2024 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.
• Full-day camps: Substantial lunch, two healthy snacks and beverages for each camper.
• 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 (no spray).
• Rain gear, as necessary.

Please leave all items of sentimental or monetary value, including toys, at home.

Lunch and 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 safety reasons, we discourage spray applicators in favor of wipes or lotion. As an extra precaution, we recommend you check your child for ticks after camp.

Drop-off & pick-up

Please 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.

Sign-in/out

 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.

• Grade school & full-day camps: Sign-in/out is in the grassy area to the north of the summer camp parking lot.
• Pre-K & half-day camps: Sign-in/out is in the grassy area to the east of the building and circle drive.

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.

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. They will 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.