HOP LIFEGUARD AND INSTRUCTORS

Many of our swimming instructors are also certified lifeguards and have gone through numerous hours of training to become certified in their individual awards.  At HOP our lessons are the Lifesaving Society Swim For Life program.

HOP CAMP LEADERS

A caring leader is an essential component in ensuring a positive day camp experience. Leaders are fun, knowledgeable, energetic and personally invested in ensuring a successful camp experience. All core camp leaders are certified in 1st Aid and receive training on working at camp, including child behaviour and management, problem solving, emergency procedures, leading games, activities, crafts and songs.

RATIOS

Our day camp leader ratios reflect our commitment to safety and high-quality program supervision.

Ages 6 to 13: minimum 1 leader up to 12 campers

AGE REQUIREMENTS

All campers must be aged 6 to 13 years at the start of camp.

During free swim all campers age 6 & 7 must remain within arms reach of a camp leader. Campers 7 and under and those who are older may be required to wear a Lifejacket or perform a swim test to enter deeper water if deemed necessary by a Camp Leader or Pool Lifeguard.

DROP-OFF, PICK-UP AND CAMP HOURS

• Drop off and Pick up is at the front green space of Highwood Outdoor Pool. Parents please check in with the sign-in leader. Only parents and guardians and designated pick-ups listed on the camper form will be permitted to pick-up campers.
• Parents will be given a 5-minute grace period for drop-off and pick-up at camp start and end. Camp start is at 8:15AM and camp ends at 4:00PM. Parents arriving outside of those times will be charged the before or after care fee of $5.00 per use per child. We request that all before and after care is booked and paid in advance online or at the pool counter.
• Before care runs from 7:45 – 8:15AM, after care runs from 4:00 to 4:30PM (no grace is available)

Do not drop off or leave children unattended outside the pool, hall, park, or playground.

Please ensure that children arrive promptly for camp start as Swim Lessons begin at 8:30/8:45/9:00am.

ABSENCES

If your child is going to be absent from camp, please advise a camp leader or the Pool manager by emailing highwoodmanager@gmail.com. HOP does not pro-rate camp fees for missed days.

LESSONS AND SWIMMING

All campers will participate in a week-long set of Lifesaving Society Swim For Life lessons as well as an afternoon free swim during public swimming. Lessons will run between 8:30 and 10:00am. Please bring the camper dressed to swim.

Campers do receive a lesson report card pass or fail.

It is the parent’s responsibility to accurately indicate the lesson level they are requesting for their child. The lesson level chart can be found at www.highwoodoutdoorpool.com website on the Lessons page.

Highwood Outdoor Pool is heated.

MEDICATION

Due to the short time that campers are at camp, medication will NOT be administered unless an emergency situation demands it. (IE inhaler or Epi-Pen) All medication must be in the original container and clearly labeled with the child’s name on it. It must be placed in a zip lock bag containing the child’s name, dosage and when to be administered. All emergency medication must be given to a camp leader at drop-off.

PREPARING FOR CAMP

What to wear to camp:

• Comfortable clothing that camper can move freely in, and is easy for camper to change in and out of independently
• High activity foot wear.
• Bathing suit under clothing to facilitate on time start of 8:40/9:00 swim lessons.

What to bring to camp:

• Peanut/nut free litter-less lunches and snacks
• Reusable water bottle labeled with camper’s name
• Hat, sunscreen and bug spray labeled with camper’s name
• Towel for after swimming
• No more than $20.00 day for concession if child is allowed to purchase items

What not to bring to camp:

• Electronics
• Cellphones – due to privacy concerns they may not be out or used especially in washrooms or changing areas
• Valuables
• Personal toys or video games
• Peanut/nut products

The Highwood Outdoor Pool or Highwood Community Association will not be responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen items.

LOST AND FOUND

There are 2 camp lost and found locations. One is in the front foyer of the pool building and the other in the coatroom of the hall. Items are kept until the end of the season and then donated or disposed during the week after the pool closes. Please make sure your camper’s items are labeled with their name.

LUNCHES AND SNACKS

Highwood Outdoor Pool and Highwood Community Association is not nut or allergen free. While we ask that campers are nut aware, we do not guarantee that they won’t be found in our facilities.

Please endeavour to pack litter-less lunches. Refrigeration is not available at camp. There is a water bottle filling station available at the pool and at the hall.

SUN SAFETY

Please ensure that you send sunscreen and a hat with your camper. Leaders will periodically check to ensure that everyone is wearing hats and sunscreen. It is a good idea to practice how to apply sunscreen with your child prior to camp, as it is preferred that campers complete this without assistance. If a camper asks, leaders will assist. Please send your child with sunscreen already applied in the morning.

PHOTO AND MEDIA

Highwood Outdoor Pool is a public facility. As such, please be aware that your child may be included in photos or media inadvertently by other patrons, news outlets or HOP staff for program and marketing purposes.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Campers should not be sent to camp if they are exhibiting any of the following:

• Illness that prevents them from participating comfortably in all camp activities.
• Fever or symptoms such as general illness, lethargy, constant crying, difficulty breathing, diarrhea and vomiting or COVID 19 symptoms.

If a child shows symptoms, the following protocol will happen:

1. The parent guardian will be contacted to come pick the camper up right away.
2. The camper will be brought to the designated self-isolation space to wait for their parent/guardian.
3. They will be supervised.

FEE ASSISTANCE

Assistance is an $75.00 discount off regular camp fee upon registration with proof of assistance. There is no discount on before or after care fees. Please email gloria@highwoodoutdoorpool.com to discuss.

INCLEMENT WEATHER/POOL CLOSURE

All camp programs are primarily outdoors. Camps will proceed during inclement weather. In the event that campers may not enter the water due to very inclement weather or pool mechanical/chemical issues, dry land swim and safety lessons will proceed indoors. Other camp activities will be modified for indoors. Unless it is an extreme circumstance, camp will not be cancelled.

PROGRAM CONDUCT AND CAMPER GOALS

HOP programs are meant to be enjoyable and safe for all campers. We strive for a safe inclusive and positive environment for everyone, including all campers, staff and other patrons.

• Campers are expected to behave in a manner that is courteous, supportive and respectful at all times. Unsafe behaviour, offensive language, bullying, theft and vandalism will not be tolerated.
• Campers are to respect others and their property.
• Campers must respect the environment, nature, facilities and supplies provided for their use.
• Campers must stay with their group.
• Campers must use appropriate language.
• Campers should ask for help when needed.

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

The HOP DayCamp focus is based on the staff providing positive role models for all campers. We wish to provide all campers a fun and safe camp experience. This requires cooperation and consideration for the rights and property of others by everyone. Sometimes campers can become disruptive or disengaged with the camp activities, which affects all campers’ and staff’s enjoyment of camp.

Further steps or expulsion will be taken in the event of the following behaviours:

1. Physical aggression – hitting, kicking, spitting or unsafe in-water activity etc.
2. Verbal aggression – shouting, swearing, threats etc
3. Defiant or uncooperative behaviour – to the extent of program disruption
4. Unusual or Unpredictable Behaviour – running away or hiding from the group or leaders, tantrums or constant emotional outbursts etc

The Highwood Outdoor Pool Supervisor reserves the right to cancel camp attendance or send any camper home for the day after notifying a parent or guardian about continued behaviour issues. Actions taken will be dependent on the severity of the behaviour.

If it is deemed necessary for HOP staff to withdraw a camper from the DayCamp program NO refunds will be provided.

IF HOP CANCELS A PROGRAM WEEK – Camper may transfer to another week, or receive a full refund. Refunds will be processed to the original method of payment or by EFT and make take up to 30 days to complete.

CUSTOMER REFUND REQUEST – Cancellations received at least 7 days before camp is due to start will receive a full refund minus a $25.00 cancellation fee.

Requests within 7 days, day of, or after camp start requests, or failure to attend = no refund.

MEDICAL REFUND – Medical withdrawals prior to day of camp start are refunded minus a cancellation fee of $25.00.  After camp start, the refund is prorated + a $25.00 cancellation fee charged.

BEHAVIOURAL CIRCUMSTANCE – No refunds will be issued for children dismissed from camp or withdrawn after parents were notified either verbally or in writing about continuing behaviour issues. (issues may include bullying, vandalism, theft, causing harm or seriously diminishing the camp experience for other participants, etc.)

CAMP TRANSFER POLICY – A camp transfer may be possible based on availability. If there is no space available in the requested week, a refund will be processed in accordance with the CUSTOMER REFUND REQUEST  policy above.