Parent Handbook 2008

11^th Anniversary Season

Nicole M. Greggs, NBCT- Early/Middle Childhood Music

MusicMakers! Summer Camp Director

Telephone 954-868-5515  

Session 1= 100 YEARS OF BROADWAY!

Session 2= A ROCK & ROLL HIT PARADE

WELCOME TO OUR CAMP!

We are so glad you have chosen MusicMakers! for your child's summer enrichment! Our summer camp is open to children ages 6-14. All levels of music experience are welcome and will be individually challenged! Our instructors strive to provide the finest quality experience possible for your child. In this handbook are basic guidelines about our camp, so please read it carefully and ask a staff member if you have any questions. You can also visit www.musicmakerscamp.com for information, or call the camp business line at 954-868-5515 anytime. Thank You!

“Miss Nicole” Greggs, Camp Director

 

WHY MUSICMAKERS! ? …PROGRAM GOALS

MusicMakers! Summer Camp aims to provide a safe, fun, educational camp experience for kids ages 6-14. We strive to grow minds, build character, & promote musicianship & leadership. Music is the vehicle through which we:

• have fun through self-discovery;

• provide wholesome, educational, character-building activities;

• model self-discipline, perseverance, & other leadership qualities;

• develop teamwork, cooperation, consideration, & awareness of others;

• nurture respect for various cultures & styles of music;

• awaken the desire to share the joy of making music with others;

• interconnect musical, scientific, & historical knowledge using reading, writing, & mathematical concepts & physical skills.

It is hoped that your child's experience with us will ignite his or her interest in further musical study. The study of music lays the foundation for academic achievement by developing sustained concentration, expressive capabilities, & perseverance.  These skills are then transferred to all other academic studies. The prolonged study of music has been shown to dramatically increase student achievement on SAT scores... Playing or singing music stimulates both sides of the brain simultaneously, thereby strengthening a person's overall thinking ability!

OUR CAMP LOCATION IS:

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

5901 Coral Springs Dr. (aka Pine Island Rd.) Coral Springs, Florida  33076

We are housed in four of the 9^th Grade Portables. Enter the Southernmost parking lot and drive to the back.

MusicMakers! Camp Telephone Number:  (954) 868-5515

City of Coral Springs Parks & Recreation Dept.: (954) 345-2200

Camp Website: www.musicmakerscamp.com

 

DRESS CODE

• Appropriate clothing for your child most days is play clothes & sneakers.

• Please do not allow your child to wear open-toed shoes, torn T-shirts, shirts with inappropriate logos, or jewelry of any type to camp.

• Please encourage your camper to dress up for Spirit Days (Blast From the Past Day, Pajama Day, Bad Hair Day, etc.). While not mandatory, these days add fun & pizzazz to the camp experience! J

• Please do not allow your child to bring valuables to camp. Because we are housed in a School Board of Broward County facility, we mirror their policy on cell phones and game boys. Cell phones and game boys may be brought to camp but must remain off and out of sight during camp hours.

• Put your child's name on everything brought to camp, including towels, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. Thank You!

MORNING DROP-OFF & SIGN-IN:

• Beginning at 8:15am daily, parents or designees should accompany children to the Sign-In Room & sign them in.

• Parents should park in the student parking lot at the back of the school & walk their child(ren) to the camp area. For your child's safety, children are not permitted to walk unattended to the camp area. Campers whose parents fail to cooperate with this rule may be suspended from camp indefinitely without refund.

• Supervision is not available before 8:15am or after 2:45pm. Please do not drop off your child any earlier than 8:15am or pick up later than 2:45pm.

• Campers should store lunches and recorders in the Recorder Room before going to their first session.

• Campers who arrive after 8:35am should join their group in its designated area when they arrive.

• Important- if your child is ill or cannot attend camp on a given day, please call Ms. Nicole at 954-868-5515 so she doesn't worry. Thanks!

AFTERNOON PICK-UP:

• If a child is to be dropped off or picked up (at any time in the two-week session) by someone other than the legal guardian, parents must sign & return the Parent Pickup Designee Form to the Camp Director by the first day of camp. For safety reasons, children will be released only to persons whose names are listed on this form.

• Parents or their designees may sign their child out each day in the Recorder Room beginning at 2:30pm.  Until we get to know you, parents and designees will be asked to show photo identification.

• Parents or designees should park in the front or on the side of the school & walk to the camp area to pick up their child. Children are not permitted to leave the camp area unless signed out by an approved person.

• Late Pick-Up:  After the first incident, there will be a $5.00 per 10-minute interval per child late fee charged for pick-up after 2:45pm. Payment is due in cash or check at the pick-up time.

• Please see Miss Nicole prior to an event if you have special circumstances & know you will be late. We have families too, but we are happy to work with you & we appreciate your help in this area. Thanks!

LUNCH & SNACKS:

• Campers should bring lunch every day (except Fridays for those wishing to participate in Pizza Day). Campers should also bring a water bottle if they wish.

• Lunches will be stored in the Recorder Room upon arrival.

• Campers eat lunch for 30 minutes daily.

• FRIDAY IS PIZZA DAY!  On Fridays, campers may bring their own lunch, -OR- purchase pizza lunch ($6 per child, prepaid on day 1 of each session along with registration fee. $6 covers pizza & drink  on both Fridays).

• Morning snacks & drinks are provided by MusicMakers! These consist of cookies or crackers & water or punch.

• Due to the early 2:30pm dismissal time, afternoon snacks & drinks are not provided. For those who are extra hungry in the morning or afternoon and wish to purchase an extra snack beyond what we provide, a variety of items will be available for $.75 from our snack box.

CAMP DISCIPLINARY POLICY:

Camp Rules

•  To ensure the safety & well-being of all campers, we adhere to the following rules, which are posted & explained to the children at the beginning of each session:

1.     Cooperate.

2.       Participate.

3.      Respect all campers, equipment, staff, and our facility.

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior

• Children who demonstrate inappropriate behavior will incur the following:

1.       First Offense:  Time out; staff discusses with child what they have done wrong; why their behavior is unacceptable in camp; & how to improve.

2.       Second Offense:  Time out 5-10 minutes depending on offense. Parents informed at pick-up time.

3.       Third Offense:  Indefinite Time Out or switch to another group; parents informed at pick-up time.

4.       Fourth, Chronic, or Severe Offense:  Parents called immediately; child is suspended. Length of suspension to be determined by Camp Director.

• Steps may be skipped if the offense should warrant.  Children who do not show an attempt to improve behavior will be suspended for the duration of the session without refund.

Rewards

• Besides having a lot of fun, campers may receive certificates of achievement, special instrument or outside game privileges, treats, photo opportunities, or various other positive reinforcements for outstanding behavior.

• Prizes are awarded for Spirit Day contests.
  
   

  

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES & CAMPER ILLNESS:

• On the first day of camp, please be certain that the emergency numbers listed on your camper's registration form are correct.  Should your child become ill while at camp, we will call your home phone number first, then your work number & last the emergency contact number as per your child's MusicMakers! Registration form.

• Please be sure to provide all medical information on your child's registration & release form including allergies, bee stings, & medications.

• Please be sure your child is FEVER FREE for 24 hours before sending them back to camp.

• Children who are ill will be sent home, but in the event of a serious illness, we will call Emergency Medical Services (EMS) & they will take whatever steps they deem necessary. Several MusicMakers! staff members are certified in CPR and will administer appropriate treatment until EMS arrives.

MEDICATIONS:

Camp staff is not authorized to dispense ANY medications including aspirin.  Children that are required to take any medication during camp hours must be able to do so on their own.  Camp staff is not responsible for reminding campers to take their medications.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Placement of Students in Age Groups:

• Campers are grouped by age and/or musical experience. Depending on enrollment, returning campers and campers with considerable musical knowledge may be placed in a more advanced age group.

• Children who wish to be grouped together should indicate their preference on the registration form under “Special Considerations” at the time of registration. Last minute requests will be honored if possible but can not be guaranteed.

• On the first day of camp, students are assigned seats in the Recorder & Games Room by age group and last name. Once any group placement changes are made, seat swaps occur on day 2 of camp, so that children may sit near friends. Camp staff will note your child's seat # so that any items needing to be passed out or kept at your child's seat may be neatly organized.

During Camp Hours:

• Campers follow a daily schedule of activities.

• Rest rooms are used at designated times except in cases of emergency, at which time camp personnel will escort your child to the restroom.

• Campers are supervised at all times.

• Morning snack & drink are provided by MusicMakers!. Snack bar is also available; all items $.75.

If Your Child Is Ill or Will Be Absent:

Please call (954) 868-5515 to let Miss Nicole know your child will not be present. When preparing for performances, this cooperation is greatly appreciated, especially if your child has a special part!

Contacting Campers:

•  The camp telephone number is (954) 868-5515. The answering machine is left on during camp hours. If you need to contact your child, please leave a message & the Camp Director will inform your child.  Messages will be checked throughout the day.

• Because we are housed in a School Board of Broward County facility, we mirror their policy on cell phones. Cell phones may be brought to camp but must remain off during camp hours. Children will not be permitted to use cell phones during camp hours.

• If you have an emergency & need to speak to someone right away but encounter the answering machine; please call the City of Coral Springs Parks & Recreation Department at (954) 345-2200 & they will relay your message to the Camp Director.  Do not call the school directly; they will not accept camp related calls.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

1.       FORMS: Campers need to return the MusicMakers! Registration Form, the City of Coral Springs Release Form, the MusicMakers! Recording Permission Form, & the MusicMakers! Parent Pickup Designee Form (if another person will be picking up your child) BY THE FIRST DAY OF CAMP. These are available online at www.musicmakerscamp.com.

2.       RECORDERS and INSTRUMENT USE: Soprano Yamaha recorder outfits ($16 cash only, for older 2 age groups; comes with case, study book, cleaning rod, and free name engraving) and Suzuki Precorder Outfits ($8, for younger 2 age groups; comes with case, necklace, study book, and free name engraving) will be available for sale at orientation. Once purchased, these are yours to keep. Sterile loaner recorders will be available for day 1 of camp if you elect not to purchase your own take-home instrument. Due to insurance regulations, camp instruments such as violins and keyboards may not be taken home for practice purposes.

3.       AUDITIONS FOR VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL SOLOS/ ASSIGNMENT OF SPECIAL PARTS: Children are encouraged to audition for singing solos, narrator parts, acting spots, and instrumental solos. Every child will be given a special role of their choosing in the Act 2 finale production. Due to time constraints and in order to allow the greatest number of children to shine, children may perform only one keyboard solo per session, at either the recital or finale concert, as assigned by the Keyboard Instructor. Children may audition for spotlight solos or prelude entertainment also; however, selected acts must be of exceptional quality. 

4.       COSTUMES: Campers need to acquire costumes for MusicMakers!  concerts by the date listed in the session calendar.  Campers will have a costume check day to be sure they have the necessary items.

5.       CLOSED JULY 4:  Schools & MusicMakers!  will be closed on July 4 in observation of Independence Day.  Camp will reopen on July 5th at 8:15am. See Calendar for a complete schedule of camp hours.

6.       NO GUM/TOYS/VALUABLES:  PLEASE- do not send your child to camp with listed items or excess money.

7.       VOLUNTEERS WELCOME: Adult & high school age volunteers are welcome; please email or see Miss Nicole if you would like to help. Service hours can be earned.

8.       Please remember the City of Coral Springs has a NO REFUND policy.

9.       We hope you & your camper enjoy a safe & happy summer!

OUR INSTRUCTORS

Paid Staff to student ratio is 1:15 or better. If you factor in our musically talented high school volunteers, our ratio is 1:5. All instructors are music educators with over 60 combined years experience in the public school field. You may read about our instructors' credentials by visiting us online at www.musicmakerscamp.com/aboutinstructors.htm.

•  “Miss Nicole” Greggs, NBCT- Camp Director; Singing, Percussion, Movement, & Recorder

•  Adelin Alexanian- String Orchestra, Movement, Games & Theory

• Donice Rufus- Recorder, Woodwinds, & Musical Games

• Mark Henschel, NBCT- Keyboard, Movement & Theory

TUITION, REGISTRATION FEE, & SCHOLARSHIPS

*Fee covers supplies, awards, snacks, & 1 t-shirt per child per summer.

A child paying registration and pizza for both Fridays in 1 session would turn in $26 cash in one labeled envelope.
A child paying registration for 2 sessions and pizza for 4 Fridays would turn in $52 cash in one labeled envelope.
Recorders and study books are additional; see Fee Form for complete details.

A limited number of scholarships  are available for those in financial need; application deadline April 15. Visit www.musicmakerscamp.com to download the application.

2008 CALENDAR, THEMES, & HOURS:

Camp Hours:  Mon. - Fri. from 8:30am-2:30am; supervision available from 8:15am-2:45pm.

Two Sessions at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School:

 *Spirit days are not mandatory; they are just for fun! Some campers or parents may feel uncomfortable or not have time for dressing according to theme; it is perfectly okay not to participate if you so choose. But for those who enjoy the surprise and creativity that accompany participation, we hope you'll have a great time!

2008 "Tutti Time" Schedule