Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions (Parent Handbook)

What is the registration fee?
The non-refundable registration fee is $45. The following discounts apply if your child is registered early:

  • Through March 31: $25
  • Between April 1 and May 31: $35
  • After May 31: $45

    What is the cost for summer camp?
    Tuition rates are $33/day for full weeks or $37/day for partial weeks. There is a 25% discount for siblings. There will be a $9 pool charge per week for those campers attending the pool on Wednesdays to cover transportation and admission to the pool. Field trips will carry additional charges and will be billed separately. Please see page 2 of the registration form for field trip charges.

    Can I change my child's camp schedule after I choose it?
    In an effort to be as flexible as possible for our families, we are able to accomodate any changes thoughout the summer months with a 2 week advance notice in writing via email. All changes must be sent via email to EDS-Office@comcast.net

    Can I add a day for my child at the last minute if he is not already scheduled for that day?
    If you need to add a day for your child at the last minute, you may call your summer camp location to check availability for a given day. If there is space available on a given day, your child may attend.

    When and how do I pay the tuition?
    The EDS Summer Day Camp is dependent on parental support for continued success and expansion. Therefore, it is very important that parents comply with the following procedures regarding tuition payment:

  • Tuition should be made payable to EDS and be mailed to EDS, 2589 Boyce Plaza Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241.
  • Tuition will be billed twice throughout the summer and mailed directly to the parent.
  • Tuition will be due in the beginning of June for the first half of camp and at the end of July for the second half.
  • All tuition checks postmarked after the due date listed on the billing statement will be charged a $10 late fee.
  • Each tuition payment is non-refundable and based on scheduled attendance regardless of the number of days the child attends camp.
  • Checks returned due to insufficient funds will carry a $20 charge.

    Are there any additional fees?
    If you choose to participate in additional special activities such as field trips, swimming, or the camp lunch program, additional fees will appear on your statement. Any additional charges not detailed on the registration form, will be detailed in the newsletter.

    On which days will summer camp operate?
  • Camp will operate daily, Monday through Friday, from June through August/September.
  • Camp will not operate on the legal holidays of July 4 and Labor Day.

    What are the summer camp's hours?
    Camp will operate from 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM.

    What if my child is going to be absent?
    If your child will be absent on a day when he or she is scheduled to attend camp, please call by 9:00 AM and let us know. This is particularly important on swim and field trip days.
    Summer Camp at Eisenhower Elementary School: 412-831-6359
    Summer Camp at South Fayette Elementary School: 724-693-9767

    What is the procedure for dropping off my child in the morning?
    Each parent or authorized guardian is responsible for delivering each child to a designated room and signing in each child at the time of drop off.

    What is the procedure for picking up my child in the afternoon?
    Each parent or authorized guardian is responsible for picking up each child and signing out each child at the time of pick up.

    What if I am going to be late to pick up my child?
    Parents must pick up their children no later than 6:00 PM. If the parent is unable to pick up the child by 6:00 PM, the parent should notify the individual designated for emergency pick up. Parents will be charged $10 for every 15 minutes beyond 6:00 PM. The child's emergency contact will be phoned at 6:30 PM if the parents have not contacted the program.

    Who may pick up my child?
    Only those individuals authorized on the child's enrollment form may pick up a child. If a parent would like someone other than those individuals listed on the enrollment form to pick up his/her child, the parent has two options:

  • The parent must send a signed note with the child or give the person who will be picking up the child a signed note, or
  • The parent must call the program earlier in the day, notify the program of the change and supply the child's password as listed on the enrollment form.

    Does my child need to bring anything from home?
    Children will need:

  • A packed lunch and a drink from home or to pre-register for the camp lunch program. Details on lunch options may be found on the registration form.
  • A bottle of sunscreen with your child's name in permanent marker.
  • Bathing suits, towels, and sunscreen on Wednesdays for swimming if your child is participating in the optional pool trips.
  • Water bottle with your child's name in permanent marker.
  • Yellow field trip T-shirts for all field trips. If your child has one form a previous camp year, he may wear it. Otherwise, field trip T-shirts will be distributed to each child who will be attending a field trip. A $7.50 field trip T-shirt charge will appear on your statement for your child's shirt. If your child does not have his field trip T-shirt on a field trip day, he will be given another shirt and an additional $7.50 T-shirt charge will appear on your statement.
  • Colored (red, green, or yellow, depending on swim ability) swim T-shirts for all Wednesday pool trips. If your child has a swim shirt of the proper color for his swim ability from a previous camp year, he may wear it. Otherwise, swim T-shirts will be distributed to each child who will be attending a swim trip. A $5 swim trip T-shirt charge will appear on your statement for your child's shirt. If your child does not have his swim trip T-shirt on a swim trip day, he will be given another shirt and an additional $5 T-shirt charge will appear on your statement.
  • Rubber-soled shoes for playing outside or in the gym.
  • Toys, games, books, etc. will be provided by the program. If these items are brought from home, the program cannot be responsible for their loss or damage.
  • Any additional special items from home or for field trips will be listed in the monthly newsletter.

    Do I need to send a lunch and drink with my child?
    Campers will need to bring a packed lunch and a drink from home or pre-register for the camp lunch program. There is a $4 charge per lunch for these lunches. Details on lunch options may be found on the registration form. (Please note that packed lunches from home cannot be refrigerated or heated while at camp, so please pack your child's lunch accordingly.)

    Will there be an afternoon snack?
    Camp will provide an afternoon snack and drink for the children before 4:30 PM.

    How will conflicts and disruptive behavior be handled?
    When conflicts develop between children, program staff will listen to the children, and help to resolve the conflict through effective communication.

    How will serious or continued conflicts be handled?
    Serious conflicts will be handled in the following incremental manner:

  • A child may not be allowed to participate in the particular activity where conflict exists for a designated period of time or the child may be asked to write an apology.
  • If the conflict continues, a conference with the child's parents will be scheduled to discuss options for solving the conflict.
  • If the conflict does not resolve, a contingency (behavior) contract will be designed with input from the parents, teachers and child on a daily basis.
  • If the conflict persists, the child will serve an on-site detention. Prior to the detention, the child's parents will be notified of the date and amount of time to be served in detention.
  • If the conflict still persists, parents may be asked to keep the child out of the program for a designated period of time.
  • If the conflict still exists and the staff considers it unresolvable and detrimental to the program or to other children, the parents will be directed to remove the child from the program.
  • Serious conflicts, as determined by the director, may be handled by immediately directing the parents to remove the child from the program.

    What is considered a serious conflict?
    Serious conflicts include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • A child presenting danger to others or self.
  • A child unable to conform to the program's rules of respecting other people and other people's property.
  • A child whose behavior is disruptive to the group and whose behavior demands an inappropriate amount of the staff's attention.

    Under what conditions may I not send my child to the program?
    Parents may not send a child to the program if:

  • The child has a strep throat which has not been treated by an antibiotic for a minimum of 24 hours
  • The child has any rash of acute onset associated with fever or symptoms of illness
  • The child has an oral temperature of 100 degrees or greater
  • The child has had persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea in the 12 hours prior to coming to the program
  • The child has impetigo that has not been treated by an antibiotic for a minimum of 24 hours.
  • If a child is diagnosed with a contagious disease, the child will require a statement from the doctor indicating that the disease is no longer communicable upon return to the program.

    Under what conditions will I be contacted and my child be sent home due to illness?
    Children who develop any of the following conditions while at the program will be sent home:

  • Oral temperature of 100 degrees or greater
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Uncontrollable or persistent cough
  • Appearance of acute illness or complaint of severe pain. A staff member will notify the parent of a child's illness. If a parent cannot be reached, the child's emergency contact will be notified to pick up the child. It is expected that the child will be picked up as soon as possible. Until the parent arrives the child will be excluded from activities with other children and will rest quietly under the supervision of a staff member.

    Can I send medication with my child?
    Prescription medication will be given to a child only if the medication is in the original bottle bearing the child's name, the doctor's name, a current date, and directions for administration. The parent must send a signed note with the child authorizing the staff to dispense the medication. Parents must sign in all medications on the medication log.

    Non-prescription medication will be given to a child only if accompanied by written instructions and written consent from the parent.

    How will an accident or medical emergency be handled if it occurs?
    If an accident or medical emergency occurs, the staff member in charge will:

  • Administer the necessary first aid immediately,
  • Call an ambulance if the child's injury requires emergency room treatment,
  • Call the parent or emergency contact (if the parent cannot be reached),
  • Stay with the child at the hospital until the parent or emergency contact arrives.

    Do I need to fill out any forms?
    Each parent must fill out the emergency contact/registration form in its entirety, keeping the original for your records and returning a copy to EDS. The child's physician must fill out the medical form in its entirety and sign it. All forms, with the exception of the health form, must be returned prior to the child's first day in the program. The health form must be returned within one month from the child's first day in the program. These forms are required according to licensing regulations.

    Who has access to my child's records?
    Your child's records are confidential. The program will not share your child's records with anyone without written parental consent. Parents will have access to their child's records at any time and may request that additional relevant information be added to the records.

    What may cause my child's enrollment to be terminated?
    A child's participation in the program may be terminated if:

  • His/her health examination form is not returned within one month after entering the program.
  • His/her behavior is chronically disruptive or poses a danger to himself/herself, to others, or to the program.
  • He/she is picked up after the 6:00 PM closing of the program more than once a month.
  • His/her tuition is not paid.

    What is the procedure for withdrawing my child from camp?
    Parents must give two weeks notice for withdrawal for any reason. Tuition is non-refundable.

    Is there a school year program available for my child?
    Extended Day Services operates before and after school programs in the Upper St. Clair, Peters Township, and South Fayette school districts. All programs operate from 7:00 AM until the beginning of the school day and after school until 6:00 PM. All programs include gym, art, snacks, homework assistance, field trips, and much more. In Upper St. Clair and South Fayette, EDS also operates Kindergarten-Plus programs that provide kindergarten enrichment curriculums for half-day kindergarten children. For more information about the programs, please call Kelly Chaney at (412) 221-1980.