Preparing For Camp Questions

• Running shoes
• Backpack
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle
• Lunch & snacks
• Bathing suit and towel
• Epi-pen/medication if needed
• Sport specific items (recommended but not required)
  • Cleats/shin pads for soccer, racquets/paddles for Racquet Sports, etc.
• Masks will be provided by Sport Western

• For safety reasons we DO NOT allow campers to bring their own archery equipment.

In compliance with our Code of Conduct, Parent(s)/Guardian(s) please ensure your camper meets the requirements of our Camp Ready Checklist.

According to the Child Development Institute (CDI), each child develops at their own pace. Being “camp ready” means that your child is able to understand behaviours and actions that are reasonably expected of a camper at that age. Your child must be able to:

1. Go to the washroom on their own with no hands-on assistance.
2. Change on their own.
3. Apply sunscreen on their own.
4. Respond to their name.
5. Respond to camp counsellors and fellow campers.
6. Carry their own equipment/belongings for the day

* It is also our expectation that all campers attending Sport Western are adequately toilet-trained. Although counsellors will always escort children to washroom facilities before, after, and during activities (if necessary), they will not be expected to provide hands-on assistance. 

• 1. Look for frequent itching and sores on the scalp from scratching,
  2. Nits (eggs that are laid by a female louse), nits are grayish-white, tan or yellow. some can be the same colour as hair, making them difficult to see. They are about the size of a pinhead and are often found along the forehead, back of the head and behind the ears and are within 1 cm of the scalp, and they are firmly attached to the hair shaft.
  3. Adult lice are the size of a sesame seed and are tan to grayish-white in colour. They may look darker in people with dark hair. 

If you suspect that your child has head lice prior to the beginning of camp, please notify Sport Western immediately.

2. 1. Cancellation notices 72 hours prior to the start of camp will be offered a 50% refund with medical proof.
   2. Less than 72 hours prior to the start of camp will not be offered a refund.
   3. In lieu of a refund, campers may attend another camp at a later date pending availability in the camp.

If any camper is suspected to have lice:

• 1. They will be immediately removed from campand referred to a camp counsellor for further inspection.
  2. The parents/emergency contact will be contacted to pick up the child from camp.
  3. Campers may be re-admitted to camp upon successful treatment.
  4. If one child in the camp is found to have head lice, all other parents will be notified the same day.
  5. No refund will be offered.

Please view the Middlesex-London Health Unit for further information regarding head lice: https://www.healthunit.com/head-lice

Sport Western is dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming environment that is committed to celebrating all differences among our campers. In order to provide a respectful and inclusive environment, Sport Western has implemented a Code of Conduct to ensure the well-being of each camper.

CAMPERS:

As campers at Sport Western you have the right to feel safe and supported by your fellow campers and camp staff. You have the right to be treated with respect, and in return you must treat others with respect. To help ensure all fellow campers are treated with dignity, all campers must follow the Sport Western Code of Conduct and take part in our five core values.

1. Creating an Inclusive Environment: Make new friends. Take turns, and be polite. Bullying and teasing will not be tolerated.
2. Remain Safe: Obey your camp staff. Think before you act. Be aware.
3. Celebrate Differences: Share ideas and learn about new cultures and individual’s challenges.
4. Take Responsibility: Help camp staff. Look out for your fellow campers. Make your time at Sport Western great.
5. HAVE FUN!

CAMPERS MUST

• Campers must be "Camp Ready" (see FAQ above)
• Follow the camp rules and directions of camp staff
• Campers must show respect for themselves, fellow campers, camp staff, and community members
• Campers must treat others fairly, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability
• Show proper care for Western University and Sport Western Facilities and equipment
• Use respectful language (for example, no swearing, racial or offensive comments)
• Take responsibility for your actions, words and belongings
• Follow the Sport Western Hands off policy (See Below)
• Accept that Western University adheres to a zero tolerance for bullying policy
• Practice Sport Western’s Sun Safety Rules (sunscreen, hat, water, etc.)
• Remain with their camp group and counsellors
• Talk to a counsellor if they feel unsafe in any way

CAMPERS MUST NOT

• Threaten or intimidate another person
• Deliberately hurt someone’s feelings
• Cause injury of any sort or encourage others to inflict harm to any other camper or camp staff. Please see our "Hands-Off" Policy below
• Encourage or be a part of bullying behaviours.
• Trespass, steal, vandalize or cause damage of any sort to the camp facilities and equipment
• Use foul, abusive or inappropriate language

 If any camper is unable to follow the code of conduct and compromises our ability to provide a safe and inclusive environment to our campers and/or camp staff, disciplinary actions will be put into place. Camp staff will discuss with parent(s) or guardian(s) the best solution to the problem.

“Hands-Off” Policy

All campers are required to participate and engage in the “Hands-Off” policy during camp at Sport Western.  Examples of actions that will not be tolerated are as follows:

• Pushing
• Shoving
• Hitting
• Any unwanted or unconsented touching towards another camper or staff member

We ask all parents/guardians to help communicate this message to their children to help them prepare for camp. Please note, there will be absolutely no refunds for any days missed if the camper engaged in any violent behaviour.

As this is a Zero Tolerance Policy, consequences can result is the suspension or termination of their time at Sport Western for the entirety of the camp program.

Sport Western values the important roles parent(s) and guardian(s) bring to our camp experience. They too can help our camp in providing a safe and inclusive environment by:

• Communicating regularly with camp staff of any changes their child may be experiencing, such as medical, emotional, and or physical
• Ensure their child attends camp on time and is appropriately dressed for the weather and camp activities.
• Ensures campers are dropped off with all camp necessities (for example, water bottle, bathing suit, running shoes, sunscreen, hat, any necessary equipment needed for specific camps)
• Notify the camp of any known absences in advance
• Encourage their child in following camp rules
• Assist and support camp staff with any disciplinary actions involving their child
• Discuss with their child how to treat others fairly, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability
• Ensure your camper can adhere to our Camp Ready Checklist(See FAQ above)

 All parent(s) and guardians are expected to:

• Act with courtesy, respect and integrity while respecting the rights, welfare, and dignity of other parents, guardians, facilities, and Sport Western Staff members.
• Act in a safe and responsible manner regarding themselves, campers, and others.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures set by the department and the university while using the facilities, services, and programs.
• In order to use Campus Recreation's facilities and services, you must be a member. Entrance into the Western Student Recreation Centre is prohibited unless you have received an invitation from your camp (ex. Dance show).
• Abstain from any conduct intended to intimidate or humiliate others.

Please note: Our staff are trained to contact Campus Police if they feel a threat to their personal safety or the safety of others. 

If any parent is unable to follow the code of conduct and compromises our ability to provide a safe and inclusive environment to our campers and/or camp staff, disciplinary actions will be put into place. Camp staff will discuss with parent(s) or guardian(s) the best solution to the problem.