Camp Policies & Procedures

Cancellation and Transfer Policies for Camps

JC Parks Cell Phones & Electronic Devices Policy

  • Personal/portable electronic devices are not permitted at camp.  If a parent believes that their child needs to carry a cell phone for safety reasons as they travel to and from camp, the child may bring the cell phone to camp. However, once they are on camp property, the cell phone must be turned off, put away (not on the camper) and not used during camp hours.  If emergencies arise during the camp day, the camp staff will contact the parent.  If a child feels that they need to contact their parent during camp hours, they must request permission from the camp leader to do so and use a camp phone to make the call.  Likewise, if the parent needs to contact the camp or speak with their child in the event of an emergency during camp hours, they will need to call the Department’s main line at 573-634-6482 or contact the camp staff using WhatsApp.
  • Any violation of this policy will result in the confiscation of the device. The device will be returned to the parent/guardian when they pick up their camper at the end of the day. The department, the camps and their staff shall not assume responsibility for devices that are damaged, lost, or stolen when brought to camp or after being confiscated for violation of this policy.

JCPR Day Camp Bullying Policy

  • Bullying – In accordance with state law, bullying is defined as intimidation, unwanted aggressive behavior, or harassment that is repetitive or is substantially likely to be repeated and causes a reasonable camper to fear for his or her physical safety or property; that substantially interferes with the educational performance, opportunities or benefits of any camper without exception; or that substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the camp. Bullying includes, but is not limited to: physical actions, including violence, gestures, theft, or property damage; oral, written, or electronic communication, including name-calling, put-downs, extortion, or threats; or threats of reprisal or retaliation for reporting such acts.
  • Campers who participate in bullying or who retaliate against anyone who reports bullying will be disciplined in accordance with the day camp discipline code. Such discipline may include expulsion, removal from participation in activities, parental meeting/conference, and other consequences deemed appropriate by the camp leader.

Camp Rules and Discipline Policy 

  • The rules and regulations are for the safety and well-being of all campers. Please discuss the following 8 rules with your camper prior to your camper attending:
    • Safety First!
    • Keep hands, feet, and body parts to yourself
    • Respect Everyone at Camp
    • Always listen to your Counselors
    • Pick Up all Trash (even if it’s not yours)
    • Stay with your counselor at all times
    • Camp is a Bully Free Zone
    • Have Fun and Be Safe!
  • DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES
    • Participants are expected to display satisfactory behavior during program If behavior problems arise, parents will be contacted. If the problems are persistent or severe, the child will be removed from the program.
    • The discipline guidelines below will be administered depending upon the severity of the incident and can include any or all, up to removal from the program, on the first occurrence:
    • 1)Verbal Warning 2) Cool Down Spot and visit with Camp Leader 3) Behavior Report and Parent Called 4) Visit with Parents
    • The camper will receive a Behavior Report. The Behavior Report will explain the behavior and the steps taken to improve the situation. The Behavior Report will be reviewed by the guardian and signed when the camper is being picked up. If a camper receives three behavior reports it is an automatic removal from the day camp program.
    • No refunds due to suspension or removal from the program for the current week will be approved, but a refund will be given for future weeks of registration.
  • Camp Staff has the option to take away a Camp privilege to help with the process of modifying a behavior that is unacceptable. Example – taking away swimming privileges. Please keep in mind that activities such as swimming, field trips, etc. are considered a privilege and are for those campers who follow rules.
  • Certain behaviors or action can result in automatic Behavior Reports. Examples of an automatic removal from camp programs are- Physical violence, profanity, and running away from the group.
  • SAFETY IS ALWAYS OUR MAIN PRIORITY!

PROCEDURES

LOST & FOUND

  • MAKE SURE YOUR CAMPER IS AWARE OF WHAT THEY BRING TO CAMP WITH THEM EACH DAY. THIS WILL HELP IN THE PREVENTION OF LOST AND FOUND ITEMS AT THE CAMP, POOL, ETC.
  • No toys, electronics, ball gloves, trading cards, video games, etc. shall be brought to camp. We cannot assume responsibility for these items.
  • Report lost items to the Camp Leader. Lost and found items will be held for one week only. Jefferson City Parks and Recreation will not be held responsible for any lost or stolen items. Please check the lost and found area daily for your camper’s belongings. Lost and found items will be sent out by the camp leader in WhatsApp weekly.
  • If you are interested in purchasing camp labels for your child’s clothing and personal items, please contact Angie Toebben

Health & Safety at Camps

  • SICK CHILD
    • Do not send your child with a fever or an illness.
    • If your child exhibits symptoms of illness or fever, you will be called to pick up your
    • We ask that you make every effort to pick up the child as quickly as If the primary guardian cannot be reached the secondary guardian will be contacted.
    • Campers who are ill with a contagious illness or fever may not attend camp. If your camper is sent home with a fever he/she must be free of symptoms for at least 24 hours before returning to the program. If a camper’s fever is over 100 degrees the guardian is required to pick them up immediately.

  • WHAT IF MY CAMPER IS INJURED WHILE AT CAMP?

    • In a non-emergency situation, the camper will remain at camp. If first aid is issued to the camper, it will be recorded on an “Ouch Report.” The “Ouch Report” will be located in the sign in and out binder with the campers name highlighted for the parent’s information.
    • In an emergency situation, every effort will be made to notify the guardian immediately. If the situation warrants EMS will be contacted immediately. The Camp Leader will remain with the camper at all times. In the event the guardian cannot be contacted or arrive at Camp soon enough, the camper will be transported by ambulance to an area hospital.
    • All Camp Staff are certified in First Aid and CPR.

  • ALLERGIES

    • JC Parks camps are not an allergy free environment but works with guardians to provide awareness and instruction to reduce the chance of exposure. Camper Allergies must be documented on the campers ePACT form. If additional communication regarding the allergy needs to occur contact the Camp Leader.
    • Campers are strongly discouraged from sharing items with each other to reduce the chance of exposure.
    • If you would like to bring items in to be shared please discuss with the Camp Leader.

  • MEDICATION

    • It is the camper’s responsibility to take medication when needed. Campers should keep medication in their lunch coolers or backpacks. Please keep backpacks or coolers containing medication separate and inaccessible by the campers.  Camp staff CANNOT dispense medication, they are only able to set an alarm for the camper and watch them administer their medicine to themselves.
    • Camp staff can help and have been trained with Emergency Medicine (ie. Epi Pen or Asthma Inhaler).
  • MANDATED REPORTING
    • JC Parks camp staff are all Mandated Reporters who are required to make a report to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline, when they have a reasonable cause to believe a child, known to them, in their professional or official capacity, may be an abused or neglected child. If a Mandated Reporter has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances, which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, the person, shall immediately report that information to the Children’s Division.

  • Mental, Emotional, and Social Health (MESH)

    • Mental, emotional, and social health refers to how we think, act, and handle stress (mental health), our ability to accept and and manage feelings (emotional health), and our ability to interact and form meaningful relationships (social health). JC Parks Day Camp Staff takes the MESH concerns of our campers and volunteers very seriously and we try to capture as much information about a camper and their mental health needs after reviewing the ePACT on-line medical form that parents fill out on-line ahead of camp. Parents/Guardians can also load a behavioral health plan on ePACT to help camp staff. 
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