Camp DASH Frequently Asked Questions

A: Camp DASH provides different options for working families to best suit their needs:

• “REG” = Regular Care: 8:45am– 3:15pm
• “EXT” = Extended Care:7:30am-5:30pm                             
• “SA REG” = Summer Academy Regular Care: 12:00pm to 3:15pm 
• “SA EXT” Summer Academy Extended Care: 12:00pm to 5:30pm 

 Please be aware that the Summer Academy options are exclusively available for Waterford Public School students who are enrolled in their Summer Academy program. We maintain close collaboration with the Summer Academy coordinator to ensure enrollment verification. If a Camp DASH camper is not enrolled in Summer Academy but is registered under the Summer Academy options, additional fees will be charged.

A: At Camp DASH, the safety and security of our campers are our top priority. To ensure that all campers are properly accounted for, we require that each camper is signed in by an adult each morning and turned over to our Camp DASH staff. Please note that we do not assume any responsibility for campers who arrive before the start of the camp day.

During pick-up, all campers must be signed out by individuals authorized in the Registration / Participant Agreement. To ensure the safety of our campers, we require that all authorized individuals present a photo ID and know their Family Safe Word. Please be advised that children will only be released to authorized individuals. Anyone under the age of 18 will not be permitted to sign out a camper.

Additionally, please note that no camper will be allowed to leave by themselves, regardless of written permission. We take the safety of our campers seriously and appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that each camper is properly signed in and signed out each day.

 A: Yes, we take great pride in our collaboration with Waterford Public Schools and our valued partners at First Student. Together, we have closely collaborated to develop policies and protocols that ensure smooth transportation services from the Summer Academy at Clark Lane to our camp locations at Oswegatchie Elementary and Quaker Hill Elementary. Beginning on July 7th, when Summer Academy begins, a Camp DASH site director will be present at Clark Lane Middle School, working in coordination with the Summer Academy staff to ensure that all Camp DASH campers board the appropriate buses. Campers will be met at their camp sites by our front desk clerk, checked in and brought to their camp groups. Please note that there will be no morning before care or transportation provided from our camp sites to Clark Lane for Summer School.

A: Camp DASH organizes its groups based on the grade your child is entering. Here's a breakdown of our structured groups:

Happy Trails:This group is designed for campers who will be entering a preschool or kindergarten program. We create a nurturing and age-appropriate environment where our youngest campers can have a fantastic camp experience. Please note: All Happy Trails campers must be potty-trained before coming to camp.

Trail Blazers:
Our new Trail Blazers group is specially designed for campers entering 1st or 2nd grade. This group bridges the gap between early childhood and elementary experiences, offering a balance of structured activities and exploratory play to foster curiosity, confidence, and social development.

Base Camp:
Campers entering 3rd grade are grouped in Base Camp. This group provides a fun and engaging program tailored to the interests and abilities of these growing elementary school students, with more opportunities for independence and collaboration.

Summit Camp:
For campers entering 4th or 5th grade, we offer the Summit Camp group. Here, we provide age-appropriate activities and challenges that encourage personal growth, teamwork, and exploration.

DASH Academy:
Our DASH Academy group is designed for campers entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. We offer a dynamic program that fosters independence, leadership skills, and personal development. DASH Academy is structured differently than our younger groups, with more advanced activities and increased responsibility.

Find out more information on DASH Academy here.

• Hybrids: Hybrids are DASH Academy students that have demonstrated they are ready for the next step at Camp DASH. Part camper, part volunteer, Hybrids shadow our staff and learn the ropes so next summer they are ready to become a full fledge volunteer and in the future, a paid staff member. ul>

A: Yes, we have a designated "quiet time" scheduled for 45 minutes after lunch at Camp DASH. During this time, our staff sets up comfortable cots, and campers are encouraged to take a nap or simply relax. It's an opportunity for campers to recharge and rejuvenate for the rest of the day's activities.

For those campers who choose not to nap, we have a separate area in our Happy Trails room. This area is specifically designated for quiet activities, allowing campers to engage in peaceful and calm pursuits. It provides a serene space where campers can read, draw, or participate in other quiet activities of their choice.

A: Yes. We require all of our younger campers to be potty trained and ready for camp. 

A: Drop-off and Welcome: You'll bring your child to the camp location in the morning, where our friendly staff will greet you and your child with a warm welcome. They will assist with the check-in process and answer any questions you may have.

Morning Activities: Once your child has been signed in they will be brought with their things to their home base classroom. From there, we head to the gym where we have our morning meeting. During the Morning Meeting, campers receive important announcements about the day's schedule, highlighting the activities, workshops, and special events that await them. Counselors share valuable information, ensuring everyone is aware of safety guidelines, any changes in routine and key instructions for the day's adventures. After morning meeting we then move on to our morning activities. 
  
  Each week has a theme and our games and activities correspond to this theme. These activities are designed to keep your child active, entertained, and learning new skills. They might include team sports, creative arts and crafts, science experiments, music and dance, outdoor games, and more. Our experienced counselors and instructors will lead and supervise the activities, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.

Snack and Break Time: Mid-morning, there will be a designated break for your child to enjoy a healthy snack and take a breather. It's an opportunity for them to recharge and socialize with fellow campers. Campers are encouraged to bring their own snacks, but we can also provide them if necessary. 

Continued Activities: After the break, the day continues with a fresh set of activities and adventures. Depending on the camp's offerings, your child might have the chance to explore nature, drama or theater activities, try out different sports, develop their artistic talents, or participate in recreational games.

Lunch and Free Time: Around midday, it is time for a well-deserved lunch break. We do not provide lunch at Camp DASH. After lunch, there is often a period of free time where campers can choose from various supervised activities, such as board games, reading, or socializing with friends.

Afternoon Activities and Special Events: In the afternoon, the campers will have the opportunity to dive into more exciting activities and events we call “Specials”. These may include guest speakers, themed days, talent shows, water-based activities, field trips, or other unique experiences. The specific events and activities will vary based on the camp's schedule and themes.

Pick-up and Departure: Towards the end of the day, you'll return to the camp to pick up your child. Our staff will be available to provide feedback on your child's day, share highlights, and answer any questions you may have. You'll take your child home, where they can share stories and memories of their day at Camp DASH.

A: While we encourage all campers to join in our planned activities to get the most out of their Camp DASH experience, participation is always up to the individual child. We offer a wide variety of activities to appeal to different interests and personalities, and we respect each camper’s comfort level and preferences. If your child ever feels unsure or unhappy about any part of the camp experience, please don’t hesitate to reach out—our team is happy to work with you to find alternative options that better suit their interests.

A: Specials at our camp are exciting events and activities that take place every afternoon, led by our camp leadership. They are designed to add a touch of magic to our campers' experience. While many of these activities align with the weekly theme, we also organize "just because" events that surprise and delight the children. 

For example, we have the Waterford Fire Department coming to Camp, where campers have the opportunity to learn about fire safety and explore the fire trucks. It's an interactive and educational experience that our campers truly enjoy. Additionally, we sometimes have the pleasure of hosting Robin's Ice Cream Truck, treating everyone to delicious ice cream flavors. It's a delightful surprise that brings smiles to the faces of our campers. 

In addition to these special events, we make sure to have dance parties with a DJ every week, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere where campers can showcase their moves and have a blast. Furthermore, we organize trips to Waterford Beach, giving our campers the chance to have fun in the sun, build sandcastles, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. At our camp, we believe in providing a diverse range of activities and events that keep the children engaged, entertained, and excited throughout their time with us.

A: Yes but we only offer lunch only on Wednesdays for our “Wednesday Pizza Yays” Pizza Parties. If you happen to forget to pack a lunch for your child, we've got you covered at Camp DASH. In such cases, we will provide your child with a delicious Kraft Macaroni and Cheese cup. We understand that sometimes things slip our minds, so for the first two instances, this service will be offered to you free of charge as a courtesy. However, to ensure the availability of this option and encourage preparedness, starting from the third instance, a nominal fee of $5 will be charged for each forgotten lunch. 

A: Yes. We provide your child with Coppertone kids SPF 50 sunscreen. We have staff that is trained to apply our sunscreen, you are also permitted to send your child with their own sunscreen. We encourage all parents to apply sunscreen before the start of camp. 

A: On Thursdays, Oswegatchie Campers will have the exciting opportunity to visit Waterford Beach, while Quaker Hill Campers will have their beach day on Fridays. It's a fantastic chance for campers to enjoy the sand, surf, and sunshine. However, please note that the beach outing may be subject to cancellation at any time due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. The safety and well-being of our campers is of utmost importance, and we will always prioritize their welfare in making any necessary adjustments to the schedule. 

New this season, our Summer Enrichment at Camp DASH is a series of specialized, week-long programs designed to spark creativity, imagination, and hands-on learning. These programs are camps within a camp—offering focused activities like Dungeons & Dragons adventures, LEGO STEAM challenges, and more—while still being part of the fun and community of the overall DASH experience. Enrichment Camps are perfect for kids who want to dive deeper into a particular interest area while enjoying the spirit of summer camp! Click Here to visit the Summer Enrichment Page for more information. 

A:  New This Summer: Dungeons & Dragons Enrichment Weeks! Based on the overwhelming popularity of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) at Camp DASH, we're thrilled to introduce an entirely new camp experience built just for our most adventurous role-players! This summer, join us for Dungeons & Dragons and DASH, a hands-on, immersive week-long camp that brings D&D to life like never before. Campers will explore epic stories, craft custom resin dice, build dice towers, paint miniatures, design foam LARP weapons, and more — all while adventuring through the all-new 2024 Player’s Handbook and Bastion System! We’ve got two incredible sessions: 

• D&D and DASH 1 (Grades 4–6): July 14–18
• D&D and DASH 2 (Grades 7–12): July 28–August 1

Both run from 9:00am to 3:00pm at our Quaker Hill camp site. Cost: $215 per week. 

For more details and to register, visit us here on our Summer Enrichment Page.

A: We prioritize the well-being of every camper at Camp DASH, especially when it comes to their medication needs. To ensure their safety, we have a dedicated staff members on-site who is certified in Med-Admin, ready to administer your child's medication as prescribed. It's our responsibility to closely follow the proper protocols and guidelines. Please note that self-administration of medication is only permitted if we have written approval from your child's primary care provider. We understand the importance of fostering independence, but the utmost care and caution must be exercised when it comes to medication management.

During the registration process, kindly provide us with a detailed list of your child's daily medication requirements. Our team will reach out to you to discuss the necessary additional paperwork that will be needed to administer the aforementioned medication effectively.

 A: There will be a site director on site at all times that you can voice your concerns or questions to, feel free to ask for them at the front desk. They may direct you to the director of camps, the program coordinator or Human Service Administrator for further consultation. 

• Dani Gorman, Human Service Administrator: 860-984-8844
• Joseph Trelli, Program Coordinator: 860-449.2742
• Brandon Smith, Program Consultant: 860.449.3302 
• Melina Santangelo, Director of Camps: 860.300.6095 

A: DASH Academy is democratic summer program for middle schoolers that provides a unique framework that empowers participants to actively participate in planning, running, and deciding the goals and structure of the program. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and autonomy among the youth, enabling them to take on leadership roles and make decisions collectively.

 In this program, middle schoolers are encouraged to engage in open discussions, brainstorm ideas, and propose activities or projects that they find interesting and meaningful. They have the opportunity to express their opinions, voice their concerns, and contribute to shaping the overall direction of the program.

The program operates on democratic principles, allowing participants to vote on decisions that affect the program. This includes selecting activities, designing schedules, and establishing rules and guidelines. The goal is to create an inclusive and cooperative environment where every participant has a voice and their ideas are valued.

Our DASH Academy group directors play a supportive role in guiding the participants through the decision-making process and providing necessary resources and assistance. They foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and shared responsibility, emphasizing the importance of active listening, compromise, and consensus-building.

Through this democratic structure, middle schoolers gain valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving. They develop a sense of agency and learn to take ownership of their experiences and outcomes. This approach promotes self-confidence, independence, and a deeper understanding of the democratic process.

A: We are committed to developing the leadership potential of our DASH Academy students. Our Hybrid program is designed to give DASH Academy Campers an opportunity to take on the role of Volunteer-In-Training while still enjoying their camper experience.

The Hybrid program is exclusive to DASH Academy Campers who have demonstrated a high degree of responsibility, empathy, and maturity. These campers will split their time at Camp DASH between being a regular camper and participating in this program, where they will receive training and guidance from our volunteers and camp staff. Campers will learn leadership on how to become full-fledged volunteer with the goal of becoming a full fledge staff member at age 15

Through the Hybrid program, DASH Academy Campers will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and gain experience in working with younger campers. We are excited to offer this unique opportunity to our DASH Academy Campers and look forward to seeing them grow and thrive as leaders at Camp DASH. Eligible campers will only be given hybrid status at the executive director’s and/or program coordinator’s approval after conferring with camp leadership.