NORTH SHORE COUNTRY DAY SUMMER PROGRAMS
CAMP INFORMATION AND POLICIES
Below you will find the NSCD Summer Programs policies and procedures for maintaining a healthy and safe summer camp community. Take time to review and understand expectations of our campers, staff and families four our upcoming summer camp experiences.
- Activities and Programs
- Camper Arrival and Departure Procedures
- Camp Health Policies
- Extended Day Care
- Groupings
- Location
- Lunch and Snack Procedures
Activities and Programs
Camper Arrival and Departure Procedures
In order to limit the number of people at camp, we are not allowing parents to stay on campus.
We ask that parents/guardians not exit their vehicles when picking up and dropping off their children.
Campers arriving late to camp may be dropped off until 9:20am. Those arriving after 9:20am will need to remain in their vehicles, call the camp office (847-441-3350). A staff member will greet and escort your child(ren) to their group.
In the event a camper needs to be picked up early from camp, call the camp office (847-441-3350) and let us know what time you will be arriving. Your child will be escorted to your vehicle.
Parents, visitors and other non-essential camp staff will not be permitted on campus (unless authorized by the camp director).
We recognize that there may be some separation issues with our younger campers. In this instance, we have a system in place that allows parents to escort their children to a designated area on campus where their child’s camp counselor will meet them to help with this transition.
Camp Health Policies
This season Summer Programs will have a nurse on staff. The nurse will be available to staff and campers. The nurse’s role will be to keep our health care center operating smoothly and to follow up on care administered by the staff during the day.
We are an allergy aware camp and work with our staff and campers to insure that everyone is kept safe throughout the day.
It is policy to have a completed medical form for each camper on file before camp begins. This information will help us best serve your child in case of an emergency.
Extended Day Care
Extended Day Care hours for mornings are 7:30am-9:00am
Extended Day Care hours for afternoons are 3:30pm-5:00pm
Campers will be assigned to different rooms/play locations based on their age with a limit of 12 campers per room.
Parents will be greeted by a staff member at the carpool who will radio for your camper to be escorted to the car.
Groupings
A maximum of 16 campers per group (our goal is to honor friendship requests but there is no guarantee.)
Two counselors assigned per group.
The Day Camp is mostly an outdoor based camp but in case of inclement weather groups will have separate spaces to use.
Groups will adhere to a schedule that promotes group activities.
Location
The Summer Programs are located on the spacious fourteen-acre North Shore Country Day School campus. Utilization of the school’s facilities ensures campers a diverse and safe experience. Day Camp facilities include two gymnasiums, a climbing wall, athletic fields, an indoor arts center, generous class room space, and a playground. Our Expedition Camps travel to local park districts and forest preserves for their activities.
Lunch and Snack Procedures
- Day Camp Instructional Group Activities
- Day Camp Special Activities
- Expedition Camps
- Little Explorers Camp
Day Camp Instructional Group Activities
As a group, campers participate in a variety of instructional scheduled activities. Activity selection is based on age/grade. Fun is emphasized in these activities where introductory skills are taught.
Archery
The Day Camp’s archery program is taught under the auspices of the Camp Archery Association. This program is for our campers seven to ten years. An emphasis on safety is an integral part of this program.
Arts & Crafts
Everyone participates in arts & crafts twice a week. Age-appropriate projects keep the campers busy twice a week in this creative program.
Creative Play
This activity is geared for our campers four to six years. It is an exploration of singing, dancing, acting and role playing. Campers participate as a group in a wide range of creative activities.
Movement/Gymnastics
Our movement/gymnastics program is geared for our campers from four to six years and emphasizes stretching, tumbling, and yoga exercises. Getting campers moving their bodies in a fun and active way is the goal.
Outdoor Adventures
This program is for campers seven to ten years and emphasizes awareness of teambuilding. As a group, campers learn skills that emphasize teamwork and trust. As a part of the program, campers are given instruction in rock climbing.
Tennis
This activity is for campers seven to ten years. This activity stresses the fundamental skills of tennis. As a group campers learn the basic skills in a variety of activities which are age appropriate. All equipment is provided.
Introduction To Lakefront Boating
For our campers eight to ten years, the Day Camp offers instruction in sailing and canoeing. The fleet of boats consists of Hobie sailboats as well as canoes and Corcls. Campers learn water safety, basic boating and seamanship before taking to the water. With a three camper to one instructor ratio, campers learn to sail/paddle in a group setting. As campers gain confidence and skills, they will advance through the levels in our program. Patrol boats operated by our staff take special precautions to ensure safety. In addition to wearing a swimsuit, campers will also need to wear suitable footwear for the water. The camp will fit campers into appropriate sized personal flotation devices.
Day Camp Special Activities
Snack, Lunch, Cookouts
Camp is a very active way to spend the day. We set aside time each day for campers to replenish themselves. All campers should pack a snack, lunch and water bottle for each day.
Each week our campers have the opportunity to cook-out with their group. We schedule Wednesdays/Thursdays as designated cookout days. Campers are welcome to pack a hot dog for the grill. All lunches are refrigerated.
Parents are discouraged from sending treats along for special celebrations. Food is not to be shared at camp due to individual health concerns.
Theme Days
Theme days provide campers with unusual events and contests. Each week special days are set aside for campers to participate in activities that celebrate life at camp! A calendar of events will be sent home with campers the first week of camp.
“Undernights”
“Undernights” are fun-filled evenings for campers 6 to 10 years enrolled in our Day Camp program. This optional program is a fun night out at camp. The evening begins at 7:30pm and is filled with fun activities. Campers will play night games, have a snack and watch a movie. Registration information will be available the first week of each camp session.
Expedition Camps
Mariners Program
Campers enrolled in the Mariners Program will spend their two weeks learning how to navigate and operate a boat on Lake Michigan. Campers will learn to sail, canoe, kayak and paddleboard while learning about boating safety. With a low camper-to-staff ratio, campers learn skills which will lead them to a positive boating experience. Campers in the Mariners Program will need to bring a lunch, drink, snack, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and shoes that can be worn in the water.
Campers should report to the Arts Center on the North Shore campus each morning and get picked-up at North Shore each afternoon. Travel to and from Lloyd Beach will be done via NSCD activity buses.
Trailblazers Program
Campers enrolled in the Trailblazers Program will spend their two weeks learning skills for outdoor adventures. Land activities will include outdoor hiking, orienteering, nature study, fishing and basic camping skills. Traveling to the local forest preserves and nature centers, Trailblazer campers will learn more about outdoor adventures in their own backyard. During each week Trailblazer campers will travel to the lakefront to learn to sail, canoe, kayak and paddleboard. Campers in the Trailblazers Program will need to bring a lunch, drink, snack, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and shoes that can be worn in the water. All other gear is provided by the camp. Campers should report to the Arts Center on the North Shore campus each morning and get picked-up at North Shore each afternoon.
Little Explorers Camp
In this half-day program, children 3 to 5 years participate in a variety of activities designed to enhance their awareness of the outdoors and increase social connections with their fellow campers. In an outdoor environment supported by early childhood education classroom access, children will learn more about the natural world by participating in a variety of activities that are on land and also water related. Campers will bring with them each day a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, snack and water bottle. The teacher to student ratio is 1 teacher per 6 campers. Our staff interact with students and will help build appropriate development skills.