OPEN HOUSES

1) What happens at open houses?

• Opportunity to meet camp administrators
• Tour facility
• Opportunity to complete registration
• Q & A

PROGRAMS 

2) Education

• Each child chooses 2 classes
• 90 minutes each
• Maximum class size 22
• Each class is run by a NY state licensed teacher with 2 counselors assisting
• No homework; no tests
• Classroom time is structured but designed to be fun
• Class descriptions are available in brochure; classes are strictly age-specific

3) Sports

• 60 minutes each
• Variety of packages (each code has 3, 4, or 5 activities) based on starting/ending time of day (program length)
• Approx. 1 teacher per 25 children in addition to counselor assistance
• Multiple groups are brought together and then broken down by skill level
• Skill levels are assessed early and children are grouped accordingly

4) What is the theater program all about?

• Program is broken down into two (2), 4-week programs (1st 4 weeks, last 4 weeks).
• Each age group organizes a musical play which is performed live at the end of the 4 weeks (parents and friends are invited to attend the performance)
• Aside from lunch and swim, all other activities are theater-related (vocal training, dance, acting, costume/set design, production)
• All classes are held in the PS 499 theater
• Any child with an interest in any theater-related activity is encouraged to participate in the theater program (children will have the opportunity to participate in the activity of their primary interest)
• Program is co-ed
• Theater program schedule is 9-4 (early/late schedules will have quiet games)
• Minimal interaction with the rest of camp/campers

EQUIPMENT

5) What equipment/supplies will my child need? Allowed?

• All sports equipment and education supplies are provided by camp (only equipment permitted are softball gloves and tennis racquets, although these are also provided by camp)
• Water bottle, Sneakers, Camp t-shirt strongly encouraged
• Swim suit, towel, lock, and bathing cap (if hair is longer than 4 inches) are needed for children with swimming in their schedule
• Light backpack suggested to carry swimming gear, water bottle, etc. (MUST be carried by child during the day)
• Lockers are available for the swim period, but not available for the whole day. Children will need to carry everything they bring to camp.
• Change of clothing optional, if needed
• Personal electronic devices (handheld games, cell phones, etc) are strongly discouraged (camp is not responsible for damage, loss or theft)
• Other valuable personal belongings (toys, trading cards, etc) should be left home
• Any clothing/personal belonging brought to camp should be clearly labeled with the child's name

 REGISTRATION

6) What are the registration procedures?

• Rolling registration (phone, in-person, fax, mail)
• Minimum deposit of $250 required upon registration
• Balances due April 1
• Late registration (after April 1^st) continues until the beginning of camp or enrollment capacity is reached.
• No late fees but payment in full is due upon registration, unless alternative arrangement are made with camp director
• Class/Program selection should be done at registration (or as early as possible)
• All education classes will fill up!! (strongly suggested to select classes a.s.a.p.)
• First 4 weeks of camp cannot be broken up; last 4 weeks, classes are broken down into two, 2-week curriculums (with a few exceptions, i.e. theater program, test prep)
• Half-day or partial-week schedules are not available
• Payment plans can be arranged upon request with the camp office
• No scholarships or discounts are available
• Any questions about vouchers, reimbursement etc, refer to Buz
• PLEASE NOTE: TWU: Local 100 & Hospital Workers: Local 1199 provide pre-approved funding assistance for summer camp (contact Buz with questions)

7) If I know my child will be out for a certain amount of time, will registrations fees be adjusted?

• There are no exceptions during the first 4 weeks of camp
• There is no credit or refund for any time missed (because camp fills to capacity)
• Because camp is often not filled to capacity during the second half of the summer

GROUPS

8) Group Assignments

Groups and activities are separated by age, with one group counselor

• 5 & 6 year olds (approx. 6-8 per group)
• 7 & 8 tear oldes (9 or less per group)
• 9 - 14 year olds (10-12 per group)

Where possible, children are separated by sex; however many groups are co-ed.

Special requests ( ie. all same sex, all boys, all girls, etc.) are likely to be honored; however, they are primarily contingent upon registration demands.

Program changes (classes, groups, activities) are discouraged but will be accomodated wherever possible.

Children are grouped by sport code (selected at registration).

9) Are there any camp trips?

No, all activities take place on the Queens College campus.

STAFF

10) What are the qualifications of the camp staff? How is the staff structured?

All counselors are at minimum college-age and older. There are no C.I.T.'s or Junior Counselors.

Approximately half of the staff are Queens College students; the other half attend other colleges.

Many counselors are Education majors and/or college varsity athletes.

All counselors are screened, interviewed, and trained at an orientation.

Group counselors' primary responsibility is the safety and welfare of the children; they escort their groups to and from activities and tend to the individual needs of their campers.

Head counselors supervise approximately 10 group counselors and are responsible for assisting counselors with any issues.

Every activity is run by a qualified teacher, responsible for organizing and conducting the activities.

A staff of 20+ administrators oversee all daily activities and are available to the staff during the day to handle any issues.

CONTACT INFO

12) Daily Schedule

Programs begin at 8:00 or 9:00 AM and end at either 4:00 or 5:00 PM (determined at registration).

Early drop-off begins at 7:30 AM (no earlier).

Camp requests you pick up your child within ½ hour of the end of their program.

Camp provides adult supervision if late pick-up is required.

There are no additional charges for early drop-off or late pick-up (frequent late pick-up requires special arrangements with camp office).

13) Do different groups interact with one another? Will my child have the opportunity to meet other children?

Yes - lunchtime, swim time, sports and education classes are great times for children to meet many others children who have many similar interests.

FOOD

Hot and cold lunch selections are served to all children (sample menu available).

Lunch meals are prepared by New York City Department of Education School Food Program.

Main dish, sides, fruit & drink are served to each child at lunch.

Assorted milks or water are the only beverages offered (lactose intolerance can be accommodated).

Kosher options are offered daily if arranged prior to the start of camp/fee $ 15 per week.

Non-meat options are offered daily.

Pizza is served once a week for lunch.

Special dietary needs should be brought to the camp's attention as early as possible in order to make special accommodations (not every special request may be honored; some children may need to bring their own meals).

A small snack will be provided either mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

Children are welcome to bring their own snacks as long as they do not require refrigeration and are carried by the child.

Vending machines are available.

Children with food allergies may need to bring their own meals: contact camp office for information.

Grab-N-Go Breakfast will be available in the morning.

Water is available at various stations across the camp. Children should bring a water bottle to camp so they can refill it periodically throughout the day.

MEDICAL

15) Is there medical staff on duty?

Two medical stations (1 in the gymnasium; 1 outdoors adjacent to the sports fields) are staffed by certified E.M.T's (emergency medical techs) or A.T.C..'s (athletic trainer certified).

All Board of Health required medical/first aid staffing ratios are met (and exceeded) daily.

All administrative staff are certified in R.T.E. (respond to emergencies), C.P.R. and First Aid.

Children with special medical needs can be accommodated with a completed medical form and a letter indicated the child's detailed needs; camp medical staff will contact each parent to make appropriate arrangements.

Children with special needs will be evaluated on an individual basis. Special arrangements may be required by the camp to ensure a quality experience. Every effort will be made to accommodate these special needs.

TRANSPORTATION

16) Is bus transportation available?

Yes, for all of Queens, parts of Nassau, & Manhattan.

Transportation fees are not included in the registration.

• Separate arrangements must be made with Queens Children Transportation Corporation (718) 726-3500.

A separate application will be provided to all registrants.

Parents are welcome to make their own transportation arrangements.

Most (approx. 75%) campers are dropped off and picked up by parents/relatives/friends.

• Camp provides drive-by drop off assistance
• Parents must park and come in the gym to pick up children at the end of the day.

SWIMMIMG

17) How are the children supervised in the pool?

They are supervised in the pool by 12-16 certified lifeguards/swim instructors and a HEAD lifeguard.

Lifeguard/swim instructors are certified by the American Red Cross.

• All lifeguards MUST have lifeguard training, first aid and CPR-PR/AED; A few lifeguards will have WSI - Water Safety Instruction.

Children's counselors provide additional supervision in the pool area.

Attendance is taken three time - when they arrive, after the lesson begins and before they leave.

18) How are the children assigned in the pool?

Each group is assigned to a section. The pool is divided into 8 sections by lane lines

The group counselor sits in the section where his/her group is

Age 5 - assigned to 2 ft tables which are in 4 ft water

Age 6 - assigned to 4 ft water

Ages 7 & 8 - assigned to 5 ft water

Ages 9-12 - assigned to 6-12 ft water

*** Life jackets, bubbles, and kickboards are available for all ages if needed ***

19) Are children taught lessons?

Each child will be tested on their first and/or second day of camp

Monday-Thursday there is a 20-minute lesson (according to Red Cross criteria) and 20 minutes of free swim time. (each Friday is free swim)

20) What if my child does not know how to swim?

Depending on the age of the child, he or she will be given a flotation device in the section with their group or moved to a shallower area is the space allows.

21) What equipment does my child need?

Bathing suits, bathing caps (if hair is longer than 4 inches), towel and lock to secure their items in a locker while in the pool.

NO hair ties, scrunchies or hair beads are permitted in the pool (as they break both the filter and the pool vacuum).

We recommend that all jewelry be taken off because lost jewelry is often hard to retrieve.

*** Temperature and chemical levels are according to Board of Health rules and regulations and are checked every morning. ***

EMPLOYMENT

22) How can someone apply to work at camp?

Camp employs over 300 people each summer and welcomes new applicants each year for the following positions:

• Counselors
• Head Counselors
• Teachers
• Administrative Staff
• Lifeguards
• Medical Staff
• Applications are available at www.qccamp.com