Parents are asked to call their child’s camp cell phone number when trying to contact their child during camp. We ask that campers who want to contact their parents, do so via the camp cell phone and not their personal cell phone unless they are given permission by camp staff.

• personal cell phones - not allowed during camp hours 
• electronic devices (Nintendo Switch, iPads, etc.) - not allowed during camp hours 

Children should wear comfortable clothing; appropriate both for the weather and for messy camp activities. Please do not send campers to camp with favorite outfits or special clothing as they may get ruined.

• face coverings - required when campers and staff are unable to socially distance 
• gym / athletic shoes - please no sandals or open toed shoes 
• backpack - can use the one provided by camp or bring one from home 

Summer camps at Hunt Club Park and Viking Park will have the same drop off and pick up policy.  Additional details for each location will be shared with camp families. 

DROP OFF/PICK UP

• Drop Off - Parents will be asked to remain in their vehicle when signing in/out their child(ren). A child must be signed in each day by a parent or guardian.
  Parents/guardians will sign each day at drop off that they have assessed their child and the child is not showing signs of illness. Parents and children remain in their vehicle. A staff member will come to your vehicle, at that time the child(ren) may exit the vehicle and walk with the staff member to join their camp group.
  
  
• Pick Up: a staff member will approach your vehicle and will radio for your child(ren) to be brought out to your vehicle. Parents are asked to remain in their vehicle. If you step out of your vehicle to help your child, (we ask that you) please wear a face covering when doing so.
  All campers must be signed out each day by a parent or other adult over the age of 18 authorized on the ePACT Information Form. Anyone with whom the staff are not familiar will be asked to show identification. Campers may leave only with those who are listed on the ePACT Information Form.

• LATE PICK UP POLICY
  We ask that you observe the scheduled pick up time. One warning will be given if your child is picked up after your scheduled pick up time. Thereafter, you will be charged a $10.00 late fee per child for every 15 minutes or fraction thereof when you or your authorized pick up person is late, and risk having your child dismissed from the program. Please note: Should you be more than 30 minutes late for your first late pick up, you will receive a warning for the first 30 minutes, and the late fees will be assessed at $10.00 for each 15 minutes thereafter. We understand that emergencies may occur, so if you find yourself in such a situation, please call the camp cell phone. This courtesy will alleviate anxiety on the part of the staff and your child. A late fee will still occur. We understand your required work time and respectfully ask that you respect our staff’s required work time.

The key to an amazing summer at the Gurnee Park District is our dedicated and talented Camp Team. Camp Team Members create a safe and positive environment for our campers.

The Camp Team consists of the Division Manager, Recreation Supervisor, Youth Program and Early Childhood Coordinators, Preschool Teachers, Site Directors, and Counselors. Camp Team members are certified teachers, adults, college students, and high school students.

Gurnee Park District's number one priority is the safety and supervision of each camper. The ratio of campers to counselors is 10:1 for youth camps and 8:1 for Early Childhood Camps. All staff members have attended a comprehensive staff training program. Examples of material covered include positive reinforcement strategies, special needs training, and developing camp activities for all ability levels. Counselors are required to be First Aid, CPR, AED, and Epi-Pen certified, and all staff is required to undergo a criminal background check.

Everyone works together as a team in all activities, projects, and events that are happening at camp. Camp Team Members are responsible for getting to know each camper in their group as an individual and create daily plans that allow campers to express themselves through crafts, games, sports, natures, etc.

Please take the opportunity to meet your child’s Site Director and counselors. We look forward to serving your child’s camp needs. If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact the appropriate Coordinator, Recreation Supervisor or Manager.

Parents will be asked to complete an information form via ePACT. This form will ask about any allergies your child may have, as well as if your child will need to be given medication during program hours. If medication is to be given during program hours, a separate Dispense Medication Form must be completed and uploaded to the ePACT Information Form. Instructions on how to complete the ePACT Information Form will be emailed to you. Children may not attend Summer Camp unless an ePACT Information Form is completed. This form must be updated every year.

Food allergy procedures include: 

• Any food provided by the Gurnee Park District will be peanut/nut free
• Children will wash hands or use hand sanitizer before eating
• Children with peanut/nut allergies will sit at a designated peanut-free table
• All staff go through epi-pen/ training
• Children with allergies must complete the Allergy Action Plan by answering the questions on ePACT
• Please make counselors aware of any food allergies and/or food restrictions your child may have
• While we understand there are many types of food allergies and restrictions, the Gurnee Park District cannot accommodate every child’s dietary need

If medication is to be given at camp, a separate Dispense Medication Release Form must be completed. If your child has allergies requiring medication, an Allergy Action Form is also required. These forms can be found on your ePACT account and must be uploaded to your child’s ePACT Form.

• Parent/Guardian will be contacted for prompt pick-up (within 30 minutes)
• The child will be isolated from other campers and as many staff as possible
• The child will wait with a designated staff member until they are picked up
• Items the camper played with and/or indoor rooms they were in will receive a deep cleaning/sanitation

Camp is conducted outdoors and is held rain or shine, hot or cold. The majority of the camp day will be outdoors. Campers will go indoors on rainy days and will take shade and seek air conditioning on hot days. Extra water activities will be scheduled on hot days.

Rain locations include: 

• The Gurnee Park District utilizes the Hunt Club Park Community Center, Viking Park Community Center and District 50 and 56 schools as rain locations
• The Gurnee Park District will transport campers to and from their rain location if offsite
• If you are dropping off/picking up your child during core camp hours (9:00a-3:30p) please contact your child’s camp for their exact location
• The rain location for before camp (6:30a-9:00a) and after camp (3:30-6:00p) will be held at Hunt Club Park Community Center or Viking Park Community Center
• If staff cannot safely be outside to sign children in/out, parents may be asked to park their cars and sign in/out their child inside the building

• Youth Camps will swim three times a week at the Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center
• The Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center is licensed by the State to ensure water quality and is staffed by award winning lifeguards licensed by Jeff Ellis & Associates
• Campers will swim from 10:00a-12:00p. The aquatic center will be closed to the public during this time
• Campers and staff will be required to wear face coverings when socially distancing cannot be maintained
• Face coverings will not be worn while swimming or on the slides
• Campers from Viking Park will be bussed to and from the aquatic center on their designated swim days, while Hunt Club campers will walk to the aquatic center
• Campers are encouraged to arrive at camp wearing a bathing suit under their clothes/cover up, and with sunscreen already applied
• We highly encourage children bring the sunscreen that you can spray on. Staff will not be able to apply sunscreen to a camper that is not in a spray form
• Each camp group will have their own designated area on the grass that is appropriately spaced out from the next camp group
• Campers who do not wish to swim have an option to play in the sand or grassy areas
• Campers may bring money to purchase concessions at the Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center. Please do not rely on the concession stand for lunch, as it may be closed.

Gurnee Park District provides bus transportation for swimming, and shuttling campers from Viking Park to Hunt Club, and to/from camp rain locations. All bus drivers have their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and currently drive a school bus for either Gurnee District 56 or Woodland School District.

Summer 2021 we will be following the guidance provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education which allows for a maximum number of 50 individuals (49 passengers and one driver) per bus. With 49 passengers on a bus the majority of seats will have 2 passengers per seat. Drivers will be directed to socially distance riders on busses to the greatest extent possible and to create the optimum outside airflow (on buses) when weather permits. To the greatest extent possible, seats will be filled from back to front while boarding

Camp cell phone numbers will be activated the first day of camp.

Camp cell phone numbers will be activated the first day of camp.