Day Camp News
What to bring each day
Please mark all belongings with the camper's full name and send them along in a backpack or bag each day. Refrigeration is not available.
- Half-day camps: A snack and beverage for each camper. No nuts.
- Full-day camps: Substantial lunch, two healthy snacks and beverages for each camper. No nuts.
- Refillable water bottle filled with water.
- Hat to protect from sun and insects.
- Light jacket or sweatshirt for cool mornings.
- Extra set of clothing and closed-toe shoes (no flip flops).
- Sunscreen and insect repellent (wipes preferred).
- Rain gear, as necessary.
Please leave all items of sentimental or monetary value, including toys, at home.
Lunch & Snacks
Due to the increasing frequency and potential severity of nut allergies, please avoid sending any peanut or nut-related food items. We ask that you send food and beverages in a travel-safe, insulated container marked with your camper's name. Supervision during snack and lunch is provided. Refrigerated storage space is not available.
Meals are not provided during before and after camp care. If think your child will be hungry, please send a labeled snack.
Insect Repellent & Sunscreen
Apply insect repellent and sunscreen to your camper each day before camp. For campers staying all day, we will remind everyone to reapply protection after lunch. Please mark your repellent/sunscreen with the camper’s name.
For increases in allergies, we encourage the use of wipes or lotions over sprays. As an extra precaution, we recommend you check your child for ticks after camp.
Communication
We want summer camp to be a great experience for everyone. Please make sure we have your current email addresses and phone numbers so we can reach you in case of emergency.
Let us know prior to the first day of camp if your child:
- Has a severe allergy. Remember to download and submit the Medication order for Treatment of Anaphylaxis before the first day of camp. This form needs to be signed by a physician.
- Has any fears, allergies, or physical limitations that would affect their experience.
- Will be carpooling with another family.
- Changes in authorized pickups.
- Is taking any medication we should know about or has stopped taking medication that could affect behavior.
We will make every effort to inform you of your child’s activities at camp. Please do not hesitate to come to us with any concerns or questions along the way.
Camp T-Shirts
Tamarack Nature Center T-shirts are available in youth and adult sizes and in multiple colors. T-shirts cost $15.00 for magic, color-changing shirts and $20.00 for tie-dye shirts. The T-shirt cart may be found at the information station towards the camp lawn around 9am and 4 p.m. Cash and Check only.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Park in the summer camp parking lot (first lot on your right.) Walk campers to their designated sign-in location. For convenience, parents of pre-k and half-day campers are welcome to use other lots, Tuesday-Thursday.
Do not park in the circle drive in front of the building. This area is designated for emergency vehicles only.
As a safety measure, parents are required to sign each child in and out every day. Staff will be available on Mondays to direct children to their camp location.
Full-day camps (Discoverers, Explorers, and Wanderers): Sign-in/out is in the grassy area to the north of the summer camp parking lot.
Full-day Critters camp and Half-day camps: Sign-in/out is on either end of the main building. Reference the email sent out a week prior to camp for the specific location.
If it's raining, sign-in/out may be inside. Please look for signage to direct you on these days.
We cannot accommodate children arriving early or being picked up late. If your child is not picked up in a timely manner, we will transfer them to After Camp Care and a fee will be assessed.
Weather Policy
Activities go on as planned during light rain or wind. Campers should be dressed in appropriate gear for outdoor fun regardless of the weather.
On days with high heat and humidity we bring out special games and activities designed to keep campers cool while having fun. In severe weather, campers will be moved to a safe location inside the building. Off-site groups will be brought to the nearest safe shelter.
Behavior Guidelines
Our goal is for every child to have a positive experience at camp. Staff will identify and enforce clear, reasonable limits for child behavior. Our staff reinforces positive behavior while attempting to redirect negative behavior. Staff may remove a child from any activity where that child’s behavior is harmful to themselves or others.
Tamarack Nature Center reserves the right to remove any child from camp in the case of extreme behavior issues. For more information, see the Day Camp Policies page.
Child Illness
For the safety of themselves and others, children should refrain from joining camp if they are unwell. Children should not join camp if they have had any of the following conditions within 24 hours of camp. They may rejoin camp after 24 hours have passed without symptoms.
- Fever over 100˚F
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea