Ross Creek Camp Policies

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) here

We know it can be dull to read about things you think you’ll never need to know, but we do ask that you read these ones! It helps us to make sure we’re on the same page for the best possible, and safest, experience for your camper during their time with Ross Creek, especially in a time where people have been so worried about the health of the people they love.  

CAMP TIMES
Day Programs run from 9 – 5, and we ask that campers are dropped off and picked up no more than 10 minutes on either side of those times, to ensure a smooth camp. We are thrilled to welcome parents to come in to sign your kids in and out for day camps and to visit the galleries on Sunday afternoons when you drop off your overnight camper. 

CAMP PHILOSOPHY
At Ross Creek we believe in respectful freedom – in the arts everyone needs to be able to express themselves creatively – and we encourage independence and innovation while ensuring all campers, staff and parents respect each other’s work and needs. Camp staff encourages campers to explore their creativity in a safe atmosphere of fun and respect.

EMERGENCY CONTACT
Our goal at RCCA is to provide a safe, wholesome, exciting camp experience for your camper. However, we need to plan for the unexpected. For your camper’s safety, please provide us with the name and telephone number of an emergency contact person who will be available during camp hours aside from you, and let us know what that person’s relationship is to your camper. Please update contact information as required. If you need to reach the camp in an emergency, call the main office at 902-582-3842.

CAMP REGISTRATION
All registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.  Register online or you can also call us at 902.582.3842 or email us. Ross Creek will hold bursary spots for successful Campers for seven days after they are notified. If the Camper has not responded in that time, the spot will be released to a Camper on a waiting list for a bursary. 

CANCELLATION POLICY
Programs may be cancelled at the discretion of the RCCA due to minimum participation requirements or unforeseen circumstances, and in the case of a wider public health emergency which mandates closure.

REFUND POLICY
Generally: Cancelled bookings up to 30 days before the camp will receive a refund less $10 administration fee for day camps/programs and $50 administration fee for full week camps. No refund will be given otherwise except in cases of severe family illness or death with a doctor’s note. No refunds are given if a child is asked to leave camp for disruptive behaviour. No refunds are provided if a camper is removed from the camp program without the written recommendation of a health care provider. In the case of a camper who cannot attend but who fall within the 30 days before camp we are pleased to offer a credit toward a different program. If a family decides to take that offer, it is good for any program within 18 months of the initial registration for which the child is eligible.

COVID-related refund policy:

In the case of any child or family member testing positive or who has been exposed to the Coronavirus by a close contact (a parent or sibling living in the same house ), we require that they immediately stay home until they are cleared to return to camp, with refunds or credits prorated. In other words, if a camper has participated for 2 days of five and falls ill, we will credit  or refund the three remaining days and any other days within the 7 day isolation requirement.

In the event that a program is cancelled by the RCCA for any reason other than public health directive (force majeure), a full refund of all fees paid will be issued. 

If we are mandated to close due to a wider public health emergency (force majeure), we are asking for your patience and your consideration  as a non profit charity.

​As such, we would ask for parents to consider keeping any lost program fees as a full credit for any programs at the centre and/or Two Planks and a Passion Theatre for any member of your family in the next 12 months, or to turn the fees into a charitable donation for which we will issue a receipt. 

CELL PHONES
Camp is more than an activity vacation for your child. It is a chance for them to develop new friendships, new confidence and new independence, all in the context of nature and a highly interactive and stimulating arts program. Cell phones and social networking sites interfere with the benefits your child should be getting from camp. Please do not send a cell phone or internet accessing device with your child.

If they do arrive with one, we will put the sim card in our safe at check in and keep it for them for the duration of camp. The camp staff will call you if there is ever a need to do so with any serious situation relating to your child’s health or well being. Parents are also urged NOT to call their campers with non-emergency topics during the camp week. For emergencies, call the camp at the landline numbers listed above. Your understanding and cooperation is appreciated.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
RCCA reserves the right to use photographic and video material of the camps, campers, and their artwork for any promotional materials. Please inform the Program or Camp Director in writing if you do not wish to have your child’s image used in any RCCA materials. Please note: In order to facilitate end of week sharing and family engagement,  all campers will be in photos and videos so we can share their work with their families in a creative and exciting way.

CAMPER SAFETY
Every precaution is taken to ensure camper safety, but in the event of sickness/ accidents, RCCA cannot assume liability. By submitting the registration for camp, parents are agreeing to the following waiver:

1. You release Ross Creek, its staff, volunteers, and the CoastArts Association of and from all manner of actions, claim and demands of whatever nature which result from any loss, illness, injury or expense sustained, arising out of or in any way connected with participation in any program or attendance at a location operated by the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts.
2. Further, In the event your child is injured, ill or in need of medical attention and you are unable to be contacted, you authorize Ross Creek staff to seek medical attention on your behalf.
3. You agree to adhere to our COVID-19 policies, and agree that You will inform our staff if there are any potential transmission risks for your camper or family, and that you will adhere to all directives of Ross Creek in regard to self-isolation or removal from camp in case of potential risks;
4. You and your child agree to our code of conduct
5. You agree that your family will adhere to our camp policies as outlined here.  

PEANUT POLICY & ALLERGIES:
We have a no-peanut policy. We cannot guarantee there will be no risk of exposure, but we ask all parents to avoid peanut products in food sent for children. We do not use any peanuts in our food preparation.
IMPORTANT: We are pleased to cater to food allergies. Please list all food allergies and dietary restrictions on the health section of your registration.

HEALTH & WELL-BEING
The RCCA Collects Health information to ensure the safety and best interest of camp participants. All information is strictly confidential. Because we are concerned for the health and welfare of all of our campers, it is essential that parents advise the Camp Director of any existing or potential medical conditions, physical or emotional, concerning their child. RCCA camp staff can administer prescription to children only with the following signed authorization:
1. Written authorization with the dosage and times any drug is to be given.
2. Authorization must be signed by the parent/guardian.
3. Medication must be in its original container, clearly labeled with the child’s name, the name of the drug, the dosage, the date of purchase and instructions for storage and administration
4. Epipens must remain with the child at ALL times
5. Camp staff may NOT administer needles (except epipens in an emergency situation).
6. Please see here to read our immunization policy.
7. Please see here to read our approach to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
8. Camp families are asked to provide us with explicit approval for any over the counter medications (Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, etc.) on the registration form, which would only be administered with approval by our first aid trained staff.

CODE OF CONDUCT
In order to maintain a fun and exciting atmosphere with respectful freedom for both campers and staff, the RCCA has the following code of conduct:

1. Campers, staff and parents should behave respectfully toward each other at all times. Verbal or physical bullying may result in immediate dismissal, with no refund. If a camper is known to bully other kids outside of camp, they may not be accepted into the program.
2. All overnight campers are to be in their assigned area at curfew and to comply with the quiet hours, lights out, and other rules of the camp.
3. Items which are unsafe, intrusive, in poor taste, or otherwise objectionable are not to be brought to camp. Knives, electronic equipment, noise makers, and certain printed matter are examples.
4. The possession and use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco (including e-cigarettes and vapes) and/or drugs (other than required and disclosed medications) during camp sessions is prohibited and campers found with them or using them may be sent home, without refund.
5. Everyone is expected to participate in all planned activities as defined by the camp schedule and to be in appropriate and respectful dress.
6. Tampering with fire extinguishing equipment or other emergency equipment is prohibited.
7. ​Obscene, discriminatory language and/or rudeness are not acceptable.
8. All campers must adhere to our Covid-19 procedures for camp, and if we are unable to work with a child to ensure safety, that child will be asked to leave for the remainder of the session, and potentially for the season.  

Ross Creek Centre for the Arts (RCCA) reserves the right to expel at any time campers deemed to be behaving in a way that threatens the safety or well-being of themselves or others, or who place at risk the property of Ross Creek Centre or campers.
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Parents will be advised, both verbally and in writing, by the Camp Director if their child has behavioural problems while at camp. Such problems might include actions or words that disrupt camp activities, such as bullying other campers or disregard for the rules that govern the camp day. Refunds will NOT be given for the rest of the session or for subsequent sessions and charges may be made for damaged property. Ross Creek Centre reserves the right to suspend campers from activities where their behaviour is deemed unacceptable.

In registering for camp, the Camper and Parent / Guardian agree that they have read or heard, understood and agree to be bound by the camp philosophy, policies and code of conduct of the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts.  
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The Ross Creek Centre for the Arts is an accredited camp, belonging to the Camping Association of Nova Scotia and PEI.