THE KID EXPLORER CAMP POLICIES
At Kid Explorer Camps, we commit to providing every camper the best and safest possible camp experience. From our programming to our policies, everything we do is steeped in our philosophical pillars of building holistically healthy kids through engagement with understanding, caring & professional counselors, as well as the Kid Explorer Camp Super Ex, laying the foundation for future success.
- Sibling Discount
- Buddy Policy
- “Walk-Up” Registration Information
- Credit & Refund Policies
- Completing Appropriate Camper Health Forms, Identity Forms & Paperwork
- Illness, Ringworm & Lice Policy
- Discipline Policy
- Potty Training Policy
- Sunscreen Policy
- Policy on Electronics, Toys, Trading Cards & Pins
SIBLING DISCOUNT ALL SUMMER LONG*
Sibling discounts are available all summer long to give you 5% off of the second camper registered.
*Discount Rules & Regulations
- Weeks are accumulated on a per-participant (not per-family) basis
- The discount is applied to weeks purchased in a single transaction, and may not be combined with other discount offers
- You must enroll online and register for all weeks in the same transaction
- Discounts are only applicable for the cost of camp programs, and may not be applied to extended care or other purchase options
BUDDY POLICY
Buddy requests can be made during the registration process until July 1. We always do our very best to accommodate buddy requests as we know how important this can be to our campers. The number of buddies that we guarantee varies by both camper age and the program for which you’re enrolling — please see our full Buddy Policy & Philosophy for details.
“WALK-UP” REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Parents are encouraged to register in advance, but we understand that for unforeseen reasons, parents sometimes need to register at the last minute. If you find yourself in this situation, you can enroll online up through Sunday evening. If you’d like to enroll on Monday morning, you can do so by calling our office at (312) 967-5882
REFUND & CREDIT POLICIES
If you wish to cancel your camp registration and apply for a credit to another week of camp, you can contact our office at 312-967-5882 or hello@kidexplorercamps.com. The following policies and timeline apply.
- If you notify us before June 1, you can apply for a 100% credit on your account for a future enrollment, or a 75% refund.
- If you notify us between May 1 and July 1, you may receive a 100% credit on your account for a future registration, or 50% refund.
- After June 1, you may receive a 75% credit on your account.
- Once a program begins, we cannot make any adjustments or offer any credits.
COMPLETING APPROPRIATE CAMPER HEALTH FORMS, IDENTITY FORMS & PAPERWORK
All campers must complete the necessary camp forms in order to participate in Kid Explorer Summer Camps. These forms are required by both the County and the State — depending upon the location your child will attend camp. Please upload these forms via email and send to hello@kidexplorercamps.com July 24.
REPORTING ILLNESSES & ABSENCES DUE TO ILLNESS
Kid Explorer Camps should be notified by phone (312) 967-5882 or email if a child is ill, especially if the illness is communicable. Internally, we keep track of the instances of communicable diseases at camp, and when appropriate will notify the parents of all children that may have been exposed, while respecting the confidentiality of campers and families involved.
Communicable Diseases
Campers who have communicable diseases will be sent home and may not return to camp until the illness has been treated successfully and the camper is symptom free.
Lice
Campers who have signs of head lice or ringworm (itching, head irritation, etc.) will be removed from their group and escorted to the camp office by the Safety Specialist. If we believe there is a possibility of head lice or ringworm we will ask the family to pick their camper up from camp. In order to return to camp, a camper must have had all active lice removed from his or her hair & and no longer show any signs of infestation, itching or irritation. For Ringworm, in order to return to camp, a camper must have medication for 48 hours and all skin irritations covered. Must return with doctor’s note verifying that it is no longer communicable.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
Kid Explorer Camps staff uses the positive techniques of guidance, including logical or natural consequences applied in problem situations, redirection of children to more acceptable behavior, anticipation of and elimination of potential problems and encouragement of appropriate behavior rather than comparison, competition or criticism. Consistent and clear rules are established. Staff members encourage children to solve problems rather than imposing solutions and help children to recognize and respect one another’s feelings. Counselors encourage pro-social behavior such as cooperation, helping, taking turns and constructive verbal communication to solve problems. The goal is to help children internalize rules and become self-directed in their behavior.
Kid Explorer Camps reserves the right to dismiss a child for consistent behavior that makes it difficult or impossible for the staff to meet his/her needs and/or the needs of other children in the group. This will occur without a refund (or portion thereof) or credit towards a future program. This will occur only after parent/staff discussion has occurred.
POTTY TRAINING POLICY
All campers attending Kid Explorer Summer Camps are expected to be fully potty-trained by their first day of camp. We ask that families provide an extra set of clothes with campers, if a camper has a history of bathroom accidents. If an accident occurs during camp hours, the Staff and Safety Specialist will notify the camper’s primary parent/guardian.
KID EXPLORER CAMPS SUNSCREEN POLICY & PROCEDURE
Kid Explorer Camp’s policy is to do everything possible to protect our campers from excessive exposure to the sun, while still allowing them to get the most out of our outdoor games and activities.
Sunscreen
Parents/guardians should provide sunscreen for use during the camp day. Sunscreen sent to camp should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and labeled with the child’s first and last name. Pursuant to careful research and the recommendations of the American Academy of Dermatology, all Kid Explorer Summer Camps are stocked with Oxybenzone-free Rocky Mountain Sunscreen SPF 50+ spray with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection for use by any camper that does not supply their own.
Families are responsible for applying the first layer of sunscreen prior to morning drop-off and provide it for use during the camp day. Upon receipt, counselors will label all sunscreen and place it in a tote bag that will be in their possession throughout the day. Any remaining sunscreen will be sent home Friday, the last day of camp. During the camp day, Kid Explorer Camp staff will take all reasonable and appropriate steps to help each child reapply sunscreen to exposed skin– including the face, the tops of ears, and bare shoulders, arms, legs, & feet– prior to campers’ participation in outdoor programs. Counselors will not apply sunscreen when skin is broken or an adverse reaction has been observed. When staff notices these reactions, they will report them to the Staff and Safety Coordinator who will contact the camper’s family. If, for any reason, counselors cannot apply sunscreen on a camper, s/he may not be able to participate in outdoor activities for his/her own protection. If parents/guardians have more than one camper attending camp, we ask each camper have their own supply of sunscreen so that it is readily accessible throughout the camp day.
POLICY ON ELECTRONICS, TOYS, TRADING CARDS & PINS
Kid Explorer Summer Camps strives to provide a program free from video games, cell phones, audio players, toys and other distractions. Please do not permit your child to bring any of these items to camp as they will be busy throughout the camp day and these items also tend to get lost or misplaced when brought to camp.