with details about how camp dismissal and pick-up may be affected that day.
Special requirements
- Campers are given and required to wear their Kids in the Game tee-shirt on field trips.
- Each camper will also be provided with a bracelet with the camp’s contact information on it for safety purposes.
- Lunch
  - Lunch must be brought in a disposable bag on field trip days. Many of our field trip sites do not allow us to bring in lunch boxes so being able to dispose of the waste is most efficient. Please label your child’s disposable lunch bag.
Transportation
- This Summer’s field trip and swim travels will be facilitated via contracted transportation (contracted buses). All staff are trained on travel procedures. Campers will go through a field trip orientation to make sure they understand the expectations and procedures of the trip.
- Clear communication regarding what mode of transportation is being used and other travel expectations for that week’s field trip will be sent out and shared in the days leading up to the trip.
- Campers and camp staff will never use personal cars to transport anyone, anything or use for transit of camp related activities.

Swimming

Open Swim
- Campers entering 1^st grade and up in the Fall will be permitted to participate in open swimming once a week.
- All campers who would like to attend swimming trips must first pass a swimming test. Please be aware that if your child does not know how to swim they may be asked to stay at camp during these trips.
- This is a “Free-Swim” session, and there will not be a swimming lesson component to it.
- Kids in the Game contracts with professional aquatics organizations to facilitate Open Swim and Swim Lessons. All aquatics staff are trained and certified lifeguards. In collaboration with Kids in the Game staff, they ensure the safety of all children while at the pool.
Swim Lessons
- You have the option to enroll your child in swim lessons, regardless of their swimming ability, for an additional cost per week. This can be completed via your UltraCamp account.

Needs at Camp

What to Bring to Camp

Daypack
- Water Bottle
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Extra set of Clothes (especially Pre-K & K campers)
- Lunch & Snack (nut-free)
- Camp Shirt (trip days)
- Swimsuit and Towel (Swim Days)

*Please label all personal items being sent to camp

Optional Items
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Wipes
- A book (for downtime)

What Not to Bring to Camp

Personal Sports Equipment
- Kids in the Game provides all the necessary sports equipment. Therefore, your child does not need to bring his/her own. Kids in the Game is not responsible for lost or stolen equipment.
Personal Property
Toys
Screen-Free Camp!
- Cell Phones*
- Electronic Device- iPods, MP3 Players, Radios, Personal DVD Players
- Video games
Trading Cards
Make Up
Skateboards, Roller Blades, Scooters, etc.
Jewelry
Pets or Animals
Drugs, Alcohol, Weapons, or Vehicles of any kind.

*Cell phones are prohibited to enhance your child’s camp experience. We understand that you may want your child to have one for emergency purposes. Please make arrangements with camp administration if your child will have a cell phone with them. Under these circumstances, campers can bring their cell phones, as long as they are kept in their bags and do not become a distraction.

Camper Attire

We have an action-packed Summer ahead! Your child should dress comfortably. This means being ready for time in the park and in the warm sun. We suggest shorts, tee-shirts, comfortable socks, and sneakers. Packing an extra set of clothes is required for lower camp and encouraged for all other campers.
Additional items that may be helpful are hats or sunglasses to shade from the sun.
If your child would like to wear sandals or crocs, that is OK, as long as there are sneakers packed in their bag.
During field trips, campers are required to wear the Kids in the Game tee-shirt they will be provided with upon their first field trip.

Lost and Found

Kids in the Game Summer Camp does have a lost and found area. To reduce the number of items lost, we strongly suggest labeling all of the items your child will be bringing to camp. Kids in the Game cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen property.
All items in the Lost and Found need to be picked up during the last week of Summer Camp.
Items left at camp after the last day of camp will be donated to Good-Will.

Health, Safety and the Camper Code

Camp Group ratios

To guarantee a safe and fun environment, Kids in the Game Summer Camps adhere to a strict camper to coach ratio. Not only does this improve the overall safety and well-being of our campers but it also ensures more personalized and attentive instruction.
Normal Camp Activities:
- Ages 3.5-5 1:6
- Ages 6-7 1:9
- Ages 8+ 1:12
Field Trips:
- All ages 1:5

Prescription and Non-Prescription Medication

Medication should be taken before and after camp whenever possible. Before we can allow your child to self- medicate, you must complete the medication instruction form. If your child will need medication during camp hours, please abide by the following procedures:
- The camp must receive written authorization from the parent/guardian and physician along with the name of the medication, the condition for which the medication is being used, the required dosage, and the frequency with which it is to be dispensed.
- All medications must be clearly labeled with the child’s name.
- All prescription medications must be current and in the original prescription bottle.
- All medications must be given to the camp staff on the first day your child attends camp.
- All medications must be picked up by the parent/guardian at the end of the camp week.
- Explicit written directions including dosage and frequency of dosage must accompany medication.
- The Health Director or Assistant Camp Director will supervise while campers self-medicate.
- All medication will be kept in a locked, secure location.

Camper Code

All campers at Kids in the Game Summer Camp are expected to adhere to the following Camper Code:
- I will be respectful and honest to:
  - My coaches, my peers, my spaces, and my community.
- I will stay “In-Bounds” by:
  - Following all rules and instructions laid out by counselors and staff.
- I will be safe by:
  - Playing by the rules of the game and using my hands, feet, and body the way they are supposed to be used.
- I will be kind by:
  - Being a good teammate and making sure my camp is a bully-free zone. I pledge to help others when I can.
- I will do my best to have fun!

Behavior & Discipline

Summer Camp should be a safe and fun experience for all. To maintain that creed, there must be rules to follow and consequences to enforce them. Kids in the Game implements a discipline policy that has a strong emphasis on positive reinforcement, redirection, prevention, and the development of self-discipline. This starts with the creation of community agreements that campers will have a part in building, giving them a voice in what they expect from each other. Reminding campers that camp rules are established for safety and to ensure that there are behavioral expectations. Suggesting positive alternatives to unacceptable behavior before it gets out of control is important in our eyes.
In the event that positive prevention is not enough, campers will be held to the following behavior and disciplinary steps.
Disciplinary code for Minor and/or Serious Offenses*:

Step 1- Verbal warning
- Reminder of camper code, community agreement, or rule broken and why we have that expectation.
Step 2- Take a break or breather away from the group
- Step back and reflect on the repeated offense.
- Think of how to prevent this from happening again.
Step 3- Conference with Division Leader or Assistant Director
- Discussion of repeated offense and how to help prevent it in the future.
Step 4- Call home to parent.
Step 5- Meeting with parent and child.
Step 6- Suspension from the camp.

Immediate suspension or expulsion may occur for any offense deemed serious enough by the Camp Director.
If any suspension should occur, no reduction or return of fees will be made.

*Minor Offense (i.e. Failure to follow Camper Code, disrespect to fellow campers or camp staff, inappropriate behavior or language, unsafe play, etc.)

Serious Offense (i.e. Stealing, fighting, bullying, endangering another camper or staff member’s well-being or safety, physical altercations with another camper or staff member, leaving camp grounds, verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, possession of a weapon, alcohol or drugs, continued disregard for Camper Code or any other authority)

We want to ensure a safe, fun, and quality camp experience for all!

Bullying

We want all campers to feel welcome and safe coming to camp and making new friends. That is why we provide a bully-free camp atmosphere. This stems from providing a well structured behavior code and making all expectations clear. Summer Camp has a team atmosphere and letting all campers know that bullying is not something teammates do, is important.
All of our staff are trained on these standards that address the topic of bullying. These include:
- Bully Free Zone; positive language about supporting your group/teammates and fair consequences for instances of bullying.
- Creating a sense of community and team. Provide structure that makes campers feel comfortable coming forward with any bullying issues.
Bullying is unacceptable at camp. Any suspected bullying between campers will be reported to the Camp Director immediately and communicated to the parents or guardians of the parties involved.
If you suspect any bullying that has not been brought to the attention of Camp Administration, please reach out so that the situation can be dealt with swiftly and orderly.

Health & Emergency Notifications

Parents/ guardians will be notified of an illness or injury to their camper immediately, depending on severity (as judged by the Camp Health Director).
In case of a medical emergency, the child’s parents and emergency contacts will be notified immediately.
In all cases, the Camp Director or Health Director will make contact via phone call and then follow up on the incident during pick-up that day.
An incident report will be made for each instance, big or small.