Parent Handbook

Arrival & Pickup

Transportation

We do not provide transportation. We feel the added benefit of self-transportation is our ability to see and speak with the parents/caregivers of all of our campers daily. It really cements our camper community.

Pick Up and Drop Off of Campers

To make the drop-off process more efficient, we ask that you follow these simple procedures:

• Slowly pull down our driveway. Please do not be on a cell phone, as we have campers here.
• Have 2 LARGE “transportation cards” (8 ½ x 11) displaying all your campers’ first and last names and group assignments. They should be placed on the driver's and passenger sides of the vehicle. Any car dropping off or picking up campers must have transportation cards.
• Stop under our ‘overhang’ where our staff members will check your camper in. Only our youngest campers will be exiting the vehicle at this location. All other campers pull forward to drop off.
• Camp staff will help your child out of the car and make sure they have their lunch and camp bag.
• Staff members are available to help our campers get to where they need to be (and things will become second nature after a few days). There is no need for you to get out of your car.
• Campers will go directly to their group table.

Campers' afternoon pickup is very similar.

• You will slowly drive down the driveway, with your camper’s name and group sign displayed on both sides of your vehicle.
• A staff member will announce your camper’s name and group.
• You will be directed to a parking spot to wait for your camper.
• Please stay in your car. Our staff will walk your camper to your car.

Late Arrival or Early Dismissal

Our top priority is camper safety. Therefore, we will be locking our gate promptly at 9:15. We will not be able to let campers onto the property once the gate is closed without prior approval.

If you are picking your child up early from camp, we recommend sending a note in the morning so we can have them ready at the appropriate time. Gathering campers’ belongings and getting them ready to leave can take some time, especially if they are in the pool, at the top of the rock wall, or out on a boat.

Swimming at Adventureland

We provide Red Cross-certified swim instruction. Our swim program is a vital part of the overall camp experience. The goal is to develop swimmers who are safe, comfortable, and confident in the water. We strive to develop our campers’ swimming proficiency to the best of their abilities; therefore, campers are required to participate. When a camper can’t swim, they are still expected to watch during instructional swim. Campers will have instructional and free swim periods.

All campers’ swimming ability will be assessed at the start of their session, and they will be grouped accordingly. For the safety of our youngest campers, Adventureland may determine that a swim vest (which we will provide) is required during Swim. Please understand that daily-rate registration and campers who attend fewer days may not make the same swimming progress as those who attend more consistently. Wrist bracelets will be provided for all level 1 & 2 (non-deep water swimmers).

We suggest campers come to camp wearing their bathing suits with sunscreen applied. For our youngest female campers, we recommend a 2-piece swimsuit to make bathroom breaks easier.

For bathing suits: please pack athletic, functional bathing suits for campers. Acceptable bathing suits include a one-piece, a tankini, or a two-piece with a top that pulls over the head sports-bra-style, with no way to unhook, untie, or unzip, and with bottoms that provide full coverage. Other acceptable bathing suits include swim trunks that provide full coverage and are fitted around the waist so that they won't accidentally slip off. Swim shirts and T-shirts are allowed. Pool shoes are required. We do not provide swim goggles or earplugs. We are unable to assist with inserting earplugs.

We spend a lot of time in the water, swimming, jumping, and getting on and off Kayaks, and we want your camper to be able to participate fully in these activities by wearing bathing suits that will allow for a full range of motion and functionality.

Health & Medical Information

Medical Forms & Medications

We have a nurse at camp from 9 AM to 4 PM. Our nurse assesses campers’ health, treats campers as needed, and dispenses necessary medication. If your child has a health issue, please make sure the nurse is aware by noting it on your child’s health form and camper registration. If you feel you need to speak with our nurse before camp, please email us at advcampnurse@gmail.com, and we can schedule an appointment or a phone call. We need a completed camper health form for each Adventureland camper before camp starts.

Download the medical form here:

Download Medical Form

A HARD COPY needs to be received BEFORE the first day of camp, June 14th. DO NOT EMAIL your health form. As a last resort, the health form can be dropped off during morning arrival.

The medical forms can be mailed to:
Adventureland Day Camp
Attn: NURSE
6401 Hulmeville Road
Bensalem, PA 19020

Some parents decide that they want to give their child a “vacation” from their medications during the summer. Your child may have a very difficult time thriving without medication. Please help us give your camper the best summer possible by keeping your camper on their medications. If your camper needs medication during the camp day, we need you to do two things: (1) Make sure you have filled out the Medication portion of the health form correctly, and (2) either before camp or on the first day, send in your child’s medication in a Ziploc bag with any instructions. All medications must be given directly to the nurse and clearly marked in their ORIGINAL containers. ALL MEDICATIONS MUST BE DISPENSED BY OUR REGISTERED NURSE, no matter the age of the camper. NO MEDICATIONS ARE ALLOWED TO BE IN YOUR CHILD’S CAMP BAG OR LOCKER ROOM.

Campers with Special Needs

As a traditional outdoor day camp, Adventureland does not specialize in serving campers with special needs, including physical, social/emotional, or behavioral disabilities. However, we strongly believe in the value of inclusion. Our goal at Adventureland Day Camp is to create a safe and enjoyable camp experience for all campers. All families are required to complete an Inclusion Questionnaire when inquiring about the acceptance of a special needs camper, or to indicate on their application that the child has an IEP/504 plan at school. This form will help us understand the details of the child’s unique challenges that relate to their possible enrollment and attendance at Adventureland Day Camp. We require a TSS for any children who have a TSS or support staff during the school year or are in a full-time special education classroom. Please email our Dean of Campers at adventurelanddoc@gmail.com before registering your camper so we can email our Inclusion Questionnaire to you.

*To better serve your child/children, please be forthcoming on your camper's online registration forms about behavioral and medical issues.

Code of Conduct & Discipline

A Note from the Dean of Campers

Welcome to Adventureland Day Camp! I am the Dean of Campers, and I'd like to share some information about my role. I spend my days at camp observing our campers as they go about their daily activities. I am in constant contact with staff and help educate them on alternative ways to interact with campers. I contact parents when needed.

Campers are expected to conduct themselves appropriately. Campers should refrain from being verbally and/or physically abusive to others. Campers should respect authority figures and respond positively to guidance and direction. Staff are trained to use redirection as the first intervention for behavioral concerns. Our Dean of Campers is Paul Schiller. Disciplinary procedures within the camp programs are guided by the type and severity of the behavioral incident as described below:

Persistent behavior problems may result in dismissal from the summer camp program.

Minor Incidents

Minor incidents include, but are not limited to, name calling, invading others’ personal space/horseplay/messing around, teasing refusing to cooperate (not listening, not following rules, or not following directions), being disruptive, being rude/discourteous to adults or fellow campers, throwing soft objects, minor destruction of property (tearing up or coloring on others papers, destroying blocks), refusing to participate, unsportsmanlike conduct. Repetitive minor incidents will be considered Major incidents.

More Serious Incidents

More serious incidents include, but are not limited to, using abusive/profane language, throwing dangerous objects, participating in physical conflict with a camper (hitting, kicking, biting, etc.), and inappropriate social behavior. The use of racial slurs, epithets, and other racially or ethnically offensive language. Sexual harassment, which involves unwelcome sexual advances or any other verbal, physical, or electronic conduct of a sexual nature. Any other form of harassment based on a person's race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

Consequences to Incidents

When a camper does not conform to acceptable rules of behavior, the staff will discuss with the camper the specific inappropriate behavior demonstrated, more appropriate behavior, and the consequences for further inappropriate behavior. Consequences may include, but are not limited to:

• Being assigned to a “Time Out,” or to a staff member will be asked to assist with redirection. This action will be repeated if necessary.
• Being removed from the group if the behavior causes a distraction and barrier to learning or playing for the other participants.
• Exclusion from special events.
• Informal or formal parent conferences.
• Suspension or dismissal from the program (without refund of Tuition).

Zero Tolerance Policy – There is no tolerance for participant conduct that involves infractions concerning the immediate safety of the child, other campers, and our staff (including, but not limited to, physical contact with a staff member). I have read and fully understand the terms and conditions for my child's participation in Adventureland Day Camp. I understand that if my child violates any of the terms of the code of conduct, my child could be removed from camp and not allowed to return.

Kindness and Social Media

Just as in school, we want to make Adventureland a safe, fun place for kids to grow and learn. Please partner with us and discuss with your camper ideas such as being a good friend, practicing social inclusion, and why bullying harms all of us. If your camper texts or is on social media, please discuss the positives and negatives of texting and posting, and reinforce that the same kinds of things that are not acceptable to post during the school year are not acceptable during the camp season, either. We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding bullying, even through social media.

*Staff are not permitted to “friend” or “follow” campers on any social media platform or have contact with campers outside of camp.