Summer Camp

Registration & payment must be completed in person. If you have questions, please give us a call at 301-241-5085 or email Sam at sphillips@thefrcc.org.

Weekly Themes:

Week One – June 10-14: Jump Into Summer – MAX CAPACITY

Week Two – June 17-21: Olympians Sports – MAX CAPACITY

Week Three – June 24-28: STEM/STEAM – MAX CAPACITY

Week Four – July 1-3: Spy Week – LIMITED SPACES

Week Five – July 8-12: Theater – LIMITED SPACES

Week Six – July 15-19: World of Animals – MAX CAPACITY

Week Seven – July 22-26: Warrior Strong – MAX CAPACITY

Week Eight – July 29-August 2: Time Travelers Week – MAX CAPACITY

Week Nine – August 5-9: Outdoor Adventure – MAX CAPACITY

Camper Ages:

Campers must turn 6 before September 1, 2024, and cannot turn 14 before September 1, 2024. Campers must have at least completed kindergarten.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT SUMMER CAMP

Please review the following information very carefully. This document was created to provide an overview of our camp program, including what to expect as a parent/guardian. It also outlines our policies and procedures. If you have any questions, please contact us at 301-241-5085. We are dedicated to providing a positive and safe Summer Camp program.

What to Bring to Camp:

EVERY DAY

Extra set of clothes for the week and a towel…just in case! (Please label with your child’s name)
Sunscreen – labeled with your child’s name
Packed Lunch
Reusable water bottle
Snack for Snack Time (pack it with lunch)
Appropriate clothing for summer activities (shorts, t-shirt, sneakers)
- NO FLIP-FLOPS OR SANDALS
A BIG SMILE!

We may also have some other water activity days. We’ll let you know if and when to pack a swimsuit and a towel.

DO NOT BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO CAMP:

Cell phones or any other electronic device or games
Expensive personal items or money
Fidget toys or other personal items
Weapons, knives, or any dangerous items

THE DAILY CAMP SCHEDULE

8 AM – 9 AM: Camper Check-In

Campers will arrive through the front door and proceed to the gym. Sign-In/Sign-Out sheets will be available for parents to check their campers in. We may also relay important communications (flyers, notes, etc.) to parents at this station.

9 AM – 11:45 AM: Morning Activities

Activities will vary daily based on the week’s theme. Campers will usually attend activities in separate age-based groups.

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM: LUNCH (brought from home)

Weather permitting, campers and staff will eat lunch on the patio. Campers are instructed to bring their lunch in an insulated lunch bag that needs NO refrigeration. We also do NOT warm up any foods in the microwave. Drinks must also be brought from home.

12:30 PM – 4 PM: Afternoon Activities

Activities will vary daily based on the week’s theme and will include special, pre-planned activities. Except for occasional special programs, campers will attend activities in separate age-based groups.

Mid-afternoon: SNACK TIME (snacks also brought from home)

The time for afternoon snacks will depend on the day’s activity schedule.

*Fridays we have ice cream/shaved ice for a snack*

4 PM – 5 PM: Camper Check-Out

Similar to check-in, campers will need to be checked out by their parent/guardian or another authorized person. Parent(s) and camp staff will be instructed on the procedures required if a different person will be picking up a camper.

CAMPERS MUST BE PICKED UP BY 5 PM

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Safety is of utmost importance at Summer Camp! Procedures are in place so that campers have a great experience in a safe environment. We are a Maryland State-Certified Camp, licensed through the MD Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
When heat index alerts are in effect, activities will be modified and if necessary, moved indoors. Scheduled events may be substituted with alternative activities (such as…less active games, and activities that avoid direct exposure to sunlight). Please assist in these precautions by providing a water bottle and dressing your child appropriately.
Please apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher each morning to prevent overexposure to the sun. Campers will be encouraged to apply sunscreen throughout the day, but only if you have given written permission for them to use it. Please label your child’s sunscreen.
We go outdoors at camp! Campers should wear comfortable clothing. Sneakers are STRONGLY recommended (NO FLIP FLOPS OR SANDALS). Please remember, this is a CAMP, and children may get DIRTY!
Drink plenty of fluids but avoid drinks with caffeine or a lot of sugar. Start drinking fluids before going out in the heat.
YOU MUST PACK LUNCHES AND SNACKS IN LUNCHBOXES THAT INCLUDE ICE PACKS, OR INSULATED LUNCHBOXES. We do not have refrigerator space for camper’s lunches. We also cannot warm foods. So please do not include lunch items that need to be heated or cooked.
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES: Campers are to arrive each camp day for drop-off and pick-up in the gymnasium (Camp Headquarters). This area will be marked. Authorized person(s) are required to sign their child(ren) in and out each day.
Early drop-off (EDO) is available at an additional cost. EDO will be between 7 AM and 8 AM. There will be an additional fee of $5/day/camper for this service. TWO WEEKS’ NOTICE IS REQUIRED TO UTILIZE EDO.
IMPORTANT: STRICT PICK-UP POLICIES ARE IN PLACE! The Fort Ritchie Community Center Summer Camp Program is authorized to only release your child to the individual(s) listed on the Camper Information Form. Each authorized person must be at least sixteen (16) years old. Campers will NOT be permitted to leave the Camp with anyone not listed.
IF SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE PERSON(S) LISTED WILL BE PICKING UP YOUR CHILD(REN), YOU MUST PRESENT THE CAMP STAFF WITH A WRITTEN, DATED AND SIGNED NOTE AT THE TIME OF CAMPER CHECK-IN, STATING WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PICKING UP THE CHILD(REN). NO EXCEPTIONS!
Camp operation hours: Monday through Friday 8 AM – 5 PM. from June 10-August 9. Campers may be dropped off at any time after the camp start time of 8 AM. Scheduled theme activities begin at 9 AM each day.

Campers may be picked up as early as 4 PM and NO LATER THAN 5 PM. If you arrive late to pick up your child, you will be assessed an immediate $5 charge for every 15 minutes. The Fort Ritchie Community Center is not responsible for campers outside of Camp operation hours.

SICK POLICY: Whenever a child complains of not feeling well, we will encourage the child to take a break, rest, etc., and resume activities if he/she begins to feel better. If the child becomes ill (vomiting, diarrhea, feels “warm,” etc.), we will call a parent or authorized person to come pick up the child. If you are called, you or an authorized person is expected to come pick up the child immediately. RETURNING TO CAMP AFTER ILLNESS – FEVER, VOMITING, AND/OR DIARRHEA: The parent or legal guardian must provide a signed and dated note stating that the child has been symptom-free of fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea for AT LEAST 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication.

MEDICATIONS: All medications (prescription and/or over the counter) MUST be given to the Camp Director in their originally prescribed containers as required by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene protocol. All medications will be stored in a locked cabinet (unless refrigeration is required) and retrieved by the Camp Director at the time medication is to be taken. The Camp Director will supervise the camper as they self-administer the medication. CAMP STAFF DOES NOT ADMINISTER ANY MEDICATIONS.
DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES: All campers are expected to behave properly, work cooperatively within camp groups, and follow the directions of the camp staff. When behavior problems arise, FRCC will initiate a 5-step disciplinary procedure. In the event of an extreme behavioral situation, FRCC reserves the right to skip or repeat any step outlined in this procedure.

1. Step 1: Misbehavior is addressed by staff and the camper is asked to correct the behavior.
2. Step 2: The Camper sits out of the activity for a specified amount of time; the Camp Director is informed.
3. Step 3: Camper is assigned a task to accomplish alongside their counselor. Parents are informed.
4. Step 4: A written warning is issued to the parents. Parents are asked to come pick up the camper.
5. Step 5: Termination of camp participation.

PARENT/CAMP STAFF/FRCC STAFF COMMUNICATION: As much as possible, any important camp information will be communicated to parents at the time of camper check-in/check-out. We also rely heavily on email communication, so providing us with an email address is important.
No refunds for Summer Camp sessions will be given. Credits will only be issued due to extreme conditions, and only upon approval by the FRCC Executive Director.

A few facts about our camp

Our camp is a Maryland State-Certified and Registered Day Camp (11^th year). We maintain high standards and are evaluated annually.
Our staff members participate in our camp training, receive criminal background checks, have been fingerprinted, and most are CPR and First Aid certified.
Our camp has its own off-site Health Supervisor, Kathleen Woodward, PAC. We have an extensive camp health program that has been approved and is monitored by Kathleen Woodward, PAC, as well as the State of Maryland.
We conduct fire drills every Monday during camp, as well as, a daily facility inspection. We complete a fire safety inspection each year at the start of camp. We also have Medical, Fire Emergency, Severe Weather Emergency, and Missing Camper plans in place.
Safety is our NUMBER ONE priority at camp, along with ensuring your child has a great time! We are required by the state to maintain a camper-to-staff ratio of 15 to 1. We are happy to report that our ratio is closer to 10 to 1.
Our staff is trained to supervise and observe campers closely, watching carefully for any indications of dangerous activity, inappropriate language, teasing, or bullying. We have zero tolerance for these or other inappropriate behaviors.
We have an open-door policy here at Fort Ritchie Community Center. Anytime you need to discuss your child’s camp experience, have concerns, suggestions, etc., please feel free to contact us or Hannah Spinks, Camp Director, hspinks@thefrcc.org. We can also be reached by calling FRCC at 301-241-5085.