Camp Questions

Many questions can be answered in our extensive SJCC Summer Camp 2010 Parent Handbook.

Registration
WE HEARD YOU... Registration for SJCC Summer Camp 2010 is now available online. 
You may also complete the registration form in this brochure. Once your registration form (one per child) is complete, return it with payment to SJCC Summer Camps, 3801 East Mercer Way, Mercer Island WA 98040. You may also fax your registration to 206-232-7119. Spaces will not be held without completed registration and payment. Contact SJCC Summer Camp Registrar Beth Rosen at BethR@sjcc.org or 206-388-1995 if you have questions.

Camp Membership
If you are not a current SJCC family member, you can join the SJCC with a Camp membership for just $60 a year. A Camp membership allows you to register your child for summer, winter, and spring break camps, as well as School's Out vacation days. The membership fee is non-refundable. Registration priority is given to families with children returning to summer camp and children already in Kidstown, our before- and after-school program.

Cancellation Policy
Parents who cancel before May 3, 2010, will receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. After May 3, 2010, and before June 1, 2010, parents will receive a 50% refund minus a $50 administrative fee. From June 1, 2010, until the end of camp (August 27, 2010), camp fees are not refundable. Any change made to your camp registration will result in a $25 fee. If the SJCC cancels a camp for any reason, you will receive a credit or a full refund.

Late Camp Registration
Registration received within 5 days to start of any camp is subject to a $25 per week late fee.

Payment Method
To reserve a place for your child at camp, payment must be received in full or through a three-month payment plan (payment cannot be made online). In order to receive the early bird discount you must pay in full. Payment must be by credit card or check. Monthly payments will be processed by credit card on April 1, May 1 and June 1, in equal amounts. If you select the payment plan, you do not qualify for the early bird discount. If you need to make payment arrangements, please contact SJCC Summer Camp Registrar Beth Rosen at BethR@sjcc.org or 206-388-1995.

Financial Aid
Please contact SJCC Summer Camp Registrar Beth Rosen at BethR@sjcc.org or 206-388-1995 for fee adjustments and scholarship information. Eligibility requirements must be met.

Health and Safety
As a safety precaution, all children must be signed in every morning and signed out every afternoon. Any other drop-off or room arrangements must be cleared by your child's camp director. Our staff is first aid certified. Half of the camp day is spent outdoors, playing, swimming, and walking to and from activities. Counselors make sure children apply sunscreen throughout the day; please include sunscreen and a water bottle in your child's backpack.

Staff
The heart of SJCC Summer Camp is our dedicated and caring staff. Staff members are carefully selected for their experience, skills and sensitivity with children. All staff members are required to participate in a training program. Our low camper-to-staff ratio ensures each camper receives personal attention and guidance during their camp experience.

The majority of our staff members spent their summers at SJCC Summer Camps before becoming counselors themselves. Senior counselors have all completed at least one year of college; junior counselors are entering college or are 12th graders who have completed our SJCC Counselor in Training (CIT) program.

Communication
Our counselors and supervisory staff focus on the growth and learning of each child. In addition, we keep records noting your child's progress. The camp director is available to answer any questions you may have as well as to discuss your child's personal growth at the end of the camp session.

Field Trips
Most of our camps include trips away from the SJCC. Vans and buses are used for these activities. Every child is required to wear a SJCC camp t-shirt and bracelet that has our name and phone number on it for field trips. Utmost care is taken for the safety of your child. Field trip sites have been prescreened by our staff. All field trips are subject to change.

Dietary Restrictions
Our camp observes basic Kashrut (Kosher) rules. This means lunches need to be dairy-based or vegetarian. Please pack a non-perishable lunch for camps with field trips. Please read the SJCC Summer Camp Parent Manual to learn lunch options for your child. This packet is available online at www.sjcc.org. In addition, our facility is peanut-aware.

Before- and After-Camp Care: Grades K - 8
Morning Care: M-F, 7:30-9:30 a.m., $50 per week
Afternoon Care: M-Th, 4:00-6 p.m. (Friday 4-5 p.m.), $50 per week

Before and after-camp care is available through the SJCC extended day childcare program in Kidstown at the SJCC Mercer Island facility. In Kidstown, campers enjoy a secure and familiar environment before and after their action-packed day at camp. Registration for this program must be made in advance. A $15 fee will be collected at time of service if child enters the aftercare program without proper registration.

Afternoon care closes at 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 p.m. on Fridays. The late pick-up charge is $1 per minute. This fee must be paid at time of service or will be automatically charged to your credit card. Morning and afternoon care is only available on a weekly basis.

Teen Scene, a new space dedicated to middle school students (grades 6-8), will be open before and after camp each day. Registration for this program must be made in advance.

Transportation
SJCC transportation service will again pick up and drop off at two locations this summer.

The first stop will be at the SJCC Seattle facility at Temple Beth Am, at 2632 NE 80th Street. The bus service will leave promptly at 8:20 a.m. from the Seattle facility and return at 5 p.m. The bus will head directly to the second stop at the Overlake Transit Center located at NE 40th Street and 156th Ave NE in Redmond (between bay 3 and 4). The bus will arrive at the transit center around 9 a.m. and return at 4:30 p.m. (times may vary based on city traffic).

We charge a $25 per week per child transportation fee.

The late pick-up charge is $1 per minute. This fee must be paid at time of service or will be automatically charged to your credit card. If you are running late, please notify the bus captain. If you child does not need to be picked up by bus on a given day, the SJCC bus hotline (206-232-7115, extension 424) must be notified by 7:30 a.m. that day. If you fail to notify the SJCC bus hotline, you will be required to pay $20 fine per occurrence. Transportation is only available for campers riding 5 days a week. It is mandatory that all campers ride in the morning and afternoon.

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GET MORE OUT OF YOUR SUMMER 
Summer Swim Lessons
Swimming lessons are available before and after camp in the SJCC indoor pool. For information, contact SJCC Aquatics Director Andrea Selix at AndreaS@sjcc.org or 206-232-7115, extension 249.

Tutoring Program
Summer Tutoring from the Tutoring Club
Make the most out of your summer! Did you know kids can lose up to six months of math and reading skills during the summer? SJCC camp provides an opportunity to bridge the achievement gap and even get your kids ahead of grade level by up to two months. Don't let your child fall into the pattern of summer learning loss. Sign up for one or two hours a week of individualized tutoring from the Tutoring Club. Tutoring can take place before, during or after camp day. Please contact David Zook at 425-765-8886 if you have questions.

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Where is your camp located?
We are at the SJCC on Mercer Island, just off the East Mercer Way exit.

What is the camper to counselor ratio?
Our ratio is 10:1 at camp and 8:1 on field trips. This ratio is for staff over the age of 18. Each group also has at least one CIT (counselor-in-training) or junior counselor.

My two kids are in the same session but different camps, will they see each other?
They will see each other during morning and closing circles and occasionally throughout the day in passing, but generally each camp is in their own area.

I just signed up for Sports Camp, but what if I want to switch to Camp Kef during camp?
As long as there is room left, you can switch camps. There is a $25 processing fee for switching camps.

I'm coming with a friend. Can we be in the same group?
Yes! In the parent handbook there is a form for friend requests. Fill that out and we'll make sure they're together.

What does kosher dairy mean?
The SJCC is a kosher dairy facility, which means no meat (fish is OK). Some options for your child's lunch include: tuna sandwich, bagel and cream cheese, yogurt, veggies, soy-nut butter and jelly sandwich.

Do I need to bring a booster seat for field trips?
No. We use school buses for field trips that do not require boosters or car seats.

What if I'm late picking up my child?
Counselors will wait until 4:10 p.m. for parents to pick up. If the child is not picked up by 4:10, they will be brought to aftercare and signed in for a charge of $15. Aftercare closes at 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and at 5 p.m. on Fridays.

Can parents come on field trips?
We do not invite parents to come on field trips. If parents want to participate with their child in camp, we welcome families at 3 p.m. on Fridays for an all-camp Shabbat.

If you have a question not answered here, contact SJCC Program Director Zach Duitch by email or at 206-388-1990.