FAQs

Why do the outdoor camps close at 5:30pm?: The Children’s Services department leases camp space in city and county parks. We are guests those parks and seek to be compatible and unobtrusive to all other park patrons. Evening park reservations begin at 6:00 pm, and JCPRD camps comply by closing at 5:30 pm, allowing other patrons to enjoy the value of area parks in the evenings.

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Outdoor Camps

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1. What do the camps do if they experience inclement weather?: Severe weather- including extreme heat, lightning, thunderstorms, tornado, and horizontal rain with strong winds- warrants changes in camp activities and location. In the event of severe weather campers will be transported by bus to indoor facilities. The location of each camp’s Inclement Weather Site is detailed at the parent orientation, and in communications from program staff. Morning Plan 7:00-9:00 am-In case of severe weather, the camps will transport children to the rain site at 9:00 A.M. The children will remain under the shelter or in the bus for their protection and safety until this time. Parents will need to drop their children off at their camp site. Directors will update and confirm time of departure and location of campers on the camp’s mobile phone. The bus will leave the camp site at 9:00 am sharp; parents will be instructed to call mobile phones for the camp location if dropping a camper off after 9:00 am.
Afternoon Plan - Camps will return by 4:00 PM on heat days for pick up. For severe weather (heavy lightening, thunderstorms, tornado, and horizontal rain with strong winds) the camp may stay at the rain site. All parents are instructed to call the camp’s mobile phone to confirm the location of campers. All directors will update mobile phones and program specialist with the schedule and location of camp.
Communicating Changes- Programs will communicate changes to the schedule, due to weather, through postings at the site, on the camp cell-phone message, and through Twitter. Parents may contact the program cell-phone, as well as follow outdoor camps on Twitter to find changes to the camp and weather plans. @JCPRDescapades @JCPRDxroads

2. Why can I not sign up for recurring payments, but instead have to pay for each week upfront?: Because flexibility is highly valued by many patrons, our outdoor camps are billed as nine distinct camp sessions. This allows patrons to select and pay for only the desired weeks of camp, rather than all nine or ten. However, in this payment structure, a recurring payment plan is not an option, as it would require patrons to commit to all nine available camp weeks. Because our camp enrollments fill quickly, patrons pay for all registered sessions in advance to ensure their spot is reserved for each purchased week.

3. How do I receive the 2nd Child discount?: Please email Registration with details of your camp enrollment, to receive the 2nd child discount refund.

4. Why do the outdoor camps close at 5:30pm?: The Children’s Services department leases camp space in city and county parks. We are guests those parks and seek to be compatible and unobtrusive to all other park patrons. Evening park reservations begin at 6:00 pm, and JCPRD camps comply by closing at 5:30 pm, allowing other patrons to enjoy the value of area parks in the evenings.

5. Is refrigeration available for camper lunches?: No. Due to the limitations of outdoor camp shelters, campers will not have access to refrigeration for lunches. Campers are instructed to bring their lunch daily in a reusable, insulated lunch bag. Please also use reusable containers to limit the amount of trash. Additionally, campers will not have access to microwaves to heat food.

6. How can I order additional camp shirts?: Participants must wear a camp T-Shirt EVERYDAY at camp. Registration fees include 2 camp T-Shirts. Additional shirts may be purchased for $5 each by contacting the Registration department at 913-831-3359. Camp shirts will be distributed to campers at their program site. Youth and Adult sizes available. Know your child’s shirt size prior to registration.

7. May my child walk home from camp?: No. Due to safety concerns, children attending the camp cannot be released to walk home unsupervised, regardless of proximity to their home.

8. What do they do at camp all day?: Staff engage the children with arts and crafts, STEM activities, cooking projects, board games, sports, and more. They will occasionally bring in a program or special entertainment that will be offered on-site with appropriate physical distancing guidelines in addition to the man fun activities throughout the day.