Prior to the beginning of each week of camp, two groups of campers will be formed according to age. Structured camp activity is scheduled 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. each day.

Registration opens Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

Registration is available online only.

• Internet Explorer does NOT work with our registration portal. Please use Chrome or Firefox.
• You must have an online account with us to register. If you do not have an account, we recommend setting up an account PRIOR to registration opening.
  • You can sign up for an account at any time. Learn how to set up an account and how to register here. If you have questions please call 319-335-9293 or stop by the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center or Field House Member Services desk. 
  • If you are familiar with our online registration process, click the "Register" button within the week of camp you wish to register for.

After you have registered:

• If you need to confirm your camp dates and information, you can do so by logging into your Recreational Services account here. 
  • Once logged in, click your username in the upper right-hand corner, and then select "profile".
  • Under "Programs," you should be able to see the camps you are registered for.
  • Click on the "Print" button, and a PDF will display all the details of your registration.
• If you did not sign up for After-Care during you initial registration and are not able to pick up your child by 4:15 p.m. for any days during the week, you should enroll in our After-Care program here. 
  • After-Care is available from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. each day and is an additional charge of $40/week ($24 for the week of July 1-3).
• If you are submitting camp registration fees for childcare credit for tax purposes, please contact Matt Schaefer to receive the proper documentation. 

We're excited that scholarship opportunities are available through E.B. Green and United Way. Thank you to these organizations for providing support to children to attend camp! If your child receives a scholarship, please register by calling Matt Schaefer at 319-467-0602.

• Families will receive a refund minus the cancellation fee of $80.00/camper/week if canceling four or more weeks prior to the start of the week of camp.
• Families will not receive a refund if cancelling less than four weeks prior to the start of the week or camp.
• For medical issues or emergencies that prevent attendance and occur with less than four weeks prior to the start of the week of camp, a refund may also be requested minus the cancellation fee of $80.00/camper/session.
  • Doctor’s notes or other verification may be requested in these instances.
  • If a camper is able and if there is time and room, an attempt will be made to switch the camper to a different week of camp.
• For all cancellations and refund requests, please complete the online refund request form.
  • Refunds will not be issued for no-shows.
  • The camp director reserves the right to dismiss any camper whose choices or conduct becomes detrimental to the program, other participants, or themselves. No refunds will be provided for dismissed campers.

Camps will always begin and end at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) (309 South Madison Street, Iowa City, IA – see below for directions). On occasion, there may be field trips around campus to allow for more outdoor play or other activities. Information for any nearby, off-campus field trips will be communicated with parents/guardians prior to each week’s camp and again upon drop-off for that day.

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the southeast entrance of the CRWC.

• Coming from W. Burlington Street, turn onto S. Madison Street.
• Continue along to the Recreation Center Parking Lot (corner of Court Street and South Madison Street).
• The southeast corner entrance is located across the street and adjacent to the parking lot (Picture 1 below).
• The entrance will be marked by signs and our staff (Picture 2 below).

Drop-off procedure

• Drop-off will take place from 7:30 – 8:45 a.m.
• Parents/guardians should park in the adjacent lot on the corner of South Madison and Court Street or utilize the temporary parking spots adjacent to the building to drop off each camper (parking is free for the first 30 minutes in the lot).
• Near the southeast entrance of the CRWC, parents/guardians will be met by a staff member who will direct them to the drop-off station just inside the entrance.
• Each parent/guardian will be asked to sign in each of their campers.

Pick-up procedure

• Pick-up may take place at any time but is preferred to be 3:45 – 4:15 p.m. 
• Parents/guardians should park in the adjacent lot on the corner of South Madison and Court Street to retrieve each camper (parking is free for the first 30 minutes).
• Once at the southeast entrance of the CRWC, signs will direct parents/guardians up the stairs to the MAC Gym. Parents/guardians will need to identify themselves to staff by showing a valid government issued photo ID. Our staff will confirm that the individual is on the authorized pick-up list. To add names to the authorized pick-up list, please inform the camp supervisor upon drop-off.

After-Care

After-Care will be offered for campers that are not able to be picked up by 4:15 p.m. each day. Care will be provided from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. and will be an add-on price of $40/week ($24 for the week of July 1-3).

In addition to court activities, swimming, and rock climbing at the CRWC, campers will walk to Hubbard Park on campus each day, weather permitting, to engage in outdoor activities.

Additionally, campers may occasionally walk to the Field House for activities such as pickleball or table tennis. Campers will move together as part of a group and always under the supervision of camp staff. Safety is a top priority when traveling to different spaces on campus.

• Active wear (tennis shoes, shorts, T-shirt)
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen (we expect to be outside for at least an hour each day)
• Swimsuit and Towel
  • NOTE: We plan to swim on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Be sure to bring a swimsuit and towel on those days.
• Lunch and Snack
  • Lunch Time will be scheduled at 12:00 p.m. each day. Snack times will be allotted each day around 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
  • NOTE: Campers will NOT be able to purchase foods from the Power Café, Street Hawk Food Truck, nor vending machines during camp. Each of those locations is not near where the camp eats lunch/snack. Additionally, the Power Café is “card only.” Campers will need to have their food stored in their backpacks/lunch boxes to be readily available at the time of lunch/snack.
• Backpack/bag (recommended that each bag be labeled with each camper’s name)

NOTE: Personal items such as cell phones or toys should not be in use during the camp. Campers should leave them in their backpacks.

Lunch and Snack

Each camper will need to provide his/her own lunch.

• All lunch boxes will be kept in bins. Items that need to stay cool must be kept cool in a lunch container. We will not have access to a refrigerator or microwave. 
• Utensils should be provided by each camper.
• It is encouraged that campers leave all cash or change at home as they should not be utilizing any nearby vending machines.

Staffing

Camp will operate at a staff to camper ratio of at most 13:1 for both groups. Typically, the ratio will be 10:1. Additionally, a Camp Supervisor will always be on duty to help coordinate activities and resolve any accidents/incidents. All camp staff have been selected based on previous experience with child care, education, and/or sports coaching, and all have passed a background check.

Safety and medication

Keeping each camper safe is our top priority. Parents/guardians will be immediately notified in case of serious accidents/incidents. For all accidents/incidents, the Camp Supervisor will document the situation to discuss with the parent/guardian upon pick-up.

Please note that our camp staff will not be allowed to administer medication to campers. Should a child require medication during camp, a note should be provided to the supervisor at drop-off. Campers will be responsible for keeping and taking their own medication with oversight from camp staff.

Occasionally, treats/candy may be given as awards for displaying camp values. To help ensure the safety of our campers, please remind us if your child has any food allergies during drop-off.

At the beginning of each week, our staff will review with the campers the Rules for Camp as seen below:

1. Listen
   • It is important to listen to your Camp Instructors to know when, where, and how to do things.
   • When you hear a WHISTLE, the entire group needs to immediately STOP what they are doing to listen for instructions.
   • When we are in the Pool or at the Climbing Wall, you need to pay especially close attention to the Lifeguards or Climbing Wall staff.

2. Participate
   • Camp is fun, so have fun! The purpose of this camp is to play a variety of sports/games each day and to have fun while doing it. 
   • It is okay if you become too tired to play or need a break. Those taking a break will need to sit aside near the group but will not be allowed to get up to play a different activity.

3. Water and Bathroom Breaks
   • Before and after each activity, you will be able to go to the restroom and take a water break. It is important to keep hydrated.
   • You should have brought your water bottle. Be sure to keep this around all day as we will not have cups available.

4. Keep Hands to Self
   • Be mindful of everyone’s personal space. Rough play, hitting, or tackling is NOT tolerated and those campers will be sent home.

5. Leave Phone and Personal Belongings in Backpack
   • Any phones, toys, colors/coloring books will be left in your backpack unless given permission from the camp staff.
   • If it’s an emergency and you need to call your parents, go to one of the Camp Instructors.

6. Lunch/Snack
   • Once you finish eating, you will need to do three things: 1) Throw away your garbage, 2) Put your lunchbox away, and 3) Give your chair to a Camp Instructor to put away. Then you can go play on Court 2 while we wait for everyone else to finish eating in the MAC.

7. Ask Camp Instructors for Help
   • If you ever need help or just want to talk with one of the Camp Instructors, we are here for you!

Three Strikes Rule

Should the expectations not be followed or if any camper is negatively impacting camp for others, we act on a “Three Strikes Rule." The first strike involves a staff member explaining the broken rule and why it is important for that rule to be followed. The second strike involves the Camp Director discussing the rule infraction with the camper. Should inappropriate behavior continue, the third strike is notification of the camper’s guardian(s). If this situation should occur, the Camp Director and guardians will work together to decide the next step. This step may be another chance or immediate dismissal from camp. Any further actions necessary after a third strike will also be discussed between the Camp Director and guardian(s). All strikes will be documented by our camp staff following each incident. Additionally, while the Three Strikes Rule is designed to educate and help campers, if certain actions are deemed severe enough, we reserve the right to remove any camper from camp without providing a warning. Should your camper be sent home, we will not refund any remaining fees for that week. All discipline actions will be presented in a positive manner and are aimed at helping the camp.

Hawkeye Award

At the end of each day, one standout camper from each group will be recognized with the "Hawkeye Award." Award winners will be voted on and selected by the Instructor staff. The staff will consider the qualities below when selecting the winners.

• Participation
  • We want you to participate and be active throughout the day.
• Effort
  • You do not have to be good at each activity, but we hope you at least try.
• Sportsmanship
  • Good sportsmanship means that you include others and are respectful. Treat others like you would like to be treated. This should occur before, during, and after activities.
• Helpfulness
  • To be able to do all the fun activities throughout the day, we need your help. This means each camper needs to listen for instructions, talk to staff members when problems arise, and help put away equipment after each activity.

Award winners will get to pick out their prize (usually candy/treats) at the end of each day. The good news for those that did not win, everything resets at the beginning of the next day and all campers will have a fresh slate (as it relates to the Hawkeye Award) to try to win next time.

On the first day of each week of camp, attendees will be sent home with a T-shirt!