+ Where do I drop off and pick up my camper?

Campers are dropped off at Common Ground Childcare as long as they are there by 9am.

At 9am the camp be en route to their morning activity for the day. You can find out where they are by messaging through Brightwheel or contacting the Center. Please note, you may need to bring your camper to the camp if you arrive after 9am, as we cannot guarantee that we have transportation for campers after the groups have left.

+ Where will the campers be during the day?

Outside!

The campers will be either at the pool, at the Temporary Road Picnic Pavilion, Wainwright Recreation Area, at Lake Anne Pavillion, on a walk, or on site at Common Ground Child Care.

+ Where will my camper use the bathroom?

There are bathroom facilities at Common Ground, at the pools, port-a-potties at the Temporary Road Picnic Pavillion, and at other locations outdoors along our adventures.

Counselors will make sure that they have the opportunity to use a bathroom as needed.

+ Where will my camper eat?

Outside! They may eat on site under the tents at Common Ground, outdoor at the pavilion when available, and maybe even out on a fieldtrip!

Campers will be picnicking this summer. They will need to have their flat top coolers to both hold their lunches and to be used as a seat when needed!

Hygiene and food-safety will always be accounted for.

+ How will I be able to contact the camp?

You will be able to contact the camp through the messaging feature in Brightwheel or by contacting the camp director or center.

We will provide a direct number to your child’s counselor for emergency use only. We ask that the phone number for you camp group only be used in emergency situations, everything else can be coordinated through Brightwheel or by contacting the Camp Director.

+ Which pools does the camp visit?

We visit the following pools:

• Herndon Swim Club
• North Shore Pool
• Autumnwood Pool
• Uplands Pool

+ Who are the counselors?

Miss Janette is the Camp Director for the 2023 summer season! She has been our school aged and kindergarten teacher for the past two years and is excited about taking on the role as Camp Director.

Our counselors are excited college and high school aged young adults, many with lifeguard certifications, that emerse themselves as leaders within their groups. The kids absolutely LOVE their playful energy!

+ Do you provide lunch?

IF YOU CHOOSE TO SIGN UP we are able to supply a bag lunch from our provider Schoolhouse Grill. Even if you choose this option we still ask that the camper brings a hard, flat-top cooler daily so that they are able to carry their lunch and their water.

+ How do we sign up for a bag lunch to be provided?

You may sign up HERE. The kids need to be signed up for bag lunches ONE WEEK before their camp session so that we can alert our food supplier.

+ Are bag lunches extra or included?

Bag lunches are included in the price of camp, but you must let us know in advance if this is the option you choose so that we can let our food providers know and plan/budget for the summer. Please sign up here.

+ Will my child(ren) still need a hard top cooler if they are not bringing their lunch?

YES.

These coolers are their seats, tables, and will hold their lunches.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO SIGN UP we are able to supply a bag lunch from our provider Schoolhouse Grill. Even if you choose this option we still ask that the camper brings a hard, flat-top cooler daily so that they are able to carry their lunch and their water.

+ Can my camper bring their lunch?

Yes, campers can bring their own lunch.

Please note that Common Ground is a tree nut and peanut free program.

We encourage having your camper participate in packing their own lunches (with your support)!

+ Are there any restrictions on what food can be brought?

Lunches must be peanut and tree nut free. Otherwise just keep in mind more is better! Kids will be on the move all day, and will need that fuel to keep them going.

+ What snacks do you provide?

We will provide water, gatorade, and an afternoon, shelf stable type snacks. Our kids will be VERY ACTIVE this summer, so we know that means they may need more fuel to keep them going!

Because we are focused on the best summer ever theme, snacks may include visits from the ice cream man!

+ Do you provide breakfast?

Campers may eat breakfast at Common Ground from 8am until 8:45am. Campers arriving after 8:45am will not be able to eat breakfast at the center.

After that, we will be hopping on a bus to go to the pool. There will be snacks available, but if a child gets particularly hungry between breakfast and lunch make sure they pack snacks in their cooler!

+ What will the campers do each day?

Campers will follow a general schedule for morning swim:

9:15am – depart Common Ground for the Pool

10-11am – Swim

11:15am – depart Herndon Swim Club

11:45am – LUNCH

12:30pm – CAMP FUN!

If you want to know about specific activities, make sure to check your learning tab in Brightwheel each week! In general, the children will be walking, playing outdoor camp games, doing themed crafts and activities, swimming, and other free play fun outdoors.

+ Will the campers swim?

Yes.
We have both morning and afternoon swim days. The weekly schedule will be shared at the beginning of each week!

+ Will there be formal swimming instruction?

No, we do not offer formal swimming lessons during camp. However, we have found that due to the volume of pool time, most kids become confident swimmers as the summer goes on!

Children learn best through play, and this play-based approach to swimming and pool time will improve their skills

+ How will you keep the campers safe at the pool?

The pools have lifeguards on duty at all times Common Ground Campers are at the pool.

At least 1 of our staff members attending camp swim time will be Red Cross Lifeguard Certified, and all other camp counselors will be Red Cross CPR certified and Safety Training for Swim Coaches certified.

During in water time, we will maintain a 1:6 ratio in the water for all children who cannot pass our level 3 swim test. Here are those levels:

• level 1: non swimmer, cannot swim in an area where they cannot touch the bottom, a staff member will be within arm's reach at all times and they will not be permitted to use flotation devices (noodles/floats) without wearing a USCG Personal Flotation Device (life jacket or puddle jumper). (yellow wrist band)

• level 2: can swim 25 m unassisted but cannot tread water unassisted for more than 30 seconds, these swimmers will be restricted to the shallow end and will have staff member will be supervising either in the water or on the deck. They will be permitted to use noodles/floats in shallow water without a USCG certified PDF. (blue wrist band)

• level 3: can swim 50 m unassisted and can tread water for more than 60 seconds. These swimmers will be allowed to use the entire pool. If there are any of our kids in the deep end, a staff member will be down there with them, either in the water or on the deck. (green wrist band)

A staff member will be on the baby pool deck whenever campers are using the baby pool.

Wrist Bands for Identification

Our kids will be wearing wrist bands in the pool that designate where they are allowed to be. With a color-coded system that is easy for our staff (and the guards) to identify.

+ What does my child need each day?

Hard FLAT TOP Cooler: This will be WAY more than your kids’ lunch holder. It will be your camper’s on-the-go camp chair. And an extra container for water.

Outdoor Backpack: This needs to be large enough to hold what your kid needs all day long. We will be outside, so there will be no cubbies or hangers! Make sure it has a chest clip, a side pouch for a water bottle, and that it can stand up to the elements and hard, outdoor use!

Wet bag: For swimsuit

Swimsuit: We will be going swimming most days all summer long! Send your kiddo

Towel

Goggles

Tough, outdoor shoes with good support: Make sure they are breathable and good for wet weather. EXAMPLES: Keens, Crocs, Nortiv, among others

Water bottle: 12-16 oz maximum, we will have the ability to refill the bottle

Extra clothes: ONE complete set (remember, we have limited storage!)

One Long-sleeved sun shirt

Optional: Hat (baseball, visor, sun hat)

Optional Items:

A book! Kids will have some down time, or may want to take a breather. Nothing is better than a book to read.

Snacks: Even if your kid isn’t bringing a full lunch we recommend having snacks. It is a long day and we are really moving out there!

ONE toy: one car, one stuffy, one action figure, etc. One toy from home to play with can be brought (but we are hoping the natural items they find will suffice!)

A deck of cards: we will have our own, but having one means that they never have to wait to check one out!

Unnecessary Items: Because of the interference with the flux-capacitor of our time machines, we ask that any ‘tech’ items be kept at home!

No tablets/ipads

No smartphones unless absolutely necessary. These will be kept with a counselor in a waterproof container

No gaming systems

EXCEPTION: A Kindle paperwhite is acceptable to bring, but please remember that we are outside all day! This includes being at the pool, near streams and ponds, in misty rain. We advise paper books over electronic, and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that connects to the internet

+ What happens if my kid gets muddy?

Good!

We are hoping that the kids are getting acquainted with nature. We recommend having one change of clothing in their backpacks packed in a gallon sized ziploc if they get absolutely covered in something smelly like stagnant water, or if they skin a knee/get a nosebleed and have blood on their clothes. Otherwise we say a little dirt and water never hurt anyone!

+ Is my child allowed to bring their cell phone?

This camp is specifically designed to be a technology detox. If you MUST send a child with their phone, the cell phones will be placed in a safe, waterproof container with a camp counselor and not be used unless there is an emergency.

+ How will you keep my child safe from the sun?

We will have a safe sunscreen option available at camp and keep the children on an application schedule all summer. We will also be on the lookout to reapply sooner if necessary.

Each child is required to bring a water bottle, but we will keep the children hydrated regardless with camp water bottles. We will have big jugs of water and gatorade available and always make sure the kids refill.

We will constantly be aware of the heat index and make sure our kids are outside in a limited capacity on days that are hotter than 105 degrees. These do not happen very often in Virginia!

Our counselors will all be first aid/CPR trained and will specifically be trained to look for signs of over-exertion or heat exhaustion in children.

We require one long sleeved sun shirt in case your child appears to be burning quickly, or is sensitive to the sun.

On especially sunny days we will stick to the shade of the pavilion and the surrounding woods! There is plenty of ways to beat that direct sun exposure without missing out on playing outdoors

+ How will you keep my child safe at the pool?

The pools have lifeguards on duty at all times Common Ground Campers are at the pool.

At least 1 of our staff members attending camp swim time will be Red Cross Lifeguard Certified, and all other camp counselors will be Red Cross CPR certified and Safety Training for Swim Coaches certified.

During in water time, we will maintain a 1:6 ratio in the water for all children who cannot pass our level 3 swim test. Here are those levels:

• level 1: non swimmer, cannot swim in an area where they cannot touch the bottom, a staff member will be within arm's reach at all times and they will not be permitted to use flotation devices (noodles/floats) without wearing a USCG Personal Flotation Device (life jacket or puddle jumper). (yellow wrist band)

• level 2: can swim 25 m unassisted but cannot tread water unassisted for more than 30 seconds, these swimmers will be restricted to the shallow end and will have staff member will be supervising either in the water or on the deck. They will be permitted to use noodles/floats in shallow water without a USCG certified PDF. (blue wrist band)

• level 3: can swim 50 m unassisted and can tread water for more than 60 seconds. These swimmers will be allowed to use the entire pool. If there are any of our kids in the deep end, a staff member will be down there with them, either in the water or on the deck. (green wrist band)

A staff member will be on the baby pool deck whenever campers are using the baby pool.

Wrist Bands for Identification

Our kids will be wearing wrist bands in the pool that designate where they are allowed to be. With a color-coded system that is easy for our staff (and the guards) to identify.

+ What is the emergency procedure?

Our first priority in an emergency is to make sure that everyone is safe. Our staff will be trained and will have a procedure list that they can follow in case of emergencies. Once we make sure that everyone is safe, then parents will be contacted and the situation will be communicated with you.

+ What does ‘outdoor camp’ mean? Where is the Camp being held?

Outdoor camp means that the grand majority of your campers’ time spent with us will be outside! While we do have space in the school’s Great Hall should dangerous conditions arise, it is our hope to spend our days either: in our outdoor pavilion, on the Wainwright Field, out on the grounds at Common Ground, and at the pool

+ What are the drop off and pick up procedures?

Campers are dropped off at Common Ground Childcare as long as they are there by 9am.

At 9am the camp be en route to either the pool or the off site location – Temporary Road Picnic Pavilion or Wainwright Recreation area – details will be available daily in the learning tab of Brightwheel.

+ How can I get in touch with the camp if I need to?

The Camp will be using Brightwheel, a multifaceted app that can be used to contact teachers/parents in real time. Along with receiving updates for what your child is doing and where they are, there is a messaging feature that is active all day. Each counselor will have a work phone for the sole purpose of bright wheel documentation so that they will be able to respond. We ask that if you need to pick them up early/late, or if there is an appointment, or any questions about the day, you message our counselors here.

If there is an emergency: If there is an emergency and you either need to notify the child or pick them up right away for said emergency, there is a phone number where we can be reached immediately.

+ Will the Camp be using Brightwheel?

Yes!

Each child will have their own profile in Brightwheel. Guardians will have access to pictures, updates, locations, messaging, and announcements through the brightwheel app. There is also a “learning tab” for the camp which will let you know the weekly schedule with all the planned activities, along with fun supplemental reading and activities you can do at home if your child likes the theme!

+ What happens if there is bad weather?

Please Note: Our definition of bad weather is: Thunderstorm, Hailstorm, Hurricane, Tropical Storm, Tornado Watch/Warning, “Red Flag” Air Quality days, Heat index over 105 degrees.

Our camp has access to the Great Hall on bad weather days. All of our equipment will be moved into the Great Hall and we will have access to all of our normal crafts and “pavilion” activities, along with movies and indoor games.

+ Is Lunch Provided?

Yes. If you choose.

Campers can bring their lunches, however, if you would like to sign up for a bagged lunch, we can absolutely provide that from our lunch provider, school house grill, at no extra charge.

A personal sized flat-top hard cooler is required for all campers, even if they do not bring their own lunch. See our full supply list here!

+ What Ages Is Your Camp For?

We have summer camp programs for children entering Kindergarten through fourth grade. We will accept older campers on a case-by-case basis.

Our rising Kindergarteners will be a camp program that is parallel to the multi-age program in order to provide the additional support that they may need.

+ Will you go on field trips?

Yes. We have field trips to several pools and parks planned for the summer and we will add additional field trips to go along with the weekly themes.

We will have theme-based events serving the same purpose of a field trip. These will celebrate the theme and provide a fun camp-wide activity for everyone to participate in that is more than the usual day-to-day fun.

+ Will you go swimming?

YES.

+ How many campers will be in each group?

The state ratio for school aged children between the ages of 5 (by September 30, 2021) and 8 is 18:1.

We will be forming small camp groups of 6-10 campers with an assigned counselor.

+ How is the camp supervised? Who are the counselors?

The camp falls under Common Ground Child Care. Liz Badley - Executive Director Janette Saige - Camp Director

Each camp group will have a camp counselor assigned to them. Our camp counselors are:

Red Cross First Aid and CPR certified

Background Checked by the State

High Energy, hardworking, amazing people

+ What are the camp hours?

Camp Care Hours: 8:45AM-4:30PM

Campers will depart Common Ground by 9am and will return between 3:30 and 4:00pm daily.

Extended hours are available to the hours that the center is open.

+ What are the fees for Summer Camp?

Summer Camp is charged either week to week or for the full summer. Due to our health protective standards, preference is given to campers who choose to enroll for the whole summer.

Registration Fee: $150 – holds your space in all selected camp weeks

Weekly Rate: $425, Camp Hours 8:45am-4:30pm

Extended Day Rate: $15/daily, $50/week - Hours 7-6:30pm

Full Summer: $3282, Hours 7:30am-6:00pm, billed as $900 in June and August and $1482 in July.

Discounts:

$150 Registration Fee is applied to Camp tuition if you pay for the full summer by May 15, 2021

Camp Payment Due Dates:

June Dates – May 15, 2021

July Dates – June 15, 2021

August Dates – July 15, 2021