** OPEN HOUSES **

1) What happens at open houses?

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

** PROGRAMS **

2) Education & Sports Program

• 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 THEATRE PRODUCTION all about?

• Program is broken down into two (2), 4-week programs

(1^st 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 March 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 Buzz
• PLEASE NOTE: TWU: Local 100 & Hospital Workers: Local 1199 provide pre-approved funding assistance for summer camp (contact Buzz 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)

• Where possible, the camp director will consider requests during the last 4 weeks

• 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 yr olds (approx. 6-8/group)
• 7 & 8 yr olds (9 or less/group)
• 9-14 yr olds (10-12/group)
• Where possible, children are separated by sex; however, many groups are co-ed
• Special request (i.e. 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 accommodated 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
• Senior 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. **

11) How will I be able to contact the camp?

• Camp office is open from 7:30 AM until the last child leaves camp
• Parents may call at any time during the camp day (all calls will receive immediate attention) (718) 997-2777
• Parents with questions, concerns, or complains should address them to the camp office/administrators; they are discouraged from addressing group counselors directly

** SCHEDULE **

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 **

14) Is lunch provided? Are snacks offered?

• 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 $ 25 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?

• Ø Yes, for all of Queens, parts of Nassau, & Manhattan
• Ø Transportation fees are not included in the registration
• o 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 to the gym to pick up children at the end of the day

** SWIMMING **

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