CAMP POLICIES, CODE OF CONDUCT, WAIVERS & AGREEMENTS
CAMP POLICIES
At Camp Tidnish we believe in inclusion, independence and the personal development of our campers. At the core of everything we do is the people we serve. We help campers have fun through the delivery of programs that foster inclusion and give a sense of belonging and community spirit.
Setting clear expectations and meeting them is very important to us. We want to ensure that all campers and families know what to expect during their time at Camp Tidnish and have a safe and fun experience. Below you will find our Camp Tidnish Policies. We encourage you to read and familiarize yourself with these policies prior to your arrival at Camp Tidnish.
CAMP PHILOSOPHY
At Camp Tidnish we believe in inclusion, independence, and the personal development of our campers. At the core of everything we do is the people we serve. We help campers have fun through the delivery of programs that foster inclusion and give a sense of belonging and community spirit.
CAMP REGISTRATION
Registrations are only considered complete once the registration, full fee and supplemental forms are completed and submitted. This includes waivers, medical reports, Nurse Standing Orders, and proof of two COVID vaccinations. The deadline is May 1st, 2024 - after this time spots will be lost.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Programs may be cancelled at the discretion of Camp Tidnish due to minimum participation requirements or unforeseen circumstances and in the case of a wider public health emergency which mandates closure.
REFUND POLICY
Deposits of $100 on registration fees are non-refundable. The balance of the remaining Camp Tidnish registration fees must be paid in full by May 1st, 2024. These fees offset the costs of staffing, food services, health care and other costs of the Camp Tidnish Camping Program. It is imperative that applications be completed thoroughly, as missing information seriously compromises our ability to meet the needs of campers.
Campers who are sent home by the Camp Director prior to the end of their camping session due to violent/aggressive/adverse behaviour; emotional distress such as severe homesickness or suicidal behaviours; or those who choose to end their camping session early themselves are not entitled to have any portion of their registration fees refunded.
Campers who become seriously ill or injured during their camping session and must leave the campsite prior to the end of their camping session will be entitled to a refund of prorated days missed. For example: If the camper misses four days of a seven-day session, 4/7th of the camp fees minus the deposit will be refunded back to the camper. The refund of prorated days missed may also be considered for campers who become ill just prior to their camping session and must delay their arrival until their health has returned.
Please Note: Other extenuating circumstances may be taken into consideration but may not necessarily qualify for a refund of prorated days missed.
COVID related refund policy: We ask that all Campers take a COVID test prior to arriving at Camp Tidnish. All Campers will complete a COVID rapid test upon arrival at Camp Tidnish. Campers testing positive for Covid will not be permitted to attend their Camp session until they receive a negative test result and all symptoms have cleared. If a camper is forced to miss a portion of their camp session due to COVID, the missed portion of fees will be prorated for a refund, minus the $100 deposit. If a Camper cannot attend their session due to COVID, a full refund, minus the $100 deposit will be issued. If Camp Tidnish is forced to close due to a COVID health directive from the Province of Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, all fees will be refunded including the $100 deposit.
CELL PHONES/INTERNET-READY DEVICES
Please leave these at home! Camp is more than an activity vacation for your camper. It is a chance for them to develop new friendships, confidence, and independence, all in the context of nature and a highly interactive and stimulating camp program. Cell phones, social networking sites and the internet interfere with the benefits your camper should be getting from camp. Please do not send a cell phone or internet-accessing device with your camper. The internet that is at camp is used for camp business and as we are in a place where internet services are limited, we operate at very slow speeds and bandwidth which makes video calls very difficult. If campers do arrive with one, we will ask that sim cards go home during check-in. Camp staff will call you if there is ever a need to do so with any serious situation relating to your campers’ health or well-being.
Parents/caregivers are also urged NOT to contact the camp with non-emergency topics during the camp week. For emergencies, call the camp at 506-538-2823. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
Camp Tidnish and the Easter Seals Nova Scotia reserve the right to use photographic and video material of the camp. Please inform the Camp Director in writing if you do not wish to have your camper’s image used in any Camp Tidnish/Easter Seals Nova Scotia materials. You can also select this on the online registration form when registering your camper. See Waivers & Agreements below for more information.
CAMPER HEALTH & SAFETY
Every precaution is taken to ensure camper health and safety. By submitting the registration for camp, parents/caregivers are agreeing to the following:
In the event your camper is injured, ill or in need of medical attention and you are unable to be contacted, you authorize Camp Tidnish staff to seek medical attention on your behalf.
You agree to adhere to our COVID Safe Plan and that:
You will inform our staff if there are any potential transmission risks for your camper or family.
You will adhere to all directives of Camp Tidnish regarding self-isolation or removal from camp in case of potential risks.
You will work with your camper to help them understand the importance of physical distancing and are prepared to assist us in helping them along with their experience so that they can have a great time.
You agree to collect your camper as soon as possible after being notified that your camper needs to leave camp.
You agree that your home will adhere to our camp policies.
WELL-BEING
Camp Tidnish 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 our campers, it is essential that parents advise the Camp Director of any existing or potential medical, physical or emotional conditions concerning their camper. The Camp Tidnish nurse can administer prescriptions to campers only with the following signed authorization:
M.A.R sheet/s with the dosage and times any drug is to be given.
Authorization must be signed by the parent/guardian in the Nurse Standing Orders.
Medication must be in its original container, clearly labelled with the camper’s name, the name of the drug, the dosage, the date of purchase and instructions for storage and administration
Epi-Pens (if used) must be brought to camp.
ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT CARE
Please note that our camper-to-counsellor ratio is low and that we are unable to deliver one-to-one staff support. Campers that require support for the following complex care or behavioural challenges cannot be accommodated: Aggressive behaviours (either towards themselves or others), consistent one-to-one support to manage aggressive behaviour, need to be turned often throughout the night (more than twice), does not sleep through the night, not able to sleep within the main cabin area with others, a flight risk/excessively wanders away or has complex medical needs/conditions that cannot be accommodated by our Health Care Team in a camp setting. Campers may bring a support person/caregiver with them, under an arrangement with the Camp Director. For more information see our FAQs here.
LOST & FOUND
Our lost and found policy has changed. Please label everything! If you find that items are missing when your camper arrives home from camp, please call/ email us right away and we will work to get these items back to you. Families/Caregivers now have two weeks from the end of their camper’s session at camp to claim/enquire about lost and found. After this time lost and found items will be donated to charity. Here is a handy link to help you mark/label clothing for campers.
CODE OF CONDUCT
In order to maintain a fun and exciting atmosphere for both campers and staff, Camp Tidnish has the following code of conduct:
Campers, staff, and parents/caregivers should always behave respectfully toward each other. Verbal or physical bullying may result in immediate dismissal, with no refund.
All 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.
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.
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.
Everyone is expected to participate in all planned activities as defined by the camp schedule and to be in an appropriate and respectful dress.
Tampering with fire extinguishing equipment or other emergency equipment is prohibited.
Obscene, discriminatory language and/or rudeness are not acceptable.
All campers must adhere to our COVID Safe Plan for camp, and if we are unable to work with a camper to ensure safety, that camper will be asked to leave for the remainder of the session, and potentially for the season.
Camp Tidnish reserves the right to expel campers deemed to be behaving in a way that threatens the safety or well-being of themselves or others, or who place a risk to the property of Camp Tidnish or campers at any time.
Parents/Caregivers will be advised, both verbally and in writing, by the Camp Director if the camper has behavioural problems while at camp. Such problems may include actions or words that disrupt camp activities such as bullying other campers or disregarding 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.
WAIVERS & AGREEMENTS
NURSE STANDING ORDERS
Select this link to see our Nurse Standing Orders
2. Consent Waiver & Authorization
Select this link to see our Privacy Statement
3. PHOTO Consent
Select this link to see our Photo Consent