YOUTH SUMMER CAMP POLICIES

 

Art Center Sarasota’s Summer Art Camps are for children who are highly interested in art and artmaking. We do not have organized outdoor activities or a playground facility. This is not a camp for children who want to run around all day. Children will spend most of the day working on a variety of projects and must be able to focus, follow directions and work with a schedule. 

This document supersedes and replaces all previous oral or written policies, correspondence or other communications between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof. – 1/06/24

REGISTRATION & FEES: 

  • Payment is due in full at the time of registration. There are no refunds for Summer camp programs. Art Center Sarasota understands that last minute emergencies, illnesses, or conflicts come up that cannot be controlled. Due to administrative and contract expenses on the part of the Art Center, we are not able to make exceptions. Art Center Sarasota reserves the right to cancel or modify any program or schedule. Modification of a program schedule by the art center does not constitute grounds for a refund.

    HEALTH & SAFETY:

  • Campers will be sent home from camp if he/she shows any signs of illness. Campers must be kept home if in the past 24 hours, he/she has experienced any of the following symptoms:  fever (>100.4 °F), cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea or dizziness. 

  • Visitors at the Art Center assume all risks associated with COVID-19 and its variants.

ENROLLMENT: 

  • Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If a program is full, you may request to be added to a wait list and will be notified if a space becomes available. 

  • Campers must be 6 years in age or older on the first day of camp to attend camp. It is highly suggested that they have completed the first grade. A copy of your child’s birth certificate may be requested.

  • Advise Linda Jager (Front Desk) or Holly Flaig (Youth Education Coordinator) of any special daily requirements, food allergies, medicines, or conditions (physical, developmental, or mental health concerns), behavioral issues, or dietary restrictions your child may have. Please do not just tell their teachers. We want everyone to be happy, safe, and healthy. For anaphylactic allergies an EpiPen must be left with the front desk. Staff on-site are trained in first-aid and emergency situations. We will call 911 if needed.

ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY:

  • Creative Kids campers (6-9) ARE NOT allowed to bring cellphones, tablets, or other electronic equipment. We ask that electronics stay at home so that they are not damaged, stolen, or a distraction in the classroom. Legos, trading cards and other toys from home can be brought but can only be used during free time.

  • Emerging Artist campers (10-14) ARE allowed to bring cellphones, tablets, or other electronic equipment but may only use them for research purposes and with the permission of the teacher. If they abuse this allowance the phone will be taken away for the day unless a camper needs the phone for an emergency. Art Center Sarasota is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen electronics. 

BEHAVIOR POLICY:

  • NO tolerance to violence and bullying in camp. Campers will be sent home with warnings and be sent home permanently if the behavior is not corrected on the third incident. Parents will be notified of all incidents. Please inform the staff if your child is being bullied ASAP so that it can be addressed. 

  • We have a three strike behavior policy. 

    • First Strike - Campers will be asked to stop the behavior immediately and a parent/guardian will be notified at the end of the day. If the incident involves more than one camper, campers may be asked to speak together with staff present or be separated from each other for the remainder of camp. 

    • Second Strike - Camper will have a sit down discussion with the Camp Director and review options on how to better the behavior. Parents/guardians will be notified at that time and made aware of the situation. When Parent/Guardian pickup their child that day they will be asked to sit down with the Camp Director and their child and discuss the behavior.

    • Third Strike - Camper will be removed from camp, and from the remainder of their camp week. Parent/guardian must come pick them up immediately. This does not warrant a refund. Should the camper be registered for future camps, parents/guardians have the option to withdraw their camper for a refund less a $50 processing fee per camp session. 

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO RELEASE:
Art Center Sarasota is a community art center. To reach as broad a part of the community as possible, Art Center Sarasota advertises its programs and activities in print and on social media. 

Art Center staff periodically take photos and videos of Camp and other youth activities for purposes of promotion. Sometimes the local tv stations or newspaper will feature the youth camps in their local broadcasts or in print. When we are given notice that events like these are going to occur parents will be informed. 

Please be advised that by entering the Center, you consent to the use of your child's image for these purposes, unless you notify us otherwise. 

SUMMER BEFORE AND AFTER CARE:
Before Care (8:30-9 am) and After Care (3-5 pm) is $15 per day or $50 per week. Children not picked up by 3:15 pm will be considered in After Care and you will be charged for it.

Please let the front desk know that your child(ren) will be attending Before Care and/or After Care before the first day of camp. Payment is due for After Care on the first day of camp. After Care and Before Care are supervised by our Teen Volunteers and does not have organized activities. We suggest that you send you child with an extra snack and something to keep them entertained such as a book or Legos. Campers will have access to paper, markers, and pencils to draw and board and card games we have in house.

All children MUST be picked up by 5 pm.

NEWSLETTER:
Parents or guardians of campers will be added to the Art Center Main Newsletter and Youth Newsletter that comes out twice a month via email. Education mailings happen three times a year and are mailed to campers from the previous year. Email addresses, phone numbers and mailing addresses are confidential information that is used for Art Center purposes only.

Week Overview:

  • Campers are expected to be in the classrooms by 9 am. If you are going to be late, call the Art Center at 941-365-2032. Campers are picked up at 3 pm at the Front Desk. They must be signed in and out by the responsible party. Please advise the front desk if your child is being pickup by someone other than their primary parent. Children will not be released to anyone but the adult(s) we have on record.

  • Creative Kids campers usually create four or more artistic “masterpieces” each day and Emerging Artist campers will usually create at least two. All artwork will be left in the classroom until Friday when friends and family are invited to “show and tell exhibitions.”

  • Campers need to bring a snack, lunch and plenty of water to drink (preferably in a refillable water bottle). Campers WILL NOT have use of the refrigerator or microwave. Please do not forget to send them with utensils to eat with.

  • Campers should dress in clothing they can get dirty as we will be painting, drawing, and more. Campers must wear closed toe shoes ONLY. No flip flops, sandals, etc. 

  • One t-shirt will be given to each camper for the summer. If you would like more they are available for purchase of $15. They come in youth and adult sizes (S-XL). Please ask at the desk and allow for a few days if the size is out of stock.

IMPORTANT: PROGRAM TITLES, INSTRUCTORS, FEES, DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE, ALWAYS CALL TO CONFIRM OR CHECK THE WEBSITE. THANK YOU.

Please sign up for e-newsletters for updates. Questions? Call Art Center Sarasota: 941-365-2032.