Additional Camp Information for Parents

In order to comply with state regulations, we request that you assist us with the implementation of the following procedures:

CAMPER ABSENCE
If your child will not be attending camp or will arrive late, please call 617-777-3556 and leave a message. In the event that the absence is due to sickness, please make mention of the symptoms. If your child does not arrive by 9:20 AM and you have failed to notify CRA, the Health Care Supervisor will make every effort to contact you. This is for the safety of your child.

WATCHING CAMP
You are welcome to stay and watch camp. To prevent distractions, we do not permit parents on pool deck while camp is in session. Please view from the upstairs observation room.

CAMP DRESS
Children should come to camp dressed in a bathing suit. They will remain in this suit the entire day and no other bathing suit is necessary. In addition to a suit, campers should bring goggles, and the following items:

GOGGLES, towel, shorts, t-shirt, shoes (no flip-flops), sun-block and/or hat for outside activities, water bottle.

Please clearly write the camper’s name on ALL belongings.

Children should bring their belongings onto pool deck and place them on the mats. Please make sure that children with long hair have the hair tied up so it does not get into their eyes. The other option is to have your child wear a swim cap during lessons.

Every camper will be provided with a camp T-shirt (at the end of the week).

Since campers have a tendency to lose things, PLEASE LEAVE ALL VALUABLES, INCLUDING: JEWELRY, WALLETS, MONEY, SPECIAL BASEBALL CAPS, T-SHIRTS, ETC. AT HOME. CRA WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST ITEMS.

FOOD/SNACKS
Campers must bring their own snacks and lunch as well as drinks. Any parent forgetting a child's lunch/snack will be contacted and requested to bring food immediately. Campers must also bring a water bottle to camp, as they do become thirsty during outdoor activities. If the parent fails to bring lunch, and CRA must send someone to the store to buy a meal, the parent will be charged for the purchased food along with a $20 service fee. The camper cannot return to camp until this fee is paid.

EPI-PENS, PRESRIPTION MEDICATION
If you have indicated on the health fact sheet that your child will be bringing an Epi-Pen to camp, this Epi-Pen must be registered with the Health Care Supervisor on the morning of the first day of camp. The Epi-Pen must be in its original container with the prescription label on the box, or the Epi-Pen must have the child's name on the container, with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's note.

If prescription medication is to be administered, a signed and dated letter from the prescribing doctor, or a copy of the prescription, plus an Authorization to Administer Medication form must be received by Charles River Aquatics at least two weeks before camp starts. Charles River Aquatics must get approval from its consulting physician before medication can be administered. Without this approval, medication will not be administered by CRA staff. This form is not needed for Epi-Pens or Inhalers.

MEDICAL ISSUES
CRA strongly suggests that parents let us know about any medical issues (cognitive, sensory, etc.) their child may have. These issues can be addressed in the online and mail-in application. Any parent wishing to discuss medical concerns, please feel free to contact Marilyn at: 617-777-3556. All information is confidential and not shared with anyone other than pertinent Charles River Aquatics' employees.

Important medical information about your child will help us make the camping experience more enjoyable for him/her, while allowing us to provide a safe environment for all campers as well as CRA staff.

MILDLY ILL OR INJURED CAMPERS
If your child is ill, then the counselor will bring him/her to the Health Care Supervisor in the First Aid Area. It is the responsibility of the Health Care Supervisor to make medical decisions regarding the state of the camper. If necessary, you will be called to pick up your child.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES AND EXPULSION FROM CAMP
If a child is misbehaving, disruptive or disrespectful, then the Assistant Aquatics Director will first explain to the child why his/her action is inappropriate and give the child a “time out”. Parents will be informed by the Camp Director or Assistant. If the behavior continues, then the Camp Director may send the child home.

Any child found hitting a staff member of Charles River Aquatics will be expelled from our program immediately and not allowed to return. There will be no refund for the week the incident occurred. There will be a full refund if the child is enrolled in future camp weeks.

We have developed a point system to handle discipline procedures. For full details, click here.

EMERGENCY PLANS
In event of an emergency due to fire, weather or terrorist attack, we will comply with authorities and move the children to a safe location. We will NOT let the children leave camp unless a designated parent/guardian is there to pick up the child.

CAMP CERTIFICATI ON
The Charles River Aquatics Swim Camp complies with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105CMR430-00) and is licensed by the Boston Department of Public Health.Parents have a right to review the camp’s policies regarding: the background of all staff, our healthcare procedures, and our discipline and emergency action plans.

PARENTAL GRIEVANCE
If you are unsatisfied or would like to make a suggestion, please ask the Camp Director for a Parental Grievance form.

For a hard copy of this information, >>click here.