CAMPER ELIGIBILITY

Campers must meet the specified eligibility requirements in order to participate in camps. This is for the benefit of each camper in order to ensure proper progression and the safety of the children. Each camp has a designated grade level range that must be followed. Eligibility requirements are listed in the camp descriptions on www.srsrc.com and the registration site. Eligibility requirements also take into account recommendations and/or requirements from vendors utilized during the camp session and are reviewed prior to the opening of online registration. Campers who enroll in a  camp for which they do not meet the eligibility requirements will be transferred to the Zone or an appropriate camp, or if they do not meet eligibility requirements for any camp, will be removed from camps.

The youngest children in camps are children that are kindergarten ready and potty trained. These children must be turning 5 by the first day of the camp session for which they are enrolled. Transitional kindergarten does not count as kindergarten for the purpose of summer camp eligibility.

For aquatics camps, campers must be able to pass a swim assessment and be comfortable in deep water. Staffed facilities may require a swim assessment in addition to the one provided by SRSRC.
 

CAMP ACTIVITIES AND PERMISSION

Information about the types of activities, general and specific to specialty camps, is located in the camp descriptions and the camp daily agendas on www.srsrc.com and the registration website. Any camps that require waivers and information in addition to the required camp health history forms will have a note in the camp description. Waivers can be obtained from the Aviary front desk or online on the camp website. Waivers may also be emailed to parents. Signatures are required on the health history form, camp registration form, and the additional waivers. Campers cannot participate unless all items have parent/guardian signatures.
 

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

On all off-site trips the sign-in/out staff member is responsible for making sure that the sign-in/out binder is with him/her at all times. This binder must contain a copy of the roster (sign-in/out sheet) copies of each camper's health history form, insurance information on the health form (if available), and if medication is to be administered or taken off-site, a medication release form with details of medication administration.

The Camp Director will retain copies of the sign-in/out sheets, departure and return times, and will know the route being taken. Camp agendas will also be shared with parents in the weekly pre-camp email. The Camp Director will discuss any modifications in plans with the camp staff regarding inclement weather, such as modification of camp activities or location changes. The Camp Director can always be contacted by camp cell phone or by calling the Aviary front office.

 

SPECIALIZED ACTIVITIES

Specialized activities currently include the following and are provided by vendors:

• Animals (instructed by Radical Reptiles and Friends on-site)

• Ice Skating (instructed by San Diego Ice Arena staff off-site)

• Springboard Diving (instructed by Aquatics Department)

• Swim Lessons (instructed by Aquatics Department)

• Trampoline & Tumbling (instructed by SoCal TTC coaches off-site)

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SPECIALIZED ACTIVITY LEADERS

Currently, our camp only uses vendors for specialized activities. However, if specialized activities are operated by the camp in the future, for camp activities requiring special knowledge in order to run in a safe manner, certain staff members may be utilized as specialized activity leaders. These staff members will have earned a certification in that specialized activity within the past two years or have had documented training or recent experience within the past two years in that type of activity. Each specialized activity leader will have their skills verified by the Camp Director or the Assistant General Manager prior to leading that camp activity. In addition, specialized activity leaders will be observed throughout the week that they are supervising the specialty activity.

All staff are required to be first aid and CPR certified, which is to include training on bloodborne pathogens. Since an SRSRC staff member is with the campers at all times, there is always someone present with current certification for all activities, whether on-site or at a staffed public facility.

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SPECIALIZED ACTIVITY AREAS

For specialized activities, campers and staff may not utilize the equipment or activity area without the supervision by a qualified specialized activity leader. The following methods for controlling access to these areas are used:

• Animals - all animals are kept in closed, secured carriers when not being actively presented. Carriers are covered to prevent impermissible interaction.

• Ice Skating - access to ice skates is limited by a counter and supervised by Ice Arena staff. Access to the ice is limited by gates.

• Springboard Diving - access to the pool is restricted by a gate that meets pool code. Access to the diving board may be restricted by the use of a closure sign.

• Swim Lessons - access to the pool is restricted by a gate that meets pool code.

• Trampoline & Tumbling - access is restricted at the direction of the coaching staff. Physical barriers may also be used to restrict access to equipment.

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EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY CHECKS

Equipment checklist for use is as follows and shall be performed prior to the use of any equipment:

• Safety - the equipment has not become hazardous in any way, is in good repair, and in working order. Any items that do not meet this criteria must be set aside for repair or thrown away if repairs are not feasible. Notify a Camp Director and complete a maintenance request form. Do not use the item until it is repaired.

• Storage - check that the equipment has been stored properly to maintain it in good repair. Notify a mentor or supervisor if it has not been. Store all equipment properly in the correct areas (ie. correct sheds).

• Appropriate - make sure that the equipment being used is appropriate for the size and developmental stage of the campers, as well as the ability of the user. Make sure that your group has enough physical space to use the equipment safely.

• Documented - make sure that equipment repair needs are documented upon inspection findings. Any equipment taken out of service, repaired, and put back into service will be documented with a maintenance request form.

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SUPERVISION RATIOS

Supervision ratios for all specialized activities, whether provided by SRSRC or at a staffed public facility, will follow the general camp ratios as outlined in the Human Resources Section. As such, all aquatics specialized activities will be staffed with at minimum two staff members. For swim lessons our vendor will have a maximum 1:6 staff to camper ratio, while diving lessons will have a maximum 1:8 staff to camper ratio. Camps are always staffed with at minimum one staff member of at least 18 years of age.

 

SAFETY ORIENTATION

For every specialized camp activity the campers must be given a safety orientation prior to the start of the activity. The safety orientation must include:

• If at a facility of a staffed public provider, provide the campers with the rules of that facility.

• Any special rules that are in addition to general camp rules. These can be found in the specialized activity chart. (No tackling, no hockey sticks above the knees, no hanging on rims, no using the equipment without the approval of the staff member in charge, use appropriate equipment, pitching machine to only be used by staff, etc.)

• Instructions on how to properly wear safety attire (if applicable).

• Designated boundaries for the activity to ensure the safety of the camp group and surrounding camp groups.

• Any safety signals to be used during the activity (i.e. meaning of a blown whistle, archery safety signals, etc.)

• Warn of any hazards that may arise and how to handle such hazards.

• The rules specific to the sport. Sport activities never involve tackling.

• Always take time to answer campers' questions to ensure they understand the information provided.

Campers will be strictly monitored during specialized activities even after competency is demonstrated. Campers shall not have access to any of the specialized activity equipment unless under the direct supervision of camp staff. Equipment will be locked in one of the camp sheds. The pool area is gated to prevent access during non-aquatics activities, acting as a physical boundary.

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Specific to Springboard Diving, pool rules will be followed with the exception of the direction in which the campers may jump off the diving board under the direct supervision and instruction of the Springboard Diving camp instructor.

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Access to all specialized activity areas, including those provided by staffed public providers, are to remain off limits to campers unless under the direct supervision and guidance of qualified staff (whether SRSRC staff for in-house specialized activities or public provider staff for outside vendors). The pool area at SRSRC is to remain closed to campers at all times unless campers are under direct supervision.

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SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR SPECIALIZED ACTIVITIES

The general camp safety and emergency procedures are to be utilized for specialized activities. If at a staffed public provider, the camp staff shall ask about their safety and emergency procedures specific to their facility and the activity being conducted. On-site vendors for specialty camps shall be asked by camp counselors what specific policies and procedures are to be followed for safety and emergency situations. 

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SELECTING PUBLIC PROVIDERS OF SPECIALIZED ACTIVITIES

SRSRC only contracts with vendors that provide an adequate number of instructors whose qualifications have been verified by the vendor and that use equipment that is appropriate in size and type and is in good repair. Oftentimes, the equipment is also seen by the Camp Director, Assistant General Manager, or other camp staff prior to use. If equipment looks unsafe at the time of arrival, SRSRC staff shall not let campers participate in that activity. If a safety orientation is not automatically provided by the vendor, SRSRC staff shall not allow campers to participate until a safety orientation has been conducted. 

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2022 Vendors Providing Specialized Activities

• Radical Reptiles & Friends - provides an experienced owner/instructor with classroom management skills, prior teaching experience, and responsible animal restraint and handling skills. The safety orientation includes expected participant behavior and first aid/emergency procedures are handled by SRSRC staff as it is an on-site activity.

• San Diego Ice Arena - provides an instructor for a daily 30 minute skating lesson to orientate participants to ice skating, provides helmets, has equipment in good repair, and has staff trained to handle on-ice accidents. Instructors are experienced skaters.

• So Cal TTC - this gym is a USA Gymnastics member club, which is required to appoint a Safety Champion and follow safety rules as required by USA Gymnastics. So Cal TTC states "Unless otherwise certified, instructors and coaches will only apply basic first aid measures. A parent or legal guardian will be contacted for greater issues, and the local emergency line (911) will be utilized for any major or life-threatening accident or injury."

• SRSRC Aquatics - provides instructors for swim lessons and diving lessons. Swim lesson instructors are certified by the American Red Cross as Water Safety Instructors. Diving instructors have experience coaching springboard diving at the club, high school, or collegiate level and have demonstrated their ability to teach safely. SRSRC Aquatics maintains its equipment in good repair, provides a safety orientation to participants, and follows SRSRC safety and emergency procedures.

• SRSRC has been partnering with the above vendors for more than a decade and Camp Directors have had multiple opportunities to observe the instruction provided, as well as the safety orientations and procedures.

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CAMPER SUPERVISION WITH PUBLIC PROVIDERS

When the camp is using a vendor, is at a staffed public facility, or is away from the main camp location, the counselors are responsible for continuing to enforce all general camp rules and policies. Camp counselors remain responsible for camper behavior management, providing a safety orientation (or ensuring safety a safety orientation is given by vendor staff), ensuring each camper is under supervision of an SRSRC staff member (which may include spreading out), communicating with other staff members and the vendor staff, and for providing for any health or first aid issues that may arise. It is also the responsibility of camp staff to ask the vendor for specific rules regarding the activity and for understanding the additional emergency or safety procedures given by the vendor staff.

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For aquatic facilities, adhere to the following:

• 1 certified lifeguard must be present for every 30 pool patrons. No more than half of the staff may be in the water at a swimming pool. The majority of staff shall be on the pool deck acting as lookouts.

• General camp ratios shall otherwise be maintained without counting the lifeguard(s) in the ratio.

• For aquatic sites away from camp (waterpark, pools not operated by SRSRC, or the beach), the off-site ratio of 1:9 shall not be exceeded. Staff must accompany campers at each attraction and may act as a lookout from the pool deck or the water. A lifeguard must be present at each attraction.

• At the beach, at least one staff member must remain on the sand to supervise any campers who are not in the water. The remaining camp staff may be in the water acting as a lookout. Campers may not go in the water past their hips at the beach. Campers may not go in the water without a staff member present and a lifeguard on duty.

• In addition to the lifeguard, a trained vendor-provided staff member must be present for specialized aquatics activities, as well as an SRSRC staff member oriented to their duties (acting as lookout, contacting additional help, etc.). At least one of these individuals must be at least 18 years of age.

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MINIMIZING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Efforts to minimize the camp impact on the environment shall be taken to include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Encouraging campers to be water-wise and not wasteful.

• Reusable water bottles shall be encouraged for use while at camp.

• Recycling bins shall be used while at camp and at off-site locations.

• Respect for plants, animals, and the ecosystem shall be promoted. Leave no trace behind, clean up after your camp group, and stay on paths when out in natural environments.