camp information
Can you tell me more about your summer staff?
We employ as many as 30 recreation program leaders to lead our camp activities. Our staff is chosen because they enjoy working with kids, have positive previous experiences with children, are creative and fun.
Camp staff must hold current certificates in First Aid, CPR, and must also have completed a security clearance. Some staff will have extra certifications based on the programs that they are leading but these basics are required for all staff working with children. As part of their standard orientation staff receive training in appropriate conduct with children, behaviour management techniques, emergency procedures, resource building and much more that will assist in creating the most fun and safe experience for your child.
What facilities do you offer programs at?
Summer programs are offered at a variety of locations throughout the city, including Servus Credit Union Place and a variety of clubhouses and local parks. Please be sure to carefully read the program guide and also your confirmation letter to confirm the program location that you are registering your child at.
Servus Place 400 Campbell Road
Akinsdale Clubhouse 36 Alpine Boulevard
Grandin Clubhouse 5 Grenfell Avenue
Willoughby Clubhouse 4 Willoughby Drive
Servus Place has a variety of amenities available for programs to utilize for programs including the field houses, gymnasiums, classrooms, kitchen, preschool room and aquatic centre. Not all program groups will use all of these spaces, and your child’s program will use those spaces that are appropriate for the age and the program content.
PLEASE NOTE: Preschool children do not swim in program.
What staffing ratios are used in your programs?
We take great pride in offering you and your child our safest and most fun program opportunities. One key component to offering safe programs is effective supervision. We those reasons we maintain the following staff to camper ratio: 3 to 5 years of age – 1:8, 6 to 9 years of age 1:10 and 9 to 12 years of age - 1:12.
What should my child bring to camp each day?
Every day, children should bring the following items in backpack (please make sure that all items are labelled with the name) that they can comfortably carry. It is also really important to dress your child in appropriate clothing each day, as they may be participating in messy, hands on activities.
• indoor shoes
• a water bottle
• sunscreen and bug spray
• a hat
• a healthy and complete lunch (full day programs), and a morning and afternoon snack (for both half day and full day programs)
Please note that all daycamps and half day camps at Servus Place will go swimming.
Please do not send…
• Money - children may not carry money to purchase their lunch as it is distracting to the program and eating venues are not always available.
• Valuables - such as personal video games, MP3’s, cell phones etc. We cannot guarantee the safety of these items, and your child will have so much fun they will not need them.
Where do I drop off and pick up my child each day?
Please be sure to carefully read your program receipt to ensure that you are dropping off and picking up your child at the correct facility for each program that they are registered in. Campers can be dropped as early as ten minutes prior to the start of their camp at the location indicated on your program receipt.
We appreciate parents and care givers picking up their child(ren) promptly at the assigned pick up time and location as indicated on the program receipt.
PLEASE NOTE: Parents or assigned caregivers must come into the program space with the registrant and sign them into camp, and must come into the facility to sign the child out of camp as well. Parents need to discuss needs for their child to sign themselves in and out of camp with camp coordinators on the first day of program.
Is there pre & post camp care available for my child?
Pre and post camp are available only for school aged children’s programs (6 – 12 years old) from 8:00 – 8:50 am and 4:00 - 5:00 pm for $30.00/week. Participants are offered a variety of activity choices in pre and post care including quiet activities, board games, stories, and arts and crafts in one of our program rooms. Children registered in pre and post camp will be checked in and out of camp by our camp staff.
PLEASE NOTE: Pre and post camp is not available for half day or preschool programs.
Will my child be going on a fieldtrip in camp? What will their program schedule look like for the week?
Field trips will be a part of full day camper’s program schedule each week. Due to the shorter program day and the safety ratios required, preschool programs and half days camps do not field trip. All of our field trips, aside from our park visits, will travel either via yellow bus or on St. Albert Transit bus.
On the first day of camp, a program letter will be given to all program participants that will outline a schedule of the week’s activities and any special items required (ex. swimsuit). All programs will expose campers to opportunities to participate in physical activities, crafts, cooking and other interesting and theme related experiences. Typically there is no special equipment required for the first day of program. If in the instance your child is required to bring special clothing or equipment on the first day of program then they will be contacted prior to the start of camp.
Each full day and half day (excluding preschool) camp at Servus Place will have at least one recreational swim per week. Please note that preschool programs do not swim.
What should I do if my child has a special medical concern or if they require medication during the program day?
It is in the best interest of your child if you notify our staff at the time of registration of any special or medical needs that your child may have. This information will help us to ensure the best camp experience for them. Any medications that need to be administered during the day also needs to be identified at time of registration and confirmed with camp staff on their first day of camp. We do not administer medication for children, and therefore children must be able to administer on their own. Please note we are an “allergy aware” facility but cannot control allergenic items due to the public nature of our facilities.
What if my child is being bullied in the program?
We have a zero tolerance on bullying in our programs. As such if you or your child has any concerns about bullying in program, we ask that you bring this to the attention of the program coordinators as soon as possible. We will work with staff and the children involved immediately resolving the situation. Camp should be a fun and safe place for all children to be and as such it is our constant goal to ensure that no child is being bullied in program.
What do you do if there are weather warnings during the program day?
We currently have best practices in place to address weather issues or weather warning during program. These best practices are in place to ensure the safety of all participants and our staff while in program.
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