Important Info for Camp Families

Unity in Learning camps prioritize the safety and well-being of all campers and staff. UIL will be following State of Michigan and American Camp Association protocols for camp operation during COVID-19. Each camp group size is reduced to 12 people, including educators and volunteers, and groups will not blend during the day. We will make use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as face masks, frequent hand washing, and appropriate physical distancing as they have proven effective at limiting the spread of the disease. Health pre-screenings and daily temperature checks will also be in place for anyone on site.

There will be early member registration and discounts for families with qualifying membership levels at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science and Nature Center. However, creating space and opportunity for everyone is a core part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative. So while each camp group will have 9 total campers, 6 spots will be available for early member registration and 3 will become available once registration is open to the public. Once the 6 member spots, and 3 public spots have been filled, you will have the option of joining a waitlist (see waitlist policy below). If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to camp@aahom-lesliesnc.org.

• Lunch
• Water Bottle
• Weather-appropriate clothes
• Hat
• Mask/face covering (multiple are encouraged in case they get wet/sweaty)
• Sunscreen/Bug Spray
• Change of clothes (including a spare mask/face covering)
• Sturdy shoes (sandals, sneakers, boots)
• A bag or backpack to hold it all
• No flip flops
• No tank tops (protect your shoulders from the sun!)
• No electronics
• It is a camper’s responsibility to keep track of all of their belongings while at camp. To support campers’ success in this area, we encourage families to label all belongings with a camper’s first and last name and send all items in a bag or backpack

• Camp begins at 8:30am and ends at 3:30pm. Our extended day program, Camp Cool Down, will not be available for Summer 2021.
• Daily pre-screening questions can be done via CampDoc prior to arrival. If incomplete, a staff member will ask the questions prior to allowing your camper to enter camp.
• Anyone picking up a camper, even parents, must show a valid photo ID (Driver’s license, Washtenaw ID, School ID, Passport). We can only accept IDs that are in English.
• All campers must be picked up and signed out by someone listed on the release list in their Electronic Health Record.
• We must charge a fee of $1/minute (after a 10-minute grace period) when campers are picked up late. If you know you will be arriving late to pick up a camper, please call the camp site where your camper is attending camp.
• Electronic Health Records must be completed after registration on CampDoc.com. This record includes release information and activity waivers for your camper. Electronic Health Records are locked at midnight the night before your camp session. Campers may not be left at camp until we have a completed form on file.

• Campers are not permitted to carry their own medication at camp.
• All medications required by a camper at camp must be given to a camper’s Camp Educators at sign in on their first day of camp. Emergency rescue medication (such as inhalers, Benadryl, EpiPen®, etc.) will be carried by camp staff and remain near your camper.
• All prescription medication must be in the original prescription bottle with the camper’s name on the label.
• Families are required to complete a medication authorization in their CampDoc Electronic Health Record for all campers requiring medication while at camp (including emergency rescue medication).
• Please be sure that medication you are providing does not expire before a camper’s last day at camp.
• All remaining medication will be picked up by the camper’s family at sign out on their last day of camp.

• There will be no field trips requiring transportation, however 2/3 and 4/5 groups may hike off site to visit other natural spaces.
• Guest Instructors: Any guest instructors or special visitors will be pre-screened before coming onsite and will follow all mask and physical distancing practices in place.

Each camp day follows the same basic schedule, though daily activities vary depending on age group and camp theme. Our STEM2035 middle school camps will follow a different daily schedule. All activities are done with camper’s assigned groups and they will not blend with the other groups. Staff and volunteers are also designated for a single group and will not be moving between groups during the week.

8:30     Camper Sign In and Morning Stations
Parents and guardians sign campers in at their assigned camp building each day. While we are waiting for everyone to arrive, campers will choose from several different activities like art making, exploring specimens, or playing with blocks, Legos, and other manipulative toys.

9:00     House Meeting
To start off our day, campers will gather to hear the day's schedule, play some name games, sing songs, and do cheers. On Mondays, all camp groups review the camp rules and talk about camper’s hopes and expectations for the week.

9:15-11:30     Morning Activities
We'll go outdoors to hike, explore, play games, and enjoy the sunshine. Campers will visit the Critter House at least once during their camp week. Morning snack will be provided. On Mondays, Morning Activities end early for All Camp when all camp groups come together for games and songs.

11:30-12:45    Lunch and Free Time
Lunch is held eating picnic style outside with the camp groups. To make sure they have enough energy for the day, campers, staff, and volunteers stay seated and focused on eating and drinking water for 20 minutes. Campers are encouraged to recycle and compost. After lunch, we have free play, with each group at a designated area around LSNC.

12:45-1:30    Chillaxation
Chillaxation is held by each camp group individually. Campers are given a time to relax and reflect on the day's adventures. Stories, reading, drawing, resting, cloud watching, and other quiet activities are included. 

1:30-2:45        Choice Time
During choice time, Camp Educators and volunteers will offer 3 activities on which their group will vote and choose one to do for that day. Each day there is an active choice, and artsy choice, and an environmental education choice (though these categories sometimes overlap). In the event that a camper cannot or does not want to participate in the choice, an alternative activity will be provided but the camper must stay with the group.

Thursday is Choice Day, with 3 choice times spaced throughout the day, ending with Choice Carnival in the afternoon, where campers are able to go to each of several stations, including silly games, and tie dye. Camp groups will still remain separate from others on site, while participating in this time-honored UIL Camp experience.

2:45-3:30      Afternoon Snack, Clean-up, and Circle Games
After choice time, campers return to their houses to tidy up for the day, usually taking their belongings outside for pick-up. After the building is tidy and everyone is ready to go, camp groups will eat a healthy snack and work together to brainstorm a list for their “Ask Me About” board which includes a list of topics or questions that are meant to spark conversations about camp experiences between campers and their families. Camp groups will play silly circle games, sing songs, or practice brain teasers until families arrive.

3:30      Camper Sign Out
Our camp day ends promptly at 3:30pm. All campers must be picked up and signed out by someone on their Emergency & Release Form. Campers will remain near their assigned camp building until a staff member or volunteer comes to collect them. Whoever is picking them up will remain in their vehicle while their ID is checked and the camper is brought to them.

Like the daily schedule, our weekly camp schedule follows the same basic arc, though activities change based on age group and camp theme. On short weeks, this schedule is subject to change, but will always include Choice Day—we know that is a favorite part of camp!

*Choice Carnival: Campers will circulate with their group to several different stations including silly games and tie dye. To maintain physical distance, groups will be doing Choice Carnival at different times throughout the day.

Whenever possible, Unity in Learning Camps strive to offer campers positive choices, to recognize their feelings, to develop language for talking about behavior, and to teach them through conflict. If a camper’s behavior is disruptive to the program or to the experience of others, the following actions will be taken: 

1. Staff observing the behavior will redirect camper’s behavior by offering a positive choice.
2. If a positive choice is not appropriate, or if the behavior persists, staff will identify the problem and discuss it with the camper, letting the camper know that the staff member is there to help. Staff will immediately stop any physical (hitting/kicking) or emotional (name calling or teasing) damage being done before moving to the next step.
3. Staff will help the camper identify possible solutions and help them choose a solution. Camp staff will make every effort to check back in with the camper to see if the solution is working.
4. If the issue still persists, or if a camper needs to decompress, staff will ask the camper to take a break from the group’s activities and then talk with them to process what happened.
5. Staff will notify the onsite Camp Director if any situation escalates to the “take a break” level, or if they need additional support. Camp staff will make every effort to check in with camper’s parents/guardians by phone or at pick-up, explain what happened and what action was taken by both camp staff and the camper, and discuss additional solutions and ways to support the camper further.

Unity in Learning Camps reserve the right to remove a camper from camp for any unsafe or inappropriate behavior including: bullying, violence, sexual harassment, endangering the safety of any camper or staff member, any type of discrimination, destruction of property, theft, verbal abuse, and possession of any type of weapon. No refunds for any camp fees paid will be issued in the event that a camper is asked to leave camp for unsafe or inappropriate behavior.

Camp age groups are determined by grade completed in the previous school year. K/1 (completed full day Young 5's, Kindergarten, or First Grade), 2/3 (completed Second or Third Grade), 4/5 (completed Fourth or Fifth Grade), or middle school (completed 6th, Seventh, or Eighth).

Some weeks we are offering two different camp themes for the K/1 age group to accommodate demand. If your camper would like to be in the same camp group as a specific friend or family member, you must register them for the same camp theme.

Campers are allowed to register for up to three summer camp weeks. There is no limit on the number of Camp at Home experiences a camper can attend—so sign up for them all!

Due to the high-volume of camp transactions, we are unable to fill waitlists by phone or email. When a camp session is full, you may register to be on the waitlist for the camp. In the event there is an opening in a camp, we will open online registration and email all individuals on the waitlist. Waitlisted individuals can then register online on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the spot is filled, the waitlist will continue until another opening becomes available. Questions regarding waitlist opportunities should be directed to the Leslie Science & Nature Center Main Office at 734-997-1553.

All summer camp registrations will require a non-refundable deposit paid upon registration. Any cancellation made up to 14 days prior to the start date of a camp program will receive a full refund minus the non-refundable deposit. Any cancellation made within 14 days of the start date of a camp program will not be eligible to for a refund. If a camper does not attend a registered session, is denied admission into camp, or sent home because they exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, a refund will be granted. You are also welcome to switch your registration to our Camp at Home experiences if available.

All cancellation requests must be submitted through your CampDoc registration portal or in writing. Refunds will be issued through the CampDoc system and may take up to 4 weeks for processing.

If a participant fails to attend a registered session without notice, no refund will be issued. In cases of homesickness, dismissal or voluntary withdrawal, there will be no refund of any fees.

We reserve the right to grant exceptions in situations as needed.

If you choose to switch your registration to a different date, please note that this is only possible if openings exist. This must occur 15 days prior to the first day of your event. There will be a $10 processing fee charged for each switched registration.

Please note that this policy differs from the cancellation policy used for other programs. If you are cancelling a program that is not a summer camp please refer to our standard cancellation policy. 

Details regarding all camp policies and procedures can be found in our Camp Family Policy Handbook. Individuals who would like to review internal policies and procedures can direct requests to Allison Lawrence, Camp Programs Manager by email: alawrence@aahom.org.