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TRUE VINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Summer Ministries 2012
PARENT HANDBOOK
Introduction
Welcome to Summer 2012! Join us this summer for "It's God, It's Good." Our summer ministries will have a different emphasis each day: God Creates, God Provides, God Protects, God Loves, and God Calls. We know everyone who attends TVCA Kids ministries expects a great experience and our staff cares about each participant! We pledge to you our commitment to a quality program that is Christ-centered, organized, safe, educational, spiritual, and fun! We would be honored to have you part of your summer with us.
Mission Statement
TVCA's mission is to honor Jesus Christ by providing quality Christian educational programs for the purpose of evangelism, spiritual growth and equipping students for their life ministry and calling.
True Vine Christian Academy is a learning place. It is a place to experience oneself in relationship to God, to others, and to the environment through planned guided activities. The ministry is a place of caring: a place where the individual is accepted and valued as a unique creation of God. It is a place of wonder that provides the opportunity to question, explore, succeed and celebrate in God's world.
This is the eleventh year of our summer Kidz Kamp ministry and our 1st year of the Summer School Institute. Our first ten years showed that our direction and purpose was consistent with our mission and goals. The experience that our staff and the children enrolled in the program had, was second-to-none.
We hope to build upon the great success that we experienced last year and provide your child with even greater excitement and enjoyment than last year. If you are new to the program, we can only say welcome and we hope that you enjoy all that True Vine has to offer. In addition, we also hope that you will come to discover that our zeal to improve upon our programs and facilities as well as our dedication to give the Christian community the best that God has to offer is a trademark of the True Vine experience.
Our Philosophy
The TVCA Kidz Ministries Philosophy was developed out of the belief that children must be taught. Our philosophy is based on Proverbs 22:6 which states: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." To that end, we know that the early years of a child's life are the most important to his or her development.
Through age-appropriate activities, campers will participate in Praise & Worship, discussions, activities, crafts, and fun while getting to know God. The daily theme will provide opportunities to learn how to walk with God in their lives.
THERE ARE TWO UNIQUE CAMPS:
The Discovers: (3-6 years old): Join them on a magical adventure of discovery, fun, and surprises! Crafts, games, songs, fitness, park/gym-time, picnics, parties, field trips, reading, and writing, are all part of the adventure.
The Explorers: (7-12 years old): Embark on an exciting time of exploring God's creation, making new friends, and learning new skills. Swimming, field trips, basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, water balloons, skating, tours, hiking, crafts, games, movies, and parties are all part of the adventure.
As staff members, we want to have fun with the children enrolled in the camp. The camp activities are planned to be interactive between staff and campers. We believe that this interaction will allow staff members to have fun and enjoy work more. We also believe that the campers will enjoy themselves more if they are aware that the staff is also having fun.
THERE ARE TWO UNIQUE SUMMER SCHOOL CLASSES:
We guarantee to increase your child's reading ability and improve their math skills in 3-weeks or 12 days. We offer a 4-5 year old class as well as 1st-8th grade classes.
Classes are held from 9-3pm Monday - Thursday and Friday's the students will participant in the camp activities.
We invite you to let us teach your child how to Read and Solve Math Problems in 3-weeks. Our goal is to focus one subject at a TIME!
In summary, the overall theme of the summer ministry is to provide the children with the positive aspects of recreation and education while at the same time allowing both the participants and the staff the opportunity to interact and learn from each other.
Let's have a great summer!
Sandra R. Rhodes, D. Min.
Director of Ministries
Eligibility
In order to provide activities suited to the varying ages of children, participants will be grouped according to age. Physical, emotional and social maturity varies by age and gender. The TVCA Summer Ministries is available to children between the ages of 3 and 12. Ages will be grouped as follows:
· 3-4 years old & 5-6 years old
· 7 & 8 years old
· 9 & 10 years old
· 11 & 12 years old
All participants are required to attend a 6-hour orientation and two workshops prior to participating in activities. Parents will be given a daily calendar of scheduled activities. Activities are subject to change if weather does not permit.
Registration Policies
Parents may enroll child(ren) from the beginning of registration (typically mid-February) until the first day of the session or until all sessions are filled. Reservations are accepted with a minimum deposit required to secure a space for the child(ren) . The director reserves the right to cancel future reservations for non-payment or children that pose disciplinary problems in the ministry. All enrollments are on a first-come-first-serve basis, for a maximum of 250 campers per summer and a maximum of 20 students per class. Please note parents must attend orientation in order for their child to participant as well as to receive free latchkey. In addition, students must be here by 9:00am to receive free latchkey.
All forms are required to be completed and submitted before they can pariciticipate. if the space has been reserved. Late enrollments require all paperwork and forms to be completed prior to the child's participation in the ministry. Campers must attend at least 3 weeks out of the 9 weeks of the summer camp and students must attend 11 out of 12 for summer school.
Payment Policies
All payments for reserved spaces are due at parent's orientations and thereafter 3-weeks in advance. Late enrollment fees are due the first day of the session. The director reserves the right to alter the schedule of payments with families. Late payments are due in cash after the 3rd day of due date. No participant will be allowed to attend the summer ministries until payments are paid in advance in cash. No payments arrangements will be accepted!.
Refunds
All fees are NON-REFUNDABLE & NON-TRANSFERABLE!
No changes will be given or made during the 3 week sessions.
Pre or Post Camps - an unconditional refund policy is available up until the first week of camp. Refunds after the first week of camp are dependent upon the supervisor's approval and the waiting list.
Returned Checks
Return checks will not be acceptable. There is a charge of $40.00 in cash due before your child can participate or return to the program. Thereafter, only cash will be accepted for payment. If fees are not paid the following week, your child will not be able to participate in activities and/or attend any session. If your check is returned, you will be charged return fee plus late fee. All payments must be given to the Supervisor, Director or the Pastor of this ministry. Please do not give fees to counselors! Any concerns with payments must be directly made to the director. NO EXCEPTIONS! Payments are due upon arrival! Late charges will be added if payment is received on the 3rd day after due date ($40.00 on the 3rd day and $5.00 each day after) A late pick-up fee will be assessed to parents who do not pick their child up by the designated time. Please note payment arrangements are not accepted! And child cannot participate until all fees are paid in full.
The fees for late pick-up are as follows: 6:05 PM = $5.00 fee, 6:10 PM = $10.00. All fees are due and payable in cash at the time the child is picked up. Late charge is $1.00 per minute. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Additional Costs
The participants are allowed to bring extra spending money; however, each morning during attendance, the counselor/teacher will collect all money and the child will receive it back once we arrive at the location. Any child that does not turn in money before departing the building will not be allowed to bring extra money for the duration of the summer. The participant is not allowed to borrow money from other participants or staff.
Registration is $40.00 for each session. If the participant elects to participate in the camp additional $10.00 is due for the camp t-shirt.
Snacks /Lunch
Breakfast is available between 7:00am-8:00am each morning. Snacks will be given around 2:45 pm each day.
Lunch is planned from 11:00 to 11:30. There will be days when the lunch period may vary due to the daily activities.
Children may bring zip lock bags only! The participant may bring a lunch as well as a separate bag for snacks. Please place your child's name and age on each bag. If your child is here longer than 9 hours per day, we highly recommend that you pack a snack bag. Each day when your child arrives at TVCA, they will drop off their cold lunches at the kitchen window. Once lunch has been dropped off, your child will be allowed to eat until the designated time. Food and drinks are not allowed in the classrooms or the chapel. If a child comes to camp without a lunch, we will prepare a cold lunch for $3.50.
Supervision
Your child will be supervised at all times by a counselor and/or teacher.
Naps/Quiet Time
3-5 years are required to take a nap each day and the 6-12 years of age are require to have 30 minutes of quiet time.
Vacation Days/Sick Days/Absent Days
Campers are allowed to take one week's vacation without paying or losing their space; however, a two-week notice is required. We ask that you call us if your child will be absent or sick. No refunds for sick-days will be given unless your child is hospitalized.
Summer School students are not allowed vacation time during the 3 week sessions. Students must attend 11 out of 12 days or they will be dropped from class.
General Rules
Please review the following list of rules with your child prior to the start of the Program.
1. No gum or other chewy candies are allowed in the chapel, classrooms, or main office.
2. Boys are not allowed to wear bagging short or pants in this ministry. Girls are not allowed to wear clothes that are not suitable to their age.
3. Food & drink are allowed only in the multi-purpose room and are strictly prohibited within the other parts of the building.
4. Children will stay with their assigned group at all times with the exception of the first and last hour of the camp.
5. Children will listen to all staff instructions at all times.
6. Vandalism will not be tolerated. Anyone caught stealing or damaging property or personal belongings of the True Vine Christian Center, its employees, and participants of the program will be expelled.
7. At no time will participants be allowed on the stage or in the kitchen without permission.
8. Children should not play in the chapel, main hallway, or main office.
9. If a child continues to be a disciplinary problem by ignoring the rules as stated above, he/she will be removed from the program.
10. Campers are not allowed to carry cell phones at any times.
11. There will be no changes made between programs within the 3 week sessions unless the participant is dismissed from the summer school for absent days. Therefore they will be allowed to participant in the camp.
12. Students enrolled in summer school can only receive 1 referral before being dismissed from the program. BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS WILL NOT BE TORLERATED.
Parental Concerns
If the parent/guardian has a concern, suggestion, or complaint, please see the Director or Pastor and complete a Parent Concern Form. The form will be given to the Director and will be addressed as soon as possible.
Disciplinary Procedures for Summer Kamp:
If a child demonstrates undesirable or disturbing behavior or continuously disregards, the following disciplinary procedures will be followed: SUMMER KAMP ONLY!
1. Verbal Warning - Children will receive a verbal warning from the counselors.
2. Time Out - If the child still continues having trouble after verbal warning, a time-out will be given according to their age.
3. Phone Call - If time-out does not work and the undesirable behavior is still evident, parents can expect a phone call from the director of the summer program. At this time a discussion of the child's future in the program may be discussed as well as possible ways to alter the undesirable behavior.
4. Participation in activity - The child cannot participate in the next activity. If the child is absent the following day, upon return the child will not participate in activity.
5. Suspension or Dismissal - A child will be sent home if the parameters that were agreed upon have been violated. The suspension duration is at the discretion of the program director and will be based on the behavior and attitude of the child. No refunds will be given if child is suspended. A 50% refund may be given if child is dismissed from the program.
Disciplinary Procedures for Summer School:
If a child demonstrates undesirable or disturbing behavior or is continually disregarding staff, the students will be expelled from the class. They can only receive one referral!
Daily Camp Times
This is a 9-week Camp that will run from 9:00 am through 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Extended Care will be available to families that need additional time for the care for their child(ren) from 6:00-9:00 am and from 3:00-6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Latchkey charges will apply to all participants arriving after 9:00am and to all students who parents did not attend summer orientation. The price will be $5.00 per hour due in cash each day upon arrival.
Check-in/Check-out
Each child's safety is the top priority for the TVCA Summer Ministries 2012; therefore, policies that have been established are not subject to change unless the Director has made prior arrangements with the parent or guardian of the child.
It is imperative to our success that campers/students arrive no later than 9am daily. Our activity sessions will begin on time and the campers will depart from the building no later than 9:30am. If you know that you will be running late, please let us know so that we can plan our staffing needs accordingly.
Daily check-in/check-out will be between 6:00am and 6:00pm. Hours are from 9:00am -3:00pm. A late pick-up fee will be assessed to parents who do not pick their child(ren) up by the designated time.
To pick their child up, the parent, guardian or authorized person must enter their personal pin number into the computer or present valid identification before the child will be released. The authorized person must be on the camper enrollment form and be 18 years of age or older; otherwise, the camper may not be released to the individual.
Children with parents that work at TVCA may not be released for the child to travel unescorted to the parent or guardians car and or location. This rule is not subject to interpretation or review; it is for the safety of the child.
If the child is to be picked up prior to the conclusion of day's activities, the parent must report to the director who will inform the child's counselor notifying him/her that the child's parent is here for the child. The program leader or camp director will assume care for the child when released by the counselor until the parent; guardian or authorized person has signed the child out. The counselor will not stop an activity to escort the child to the parent.
Daily Camper Supplies
Each day, the child should bring the following items to camp (please label all items sent to camp with your child's name):
· Swimsuit (Friday's Only)
· Towel (Friday's Only)
· Backpack (to store items not being used)
· Prescribed Medication in original packing (If necessary)
· Sun block (will remain with counselors until needed)
· Change of clothes (Children under 5 years of age)
· Squeeze Water Bottle
· Cold lunches (In zip lock bags w/ names and age)
· Insect repellent
The camp staff requests that you do not send any toys (i.e. game boys, etc)
The toys from home may tend to provide an unnecessary distraction for the other campers when the staff is trying to implement a game or activity. In addition, we do not want a child to misplace or lose toys. The camp will not be held responsible for lost or stolen items.
Parents are strongly encouraged to help the child pack for camp daily to ensure that inappropriate items are not brought to camp. All items should be clearly labeled with full first and last name.
Daily Summer School Student Supplies:
Pencil, Paper, and completed homework assignments are required daily. Please follow camper schedule for Friday's.
Illness/Accidents
In the event the camper becomes ill or has an accident, the Program Leader and/or Director will notify the parent or guardian. Due to the large concentration of children, there are circumstances when the Director will ask that children do not attend or must be picked up early from camp. These instances will include; a participant who has two or more episodes of diarrhea, participants who is running a fever of 100 degrees or more, a participant who has thrown up more than once or the combination of any of the above symptoms. If your child is suffering from any of these or other symptoms (such as pink eye or other contagious illnesses), please call the camp to alert the staff. For minor accidents/illness, the camp staff will provide appropriate first aid and provide the parent/guardian with a copy of the accident/injury report form.
Emergencies
For emergencies, the Director or Program Leader (in the absence of the Director) will notify the parent or guardian of the situation. If the parent/guardian is unavailable or cannot be reached the staff will seek emergency medical treatment from qualified medical professionals. In the event emergency medical treatment is necessary, the physician is authorized to provide necessary medical care as needed unless otherwise indicated on the child's Health History Form. If the parent or guardian is still unable to be reached, the staff will notify the authorized emergency contact.
If the parent or guardian has an emergency and needs to contact their child or a staff member, the parent/guardian should call TVCC (618) 257-8783.
Medication
If a participant is required to take any form of medication during the day, the Health History Form should contain the information and a medication release form should be completed on each child. The parent/guardian of the camper should provide the Director with the medication in a clearly labeled container with exact directions for administration. Asthma inhalers and/or injectable medication must be provided by the parent/guardian and will be under the direct supervision of the child's counselor. Each counselor will have a copy of each child's medical needs as noted in the Health History Form. Campers will self-administer inhalers, injectable medication, and apply sunscreen and bug spray when needed unless the parent has made prior arrangements with the Director. For safety reasons, campers may not maintain possession of their medication while in camp and/or summer school; the direct counselor will assume responsibility for the medication.
Dress Requirements
During the summer program, children are to wear non-marking sneakers, comfortable shorts and t-shirts. Pumps and dress shoes are strictly prohibited because the activities throughout the day do not permit participation with these types of shoes and are hazardous to the child.
Ministry t-shirts are required on field trips to St. Louis. If your child does not have on a program t-shirt, he or she will not be allowed to attend the field trips to St. Louis, unless extra shirts are available.
If a child enters the program with unacceptable dress, parents (or emergency contact) will be called and are expected to provide proper dress. Clothing should be planned with the schedule of activities as a guide.
Late Arrivals
Children arriving late to any program must check in with the director immediately. Do not drop off your child at TVCA without speaking to the director and especially if their age group is not present. If your child's group is already on their scheduled trip, you will be expected to transport them to that destination. It is imperative that the parent notifies the director so she can notify the child's counselor of the new arrival especially on a field trip.
Waiting List
Once a program has been filled, a waiting list will be started. Parents will be contacted if an opening in the program becomes available. Spaces will then be held for 2 working days. The entire registration fee(s), as well as 3-weeks of tuition, is due at the time of registration.
Counselors/Teachers
Counselors/Teachers are hand picked and must be at least entering their senior year in High School. Each staff member is carefully selected and must complete an in house orientation/training workshop, CPR/First Aid training prior to the start of the program. Only counselors/Teachers who have completed the orientation/training workshop and CPR/First Aid training are eligible to work in the camp programs. Police Background and Child Abuse checks and a drug test are a prerequisite for employment.
There may be a need to meet with your child's Counselors/Teachers so please be prepared to schedule this meeting during 7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. Counselors/Teachers are not permitted to transport children in their private vehicles unless emergencies and permission from the director. Please get to know your child's counselor. It makes everyone's job easier!
Swimming Pools
The summer program will be utilizing local pools located in the metro-area. However, due to activity, only children 7 years old or older will be able to attend off site. (Unless approval from director) On the morning of the pool trip children must have pool attire under their regular camp clothes. The children who do not have the swim attire will go or stay at TVCA with one of the other counselors and participate in other activities. Your understanding in this procedure is appreciated.
Pool Regulations
The following rules are only a few regulations provided by TVCA. Children will receive a more detailed list at a later date.
-Must wear proper bathing suits.
-Shower before entering pool.
-No floatation devices are allowed.
-No chewing gum in the pool or deck.
-No mask fins or snorkels.
-No snapping of towels.
-No running at any time, anywhere.
-No pushing or pulling anywhere.
-No rough play.
Emergency Contact
When registering children for the program, parents will be expected to provide a name and phone number for the person authorized to handle emergencies in the event the parent cannot be contacted. This individual should be prepared to respond to any request that a staff member may make in the event that: your child is ill, not dressed properly, or must be sent home due to unacceptable behavior. If this person is unable to assist, another emergency contact person will need to be submitted upon request.
Lost & Found
It is strongly suggested that you do not send your child to the program with valuables (i.e., iPods, Mp3 players, DSI's and PSP electronics). TVCA and the counselors are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
It is recommended that the child's name and age be placed on any item brought to the TVCA. In doing so, this will expedite the return of any lost items such as towels, swimwear, roller skates, etc. If your child happens to lose an item, please ask your child's counselor to check the LOST & FOUND BOX.
If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Rhodes at (618) 257-8783 or via e-mail at truevinecenter@aol.com
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