How old does my child have to be to attend camp?

We offer week long Day Camps throughout the summer that start as low as Pre-K (minimum of age 3 AND must be potty trained) up through students entering grade 9.

How do I know what group my child will be in?

For Day Camp, groups are first divided by the grade each camper is entering. Then, starting in grade 1, the groups are also divided by gender. (For example, PreK is a co-ed group for 3 AND 4 year olds, K is a co-ed group for campers entering kindergarten, and then campers entering grade 1 are either in 1 Boys or 1 Girls, depending on their gender.) For Summer Scholars, groups are multi-age and based on the camp that you signed up for. For example, if your camper is signed up for All-Star Sports, they will be with all of the campers who signed up for that camp entering grades 1-4 (typically about 15 campers). For Athletic Camps, groups are multi-age and also based on skill level in the particular sport. The division of the different groups within the camp depends on the number of campers registered and their grades. Each group will be made up of one to three different grade levels (ex. grades 1-3 or grades 4 & 5). For Earth Spirit Camps, the group is multi-age and all of the campers that signed up for that session make up the group.

What time is camp each day?

All of our camps run from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily, Monday through Friday. Drop-off is between 8:45-9:00 AM. Pick-up is between 3:45-4:00 PM.

Is there camp on July 3?

This year (2020), July 4 falls on a Saturday. But we follow the Federal Holiday, which is observed on Friday, July 3. So we will not hold camp on July 3. (Those camps are prorated to reflect one less day of camp.)

Is lunch included?

YES! (Except for Earth Spirit Camps). Lunch is included in the price of camp. Every day, campers choose lunch from a variety of options: a hot entree with sides, a full salad bar, a sandwich/wrap, or the picky kid favorites: a cheese sandwich or sunbutter and jelly sandwich. A daily snack is also included for each camper. < >

Do you offer half days?

No, we do not. Our schedule is a busy one, but we do build in down time for our youngest campers.

What can I expect to happen at Drop-off in the morning or Pick-Up in the afternoon?

What does my camper need to bring with them each day?

For all of our camps, campers should bring: - refillable water bottle - sunscreen (preferably spray-on) - swim suit - towel - shoes for the pool (ex. flip flops, crocs, water shoes) - change of clothes (optional, but recommended because you never know) - backpack to carry all of the above belongings Some optional items your camper should bring are age or weather dependent: - rain jacket/umbrella on rainy days - rain boots on rainy days - sweatshirt or jacket for cooler days - blanket + pillow for rest time (PreK campers only)

What items should NOT come to camp?

Camp is a fun-filled, busy day! Even the most responsible of us lose and forget stuff places! Please do not send anything valuable to camp. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. We do our best to help the campers keep track of their belongings throughout the day. Please also leave any toys, games, trading cards, electronics, etc. at home.

How do I register my child for camp?

If you are new to Park Summer Camp - Welcome! In order to register, you will need to create a new account with us through UltraCamp. This account is FAMILY-BASED. This means that you can add as many people who are in your household as you would like to the account. Typically, this is one or two parents/guardians and one or more children. Once you create a new account and add at least one adult and the child you wish to register, you can select "Make a Reservation". From there, you will select the individual you wish to sign up. Then you will select which weeks/sessions you would like to sign that individual up for. (The system will only show you the weeks your child is eligible based on their grade/age.) Through the online registration process, you will be asked to complete the following information before you check out: - Emergency Contact Individuals - Pick Up Authorization - Camper Health History Information (Includes Health Insurance information and requires an e-signature upon completion) Registration is NOT complete until you check out and pay the deposit of $250.00 per camper. This can be done with a credit card or a checking account.

How can I make a payment?

To make a payment for camp, you can: 1. Log in to your UltraCamp account and submit payment online using a credit card, debit card or bank account. 2. Mail in a check to Park Summer Camp, 4625 Harlem Road, Amherst, NY 14226. Please include the camper's name(s) on the memo line.

How do I know what my remaining balance is for camp?

To view your remaining balance, log into UltraCamp. On the left side of the "My Account" page, you will see your total remaining balance. If you would like to see a detailed record of camp fees, extended day, discounts, and payments, you can see that information by clicking "View My Finances".

When is the registration deadline?

Registration closes at 12:00 AM on the Monday BEFORE the camp starts. So, if the camp you are interested starts on July 6, online registration will close at 12:00 AM on Monday, June 29. You should plan to sign up early to ensure you have a spot in the weeks/programs that are being offered. We accept registrations on a first-come, first-serve basis, up until registration closes or all available spaces are filled. We do maintain a waiting list for camps that reach capacity.

How do I get on the waitlist?

When you log in to UltraCamp to register, any camps that are already full will be shown at the bottom of the list of camps your child is eligible to attend (based on age/grade). When registering, you can select those camps and it add your child to the waitlist for that specific session in order that you and others signed up. The system does NOT require a deposit when only signing up for the waitlist. (However, if you are signing up for additional sessions that do not have a waitlist, it will require the deposit for those.)

How will I know if my child will get off the waitlist and get to attend that camp?

We will notify all of the individuals via email who are on the waitlist about a month before the camp is scheduled to begin.

When are camp fees due?

All camp fees are due by JUNE 1. If you register after June 1, the full payment of camp is due at the time of registration.

How to I make a change to my camper's registration?

All changes in enrollment are dependent upon availability. All requests for changes to registration must be made in writing by sending a communication to the camp email ( parkcamp@theparkschool.org) and must be confirmed in writing. Prior to June 1, changes may be made to a camper’s schedule, based on program availability, at no additional fee. After June 1, any changes to an existing registration will result in a $25 administrative fee.

What discounts do you offer?

For ALL of our weeks of camp, we offer the following discounts: $25 off per week of camp if your family is registered for 2-4 weeks. $50 off per week of camp if your family is registered for 5 or more weeks. ( This does cover siblings. For example, if you have two children who are each registered for 1 week, you should receive $25 off each week. Please email us at parkcamp@theparkschool.org to add that discount to your account.)

Do you offer any scholarships or financial aid?

No, we currently do not.

What is your cancellation policy?

Registration Policies All applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. A non-refundable $250.00 deposit is due for each camper at the time of registration. The deposit is applied towards the total amount of tuition. Full payment is due June 1. For registrations made after June 1, full payment must accompany registration. After June 1, all camp fees are non-refundable. Changes All changes in enrollment are dependent upon availability. All requests for changes to registration must be made in writing by sending a communication to the camp email ( parkcamp@theparkschool.org) and must be confirmed in writing. Prior to June 1, changes may be made to a camper’s schedule, based on program availability, at no additional fee. After June 1, any changes to an existing registration will result in a $25 administrative fee. Refunds All deposits are non-refundable. All payments (less non-refundable deposits) paid toward the balance of the program are refundable or transferable up until June 1, provided that the camp office has been notified in writing of the withdrawl. Prior to June 1, balances (less deposits) may be transferred to another program based on availability, or applied to another immediate family member, again based on availability. After June 1, all camp fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Waitlists Once a session has reached its maximum enrollment, we form a wait list for that specific program session. There is no cost to remain on the waitlist. If an opening becomes available, families are contacted in the order in which they were added to the waitlist.

Is there a deposit required?

YES, we require a non-refundable deposit of $250.00 per camper for the summer. This is due at the time of registration and is applied towards the total amount of tuition.

I want to add a week of camp for my child! How do I do that without paying the deposit again?

No problem! To make a change to your registration, please email us at parkcamp@theparkschool.org. Make sure to include your child's name and what camp you would like to add to their registration. We will add that week from the back end so you do not have to pay the $250 deposit again. Any and all requests to change registration MUST be submitted in writing. (We want to make sure we don't make any mistakes.)

How do I sign up for Extended Day?

When you register, you can select it as an option to add on for $50. If your plans changed and you have already registered and need to ADD it, please email the camp office ( parkcamp@theparkschool.org) with the camper name(s) and sessions you would like this added to. If it is after June 1, please also indicate how you would like to pay (you can give us the last 4 digits of a credit card you have on file so that we can complete the registration.)

What is your refund policy?

All deposits are non-refundable. All payments (less non-refundable deposits) paid toward the balance of the program are refundable or transferable up until June 1, provided that the camp office has been notified in writing of the withdrawal. Prior to June 1, balances (less deposits) may be transferred to another program based on availability, or applied to another immediate family member, again based on availability. After June 1, all camp fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Do you have medical staff on duty?

YES. We have medical personnel on duty during the full day of camp. Should you want to discuss any health concerns, you may do so with our camp nurses. Plus, many of our counselors are trained in First Aid and CPR.

Can you accommodate campers with special dietary needs?

Yes, in most cases. We can usually accommodate most common dietary restrictions. Our summer camp menu is peanut and tree-nut free. At each meal, we offer a variety of options including a hot entree with sides, a sandwich/wrap, a full salad bar, and the popular cheese sandwich or sunbutter and jelly sandwich. Please make sure to indicate any dietary needs on the Camper Health History form during the registration process.

Sunscreen Policy

Safety

Annually, we are registered and licensed with the Erie County Department of Health as a Summer Day Camp and inspected each summer to make sure we are in compliance with all safety standards.

How does the schedule work?

For Day Camp, each day has eight, 40-minute periods where campers participate in a different activity area. We offer SO many different activities that your child will only have a specific class every other day (ex. Arts & Crafts, Drama). The only exceptions are: - All campers SWIM EVERY DAY (weather pending). - All campers have lunch EVERY DAY. - Campers in grades 4-9 will have Athletics every day.

What is so special about Fridays?

EV-ERY-THING!!! Our Friday schedule is where our weekly themes REALLY come to life! All of our staff dress up in costumes (we encourage the campers to dress up too!), we have special events related to the theme (performers, inflatables, rides, special projects), AND we decorate camp so that it is like you have driven to another place when you drop off on Friday! It is only the BIGGEST, LOUDEST party EVER!!! (So if you need to cut a week short - your child won't be too happy about it!)