Green Cove Parent Handbook
Session 1 Mon July 7 – Fri July 25 (3 weeks)
Session 2 Mon July 28 – Fri August 15 (3 weeks)
Both Sessions Mon July 7 – Fri August 15 (6 weeks)
Camp Structure:
Lower Camp: Children entering second, third, or fourth grade in the fall
Upper Camp: Children entering fifth, sixth, and seventh grade in the fall
Groups
Each camper will be a part of a group of 8-10 kids who will have 3 counselors traveling with them throughout the day. Our counselors are college and graduate students who have experience and passion for working with neurodivergent children. Every three groups will have a Division Head. Our Division and Program Heads are experienced special education teachers, school psychologists, clinical social workers or other professionals in the field of education. They will oversee the groups, mentor the counselors, communicate with parents and work to ensure a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for our campers and staff. In addition, we will have a full time registered nurse onsite and certified lifeguards.
- Camp Office Summer Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Camp Office Phone Number: (914) 721-6130
- We are always interested in speaking with you about your children. Please do not hesitate to call our office to speak with your child’s Division Head, or Leora.
- A phone call is the best way to reach us. During the camp day we are not able to regularly check email.
- You will receive emails throughout the summer regarding special events.
- Visit our website to view our weekly blog posts and “Follow” us on Instagram.
CAMPERS MUST WEAR ATHLETIC SNEAKERS AND SOCKS TO CAMP EVERYDAY!
We recommend that campers wear their bathing suits to camp. It will simplify the change room experience later in the day.
Each day please pack the following items in your camper’s backpack.
- Bathing suit
- Pool shoes
- Towel
- Goggles (if desired)
- Change of underwear and shorts, if needed for after swim
- Sunscreen
- Hat (if desired)
- A filled water bottle (water refill stations are available at camp)
- Rain coat (in case of rain)
- A 100% peanut and tree nut free lunch (with ice packs, as needed)
Please also send in an extra full change of clothes and bathing suit to leave at camp for the summer.
Children are allowed to bring an item(s) to camp that can help them self-soothe and reset if needed (i.e., fidget toy, book, etc.) Please NO electronic devices! Keep in mind that it should not be an expensive/priceless object.
Medical Team & Facility
We have a full-time registered nurse on site. We also partner with Dr. Susie Cutler, a Northwell Health Pediatrician. She will be available to consult with us via telephone throughout the camp day. The building, pool, and athletic fields are all equipped with AED units. Our full-time nurse as well as other staff members are certified to use it.
Medical Forms
The Westchester County Department of Health requires that all campers submit medical forms prior to the start of camp. Those forms are the Online Health History, a Physician’s Examination and Medication Consent Form, an Immunization Report, and a Sunblock and Insect Repellent Form. For campers with food or insect bite allergies, an allergy form is required as well.
Medication at Camp
In order for any camper to receive medication at camp, the Physician’s Exam and Medication Consent Form must be filled out and signed by the parent/guardian and the child’s physician. Over the counter medications are provided by camp when needed, but we will always call a parent first to discuss the use of any medication.
If sending in other over-the-counter medications, please deliver them prior to your child’s first day of camp. If sending in prescription medications, they must be in the original pharmacist’s container and the Medication Consent Form needs to be submitted with specific timing and dosage instructions.
Illness During the Summer
If your child is not feeling well in the morning or has a fever, please do not send your child to camp. Your partnership is critical in helping to keep our entire camp community safe and healthy. We will contact you if your child becomes ill or injured at camp.
Location and Street Crossing
Our summer home is based at Iona’s Bronxville campus located at 171 White Plains Road. In order to move from our outdoor field area to our indoor classrooms and cafeteria, campers will cross White Plains Road. In addition to their counselors, additional staff will be on-site to aid in a smooth transition. There are flashing lights and a crosswalk that signal cars to stop.
Emergency Procedures
Green Cove has a written set of emergency procedures, established in partnership with Iona University. Our staff is trained in how to respond to a number of different situations: evacuation of the building (fire drill), evacuation of the building (relocation to another safe building), clearing the fields and return to the building (weather-related conditions/other), and “lock-down” in the building. If a situation arises that requires children to remain on camp grounds beyond the camp day, we are prepared to support them. Please know that we will, of course, be communicating with you whether it is a drill or an emergency situation.
Mealtime is not just about nourishing our bodies, it is also an opportunity for our camp community to come together.
Morning snacks will be provided every day and will include a wide variety of options.
Campers will bring their own lunches from home. Each camp group is assigned a lunch time and a specific table in our indoor cafeteria that will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. All foods brought from home MUST be 100% peanut and tree-nut free.
An afternoon ice cream treat, frozen juice bar or cookie snack is served daily.
All snacks that we provide will be 100% Peanut and Tree Nut Free. While our food will contain other known allergens, we will work with families to ensure that children with food allergies are safe, healthy, and included. Please contact Leora about any allergies or concerns.
Morning Drop Off takes place between 8:35 – 8:50 AM
Our commitment to your child’s health and safety requires elaborate and specific procedures and cooperation. If you are transporting your child by car, the drop-off time is between 8:35 – 8:50 AM. Upon arrival, please follow our staff’s directions. There is no need to park or get out of your car as we have staff available to escort children to their assigned group. You will be directed as to when to pull out of camp safely.
Afternoon Pick Up takes place between 4:10 – 4:20 PM
Parent pick-up for children is between 4:10 – 4:20 p.m. If you arrive early, you will have to wait until the Green Cove buses pull out of the parking lot. If you are running late, please notify the office by calling 914-721-6130.
Late Arrivals and Early Departures
- We must be notified in advance before all late arrivals and early departures.
- Early departures MUST be at one of the following times: 10:30 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:00 PM, and 2:45 PM.
Procedures
Our commitment to your child’s health and safety requires elaborate and specific procedures. We both appreciate and need your cooperation to ensure the safety of our entire community. Please have your family ID tag hanging from your rearview mirror PRIOR to your arrival at camp. Arrive only during the drop-off/pick-up windows noted above. Drop-off and pick-up may take up to 10 minutes once you arrive at camp. Please ensure that your child is wearing their camper name tag on their first three days of camp. When you pull into camp, please follow staff directions carefully, drive slowly and follow the flow of traffic. When directed to do so, please put your car in park. Please remain in your vehicle, and a staff member will help your child(ren) out of/into the car. In the morning, staff will escort children to their assigned group. You will be directed as to when to pull out of camp safely
Green Cove offers centralized transportation. Campers are assigned to a specific bus or van for the summer. Morning pick-up times vary depending on the location of pick-up. A designated adult must stay with the child until the bus arrives in the morning and must be present for pick-up in the afternoon. The bus cannot wait for more than 5 minutes.
Grown-ups will not be able to enter the camp vehicle. Buses will leave in the afternoon at about 3:55 PM. Campers will not be able to ride on unassigned vehicles for the purpose of playdates or other reasons. You MUST notify the office of any transportation change. You can do so by calling the office or submitting a written note. Please give all written communication directly to your child’s bus counselor. Do not email transportation changes. If your child will not be coming to camp, please call Green Cove in the morning.
Group Schedules
We will mail schedules home at the start of the summer. Please note that scheduled activities may be adjusted from time to time.
Swim
Campers and staff will travel on a camp vehicle from Iona’s Bronxville campus to the New Rochelle campus where they will swim daily in a heated pool. Certified Lifeguards will be onsite.
Families will select a Swim option for their child:
A. For children who are ambivalent about getting in the pool: Staff will provide gentle encouragement and support with the aim of them gaining confidence and comfort with being in the water.
They will work on the following skills:
- Entering the water.
- Submerging their head in the water.
- Blowing bubbles for three seconds.
- Swimming to the wall for safety.
- Back floating and going from floating to standing.
- Swimming to the wall.
B. For children who want swim time to be about free play in the water without instruction: Staff will ensure children are safe in the water and to encourage play with other campers.
C. For children who are interested in gaining deep water skills. Staff will provide instruction and ensure that campers stay motivated. Skills will be focused on being deep water safe and will include, floating, treading, and swimming to the wall.
Your children’s safety is of utmost importance, so ALL campers will need to be assessed at the start of camp as to their level of ability in the water.
Electives
Offering campers the daily chance to self-select activities that they are drawn to is important for their development. In addition to deepening skill levels, the opportunity to form relationships with peers who have similar interests is a great way to build connection. Our Lower Campers will have one elective period a day and Upper Campers will have two elective time periods in their schedule. These electives will rotate weekly, offering campers variety, the flexibility to meet new kids, and the opportunity to try new things.
Rainy Day
We intend on staying outdoors unless there is thunder/lightning or heavy rain. When we must go inside, campers are provided with a wide range of indoor activities including: movies, science, yoga, team-building games, science, and arts and crafts.
Birthdays
We love to celebrate birthdays at camp! Birthdays will be announced at morning meetings and the birthday camper will receive a Green Cove birthday gift. Birthdays will also be celebrated in each child’s group with a special treat. Please do not send any additional treats.
Special Events
Camp-wide special events provide the opportunity to create unity, fun and lasting memories. We have exciting all-camp programs during weeks 2 and 5 and dress up days take place weekly. Check out the camp calendar for specific dates and details.
Camper Orientation will take place at Iona’s Bronxville campus on Saturday, June 28th:
- Lower Camp – 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Upper Camp – 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
The rain date is Sunday, June 29th.
CAN I SEND MY CHILD TO CAMP WITH A CELL PHONE OR TABLET?
We love a technology free summer at Green Cove! Please do not send your child with a cell phone, smart watch or other personal technology device.
HOW CAN I CONTACT MY CHILD’S DIVISION HEAD?
Never hesitate to call! (914) 721-6130
HOW CAN I CONTACT LEORA?
Leora can be reached by email at [email protected]. In the camp season, her emails are checked in the early morning and evening only. During the camp day, please call Green Cove at (914) 721-6130.
WHAT IS THE TIPPING POLICY AT GREEN COVE?
Green Cove is a non-tipping camp. We believe this is consistent with the values of our camp community. If you choose, cards of appreciation from campers and parents are always welcome.
WHAT DO I DO IF I NEED TO ADJUST MY CHILD’S TRANSPORTATION?
You MUST call the office with any transportation changes.