The Basics
What time is camp?
How much does it cost and what’s included?
How do after camp activities work this summer?
CAMPER GROUPING
How will my campers be grouped?
4’s and 5’s SEA STARS |
6’s and 7’s MOON JELLIES |
8’s and 9’s DOLPHINS |
10’s, 11’s & 12’s SHARKS |
For the summer of 2023 we are returning to age based groups. These age groups generally line up with your camper’s school level or rising grade in Fall 2023.
What if my camper has friends in an older or younger group?
CAMPER START OF DAY: FIELD OF DREAMS
Where should my camper go at 9am?
What about bikes?
YOUNGER CAMPERS
4s and 5s (SEA STARS rising Preschool/Kindergarten)
6s and 7s (MOON JELLIES rising 1st and 2nd graders)
Should park their bikes on the bike racks near the playground (East or Fair Harbor side of the Ball Field).
OLDER CAMPERS
8s and 9s (DOLPHINS rising 3rd and 4th graders)
10s, 11s, 12s (SHARKS rising 5th+) and CAMP STAFF
Should park their bikes on the bike racks on Broadway (West or Kismet side of Ball Field).
CAMPER END OF DAY: LAST ACTIVITY
What happens at 12pm?
What about bikes?
YOUNGER CAMPERS
4s and 5s (SEA STARS rising Preschool/Kindergarten)
6s and 7s (MOON JELLIES rising 1st and 2nd graders)
Should park their bikes on the bike racks near the playground (East or Fair Harbor side of the Ball Field).
OLDER CAMPERS
8s and 9s (DOLPHINS rising 3rd and 4th graders)
10s, 11s, 12s (SHARKS rising 5th and 6th+ graders) and CAMP STAFF
Should park their bikes on the bike racks on Broadway (West or Kismet side of Ball Field).
CAMPER PREPAREDNESS: FROM HEAD TO TOE
What should my camper wear? Do they need to bring anything?
- COMFORTABLE CLOTHING: In order for campers to participate safely in camp, please have them wear comfortable clothing so they can move and play freely. The camp administration discourages campers from wearing dress up clothes or costumes/accessories (unless there is a special event), pajamas, etc. Campers should ideally be unencumbered by their clothing and free to move and play.
- CAMP T-SHIRT: Each camper will receive 1 Saltaire Day Camp T-shirt which must be worn on Fridays.
- HAT: for sun safety, hats are encouraged-although hat sharing is not permitted.
- SHOE POLICY: Due to the potential for injury (broken glass, hot summer boardwalks, bicycle pedals/chains) footwear for camp is strongly suggested. Sneakers are required for Field and activities as well as soccer and corkball during camp for increased mobility and safety.
- TOWEL: see below.
- BATHING SUIT: see below.
- SUNSCREEN & BUG SPRAY: It is important to apply sunscreen and bug spray on your camper before arriving at camp. Camp Staff does not apply these products to campers but we can encourage campers to reapply.
- WATER BOTTLE: we have access to water fountains and coolers/cups–but an additional water bottle is helpful so campers stay hydrated.
- BACKPACK: Campers should have a backpack with their name to carry their items.
CAMPER SWIMMING
What should my camper wear on swim days?
Does my camper need a swim cap?
Does my camper need floaties or personal floatation devices if they cannot swim?
Will my camper go swimming in the rain?
What is the deal with swim testing?
Is there anything else I should know?
Do the campers do anything else in the water but swimming lessons?
Yes! Read below.
- Monday Funday is when your campers of all ages will get the chance to play some traditional water games like Marco Polo or silly games like Water Dance Party. In addition to teaching swimming skills, we believe seeing the water as a place to have fun is critical to the success of our swim program.
- Ocean/Ocean Games under the guidance of our experienced ocean lifeguards, campers of all ages will get the chance to travel to the ocean side of Saltaire for beach games, learning about the ocean and marine life, and more. Campers in 3-6th grade who are progressing in their swim lessons will learn how to safely enter and exit the ocean.
SALTAIRE SPORTS: JOIN THE FUN – IT IS FREE!
How can my camper participate?
All 6 & 7 year old campers (Moon Jellies) can participate in our Saltaire Soccer Junior team practices and games at no extra charge.
- Junior Soccer Practices are Tuesday from 12:15-1pm
- Junior Soccer Games are Thursday at 4pm
- Equipment/Uniform: Campers will be given a soccer tee shirt they should wear to games. Sneakers are required and cleats are fine. Shin guards are helpful if you have them; the camp has extra
All 8+ year old campers can participate in our Saltaire Soccer Senior team AND Saltaire Corkball Senior team practices and games at no extra charge.
- Corkball Practices are Monday from 1-2pm
- Corkball Games are Wednesday at 5pm
- Senior Soccer Practices are Tuesday from 1-2pm
- Senior Soccer Games are Thursday at 5pm
- SOCCER Equipment/Uniform: Campers will be given a soccer tee shirt they should wear to games. Sneakers are required and cleats are fine. Shin guards are helpful if you have them; the camp has extra
- CORKBALL Equipment/Uniform: Campers will be given a team hat they should wear to games. Sneakers are required. We have batter helmets and gloves but players can feel free to bring their own equipment if they prefer.
SWIM TEAM: THE TRADITION CONTINUES!
How can my camper participate?
- Sign up online! Practices begin Week 2 and run through Week 7. We are scheduling summer swim meets this spring and will publish a schedule closer to the start of camp.
- Swim Team Participants should wear a navy or blue swimsuit (ideally) and swim team members will be given goggles and a Saltaire swim cap.
MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS
Does my camper ever get snacks or food?
The camp will provide 1 serving of snack that will be served to the groups mid-morning and ice pops for special occasions. No nuts or nut products will ever be served and we will be sensitive to common allergens (dairy/gluten/etc) when possible. Campers may not bring snacks from home. Campers with allergies should describe those allergies in the medical information questions during registration.
My camper has an allergy/needs medication/carries an epi-pen/has a medical issue - who do I talk to?
What are the current policies regarding Covid19?
Please refer to the COVID POLICIES 2023 document linked here that is located under the “important info” tab on the main page of the website.
What is the refund policy?
50% Refund of any Program Session payment (morning or afternoon) will be given if the session is canceled in writing by the parent/guardian at least 21 days before the session starts. If a written cancellation notice is given after the 21-day deadline, no refund will be given. If the Camper or a direct-contact family member has a confirmed positive COVID test before or during their session, partial refunds will be considered in consultation with the Recreation Medical Director on a case-by-case basis.
Please fill out the Registration Refund Form located on the website and send it to summercamp@saltaire.org
All refund requests approved pursuant to this policy will be issued after the camp season is over.
UPDATE 6.30.23: If a written (email) request for a refund for After Camp Classes is received by the Camp Administration by midnight on the Thursday before the week of the classes, the Village will issue a 50% Refund for those classes. Camp Administration will issue a refund of 100% if the Camp changes the class in some way (ie: cancels class due to low enrollment, changes day, etc) and the family cannot participate.
How do I pay by check or money order?
Please note if you choose to pay by cash, check, or money order the Village of Saltaire MUST receive your payment within 14 days or your application will be deleted. After Friday, June 16 all camp payments in the form of cash, check, or money order must be made in person at the Village of Saltaire between 8am and 4pm.
You can make checks payable to the Village of Saltaire and send your check to:
Village of Saltaire
ATTN: Summer Camp
P.O. Box 5551
Bayshore, NY 11706
How do I see pictures of all the fun stuff that happens at camp?
CAMPER GROUPS
How do you decide which group my camper will be in?
Entering Preschool/Kindergarten Fall 2022: | Sea Stars |
Entering 1st & 2nd Grade Fall 2022: | Moon Jellies |
Entering 3rd & 4th Grade in Fall 2022: | Dolphins |
Entering 5th & 6th+ Grade (<13 y.o.) in Fall 2022: | Sharks |
What if my camper has friends in an older or younger group?
During summer camp children participate in activities divided by developmental level. The goal is for campers to feel confident and successful as they learn or practice skills in a group of campers that are developing at a similar rate. If campers are placed in a group where they are much younger, they can get overwhelmed or feel ‘out of their league’ with mature campers whose skills are more advanced. We understand you might feel your camper is highly skilled, socially steady and confident–and ready for the challenge. That might be true AND the camp policies are developed in the best interest of the entire camp community as a whole. When placed in their age/grade level appropriate assigned pod your highly skilled and confident camper will experience being a leader in their group, and that experience will be invaluable to their social emotional development.
In some rare instances a camper may not be developmentally ready to tackle the age group to which they should be assigned. Our goal is for the camper to feel confident and successful, so camp administration will work with families and may assign the camper to a younger pod so the camper will hopefully build confidence and feel like a leader.
We stick to this rule for consistency and fairness. If we started making exceptions then the pods would turn into a mish mosh of ages. Yes, camp can be a time to hang with friends-but remember it’s also a time to meet and make NEW friends! “Every friend was once a stranger” the old saying goes.
Why might there be smaller groups within one age group?
participation in a scheduled activity. Small group assignments are entirely at the discretion of the Group
Leaders and the camp administration.
Still have questions? Email Molly Davis molly@saltaire.org.