Duck Camp
Terms and Requirements
Contact the office at: info@ripleyconservancy.org with any questions.
Arrival
Ripley staff will be present to greet campers beginning at 8:15 am. To ensure proper supervision, please only drop off your child once a Ripley staff member has greeted you.
Ripley’s Summer Duck Camp policy is prompt arrival for all participants. Late arrivals, please report to the Ripley Office, and a staff member will assist in reuniting your child with the class. Please let us know if you and your child will be arriving late if possible. Please call 860-567-2062 to let us know the time of your arrival.
Departure
Please pick up your child at 12:30 pm. Children will only be released to the person(s) listed on the Pick-up Authorization Form. (Any unrecognized individual picking up a child will be required to show identification (driver’s license) when picking up your child.) Thank you in advance for your cooperation in keeping our kids safe.
To help our program run smoothly, please drop off and pick up your child on time. If there is an emergency in which you are unable to pick up your child, please contact us as soon as possible, and we will take appropriate action. You may be subject to a fee if you are chronically late in picking up your child, or, in egregious cases, we will ask you to remove your child from the program.
Program Attire
Plan for outdoor activities! Please dress your child in clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. We recommend that children wear long pants such as jeans or cargo pants and closed-toed comfortable shoes for safety. Please be aware that outdoor conditions have the potential to involve the presence of bees, ticks, biting insects, snakes, poison ivy, and other hazards.
What to Bring
Each day, please have your child bring a backpack containing the following items:
A water bottle filled with water
1-2 ready-to-eat snacks (these will be stored in a fridge until designated times)
A hat (to protect from sun and insects)
Sweatshirt, lightweight jacket, and/or rain gear (outerwear appropriate for the weather)
Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) – best if applied before the program
Non-aerosol bug repellent – best if applied before the program
What NOT to Bring
Please do not allow your child to bring electronic devices (e.g., electronic games, cell phones, cameras, iPods, radios, tablets, laptops, etc.).
This enrichment program has a “no cell phone” policy. We realize some parents provide their children with a cell phone for emergencies. Cell phones, however, can get lost, broken, and stolen, representing a potential and unnecessary distraction. If you are concerned that your child will not have a cell phone with them, please be assured that all Ripley staff are in cell phone contact with the main Conservancy Office if emergencies or any other situation arises where you need to contact your child immediately.
Please do not allow your child to bring other items that can distract from program activities (e.g., trading cards) or items of value that could be broken, lost, or stolen. If brought to the program, such items will be collected by the program teachers and returned to the parents at the end of the day.
Behavior
Our staff makes every effort to provide your child with a safe, fun, respectful, and educational environment. If a child’s behavior is disruptive to the point of adversely affecting the activities or the experience of other students and staff, appropriate action will be taken. Ripley staff will follow Ripley’s Camper Code of Conduct’s Behavior Management Plan. This plan includes multiple verbal warnings that, if not acknowledged by the camper, could lead to a note home and/or dismissal from the camp. Violent behavior towards staff, other students, Ripley’s captive flock, or program equipment will not be tolerated. It will result in the child being sent home early and/or dismissed for the remainder of the enrichment program. No refunds are given for days missed as a result of campers being sent home for behavioral reasons.
Absence
If your child is too sick to attend the program or will be absent from the program for another reason, please notify us prior to the absence so we know not to expect them. You will be called immediately if your child becomes sick while at the program. Please ensure we have your cell phone number and an alternate phone number for your spouse or another adult if we need to reach you. No program refunds are given for missed days or if a child is sent home for illness.
Ripley’s Medication Policy
Ripley staff will administer basic First-Aid in the case of an accidental scratch or scrape and prescription medication OR any over-the-counter medication if granted written permission from parents and a physician. Parents must fill out an individual care plan, provide written prescription orders from the MD for all necessary medication, and provide written consent for Ripley-trained staff to administer medication to their child. The Camp Coordinator will keep all medication until the child requests/requires it. Ripley staff will provide forms.
Emergencies
If an emergency involving your child arises, you will be contacted immediately. If, for some reason, we cannot contact you, we will call the alternate emergency contact provided on the emergency information form. Please ensure that all the information you give on the form is complete and accurate. Please note that no nurse will be on staff, but the Ripley teachers are First Aid, AED, and CPR certified.
Code of Conduct
Contact the office at: info@ripleyconservancy.org with any questions.
The Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy (RWC) provides our campers with a safe, positive, and fun learning environment. Our trained staff will ask all campers to follow RWC’s Camper Code of Conduct to meet this goal. RWC will use a positive approach to discipline and seek parental support to resolve behavior issues and encourage positive behavior. Camp participants who resist correction and remain disruptive may be asked to leave the program.
General Day Camp Rules
Show respect to other participants.
Show respect to staff and cooperate fully with their instructions.
Respect the rights and beliefs of others, and treat others with courtesy and consideration.
Communicate appropriately; foul language or gestures and/or harsh words or tone of voice will not be tolerated.
Keep hands, feet, head, and other body parts to yourself unless you are part of an activity led by camp staff.
Use program equipment, supplies, and facilities properly.
Respect the Conservancy’s birds and their aviaries.
Respect the property of other participants.
Be fully responsible for actions and understand that irresponsible behavior will result in disciplinary action.
Rules of Bird Interaction
The Conservancy houses over 500 individual birds of 80 different species. Interacting with this flock is necessary for all RWC’s programming. Below are a few general rules that staff will enforce with campers concerning the birds.
Campers should never enter an aviary or approach an RWC bird without a staff member present.
Campers should never intentionally disturb the birds (i.e., scream, shout, chase, or throw objects).
Campers should always wash their hands after spending time in an aviary or after being in close contact with any of RWC’s birds.
Campers should always remain 5-8 ft. from the edge of any concrete or natural bottom ponds within the RWC aviaries.
Camp Behavior Management Plan
A Camper Code of Conduct violation will result in the consequence(s) outlined below.
1. Verbal Warning
When a rule is broken for the first time in one day, the first consequence will be a verbal warning. Counselors and staff will ensure the camper knows the rule they violated that led to the verbal warning. Receiving this warning does not mean that the camper is in trouble; it gives the campers a chance to correct their behavior or mistake.
2. Second Warning
When a rule is broken for a second time in one day, the camper will be separated from the group. Once again, the camper will be made aware of the violated rule and asked to reflect on their disruptive action.
3. Time-out of Next Activity
When a rule is broken for a third time in one day, the camper will be separated from the group and placed in a supervised time-out until the end of the current camp activity. They will be made aware of the violated rule and asked to reflect on their actions. This allows them to take responsibility and correct their future behavior.
4. Behavior Report sent to Parent or Guardian
When a rule is broken for a fourth time in one day, a behavior report will be sent home. This report ensures that parent(s)/guardian(s) know their camper’s behavior. The report will indicate which rule(s) the camper broke. The parent/legal guardian should sign it before the participant is allowed to return to camp.
After THREE behavior reports have been issued, the camper will be terminated from the camp programs for the remainder of the camp season. In addition, no refund will be awarded.
Immediate Dismissal
Bullying or intentional violence of any kind (physical, emotional, or verbal abuse/violence) is not tolerated at RWC. Our staff reserves the right to dismiss a camper whose behavior harms their safety or others, bypassing the above disciplinary steps.
Immediate Dismissal Examples (but are not limited to):
Any mishandling of birds or their resources will result in immediate dismissal, and refunds will not be issued.
Any child who brings a weapon to camp (i.e., butterfly knife, blade, bb/airsoft gun, explosive/incendiary device) will be removed from the program.
Any child who makes a credible threat to hurt themselves or others will be removed from the program.
Any child who seriously harms themselves or another camper (physical, emotional, or verbal abuse) will be removed from the program.
Any child who verbally, emotionally, or physically abuses staff will be removed from the program.