(1) I have registered and received my confirmation email. What can I expect before my session starts?
All caregivers must attend the mandatory orientation mid June. The exact date with the zoom link will be sent out to the emails provided. This meeting will be recorded and can be watched at a later time. If you are unable to attend please send an email to woodlandparksummer@gmail.com.
(2) What happens after orientation?
After orientation, you will be sent the work schedule by our Scheduler two weeks before the start of your session. You will be added to our mailing list for any general updates and to a session mailing list for updates specific to your session. At the end of summer, you will receive an electronic survey from us so we can get your feedback regarding your experience in our program.
(3) What is it like to be a working caregiver at Woodland Park Summer Camp?
Mostly, you will play! The best way to keep children engaged and safe is to be fully present in play alongside them. While engaging in play alongside the kids, you will also be keeping an eye out for safety concerns in your designated station of the playground.
Play at Woodland Park Co-op is child led, so follow the kids’ lead on what they want to do, or just do your own thing alongside them. If you’re at the art table – paint! If you’re in the sand area – dig! If kids near you are having a disagreement, listen in and be prepared to intervene if necessary, but also give kids a chance to work out their disagreements.
(4) What is the “Secret code” asked when registering my child for the summer program?
The secret code is a phrase known only by the adults authorized to pick up your child from camp and staff will only release a child to an adult who provides the correct secret code. In lieu of a secret code, we can also accept a valid, government-issued ID from the adult who registered your child or any of the individuals listed as emergency contacts.
(5) Can I bring my child’s unenrolled sibling to camp on my workday?
If you are an alumni family, we offer a Sibling Ambassador program for camp. Please email us at woodlandparksummer@gmail.com to request to bring a sibling on your workday. Afterwards, you will be directed to use the registration page to add “Sibling Ambassador” to cart. The cost is $15.
(6) Are there age exceptions?
Age exceptions for campers younger than 2 or older than 7 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please inquire via email.
(7) Can I stay with my child if it is not my workday?
Yes! If you plan to stay on your non-workday, please check with the Teacher to see how you’ll fit into the workday in terms of being at a station, being a floater, etc.
(8) How many workdays will I have?
Each family will have one workday per child registered for the week. So if you have two children registered, you would have two work days. If this presents a hardship for your family, send us an email. We can consider exceptions on a case by case basis, as long as enrollment is enough for us to maintain appropriate ratios of adults to children.
(9) What if I can’t work on my assigned workday?
When the work schedule for your camper’s session comes out, it will be emailed to everyone in that session. You can then reply all to the email and ask if there is anyone willing/able to switch workdays with you. We depend on parents to work at camp in order to have appropriate ratios and ensure a safe and positive experience for your children. If you do not show up for your shift, it puts non-working parents in a bind to stay.
(10) Who can fulfill my workday duties?
Any caregiver for your child can fulfill your workday duties. We have had parents, grandparents, nannies, au pairs, and more participate in our program. We do ask that the caregiver coming on your workday has watched the recording of the orientation and is familiar with expectations of the working caregiver role.
(11) Can I park in the church parking lot?
We ask that you only park in the church parking lot if it is your workday. For drop off on other days, please use nearby street parking. You can park in the lot for pick up if there are available spaces. Do not park in the spots designated for church employees which are the three spots on the west side of the parking lot.
(12) Will snack be served?
Campers will bring their own snacks, and sharing is not permitted due to possible food allergies. If a camper has a severe food allergy, we will consider asking other campers to refrain from packing that food item. The snack table will be open as soon as we have enough working parents present, and will end roughly 20 minutes before the end of camp. Please also pack a water bottle with your child.
(13) What is your refund policy?
The Woodland Park Summer Program knows that things can change and that you may need to withdraw from a session you are registered for. To receive a partial refund of tuition, families must provide written notice of withdrawal from any session at least 3 weeks prior to the start of that session. No tuition refunds will be given if withdrawal occurs within 3 weeks of the start date of a session. Any discounts applied from registering for multiple weeks will be adjusted accordingly. In all cases, $40 per child, per session is non-refundable.
(14) What happens if my child is on a waitlist?
If a session is full at the time of registration, you may add your child to a waitlist. Openings can occur at any time up to the start of the session date. If an opening occurs, we will notify you via email or phone.
(15) What if I want to switch sessions?
Switching sessions is acceptable on a space available basis. You will be refunded or charged the difference in registration fees if the session you are switching to is priced differently than the one you are currently in. Please email woodlandparksummer@gmail.com to switch sessions.
(16) How is conflict between children managed in the Woodland Park Summer Program?
Conflict is an important part of how children learn through play. When conflicts occur, the nearest adult is on point for stopping any “violent” behavior (hitting, kicking, biting, etc.). Our next step is to guide children through age-appropriate dialogue. The ideal is that children work out an agreement between themselves. This is not always possible, but it is the goal.
Woodland Park Cooperative School 