15 things you should know
General Camp Information
Camp Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., unless otherwise specified. Camp Central Line:
905-953-5300, press 2, ext. 2825.Registration Forms can be found online at play.newmarket.ca. Registration will end at 11:59 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the camp start date.
First Day at Camp
You will be required to sign-in for your child and we will provide you with the following:
Weekly Forecasts – an outline of the weekly events.
Epipen and Medication Forms (if applicable).
Weekly Release Forms for trips and swimming.
Chance to meet your Camp Director and ask any questions.
Camp Paperwork
To serve you more efficiently, we send all camp paperwork through email and we have it on-site for you. Please ensure your email is up-to-date in our system to receive this information ahead of time. To verify information is correct in our system please contact our Customer Service department at 905-895-5193 or check your Quik-E-Link account online.
Dynamic Camp Staff
The Town of Newmarket camp staff are chosen for their passion for working with children, creativity and leadership skills. All camp staff are certified in Standard First Aid, CPR "C" and HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development, and have received a positive Police Vulnerable Sector Check.
The Town of Newmarket camp staff are chosen for their passion for working with children, creativity and leadership skills. All camp staff are certified in Standard First Aid, CPR "C" and HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development, and have received a positive Police Vulnerable Sector Check.
Sign-In/Out Procedures
We require all parents/guardians to sign their child in and out of camp daily. Parents/guardians should be prepared to show photo ID daily. If you choose to give your child permission to arrive and leave camp on their own, we request that the parent/guardian provide the Camp Director written permission that the participant is allowed to sign him/herself in and out of camp. The Town of Newmarket would prefer that children aged nine and under be signed in and out by a parent/guardian.
If your child has an appointment during camp hours we request that you speak to the Camp Director and make them aware of the date and time. Many camps go swimming or on trips and therefore may not be on the camp site at various times throughout the week.
If you require someone other than the regular parent/guardian to pick up your child, you MUST give written permission to the Camp Director or contact Camp Central. The written permission must have the child's name and the full name of the person who will be signing your child out. We will require the pick-up person to provide photo ID.
Absent or late? Here's what to do.
If your child will be absent from a day of camp please call the Camp Central Line at 905-953-5300, press 2 and ext. 2825. If you get voicemail, please leave your name, phone number, your child's first and last name, and the camp they are attending. We will be sure to get the information to the proper camp.
Late Fee Policy
A $2 late fee will apply for every five minutes that your child that has not been signed out once camp has ended. All camps end at 4 p.m., Extended Care ends at 6 p.m. Late fee payments are accepted at the Magna Centre, the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, the Recreation Youth Centre & Sk8 Park or the Municipal Offices.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
All parents/guardians are responsible for:
Discussing camp appropriate behaviours with their children. The Town of Newmarket follows the same code of conduct as the school systems.
Ensuring your child is appropriately dressed. All participants must wear weather appropriate clothing and closed toe shoes.
Ensuring that your child brings sunscreen, a hat and bug repellent daily.
Ensuring that your child brings nutritious nut free snacks, lunch and lots of water. A refillable water container is recommended.
Labelling your child's belongings with their full name.
Ensuring your child does not bring valuable items to camp. The Town of Newmarket and its vendors are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Electronic games, iPods, cellphones, money, etc. are not permitted at camp.
Guaranteeing your child is toilet trained. All campers must be toilet trained and independent in the washroom. If an accident occurs, a phone call to the emergency contact will be made and the guardian is expected to come in to assist in changing. If your child has specific needs, you may speak with the Inclusion Coordinator at 905-953-5300 ext.2825 (May-August) if you have a concern.
Camper Behaviour
The Town of Newmarket strives to provide the highest level of safety and enjoyment to all participants and staff during its camps and programs. Coarse language, bullying, non-compliance, and aggressive or inappropriate behaviour are not permitted at camp.
These behaviours will be documented, reported, and could result in the removal of a participant from camp. If your child has behavioural concerns please speak to our Camp Programmer at 905-953-5300 ext. 2822 or Inclusion Coordinator at ext. 2825 and notify them of triggers and methods that are helpful for your child. It is our goal to make camp enjoyable for everyone!
Medical Information
If a participant is required to take medication while at camp the parent/guardian must complete a Medication Form. The completed form and the medication must be given to the Camp Director. Forms can be obtained either online or from the camp itself. Epipens should be with the child at all times while at camp.
Photo Policy
Photos and videos are not permitted during camp programs, other than specific cases where it has been identified (i.e. Theatre & Glee Camp Shows, The Director's Cut Film Festival, etc.). Photos and videos may be taken by the Town for promotional purposes. In this case, all parents/guardians will be notified and required to give permission.
Be Nut Aware
Participants are not permitted to bring food products that may contain nuts or traces of nuts (peanuts included) to a Town program or camp. Should items that contain nuts be found, the product will be removed from the camp area and returned to the parent/guardian at the end of the day. Soy butter also known as "Wow Butter" is not permitted. Although the product is peanut free, it creates a stressor in the camp environment for campers with an allergy as it looks and smells just like peanut butter.
Children's well being is our first priority
Parents/guardians should be aware that the Family and Child Services Act requires any suspicion or allegation of child abuse to be reported immediately to the Children's Aid Society. The Act recognizes that each of us have a responsibility to the welfare of children. It clearly states any member of the public, including professionals who work with children, have the obligation to promptly report to the Children's Aid Society if they suspect a child is or may be in need of protection.
Ratios
The Town of Newmarket strives to adhere to the following staff to
participant ratios to ensure safe and successful delivery of programs:
Camp Ratios 5 years and under 1 counsellor: 7 campers
6 to 9 years 1 counsellor: 8 campers
9 to 12 years 1 counsellor: 9 campers
12+ years 1 counsellor: 10 campers
Swim Ratios 6 to 9 Years 1 counsellor: 4 campers
10+ Years 1 counsellor: 10 campers
Please note: some vendor companies operate at a 1 counsellor to 10 campers ratio for those 6+ years depending on the nature of the camp.
Child Care and Early Years Act
Due to the change in the Child Care and Early Years Act, all campers must turn four years old before they are permitted to attend any Town of Newmarket summer camp. For further information please go to ontario.ca
