Summer Nature & Adventure Camp Forms and FAQ's
Forms
Please download the following forms and bring them to the first day
of your child's camp session:
FAQ's
The following are frequently asked questions regarding the New Canaan
Nature Center's Summer Camp Program.
Online registration opens on Tuesday February 26, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. Phone registration begins Monday March 3, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Why are we switching our registration methods to online?
You asked for it! An overwhelming majority of our 2007 surveys and evaluations requested an updated registration system that included the ability to register online. Now, our system will allow you to register from the comfort of home with no lines and waiting, but still with the same great programs!
What are my options for registering?
Options are as follows:
- Online registration begins at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2008.
- Online registration using our kiosk at the NCNC Visitors Center will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2008.
- Phone registration begins at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2008 at (203) 966-9577.
Do I need a password to register?
No, just follow the link on our website and you will have access to registration. You will create a secure account for your family.
Can I register all of my children at once?
Yes! Although you will need to create only one family account, you can create profiles for each one of your eligible children, which you will be able to see in a scroll down menu. When you select a child, the computer will automatically pull up all sessions that your child is eligible for. When done with registration for all of your children, the system will allow you to view and edit session choices before completing your registration.
Can I register children of other families?
When registering online, a parent will create an account for their whole family, which will include all children who may attend camp, from ages 2- grades 11. For this reason, we ask that parents and guardians only register their children.
If I have already registered my children for camp, but I want to add sessions what do I do?
If you need to add to your registration, you will have to log back onto our website and enter all of your information into the database again. We are hoping to add a password-protected feature to the database that will store each family’s information, but we haven’t gotten there yet!
If I need to make changes to my child’s camp schedule, how do I do that?
Changes and cancellations must still be made through Registration, either in person or via phone. Refunds will be issued only if they qualify per our cancellation policy (see below). Memberships, before and after care tickets, and T-shirts are not refundable. Changes to your child’s schedules will be made depending on space available in respective sessions.
What if I cannot or would not like to pay by credit card?
Our online registration system will take credit and debit cards. If you would like to pay by check or cash, you may register in person at the Nature Center beginning on Tuesday February 26, 2008. Full payment is required for at the time of registration.
Where can I get session information and themes?
All of our 2008 themes and trips are available on our website at www.NewCanaanNature.org. Our 2008 brochures are still being printed and will be mailed out soon! If you would like to receive a brochure, give us a call.
Do I still need camper information and medical forms?
Yes. We are required by law to have a recent physical and medical information, as well as emergency contact information for each child. All forms are available on our website at www.NewCanaanNature.org. Forms need to be on file at the Nature Center by May 30, 2008.
Do I still need to be a member to qualify for camp?
Yes, a current membership at the family level or above is required to register for camp, with the exception of Nurturing Nature sessions. For camp, a current membership is defined as expiring after August 31, 2008. You may become a member at the time of registration and can choose from different membership levels.
What if I am not sure if my membership is current?
If you believe your membership is current, please check that option on the online system. We will check all memberships to see if they run through August 31, 2008. All registrants must agree to allow us to renew or add a family membership to their registration if it is found to not be current.
Who are your summer camp staff?
Our summer camp staff are made up primarily of college-educated and college-graduated men and women dedicated to working with children and to instilling a love of the environment in the next generation. We often have staff who possess master’s degrees and all of our staff have a wide range of experience in education. All staff are thoroughly background checked and are certified in CPR and First Aid. We also have high-school-aged volunteers called TNTs (Teacher-Naturalists-in-Training) who lend a helping hand in our classroom. Our maximum camper-staff ratio is 1:8.
How will session spaces and wait lists work?
All registrations will go through our online system. If you register by phone, our registration staff will create an online account for your family. All sessions are first-come, first served and waitlists are available for all sessions. If a session that you would like to register for is full, you may select an online option for being added to the waitlist. Any open spaces in a session that may open will be filled from the ordered waitlist. NCNC registration staff will contact waitlisted parents via phone, in order of addition, to fill open spots. Payment is not required for being waitlisted. You will be charged for any additional sessions at the time of booking. For Discoverers, children cannot be registered and waitlisted during the same session (a child cannot be registered for the 9 a.m.-12 p.m. time slot and waitlisted for the 9 a.m.-3 p.m. time slot during the same session and vice versa).
Can I know which other children are registered for a session or trip?
We strive to protect the privacy of our visitors and campers. For this reason, we cannot release the names of other campers registered for our programs.
What if my child would like to be in camp with a friend?
Our special friend policy has not changed! If you would prefer that your child be in the same class as ONE of their friends, please list the full name of that child on your camper information form in the special friend section. The parents of your child’s friend MUST ALSO DO THE SAME. We strive to make classes as age-similar as possible (especially the Discoverers) so if there is a wide age gap between your child and their special friend, we may not be able to accommodate requests. We do out best to honor all requests, but we cannot guarantee all special friend requests. If a special friend request cannot be honored, our cancellation policy is still in effect.
What are the changes to camp session times for 2008?
We also have had overwhelming demand for one longer camp session rather than two shorter sessions for our older campers. This year we have made some changes to our offerings.
Finders (age 3, must be 3 by March 1, 2008) will remain the same with camp times running 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Discoverers (ages 3-5- must be 4 by December 31, 2008) will have 2 options: a 9 a.m.-12 p.m. session or a new 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. session (for Sessions 3-7 only). Discoverers can only be registered for one of these choices per session and cannot be registered for one option and waitlisted for another.
Explorers (grades 1-2) will have camp from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with a supervised lunch period.
Trackers (grades 3-4) will have camp from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with a supervised lunch period.
Eco-Rangers (grades 4-6) will remain the same with camp times from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (with some exceptions due to activities)
Will song circle still be part of camp?
Of course! Song circle is one of our most beloved parts of camp! Since this is the first summer of extended session times, we may experiment with the best times for song circle to make sure all campers are included! Parents will also still be invited to sing with us on the last day of each session.
How is the camp day set up?
We strive to have a range of age-appropriate experiences for our camp sessions. Each day, campers will focus on one topic that fits within the larger session theme. To start the day, campers will be welcomed into their classrooms with gathering activities, designed to peak interest, introduce the day’s topic and ease drop-off transition for the youngest campers. The day will include nature walks, field studies, live animal visits, games, crafts and projects that fit the session theme and the age. Many sessions will feature special guests that will visit camp, such as puppet shows. We will also serve a small snack and drink in the morning and afternoon. We encourage our counselors to take advantage of their wide variety of experiences and talents, so we do not have a set curriculum for our camp sessions. Our classes are outside everyday, except in dangerous weather conditions and our staff are encouraged to spend as much time outside as possible.
If my child is coming from 9-3, do we need to pack a lunch?
Yes, we do not provide lunch. There will be a supervised lunch period for all 9-3 Discoverers, Explorers and Trackers. Please send your child each day with a peanut and tree-nut free lunch. Since we are a nature center, we ask that parents also send their child with reusable lunch boxes and containers whenever possible.
How do Trackers field trips work?
Each session, our oldest on-site group, the Trackers (grades 3-4) will take a field trip that will relate to their theme. Trackers will be transported via school bus or, when available, our state-inspected minivans. Trackers will be accompanied by their teachers, as well as a full-time Nature Center staff who will serve as health supervisor. If traveling via minivan, Trackers will be accompanied by two NCNC staff who have driving clearances for transporting children.
Are you continuing with your organic snack initiative?
Yes! Our initiative, begun in 2007, was very well received! Campers had many great, healthy organic snacks, including fruits, vegetables, crackers and such. All were also peanut and tree nut-free. If you are interested in helping to fund this initiative, let us know!
How do we make our camp classes?
We only have one class of Finders (age 3) and Trackers (grades 3-4) each session, so all campers of those ages will be together. Discoverers (ages 3-5) and Explorers (grades 1-2) often will have more than one class per session. We create classes with consideration to age subsets and special friends requests.
How does the new Before and After Care work?
Before care will be available this summer from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. for parents who have an early start to their day. Care will be provided by members of our summer camp staff (who may or may not include your child’s teachers for that session) in a minimum of a 1:8 ratio. Before care must be pre-paid in week increments (5 hours--Monday-Friday of a same week) with our registration staff. Before care is $10.00 per hour per child. Campers must still be signed in in the before care classroom by a parent, guardian or approved car pool parent. Parents must submit a pre-paid ticket upon drop-off. Please note that the Visitors Center does not open until 9:00, so tickets need to be purchased ahead of time. Before care is not available for Finders.
After care is available from 3:00-4:00 p.m. for those campers who are registered for a 9-3 session. Care will be provided by members of our summer camp staff (who may or may not include your child’s teachers for that session) in a minimum of a 1:8 ratio. After care must be pre-paid in day increments (1 hour) and parents must indicate that their child will be participating in after care by submitting a pre-paid ticket during morning drop-off. Parents that are more than 15 minutes late for 3:00 p.m. pick-up will be charged for an hour of aftercare.
Discoverers that are registered for a 9-3 session may not participate in both before and after care for the same session.
Before and after care tickets cannot be purchased online, they must be done in person, at the Visitors Center.
How do I know where to go on the first day of camp?
On the first day of each session, camp staff will man tables to check-in all campers. In good weather, they will be located in the circle drive in front of the Susan Bliss Education Building. In inclement weather, they will be located on the front porch of our Animal Care building. Staff will check you in, make sure we have all necessary forms and direct you to your classroom. Check-in tables will be open from 8:00-8:15 a.m. for those campers attending before care and from 9:00-9:30 a.m. for regular sessions. Campers arriving after 9:30 a.m. may head to the Visitors Center for check-in.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require full payment upon registration. If you need to make a cancellation, the policy is as follows. Cancellations made more than 30 calendar days from the start date of the session will be charged a 25% administrative fee and the remaining 75% tuition will only be refunded if another child fills the vacancy. Refunds will not be given for cancellations made within 30 days of the session start date.
What do I do if I have more questions?
If you have additional questions, please call the Nature Center Monday-Saturday from 9-4 or e-mail our Interim Director of Summer Camp at lmonachelli@newcanaannature.org.
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