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CLIFTON SPRINGS YMCA CREATING CONFIDENT KIDS! 2020-2021 Youth University Parent Packet
CLIFTON SPRINGS YMCA CREATING CONFIDENT
KIDS!
2020-2021
Youth University Parent Packet
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About Our Program
Youth University is a program
designed to meet children's
educational needs through a
combination of child care and
virtual learning. Our goal is to
support your families schooling
endeavors by supplementing in
areas that are difficult to
accomplish at home. Parents are
still children's best teacher, we
want to help be an extension of
the family.
Supported by the YMCA staff,
students are responsible to keep
track of their assignments and
homework. Parents, please
encourage your children to grow
in this area, you should also keep
a “watch” on them by checking
their class syllabus, class folders,
& handouts that they may
receive.
Character Development
The purpose of the Clifton Springs
YMCA Summer Camp is to provide
quality opportunities in a safe and
supportive environment that fosters
the physical, emotional, intellectual
and social growth of children while
supporting and strengthening
families.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Child Care Director
Bob Sollenne
315.462.6184
Executive Director Todd Freelove
Phone Number
Office: 315.462.6184
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WELCOME TO YOUR SCHOOL YEAR ADVENTURE!
FRIENDSHIP, DISCOVERY & A PLACE TO BELONG
YMCA Youth University is more than a
Before and After School Program. It is a
place for educational achievement,
leadership for tomorrow, and relationship
building. Youth University is an
affordable, state-licensed program
designed for school aged children in
grades UPK-6. It is a place for
opportunities to be engaged in
educational activities outside of the
classroom while being physically active,
socially active and having FUN! Optimize
school time with active learning
opportune ties designed to engage and
expand young minds. With the Y, your
child can participate in a wide range
of hands-on activities that change
throughout the school year, all in one
familiar environment. Youth University
provides a great opportunity for kids to
try a variety of new experiences and
stretch in ways not possible during the
school day.
MISSION STATEMENT To put Christian Principles into
practice through programs that
build a healthy spirit, mind, and
body for all.
PHILOSOPHY Youth University is designed to provide a safe and positive learning
environment for all students. All students will be provided time for
developing problem solving and team building skills in a positive and
supportive environment.
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STAFF The Y strives to offer the highest quality
programs with the most diverse
opportunities. A lot of effort is put into
creating a fun, safe environment by carefully
selecting staff of the highest integrity,
personal and spiritual maturity, and
enthusiasm about kids reaching their full
potential. With a staff to participant ratio of
no more than 1:10, the friendly,
knowledgeable staff are dedicated to
ensuring that Youth University is an amazing
experience for every participant. The goal of
every staff member is to enrich the
development of every child by implementing
safe and nurturing activities.
Upon registering for Youth University, The
Clifton Springs Family YMCA will provide a
registration packet. To ensure your students
place in the program, ALL paperwork MUST
be completed in its entirety upon
registration.
VALUES STATEMENT The Clifton Springs Family
YMCA is dedicated to
promoting the values of
Caring, Honesty, Respect,
and Responsibility through
enriching programs and
physical activities that
enhance the wellness of
individuals, families, and
communities.
WHAT TO BRING
(AND WHAT NOT TO) There are some items students are
asked to bring each day. These
items include their school tablet,
non perishable lunch, water bottle,
and a good attitude. All students
should wear athletic shoes (or
keep a pair in his or her backpack).
Youth University involves physical
activities, wearing appropriate
shoes is very important for safety
reasons.
Please be sure that students do
not bring electronic devices,
(cell phones, MP3 players,
video gaming devices, etc.),
dueling cards, shoes with
wheels, or other toys or
belongings that are not
necessary to have at Youth
University.
Professional Development
all topics or subject matters required by state
and federal law. The required state topics
are;
(1)principles of childhood development
(2)nutrition and health needs of children
(3)child care program development
(4)safety and security procedures
(5)business record maintenance and management
(6)child abuse and maltreatment identification and prevention
(7)statutes and regulations pertaining to child care
(8)statutes and regulations pertaining to child
abuse and maltreatment.
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TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE Arrival - Participants are welcome to arrive
anytime between 6:30AM and 6PM
Children UPK-3rd grade that are physically
attending school will bused on their day
9AM - Students will be virtual learning based
on their specific schedule
9AM - Child care participants will be engage
in a variety of low/med/high impact
11:30AM - Student/Child lunch
12PM - Students will be virtual learning
based on their specific schedule.
12PM - Child care participants will be en-
gage in science, arts, and phys. ed. activities
2:30PM - Healthy Snack
3PM - All participants will engage in science,
arts, STEM and phys. ed. activities
5:45PM-6PM Departure
FEE SCHEDULE Payments must be made in
advance of services, monthly or
bi-weekly installments. A non
refundable registration fee of $20/
child, $30/family will be due at the
time of registration. If paying
monthly, payments will be due by
the 5th of each month. If paying
bi-weekly, payments will be due by
the 1st & 15th of each month.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our financial assistance
program provides individuals
and families in need with
financial support to enable
their participation in the
Clifton Springs YMCA
membership and program
activities. Financial assistance
is granted on the basis of
need and available resources.
Ask for our financial
assistance application if
interested.
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HOURS OF OPERATION Camp runs from 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM.
Morning and Afternoon extended care
programs are included in fees. Morning Care
begins at 7:00 AM while Afternoon Care is
available until 6:00 PM.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE Morning drop off & afternoon pick-up will take
place at the Midlakes Elementary school or the
YMCA building at 5 Crane Street in Clifton
Springs.
MORNING DROP-OFF AM Care begins at 6:30 AM daily, all
participants should arrive by 9:00 AM. If
arriving after 9AM, please inform the director.
AFTERNOON PICK-UP Pick up begins at 4:00 PM, PM Care is available
until 6:00 PM daily. All authorized individuals
signing out participants must present a photo
ID. (See release guidelines)
EARLY PICK-UP Please provide written notice if you need to
pick-up your child before 4:00 PM. Please
understand that unscheduled early departures
are difficult to accommodate. It’s probable that
your child’s group will not be in the immediate
area.
LATE PICK-UP Program ends at 6:00 PM Monday through
Friday. A late charge fee at the rate of $1.00 per
minute (per child) will be implemented. We ask
that parents call 315.462.6184 to let us know
when you plan to pick up if running late.
ABSENCES Please notify us at 315.462.6184 if your child
will be absent.
SICK CHILD POLICY
Please do not send
your child to program if he/she is sick
and/or running a fever. If your child
becomes ill during the day, a parent or
authorized individual will be contacted to
pick up the child. Children must be
symptom free for a least 24 hours prior
to returning.
CELL PHONE/ELECTRONICS POLICY
Our program is a cell-phone and
electronic free zone. If cell phones
come to program, they must remain
safely in a backpack or held for
safekeeping at the office. We will not be
responsible for the loss or damage of any
personal items.
LOST & FOUND
Kids misplace their belongings all the
time. Here are some tips:
Label all belongings with participants
first and last name
Remind each child to check belongings
at the end of each day
If something is lost, check the lost &
found by the YMCA drinking fountain.
All items not claimed after two weeks
are donated to a charitable org.
The YMCA is not responsible for lost, stolen, broken or destroyed items.
(Staff will do their best to ensure kids go home with what they came with)
EMERGENCIES
Our staff is trained in handling a variety
of emergency situations. In the event of
an emergency, we will make every
attempt to notify parents immediately. If
necessary, all emergency transportation
will be handled by 911 and local
emergency services.
ABOUT YOUTH UNIVERSITY
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BE PREPARED
MEDICATIONS It is preferable that prescription medications be administered at home when possible.
The Clifton Springs Family YMCA is not able to administer medications. We only have the
ability to administer the following emergency medications:
Epinephrine Auto Injectors
Asthma Inhalers
Nebulizers
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Sunscreen (Does not need doctor’s approval)
All medication dispensed at camp requires a Medication Consent Form to be completed by
parent/guardian AND child’s physician. Upon registration, please obtain a Medication Consent
Form from our staff. All medication must be in its original container and clearly labeled with
campers first and last name. WE CANNOT ACCEPT ANY MEDICATIONS THAT ARE NOT IN THEIR
ORIGINAL CONTAINER OR THAT HAVE EXPIRED. Participants with special care needs, including
severe allergic reactions, asthma or physical limitations should request a meeting with the Child Care
Director, so we can plan how to best meet your child’s needs.
WHAT TO PACK
• Bring only what is needed/suggested
• Plastic bag for wet/muddy clothes
• Extra set of clothing
• Sunscreen, hat and water bottle
• Nonperishable healthy lunch
• Sneakers Only - Please no open-toed shoes/sandals or flip flops, we are constantly moving at camp!
BE SURE TO CLEARLY LABEL EVERYTHING WITH YOUR CHILDS FIRST AND LAST NAME!
DAILY CLOTHING NEEDS There is no formal uniform. Typical clothing should be t-shirt & shorts every day. Sneakers are the
required footwear for all activities. Open-toed sandals/flip flops should only be worn to the
pool. As colder months approach, please make sure you child has the appropriate weather for out-
door play. We will try to be outside as much as possible even in the Winter.
DAILY SNACK A healthy snack is provided for all participants around 3:00PM-4:00PM. If your child has a food
allergy PLEASE let the Child Care Director know.
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PARENTS ONLY
PAYMENT PROCEDURES
Get Online
Use our new, convenient, easy to use system online at www.csaymca.org, Just click on youth
development tab, child care, youth university. Please make sure we have your correct email in our
system before you begin this process.
Easy Payment Option
The Easy Payment Option (EFT) is the preferred paying method. Simply provide a credit/debit card
and tuition will be automatically drafted on the Monday prior to the session beginning. Please
request our Draft Authorization form are found in your registration packet.
Changes in Registration
Parents are responsible for informing the office in writing of all changes to participants registration
and updating contact details including address and phone numbers. Please refer to “THE BLUE
CHANGE FORM.”
Refunds/Credits
Please note that we are unable to pro-rate monthly fees for any reason. We require a 30 day written
notice of cancellation to receive a full refund less the session deposit. Cancellations received after this
time will result in a credit which can be used towards another Y program.
Department of Social Services (DSS) payments
DSS weekly parent fees are due one week before their child’s camp session. A “Notice of Decision” or
“Letter of Intent” must be on file with the YMCA at the time of registration.
YMCA Financial Assistance
Financial assistance for camp or a membership is made possible through generous donations to the
YMCA’s Annual Campaign. Financial forms are available at the Clifton Springs YMCA. All financial
assistance applications for assistance are confidential. The amount of assistance granted is based on
individual need and family circumstances. All camper financial assistance applications are processed
on a first come, first serve basis. It is recommended that all applications be completed by June 1,
2020.
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EXPECTATIONS BEHAVIOR POLICY
We are dedicated to providing every participant with a positive experience. We have a set of community
standards and expectations for behavior which all participants must follow.
At Youth University, we expect participants to:
Follow the rules that counselors set out for each activity, area, or project.
Remain on the YMCA property with their assigned group at all times.
Use appropriate language and be respectful to staff and other participants.
Use all YMCA facilities and equipment properly.
Refrain from fighting and any form of physical or verbal aggression.
Be positive and active participant in all activities.
As in any group activity, inappropriate behavior of a few participants can have a dramatic impact on the
experience of the entire group. Therefore, the following conduct policies apply directly to each participant
and will be used in determining the child’s eligibility to continue as a participant in the program.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
The following items will be confiscated by YMCA Staff and held for parents to retrieve at the end of day or
given to local authority:
Tobacco, alcohol, drugs
Trading/Playing Cards
Valuables (YMCA not responsible for lost/stolen items)
Electronic games or devices (including cell phones)
Personal toys, games or pets
Weapons (play or real)
Candy, gum, cough drops (due to food allergies, children should not bring candy or snacks to share)
Children must refrain from:
Stealing or defacing YMCA or other people’s property.
Being disrespectful to staff and peers
Refusing to remain with your group.
BEHAVIORAL CONSEQUENCES
Participants who defy rules will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Frequent or severe violations of the
policy may result in the suspension or expulsion from the program. No refunds will be given due to expulsion
or behavior suspension. Your child will also be suspended from the 2021 CAMP Program. The physical safety
of all children is the priority for YMCA staff. Any child who commits an act of physical aggression or gross dis-
obedience will complete a behavior incident report with YMCA staff. Reports will be shared with parents,
and may result in any of the following actions as determined by the child care director or director’s designee:
1. Conference with the child care director or director’s designee and parent/guardian
2. Loss of privileges
3. Suspension from Youth University
After a child’s third behavior incident report, the child, parent or guardian and the child care director must
meet to determine if the child can remain in the program.
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SAFETY FIRST
PICK UP PROCEDURES
The following procedures are in place for your child’s safety and will be instituted during the
school year. Anyone picking up must be on the childs Authorized Pick-Up list and MUST
present photo identification before a child will be released. Acceptable forms of ID include:
A drivers license or State non-driver ID
A passport or military ID
An employment photo Identification Card
Notes will be NOT be accepted at the time of pick-up. In order to add or change authorized
persons, a written notice and 24 hours notice is the only way! No phone calls will be accept-
ed to change authorized pick-ups. In the event that an individual not named in writing by the
parent/guardian attempts to pick-up a camper, the parent/guardian will be notified
immediately. Local law enforcement officials may be contacted if at all necessary.
A parent, regardless of custodial arrangements has the authority to obtain the child at
anytime, unless a copy of the court order is on file at the YMCA office.
In order to help guarantee the safety and wellness of your child, please share these
procedures with him/her and with those individuals authorized for pick-up.
In the event that you or an authorized person cannot be reached for pick-up within one hour
of closing, Child Protective Agency will be notified. Please remind your authorized to pick-up
person bring their an ID when signing out of program.
Drivers license works best!
Safety is our first priority. Thank you in advance.
