KEHILLA DAY CAMP
For Parents

Camper to Counselor Ratio
Each camper must be able to function in a 3:1 ratio.

Transportation
Camp Kehilla works with other JCC's to provide busing from Nassau, Suffolk, and Northern Queens. Door to Door busing is an additional fee.

Staff
Supervised by social workers and special education professionals, our staff is mature, caring, and specifically chosen by their experience, ability to relate to children and leadership skills. All staff receives extensive training on all aspects of working with children with special needs.

Parent/Staff Communication
In an effort to make everyone’s summer more enjoyable and to lessen your anxiety, it is the policy of Camp Kehilla not to notify you of little problems. We truly understand the nature of your child’s disability and will work with him/her in an effort to improve social skills and self-esteem.

Required Forms
No child will be allowed to attend camp or ride the bus without: completed information packet, including the Medical Form, and four (4) Notarized Consent Forms. This is a New York State mandate, and there will be no exceptions. All the physicals must have taken place within 12 months of the beginning of camp. Additionally, if your child will require medication administered during camp, you must complete a Medication Consent Form. No child will be allowed to ride the bus or attend camp unless we have received payment in full or you are up-to-date on a JCC approved payment plan.

Medications/Allergies
Please make sure that the camp is aware of all medications that your child takes, even if he/she does not take any medication at camp. Please make sure all medications taken are noted on the Medication Consent Forms.

All campers who require medication during camp (either on a regular basis or as needed), must have a completed Medication Consent Form, which is filled out by the parents and/or authorized medical personnel.

Additionally, all medications must be in the original pharmacy bottle. All medications will be supervised by a Unit Head, Assistant Camp Director or the Director. No child will be permitted to self-administer any medication without supervision. If your child has asthma and uses an inhaler, please give us an extra inhaler to keep in case of emergencies.

Each camper must bring his medication with him daily (only the daily dose) in an original container marked with the proper dosage, time and administration instructions (with water, mash in applesauce, etc.). Please put the medication in his/her lunch bag with an ice pack or frozen juice box.

Swim
Swim is scheduled daily. Children should wear bathing suits to camp and bring a towel and a change of clothing. Swim consists of 30 minutes of instructional swim and 30 minutes of free swim. This time is supervised by certified lifeguards. Within the first few days of camp, all campers will be tested to determine ability level and will be placed into an instructional group accordingly.

The Hot Weather
A topic covered during our staff orientation is the importance of keeping the campers cool and hydrated. Although we provide water coolers on the sports fields during hot days, we suggest sending in a water bottle with your child to refill throughout the day at the water fountain. It is crucial for parents to understand that campers need to come to camp hydrated in order to start the day off right. Please make sure that your child drinks enough each evening and the morning prior to arriving to camp.

What to Wear
In general, t-shirts, shorts, sneakers and socks are appropriate dress. Sandals and clogs are not permitted. Some form of rain apparel should be carried daily. Camp Kehilla is not responsible for loss of or damage to personal property. Please be sure that each article of clothing has your child’s name on it. All children should WEAR a bathing suit and bring a change of clothing, bathing cap and towel every day, regardless of weather or trip schedule.

Food
You have the option to purchase a hot lunch for an additional fee or your child may bring in their own bagged lunch with his/her name on it. It is suggested that your child brings his/her lunch in an insulated bag

What to Bring
Each camper should have a change of clothes, a towel, a bathing cap, a plastic bag for wet clothes to be placed into and a sweatshirt or rain slicker in case it begins to rain. A water bottle is also suggested for hot days.

What Not to Bring
Children and teens should not bring expensive games, cameras, jewelry, trading cards, money, toys (Game Boys), iPods, etc. to camp. Camp Kehilla is not responsible for lost or stolen goods.

Backpacks
Children should bring their change of clothes, towel, lunch, rain gear etc. in a BACKPACK THAT THEY CAN CARRY ON THEIR BACKS! Duffel bags, bags on wheels and gym bags are too cumbersome and unwieldy for them to carry at the campgrounds.

Rain
Although we hope it will not rain throughout the summer, on the chance that it does, we will have indoor activities planned for the campers as well as additional trips. Please make sure that you still send your child with everything on these days, in case it becomes nicer throughout the day and we return to regular activities. In the event of major rain occurring in the morning when it would not be feasible to take the campers to the campgrounds an alternative rain site will be chosen. All busing agencies that transport children to camp will provide transportation to the rain site.