Summer Nature Day Camp: Policies & Procedures

If your child is going to be absent or arriving after 9:00 am for ANY reason, please contact the Nature Center office at (201) 568-6093. You may leave a message if your call is outside office hours — please try to call before 9:00 am each day your child will be absent. Refunds will not be given for absence.

Signs to note if a child is too ill to attend camp?

A few sniffles or a dry cough are okay, but if a child has a fever over 100°F, diarrhea, vomiting, a sore throat, a rash, red draining eyes, thick yellow or green nasal discharge, please keep them at home until 24 hours after these symptoms are resolved or a note from your doctor is sent to camp stating that the child can attend. If your child is diagnosed with an infection, it is very important to keep them out of camp for at least 24-48 hours after starting antibiotics to prevent the spread of infection.

Other health reasons a child may not attend camp

A camper who shows symptoms of any of the following communicable diseases will not be allowed at camp without a note from a doctor or specialist:

1. Chicken pox
2. German measles (rubella)
3. Measles (rubella)
4. Mumps
5. Streptococcal infections (including scarlet fever, sore throat, and erysipelas)
6. Whooping cough (pertussis)
7. Fifth disease (erythema infectiosum)
8. Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
9. Impetigo (staphylococcus infection)
10. Meningitis-meningococcal
11. Hepatitis infectious
12. Head lice (pediculosis)

A camper who is found to have live head lice will not be permitted to attend camp until there are no active lice in the camper’s hair, proof of treatment has been provided to the camp director, and until all live and/or dead head lice are removed from the camper’s hair.

The presence of nits (the eggs of lice) without active head lice will not prohibit a child from attending camp provided proof of treatment has been provided to the camp director and there is no evidence of active head lice in the camper’s hair.

The Tenafly Nature Center’s first priority is the safety of our campers. Here at Tenafly Nature Center we strive to make camp a healthy and safe community, one in which campers can have fun, connect with others and with the Earth. Therefore, we expect all campers will:

1. 1. Stay with their group
   2. Participate in camp activities
   3. Interact with other campers and staff members in respectful ways
   4. Be supportive of other campers’ needs and efforts
   5. Always act in ways that are safe for themselves and others
   6. Treat other campers’ (and the camp’s) property and belongings with respect and consideration
   7. Never threaten, imply a threat or “get in the face” of another camper
   8. Not engage in put-downs of any type or make “fun” of another camper
   9. Not purposefully and with ill intent exclude another camper
   10. Never intentionally physically harm another camper or staff (No hitting, kicking, pushing, biting, etc.)
   11. The Tenafly Nature Center embraces diversity and values the integrity of our community. Individual differences of religion, culture, socioeconomic status, national origin, race, ethnicity, biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, and ability are acknowledged and respected. Campers strive to behave in a sensitive, open, and respectful manner and will not deliberately exclude another individual for these reasons.

The consequences of not following the camp’s code of conduct are:

1. First time- meeting at camp with the camp staff and parent(s) to discuss the incident.
2. Second time- the camper will miss one day of camp in order to better understand that there are better behavior choices to be made relative to the incident.
3. Third time- a decision-making meeting with parents in order to look at the real possibility that perhaps Tenafly Nature Center Day Camp is not a good match for the camper and his/her needs.

Our goal is to help each camper have a successful and positive camp experience. Of course, each incident will be looked at individually and in terms of degree of seriousness.

Please go over the behavior policy and expectations with your camper(s), including the consequences for not following them. Clarity and consistency, at camp and at home, are the keys for making our camp a healthy, nurturing environment for children. The staff reserves the right to cancel registration without refund during camp week for behavior violating these policies.

• A $50 processing fee applies to all refunds.
• Membership is a tax-deductible donation with year-round benefits, and is non-refundable.
• Full tuition refunds will be given for cancellations with more than 6 weeks notice (minus the $50 processing fee).
• No refunds or credits will be given with less than 3 weeks notice. In this instance, a tax receipt will be issued to you indicating that the program fee was converted to a charitable donation.
• Cancellations more than 3 weeks and less than 6 weeks notice will receive 50% refund.
• Switching camp weeks is allowed depending on availability and at the discretion of the Camp Director. After June 1, a $20 switching fee will be applied.
• In cases of cancellation due to major illness and/or family emergency, refunds will be assessed on case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Director.
• TNC reserves the right to remove any child without refund due to unacceptable behavior or if children are registered for the incorrect age group/grade level.

• TNC reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or change programs as needed.
• Failure to submit all CampDoc forms to TNC 7 days before the first day of camp will result in forfeiture of your registration fee.

These policies are necessary to cover the costs we incur when we commit to you to have camp available this summer. TNC is a non-profit independent nature preserve and we need financial policies that provide some budget stability to keep us running.

• We put our jackets on and keep exploring! Bring rain boots, hat, a poncho or rain jacket — no umbrellas.
• A full set of labeled rain gear and/or change of clothes can be left at TNC for the duration of their camp week. Everything must go home in between camp sessions.
• In case of severe rain or thunderstorms we will head under cover.

• No, we do not supply either insect repellent or sunscreen.
• We ask that parents apply a liberal amount of sun-block to their children before camp each day and to make sure your camper is dressed for sun protection (i.e. hat with brim). The staff here is more than happy to remind and help campers reapply throughout the day, with a signed authorization form. Please let the staff know if your child is especially sensitive to the sun. No aerosol sprays please.
• We do not apply insect repellent here at the TNC and instead ask that you spray your camper’s clothing with an appropriate spray before leaving for camp in the morning or have your camper wear a insect repellent bracelet. Parents may want to check with your doctor before doing this. We ask that you don’t spray insect repellent in our parking lot! We are a nature facility and the insects are supposed to live here 🙂

• Because most of our activities are outdoors, we are sensitive to and are aware of tick and poison ivy concerns. We address these issues in a proactive, clear and efficient way through education (of staff, campers and parents) and implementation of risk management procedures.
• Staff members are trained to teach campers how to identify and avoid natural hazards like ticks and poison ivy. At camp we educate everyone about ticks, minimize off-trail hiking, establish a tick check system for campers and staff, and follow other tick-related safety procedures and practices. Parents are advised to help their camper check clothes and all body areas after each camp day. The evening bath or shower is a good time for this. If you have further questions, contact the Camp Director.