Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

Welcome to the 2013 camp season! This summer we are pleased to offer 44 week-long camps for students. 

As the manager of Penn State Abington Kids and Teen College, I want to welcome you to our campus this summer. Our staff is dedicated to providing an educational and fun summer camp experience for your child.

 

Every year we strive to improve and provide the best possible programs in the safest environment. We review our camp’s policies and procedures annually, and institute any necessary changes to better ensure the wellbeing of our campers. Below I have outlined some of the measures we take to ensure that all students have an enjoyable and safe camp experience.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about our camps and our campus procedures.  The camp office is located in the Office of Continuing Education, 215-881-7400.  My direct number is 215-881-7339, or you can email me at dlb61@psu.edu.

 

With regards,

Deanna Bosley

 

Location

All camps are located on our beautifully wooded Penn State Abington campus. Directions

Camp Staff

Staff instructors are a mix of University faculty members and University approved local school teachers. Our team of counselors/camp assistants consists of current Penn State students. Counseling staff must be 18 years or older.

Instructor/counselor to camper ratio - Average 1:8

Average camp size is between 12 to 24 students. Each camp has one teaching-certified instructor and 2 to 3 counselors. The number of counselors assigned to each camp will depend on the enrollment and needs for each camp.

All instructors and counselors receive training and information about their responsibilities and expectations; campus policies, procedures, and enforcement; appropriate crisis/emergency responses and reporting procedures; safety and security procedures; and confidentiality issues involving minors. All camp instructors and counselors are required to pass reference and background checks, including a Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Check.

Supervision

Counselors and staff members supervise campers throughout their entire day on campus.

All campers and students on campus who are under the age of 18 are considered minors. All camp staff adhere to University policies outlining appropriate supervision of minors involved in University-sponsored programs.  Policies can be made available upon request.

During the day, campers are escorted and supervised to and from all destinations. Counselors and adult camp staff are responsible for the supervision of campers during the entire lunch hour. Campers are not permitted to leave their camp area and/or classroom buildings without supervision by instructors and/or counselors. Additionally, campers are not allowed to leave the campus for any reason without written permission from their parents/guardians.

Registration Procedures

• The fastest and easiest way to register is online! To register online, please click on the "Register Online" link located on the web page containing the descriptions of each camp. The link is located on each camp's page.  When registering online, please make sure to register using your child's name.
  

• Phone: 215-881-7400, with VISA or MasterCard number
• Fax: 215-881-7412, with VISA or MasterCard number

• In Person: Register in Cloverly Bldg, Monday-Thursday, 8am - 5pm, Friday, 8am - 4:30pm, or in Room 121 Sutherland Building, Monday-Thursday, 5pm to 9pm, Room Mail: Return all forms with check or money order payable to Penn State Abington:

Penn State Abington
Summer Kids & Teen College
Cloverly Building
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001-3990

Camp Hours

Most camps meet Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please check each specific camp description for hours.

Pick-Up and Drop-Off

Camps begin at 9:00 a.m. Drop-off and pick-up takes place in the Athletic parking lot. Campers may be dropped off no more than 15 minutes prior to the start of camp. Parents must pick up their child within 15 minutes of the end of camp.

Parents/guardians of minors are required to “sign-in” each camper at the start of each day and “sign-out” their children at the end of each camp day. Parents/guardians must list on the program registration form all individuals authorized to pick up camper from the program. Minors will not be released to anyone not designated by parent/guardian.  Persons picking up campers will be required to show ID on the first day of camp.

**Early Pick Up

Parents/guardians who need to pick up students before the designated end time of camp must provide a signed note stating the time of pick up and who will be picking up the student. During early pick up, a parent/guardian will be required to sign out and pick up the student directly from their camp classroom.

**Late Drop Off

Campers arriving late to camp should report directly to the camp classroom and sign their students in with the counselor. Parents arriving late should notify the camp office at 215-881-7400 to find out the location of the classroom.

Illness

Please call 215-881-7400 if your child is not able to attend class due to illness or any other circumstance.

Contacting Your Child During Camp

If you need to contact your child for any reason during the camp day, please contact the Continuing Education/Camp office at 215-881-7400.

Summer Camp Safety/First Aid/Emergencies

Protecting our campers is our number one priority on campus. That means being ready for the unexpected. We are continually reassessing our safety practices to ensure an enjoyable experience by all.

All classrooms are equipped with basic first aid kits and the camp staff is trained in basic first aid procedures. During any issue involving injury, parents/guardians will be notified immediately. Penn State Abington does not have a nurse on campus during the summer, however all campus security officers as well as numerous campus officials are first aid/CPR/AED trained and certified. Our campus is located less than a mile from Abington Memorial Hospital.

In the event of an illness or injury that would require more extensive evaluation, every reasonable attempt will be made to contact the parent/guardian.

Please note that The Pennsylvania State University does not provide medical insurance to cover emergency care or medical treatment of your child.

Medications

Penn State Abington program officials are not permitted to administer any topical or oral substances to students, including topical antibiotic creams, sunscreens and insect repellents.

Penn State Abington program officials will not dispense over-the-counter or prescription medications to participants. Students will be allowed to possess and take medications on their own per the following conditions:

• Parents/Guardians must provide written permission and instructions for any medications taken during the program by any student under the age of 18.
• The student’s family must provide the medicine in its original pharmacy container labeled with the student’s name, medicine name, dosage and timing of consumption.
• Over-the-counter medications must be provided in their manufacturers’ container. 
• Students must keep the medicine in their possession during the program. 
• Students must self-administer medications per instructions.
• Parents/Guardians are expected to make arrangements for the administration of any medicine that the participant cannot self-administer.
• Personal “epi” pens and inhalers must be carried by the student during all camp activities.

Parents/Guardians of students with severe allergies are required to complete an Emergency Health Care Plan. A copy of this plan will remain with the student’s counselor and instructor at all times.

Special Accommodations and Special Needs

Penn State encourages qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Information involving special accommodations must be received by our office in writing at least one month prior to the start of the program for which you are registering your child. This information will be kept confidential and revealed only to the necessary staff and health professionals. Parents are encouraged to share any special issues that the program director and instructors should be aware of (diet restrictions, learning challenges, behavioral challenges, etc.)

Behavior Expectations

Students are expected to be respectful and courteous to one another and all staff members, participate fully in the camp program, observe the camp rules, and respect the campus facilities. Program participants and staff are expected to abide by all University regulations and may be removed from the program for non-compliance of rules. Students must allow abide by the following program rules:

1. The possession or use of alcohol and other drugs, fireworks, guns and other weapons is prohibited.
2. The operation of a motor vehicle by minors is prohibited while attending and participating in the program.
3. Rules and procedures governing when and under what circumstances participants may leave University property during the program.
4. No violence, including sexual abuse or harassment, will be tolerated.
5. Hazing of any kind is prohibited. Bullying including verbal, physical, and cyber bullying are prohibited.
6. No theft or use of tobacco products (smoking is prohibited in all University buildings) will be tolerated.
7. Misuse or damage of University property is prohibited. Charges will be assessed against those participants who are responsible for damage or misusing University property.
8. The inappropriate use of cameras, imaging, and digital devices is prohibited including use of such devices in showers, restrooms, or other areas where privacy is expected by participants.

Behavioral problems will be handled as follows -

· First Incident - Warning and discussion with student

· Second Incident - Discussion with parent/guardian

· Third Incident - Student will be withdrawn from the program and the parent/guardian will be contacted to pick up the child immediately. No refund will be given.

Lunch

Students have the option of bringing a brown bag lunch or purchasing a lunch in our cafeteria. The campus cafeteria offers a wide selection of items, including many healthy options for students.  Please see "Campus Cafe Price List" for a list of items available in the cafeteria during the summer.  A pre-pay lunch meal plan is also available. Please see "Camp Meal Plan" flyer. (Downloadable flyers are posted at the top of this page.) 

Instructors and counselors are on hand during the lunch hour to assist and supervise.

Snacks are not provided during the morning or afternoon segments of camp. If needed, students are welcome to bring their own snacks.

Students should bring water bottles each day.

Enrollment

Enrollment is limited in all of our camps to ensure a quality learning experience for everyone involved. We encourage you to register early.

Camp Cancellation

The University reserves the right to cancel or postpone any camp due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances. If a camp is cancelled by the univeristy, registrants will be notified immediately and registration fee refunds will be processed.

If you need to cancel or withdraw from a camp, please notify our office in writing (mail, email, or fax) 3 days prior to the first day of camp.  All cancellations and withdrawals are subject to a $35 processing fee per camp per child.  No refunds will be given after a camp begins.