Summer Camp FAQ

Register online at stcparks.org/camps or in person at PCC. Camp registration closes the Monday prior to upcoming week. All camps fill quickly, register early as space is limited. A waitlist will be available for STC Camp (Grades 1-4) only. There will not be a waitlist option available for Flex Camp (Kindergarten, Grades 1-4, and 5th Grade), check online frequently for availability; open spaces are first come, first serve.

All Camps at Pottawatomie Park

• Participate in all sorts of fun activities making summer a journey to remember
• Take weekly walking trips to Swanson Pool, River View Miniature Golf and nearby local businesses
• May opt to participate in Before and After Camp

STC Camp for children entering grades 1-4 is a 5-day only option. Camp meets from 8am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday each week. A waitlist will be accepted for STC Camp. These campers:

• Travel to places like Otter Cove on a school bus provided through a contracted service

Flex Camp is a flexible camp option for children entering grades K-5 where parents may choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 days of weekly camp participation. Campers in grades K-4 meet from 8:30am-3pm on the days you have chosen. Campers in grade 5 meet from 8am-3:30pm on the days you have chosen and will travel to Otter Cove and a local destination on a weekly basis. Register early as all camps fill quickly. There will not be a waitlist option available for Flex Camp, check online frequently for availability; open spaces are first come, first serve.

A $25 initial payment per child per week will be charged at time of registration. You may also pay the remaining balance in full, or schedule the balance to be charged to a credit card on file the Monday prior (1 week) to each week registered.

Once your child is registered, to add camp days or change the days your child attends all requests must be made in writing to registration@stcparks.org. Each change after May 1 will incur a $7 processing fee. Registration changes can only be made before the final payment is collected the Monday prior to the weekly camp session.

Since camp is held outdoors and always on the move, campers are required to wear a park district camp t-shirt every day to ensure the safety of each child. T-shirts are available for an additional fee of $8 at PCC beginning May 1. Sandals and flip flops are not permitted. Campers should bring a sack lunch, water bottle, sunscreen and bug repellent each day.

Each camp has a maximum number of campers. Once that maximum is reached, additional registrations are not available. A waitlist will be available for STC Camp (Grades 1-4) only. There will not be a waitlist option available for Flex Camp (Kindergarten, Grades 1-4, and 5th Grade), check online frequently for availability; open spaces are first come, first serve.

Before and After Camp is available for an additional fee. Extend your child’s day from 7am to 6pm. Spots fill up fast. Staff will do their best to accommodate all registration requests. Campers from both STC Camp and Flex Camp will join together for Before and After Camp. There is no Before or After Camp available for STC Camp held at Sportsplex.

STC Camp and Flex Camp meet in Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Avenue. Drop off and pick up are in the south parking lot. STC camp drop off begins at 7:55am, Flex camp drop off begins at 8:25am. A counselor will come to your car with a device so you can sign in your child for the day. Please do not let your child get out of the car until you have signed them in. If you choose not to use the curbside service, you may park your car and walk your child to the counselor to sign in area. Kindergarten Camp drop off is located at door 2 of PCC. Parents must escort their camper to sign them in.

If someone besides the designated parent or guardian will be picking up your child, they must be listed as an Authorized Pickup Person in ePACT. All guardians and authorized pick-up persons should have photos uploaded to ePACT for counselors to review at pickup.

In the event that the pickup person is late, your camper will be sent to After Camp. The After Camp fee will be charged for any campers sent to After Camp.

All camps will be held indoors in PCC.

Camp swim days will be listed in the weekly email. Please note any posted swim days are subject to change. Staff will do their best to communicate changes as quickly as possible.

You will designate each child as a “swimmer” or “non-swimmer” when completing your account in ePACT. Campers listed as “non-swimmers” will be given RED wristbands and lifejackets to wear when near the pool.

Campers listed as “swimmers” will be tested on their first day of pool attendance at Swanson Pool. Swim tests will not be conducted at Otter Cove. “Swimmers” will be required to show staff their ability to:

• Enter the water and go completely under the surface.
• Recover then float or tread for 1 minute with head remaining above water.
• Turn completely around and swim on their front for a minimum of 25 yards without stopping or touching the bottom.
• Exit the water by pulling themself up and over the side of the pool.

Those proving to be capable “swimmers” will be given a YELLOW wristband. Those unable to complete the task will be noted as “non-swimmers” by the District’s safety standards, and given a RED wristband.

Swim status will be logged and counselors are expected to be familiar with each camper’s swim skills.

“Non-swimmers” will have access to the Activity Pool (with a max depth of 3.5 ft) at both Swanson Pool and Otter Cove Aquatic Park.

Counselors are strategically situated in the pool and around the pool’s perimeter to monitor children’s activities. They are rotated through these assigned positions. Likewise, counselors supervise campers in the sand area and monitor their movement between the sand and pool areas.

Counselors maintain a 1:10 ratio with campers at all times. Campers will be assigned to small groups for their pool visits. Campers are required to exit the pool and meet with their group and counselor on dry land to check in at various times throughout their visit.

Sunscreen is reapplied after changing into swimsuits and before entering the pool area.

Weekly schedules for each camp are posted on Follow Your Interest, under Summer Camps.

Campers are expected to follow the Youth Participant Behavior Guidelines . If a behavior is not acceptable in a day camp setting, counselors will first try to redirect the camper to a different activity.

Keeping as much consistency between the transition from school to camp can be a key to a successful summer.

Please reach out to the appropriate Camp Coordinator at the time of registration to discuss your child’s needs.

The District is pleased to partner with Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA). This organization provides additional assistance to participants with qualifying medical, physical, psychological and/or emotional needs. If your camper has a special need or request for a reasonable accommodation, please indicate so upon registering. Failure to provide timely and appropriate notice of a special need and/or request for reasonable accommodate may result in a delay in registration or start date.

All participants will be expected to follow the Youth Participant Behavior Guidelines with or without the support of FVSRA.  

It is important that you complete the Emergency Information Forms through ePACT as they provide valuable information to counselors about your child’s health history and any specific needs your child may have. After registering, you will receive an eMail from ePACT, the District’s secure emergency network, to create an account and complete medical & emergency contact information.

No. For the safety of your child, please log in to your existing ePACT account to confirm correct and up-to-date information including allergies, medications, swimmer status, pictures of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons. For information on how to check or edit existing information on your account: click here

As part of the District’s Emergency Response Plan, it is critical all camper information is accurate and updated on an annual basis. ePACT will send an automatic reminder each year to ensure your child’s information is up-to-date. For information on how to check or edit existing information on your account: click here

Yes. Medication information and instructions need to be included in your child’s ePACT account. Any medications needed during the camp day should be dropped off with your child to their counselor in a clear, labeled, plastic bag that includes original dispensing instructions. Medications will be stored and administered by counselors at all times. Medications includes cough drops, vitamins, pain relievers and over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Prescription drugs, epi-pens and inhalers need to be given to counselors at drop off. All items must be in their original container with original label including patient’s name, physician’s name, pharmacy name, name of medication and complete dosage information. All medications will be stored by counselors until needed.

All staff have been trained in First Aid and CPR and will always put your child’s safety first should any injury occur during camp. Be sure to include all phone numbers where you can be reached during camp hours in case an emergency should arise.