Policies
Cancellations
Cancellations in writing will be accepted two weeks prior to the week of camp. If received two weeks prior to the cancelled week, a refund for that week of camp minus $25 is available in the form of a voucher to your YMCA account, or by check. If cancellation is submitted less than two weeks prior to the week of camp, half of the full camp payment will be forfeited and not refunded. Cancellation forms are available at the Welcome Desk and at sign-in/sign-out.
Transfer Policy
Transfers to different camp weeks are granted on an availability basis only. Transfer requests must be in writing; forms are available at the Welcome Desk. Once the transfer request is submitted, the Director will contact you to let you know if space is available. Please be aware that the weekly deposit is not transferable and will not be applied towards the week of camp you wish to transfer
into. A new deposit must be made to transfer.
Waiting List Policy
Once a week of camp is full, your child can be placed on the waiting list. Deposits are not required, but membership is. All registration forms must be complete to be put on the waiting list. You will be contacted only if space becomes available.
Want Your Child to Be With a Friend?
If you’d like your child to be in the same group as a friend, please write the friend's first and last name in the space provided on the camp registration form. Although we strive to satisfy all of our campers and families, we are not always able to accommodate friends or siblings being
assigned to the same group.
Day Camp Sessions / Hours
Our day camps are one week sessions. Sign up for one week or all ten!
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
AM Extended Care 7:45 AM - 9:00 AM
PM Extended Care 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The YMCA will not grant refunds for camp days missed due to tardiness.
Extended Care
Extended care hours are offered at no additional cost. Children attending extended care simply sign in at the camp sign in table. Campers will engage in supervised free time activities until 9:00 AM at which time all campers will be escorted to camp opening. A separate extended care room is provided for our Voyager (K/1) campers to foster an age appropriate environment. A light breakfast is provided each morning from 8:00 - 8:45 AM at no additional charge.
Day Camp Schedules
Weekly camp schedules will be available two weeks prior to the start of each week. Occasionally times, locations, trips, etc. may be altered without notice. Please check with the information boards at sign-in for any changes/ updates. Camp parent handbooks will be provided upon registration.
Field Trip Transportation
Transportation for all field trips not within walking distance will be
provided by chartered school buses, public buses or BART.
What to Bring to Day Camp
1. Lunch (sealable lunch box recommended), snacks, drink
2. Backpack with camper’s belongings
3. Swimsuit (on designated swim days)
4. Water bottle
5. Sunscreen and/or hat
Campers Should Not Bring to Camp
1. Valuables: video games, walkmans/Discmans/iPods, money
(exception: Middle School Adventures Camp on designated days)
2. Expensive clothing or jewelry
The YMCA staff is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Swimming
Swimming at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA pools is included in our day camps 1-2 days a week. A swim test will be given at the beginning of each week to ensure your child’s safety. The camp schedule will indicate the designated days to bring a swim suit. Light swim lessons will be taught
by certified YMCA swim instructors for Voyager and Discovery campers; Explorer, Middle School, and designated Specialty Camps will have free
swim.
Medications & Other Medical Needs
If your child has special medical needs, please complete a medication administration form and submit it to the camp staff at sign-in to ensure proper dosage and administration. All medication will be administered by camp staff.
Special Needs
If your child has any special needs, please inform the Director at the time of registration. If the YMCA cannot serve your child due to a lack of expertise or resources, we will try to recommend an alternate summer program.
Emergency Procedures
Each camp carries a cell phone for emergencies. In the event of an emergency that requires medical attention, 911 will be contacted and the camper will be taken to the nearest medical facility. The parent or guardian will be notified immediately. In the event of a natural disaster, campers will continue to be in the care of the YMCA until arrangements are made to return
children to their parents/guardians.
Camper Behavior
All camp staff are trained in positive discipline techniques based on our YMCA character values. In the event of a behavioral problem, written reports will be completed and conversations will be held with the parents to try to resolve the issue. The YMCA reserves the right to contact a parent/guardian at any time for immediate pick-up from camp if necessary. The YMCA may remove any camper from the program at the Director's discretion if problem behaviors continue.
Camp Sign-in/Sign-Out Policy
Sign-in
All campers must be signed in by a parent, guardian, or designated adult. Parent/guardians of children who do not appear on the roster, or who have a balance due, will be asked to resolve the registration issue before attending camp.
Sign-out
Campers must be signed out of camp each day by a parent, guardian, or designated adult. For your child’s safety, campers will be released only to those adults appearing on the registration form under the “Child release authorization” section. Please be prepared to present a photo I.D. each day to ensure that we are releasing each camper to the authorized adult.
Middle School Adventures
Parents/guardians of middle school campers can mark the box on our registration form allowing their child to sign him/herself in and out of camp each day. Please be aware that the YMCA is only responsible for the camper once he/she signs in. The camper is responsible for him/herself once signed out, and will be asked to leave the premises. Campers will not be allowed to
sign themselves in/out without parental permission.
Late Pick-up
A late pickup fee of $1.00 for each minute will be charged after 6:05 PM. If campers are consistently being picked up late the camper may be dropped from the program at the Director’s discretion.
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