Refund Policy
https://schoolhouseofwonder.org/program-policies/
Updated October 20, 2021
Policies are subject to all applicable laws. This information supersedes information in Parent Handbooks from previous years and all previous versions of these policies.
Schoolhouse of Wonder continues to update our policies as public health guidance for NC day camps continues to evolve. We encourage parents to review current expectations from time to time to keep up with changes, especially with their camper(s) a day or two before their camp week starts.
Before completing your purchase, you must agree to be bound by our COVID-19 and Program Policies as listed here.
COVID-19 Policies
Safety remains our top priority and we will proactively guard the health, well-being, and safety of our campers, families, staff, and community. And, we need your help. We’re asking Schoolhouse Families to commit to the following actions so we’re all working as a team to keep each other healthy. By following these precautions together, we can decrease the chance of possible transmission.
Masks/Cloth Face Coverings
Staff and campers are required to wear masks when outdoors when not able to maintain proper physical distancing.
Staff and campers, regardless of vaccination status, are still required to wear a mask
when indoors (e.g. Mess Hall at Umstead, Photography Museum at West Point)
when in crowded outdoor settings
during outdoor activities that involve sustained close contact.
When campers and staff are required to wear masks:
They should use well-fitting cloth masks with two or more layers of tightly woven, breathable fabric or disposable masks.
They should be worn over the nose and mouth. Staff will ensure that their own face covering, and the face coverings of campers fit properly.
Staff will frequently remind campers not to touch the face covering and to wash or sanitize their hands.
Reminders that cloth face coverings should NOT be placed on:
Anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance;
Anyone who cannot tolerate a cloth face covering due to developmental, medical or behavioral health needs.
Each camper’s grownup(s) commits to:
Send two clean, functional, and properly-fitted face masks with your camper every day. Buffs, Neck Gaiters, and masks that have exhalation valves or vents are NOT allowed to be used.
Teach and model proper wearing of face coverings to your camper(s).
Teach proper handwashing and hand sanitizing techniques to your camper(s).
Promote awareness and help your camper(s) identify when hand washing or hand sanitation might be necessary (e.g. before and after eating, after using the restroom, after coughing or blowing nose).
Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If your camper has any symptoms of COVID-19, feels sick in any way, or has a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis within the past 10 days, please keep them home. Schoolhouse will credit you for that time. Campers exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis within the past 10 days, or who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 will not be allowed at Schoolhouse.
As children under the age of 12 are not yet able to be vaccinated, please carefully review CDC guidance on travel and follow all testing and self-quarantine guidance prior to returning to camp. If an unvaccinated individual has traveled outside of North Carolina in the 7 days prior to the start of camp, they will not be allowed to attend, even with a negative COVID test. Please keep this in mind when registering for camps, especially around the holidays.
Domestic Travel During COVID-19
Safer Travel Ideas
International Travel During COVID-19
Complete the Daily Health Screening for COVID-19 upon arrival at camp.
Immediately pick up your camper when alerted by staff that they show signs/symptoms of COVID-19 during the camp day.
Report any confirmed case of COVID-19 in your household to Schoolhouse immediately.
Each camper commits to:
Participate in the Daily Health Screening for COVID-19 upon arrival at camp.
Wear a proper-fitting and functional mask over your nose and mouth while at Schoolhouse whenever adequate physical distance is not possible. Wash or sanitize hands as needed (e.g. before and after eating, after using the restroom, after coughing or blowing nose).
Maintain physical distance from other campers and staff. Should we encounter park users our camp group will step to the side to maintain physical distance.
Please understand, if campers and their families are unable to abide by this safety protocol, they will not be allowed to attend our camps.
We ask you to send your child to camp ready to be outside in wet or chilly weather. We will make every effort to stay outdoors all day, but we may move to an indoor space in the event of dangerous or severely uncomfortable weather. If indoors, all staff and participants will be masked and will observe 3 foot physical distancing. In the event of inclement weather, you are welcome to contact staff to coordinate picking up your camper early.
Our inclement weather policy has not changed. In the case of severe weather (i.e. high winds, flooding, tornados, hurricanes) camp may be canceled either before or during a camp day.
If a camper is kept home as a result of our COVID screening questions, or due to a COVID diagnosis or symptoms, we will credit you for missed days.
If Schoolhouse cancels or discontinues programs for any reason, you will receive a 100% refund of your registration fees.
Program Policies
Waivers/Permissions
I permit my child to participate in all Schoolhouse of Wonder (“Schoolhouse”) activities.
Program Policies
Assumption of Risk and Indemnity: Schoolhouse conducts outdoor educational and recreation programs that may take place in public parks and unimproved areas with natural woods and water features. Schoolhouse provides age-appropriate safety instruction regarding outdoor skills, plants, wildlife, and supervised activities; however there are always risks inherent to participating in such activities. I understand that Schoolhouse activities have inherent risks, and I hereby assume all risks and hazards incident to my participation/my child’s participation in all Schoolhouse activities and recreation activities provided by third-party vendors. On behalf of myself and my child, I further waive, release, absolve, indemnify, and agree to hold harmless Schoolhouse of Wonder and its employees, supervisors, organizers, officers, directors, participants, volunteers, vendors, land use partners (including but not limited to City of Durham Parks and Recreation; Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces; North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation; Triangle Land Conservancy), as well as all persons or parents transporting participants to and from activities, from any legal claims, liabilities, damages and costs for any physical injury or damage to my personal property sustained during my use of Schoolhouse property and/or my participation/my child’s participation in any Schoolhouse activities.
Personal Items: I agree that my child will not bring electronics, hand-held games, sports or gaming equipment, toys, money, trading cards, or valuables to Schoolhouse programs. I understand that Schoolhouse is not responsible for any personal items lost, stolen, or damaged at its programs.
Food Sharing: Food sharing during camp (e.g. snack and lunch) is prohibited, even between siblings.
Payment Policies
For COVID-19 related cancelations, please see our COVID-19 policies.
We understand that it takes a lot of work for parents to figure out their full schedules. Unfortunately this has led to an unsustainable number of registrations that must be cancelled or transferred. When cancelations happen, we still incur the expenses of the camper attending, such as paying our staff. It is often too late to fill the vacant spot, since waitlisted families have frequently made other plans. We have updated our refund policy to reflect this reality and ask that you please register only if you are certain that you are available during that particular week.
Payment: Payment in full is due at time of registration. Your child is not considered fully registered until full payment is received.
Camp Registration Cancelations: Refunds will be issued in the event of registrations requests made in writing according to the following timeline:
Cancelations before November 15: a 75% refund is available.
Cancelations after November 15 but before December 10: a 50% refund is available.
Cancelations on or after December 10: no refund is available.
If Schoolhouse cancels or discontinues programs for any reason, you will receive a 100% refund of your registration fees.
Registration Changes or Transfers: Schoolhouse of Wonder offers these transfer options upon written request and in accordance with the following timelines:
More than 7 days prior to the first day of camp: A $40 administrative fee will be charged per child, per camp transfer. All changes are subject to availability.
Less than 7 days prior to the first day of camp: We are unable to make any changes or grant transfer requests.
Please note: If there is a difference in cost between your current registration and the camp you wish to transfer into, we will issue a dollar-for-dollar credit for the difference (if the new camp has a lower rate), or require payment of the balance in full (if the new camp has a higher rate) at the time of transfer.
Discounts: Most programs are eligible for a discount when you register for two or more programs for the same child or siblings in the same household in the same order. You will automatically receive a $50 sibling discount when two siblings are registered for full-week camps in the same order and/or a $15 discount off the cost of any additional program. It is possible to receive both of these discounts in the same order, but it is not possible to receive both of these discounts on the same camp. Please note that some programs are exempt from this offer.
Times, Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Program Times: Unless noted, camps begin at 9:00 AM. Depending on the camp season and the age of the camper, pick up time is either from 3:00 – 3:30 PM or 5:00 – 5:30 PM. For 5-7 year old camps, optional Aftercare can be purchased to extend supervised activities until 5:00 PM.
Drop-Off: Morning drop-off is scheduled from 8:15–9:00 AM for all camps. Campers must be signed in with Schoolhouse staff upon arrival.
Pick-Up: Unless noted, afternoon pick-up is scheduled for 3:00pm – 3:30 PM or 5:00–5:30 PM.
Late Charges: By continuing, you agree to pay Schoolhouse of Wonder a late pick-up charge of $5.00 for each 10 minutes after 3:30pm or 5:30pm respectively.
Early pick-up option: For 5-12 year old camps, 8-12 year old camps, 13-15 year old camps, and Discovery Days, an early pick-up option if available from 3:00–3:30 PM. During Drop-Off, please specify which, if any, days you wish to pick your child/children up at 3:00 PM. In order to maintain proper ratios and ensure the safety of the camp groups, Schoolhouse staff are not able to escort your child/children to the shelter for an early pick-up. If for any reason you need to pick up your child at a time outside of the designated pick up times, please call the field phone and a staff member will direct you to where you can meet them.
Please update your pick up permissions in your electronic record or send Schoolhouse an email if you expect your child to be picked up by someone other than the parent(s) listed on the registration form. Absent extenuating circumstances, Schoolhouse cannot accept permission by phone.
Medical Treatment Policies
Authorization for Emergency Medical Care: Should an accident or emergency occur that requires my child to receive medical care, I request and authorize Schoolhouse staff to administer first aid, contact my child’s physician or dentist, and/or call an ambulance to take my child to a physician, hospital for emergency treatment, or active EMS in the event it appears necessary and a parent or guardian cannot be contacted in a timely manner, as Schoolhouse staff deem appropriate under the circumstances. I give my permission for Schoolhouse to transmit and disclose my child’s medical information to the treating medical personnel. I hereby give to any physician, dentist, hospital, or other health care provider consent to perform any x-ray, examination, anesthetic, medical or surgical diagnosis or treatment, under the general or special supervision of the designated physician/dentist specified above or, if unavailable, any licensed physician or dentist. I agree that I will be financially responsible for the costs of such treatment and transportation.
Accident and Health Insurance: Participants are responsible for their own accident and health insurance when participating in Schoolhouse on-site or off-site programs.
Sunscreen and Insect Repellent: I agree to apply sunscreen and insect repellent (if preferred) prior to my child arriving at Schoolhouse and to send additional sunscreen (and insect repellent if preferred) to Schoolhouse with my child each day. I hereby give permission for Schoolhouse staff to supervise and assist my child to re-apply his or her own sunscreen (and insect repellent if preferred) before water time and/or as needed throughout the day. Campers may not apply sunscreen or insect repellent to each other or share products. Schoolhouse of Wonder provides sunscreen for emergency use only.
Medication: Campers are not allowed to deliver medications. Please register all medications, prescription and nonprescription, directly with a counselor during check in and initial the Medication Log. Schoolhouse employees may only administer medication to a camper with written authorization from you (a parent or guardian). We will only check in the exact number of doses the camper will receive during the week. Prescription medications must be in the original container bearing a pharmacy prescription label that displays:
Patient name,
Prescribing physician name,
Appropriate prescription numbers,
At least one dose of medication must be administered at home before any medication can be administered at camp, with the exception of live-saving emergency medications such as epi-pens.
Nonprescription medication must also be provided in the original container that includes directions for use. Medication will only be administered in accordance with the written directions.
Directions for use (dosage, frequency, route of administration),
Date filled,
Expiration date.
Behavior Management Policies
Safety: Our primary goal is to maintain a physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe environment for all participants. Our role in any behavior management situation is to promote the camper’s safety, comfort, and growth. We strive to prevent problematic behaviors, and we avoid punishment as it removes a growth opportunity. Being proactive and preventative, using proximity and positive messages, and being specific when we offer feedback are constant themes throughout staff training and are easily seen in our daily interactions with children. We also try to identify what may be driving the behaviors. Is the camper hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired?
Redirect Disrespect: Disrespectful behavior is often a precursor to unsafe behavior. In order to keep children safe, we strive to identify and redirect disrespectful behavior as it occurs.
Reroute: When redirection is unsuccessful or when instances of unsafe conduct occur, we follow these general steps which we call a “reroute”:
A. Reconnect with the camper – stop talking and listen, communicate calm, validate their feelings, reflect what we hear. We will reiterate or clarify expectations, making sure they understand, and let them know next steps.
B. The camper will be given a clear verbal warning.
C. Staff will remove the camper from the group to have a longer conversation and engage the camper with leading questions that get them to think about what’s going on. Tell me what happened? What do you think should happen now? Throughout, we will maintain connection with the camper (e.g. kneeling down rather than standing over them).
Call Parents: If the unacceptable behavior continues, or if the camper threatens the emotional or physical safety of anyone else, our staff will contact you (the parent/guardian) to build an agreed upon action plan.
Suspension and Expulsion: Any instance of direct physical, emotional, or sexual harm will result in the immediate removal of the camper from the group and a call home. Such instances could result in a camp suspension of one to five days (depending on severity) or expulsion from camp. No refund will be given in such cases.
Schoolhouse of Wonder reserves the right to modify, at any time, any of the policies described or privileges granted.