YWCA and City of Newburyport's PLAYGROUND PROGRAM

*** Please read the following information before you register.  Registration and health forms are available to print-out at the bottom of this page. Click on the link.

SCHEDULE CHANGES:   The Playground Program will begin on June 30th this summer and will run the normal 8-week period.  The Playground Program will not be held on July 4^th.  We hope that everyone enjoys the 4^th of July holiday.  Please note:  Days and times are subject to change while we wait for approval.

RAIN DAYS:   If it is raining by 8:00am, we will meet at the Nock Middle School gymnasium or cafeteria from 8:30am to 12:30pm.  If it is not raining by 8:00am, but the weather looks threatening, please send rain gear.  If it starts raining during the hours of the program and we are not at the Nock Middle School, you must pick up your child at the playground because we cannot provide transportation back to the YWCA.

WEDNESDAYS:  Wednesdays are theme days this summer at Woodman Park.  The following are the scheduled theme days for our 8-week program: Week 1= 4th of July Party; 2= Costume Day; 3= Wet N' Wild Day; 4= Inside Out Day; 5= Music Day; 6= Wet N' Wild II Day; 7= Hat Day; and 8= Kids Pick Day

SNACK:   Children are asked to bring their own snack and drink.  Water fountains are at Woodman Park, but not at Cashman Park.  Packing extra water is always a good thing! Glass containers are prohibited!!!  We will have snack break and quiet time each day. 

LOST AND FOUND:   The Director will keep items in their vehicle until Friday of each week. On Friday, all items will be delivered to the YWCA lost and found.  All items will be kept at the YWCA until August 16^th, after which all unclaimed items will be given to the Salvation Army.   Please label all belongings clearly.

FRIDAY SPECIAL EVENTS:   Beginning July 11, 2003, we will be holding age appropriate field trips every Friday.  These field trips will differ in meeting time and duration.  All information will be contained in the permission slips handed out each week.  Trips to be announced at a later date.

SAFETY:   Please send children in sneakers and comfortable clothing.  The Playground Program recommends that children not wear sandals or clogs as children will be involved in athletic activities.  It is also recommended that you provide sun-screen and bug spray for your child(ren) as needed.  We want to provide a safe and fun environment for everyone.  We will not allow children to come and go from the parks unless the director has written permission from their parent/guardian.  Children may sign in, but parents must sign the child out at the end of the program each day.  If your child will be walking, riding a bike, or going home with another person we need a note from a parent/guardian.  If a child(ren) leaves the program alone or goes home with another person without a note, the child(ren) involved will be given a warning and the parents will be notified.  If this occurs more than once, the child will be suspended from the program.

LATE CAMPER PICK UP POLICY:   If a camper is picked up 10 minutes after camp is over (12:30pm), according to the camp director’s watch, a payment of $10 will be paid before the camper can be signed out.  If the camper is picked up after the 10-minute leeway each additional minute will cost one dollar.  So if the child is picked up 17 minutes late, a payment of $17 dollars will be expected at the time of pick up from whoever picks up the child that day.  Checks are preferred, made payable to the YWCA of Newburyport.  If payment was unpaid at the time of check out, the name, address and phone number of the person signing the child out will be recorded and payment will be made at the next available time or a bill will be mailed to you.

PLAYGROUND RULES:   Your child will be asked to follow the Playground rules in order to ensure safety and fun throughout the summer.  The Newburyport Playground Program has a zero tolerance for violence policy which states that any violent action whether verbal or physical by a child will result in suspension or a suitable course of action will be determined by the director.

SIGN IN / SIGN OUT POLICY:   Children will sign in with the camp staff at the designated area of the playground.  There will be a different staff member signing in the children in every week.  However, sign in will always remain in the same area.  Medication should be collected, marked with the child’s name and time at which to take the medication.  The camp director will be responsible for all medication.

Counselors will be strategically placed in different sections of the playground to oversee the children.  Children will only be allowed in the areas where a counselor is present.

Children MUST have a parent/guardian sign him or her out before leaving the playground.  The camp director must approve a written note from a parent/guardian before a child is able to leave alone.  Verbal authorization is only allowed when you are speaking to the camp director or the site coordinator.

PROOF OF AGE:   All children in the playground program must be between the ages of 6 and 12 at the start of the program.  Registration requires that you bring in your child’s birth certificate to sign up at the pool desk ONLY.  You may not sign up at the playground.  You may obtain registration papers at the playground, but may not leave your child with us until you have completed registration at the YWCA pool desk.

ON THE WEB:   Come and visit the Playground Program website for all information and field trip permission slips at http://www.playgroundprogram.org.

CONTACT US:   If you have any questions or comments, feel free to call us at 978-465-YWCA or send us an email at directorplayground@lycos.com.

DAILY SCHEDULE (Monday – Thursday)

PLAYGROUND PROGRAM REGISTRATION AND HEALTH FORMS