Philosophy
COR Camps program is all about the camper. Our program, facilities, and staff are focused on enriching the camper with fun and memorable recreational camping experiences.

Core Values
Our core values are honesty, caring, responsibility, and respect.

Mission
Our camp instills character and cultivates creativity through learning and physical activity, translating into FUN!

Inclusion Statement
Our program welcomes campers of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Though we do our best to provide services necessary for all campers, we are not able to provide constant one-on-one attention to those campers that need additional care, as this pulls us out of our required staff-to-camper ratios necessary for safety. Any campers requiring assistance with matters not directly related to camp activities and needing additional care (ex. toileting, feeding, etc.) must bring a chaperone/aide while attending camp.

*If you are planning to register a child with special needs, we ask that you inform the Camp Coordinator of your registration PRIOR to camp starting to provide any tips/strategies that we can implement and any triggers to avoid. We welcome all children to come experience camp and will work our hardest to make it successful as we possibly can for your child!

• Counselors must be at least 16 years old
• Directors must be at least 18 years old
• Pass background check and drug screening
• Attend Human Resources Induction 
• Complete a 4-day in-service training that involves: developmentally/age appropriate activities, child development, behavior management, professionalism, communication skills with children and families, team building activities, transportation safety and guidelines, pool safety, how to recognize and report child abuse, how to address bullying, and much more.
• Must be CPR/First-aid certified, or be able to obtain certification before start of camp

Staff members cannot fraternize with children outside of our day camp programs. "Friending" campers through various social media outlets (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) is highly discouraged.

Summer camp staff enjoy a job where they get to have fun! Just like campers, staff are able to play, craft, create, and make memories at camp. Former staff members always comment on all the friendships they made with their coworkers, the relationships they built with the campers, and the exciting field trips such as Six Flags, Ninja Nation, Adventure Landing, Nerfies, Rowlett Wet Zone, and more! While they are having a blast, they also learn skills that look great on resumes such as experience working with kids and with parents, customer service skills, leadership skills, public speaking skills by leading games and crafts for the kids, teamwork skills, patience, confidence, and more. All while earning a nice paycheck. Join our team and make this summer amazing!

If you are interested in a position, here are a few things you can expect:
- Counselors work around 35 hours per week. Directors work about 40 hours per week. Paychecks are paid every other week.
- Staff Training Week takes place the last week of May, and the last week of camp is the first week of August. Therefore, this position does not interfere with most school district calendars in the area. 
- We provide t-shirts for staff to wear at work.

Camp Counselors Job Duties: Leading campers through games/crafts, monitoring the kids for safety and good behavior, giving appropriate discipline when needed, helping the camp stay on schedule, leading the campers through field trips, monitoring campers while visiting city swimming pools, cleaning up the camp room at the end of each day, and more.

Camp Director Job Duties: Planning the daily activities for your assigned camp such as gym games, group activities, and arts & crafts. Communicating effectively with camp parents, solving issues/concerns, and keeping them updated with any changes. Communicating with bus drivers to stay on schedule with field trips. Supervising and scheduling a team of counselors. Leading all games, activities, crafts, and more.

Please visit www.cor.net/jobs to apply online! If you have any questions, please reach out to the Day Camp Coordinator, Payton Fowler at payton.fowler@cor.gov or call 972-744-7855.

STANDARDS OF CARE

The City of Richardson is not regulated by any licensing agency because it is a municipality.  We do, however, have to complete a number of requirements in order to have that licensing waived.  We try whenever possible to meet all the regulations that the state has set up.  Standards of Care provided below which explain all the rules and regulations.

One regulation is that we can only serve children ages 5 and older under this policy.  Absolutely no exceptions can or will be made to this policy.  If a child’s age is questionable, a birth certificate is required to verify the correct age.

GENERAL INFORMATION / ADMINISTRATION

Purpose: To provide basic childcare regulations for recreation activities operated by the Richardson Parks and Recreation Department. This will allow the department to qualify as exempt from requirements of the Texas Human Resources Code.

Implementation: Program will be the responsibility of the Parks & Recreation Department, with a Heights Recreation Coordinator supervising the overall program and Day Camp Directors and Leaders administering the program on-site.

Programs: Regulations apply to five (4) on-going programs:

• Kinder Camp for ages 5-6
• Elementary Camp for ages 7-11
• Playground Camp for ages 7-11
• Teen Camp for ages 12-15

Each site will make available for the public and staff a current copy of the Standards of Care. Parents of participants will be provided a copy of Standards of Care during the registration process.

Program Sites

• Heights Park & Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.
• AN RISD elementary or middle school to house our camps (e.g., Terrace ES or Apollo Jr HS).

*RISD reserves the right to select an alternative site in case of summer repairs or maintenance requirements.

Day Camp Objectives

• offer a program wide in scope and varied in activities of different recreational activities: sports, games, arts and crafts, education, drama, special events, field trips, tournaments, etc.
• provide a pleasant and memorable experience in a loving atmosphere.
• provide a safe environment always promoting good health and welfare for all.
• teach children how to spend their leisure time wisely, in an effort to meet several needs: emotional, physical and social.

Exemption Status: Once an exempt status is established, the Licensing Division will not monitor the recreational program. The Licensing Division will be responsible for investigating complaints of unlicensed childcare and for referring other complaints to the municipal authorities or, in the case of abuse/neglect allegation, to the local police authorities.

Standards of Care Review: Standards will be reviewed annually and approved by the City Council after a public hearing is held to pass an ordinance regarding section 42.041(b)(14) of the Human Resources Code.

Child Care Licensing will not regulate these programs nor be involved in any complaint investigation related to the program.

Any parent, visitor or staff may register a complaint by calling Heights Recreation Center at 972-744-7850 during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Monday through Friday.

STAFFING

Essential Job Functions

• Assists in the planning, budget reporting, scheduling and implementation of the day camp program.
• Supervise summer staff that includes Day Camp Leaders and Leaders in Training.
• Implements lesson plans as needed and assist day camp staff with keeping activities on schedule.
• Plans and leads activities such as sports, games, arts and crafts, music and field trips.
• Prepares payroll and maintain budget information.
• Keeps attendance records and camper information forms.
• Communicates courteously and effectively with the other city employees, citizens and program patrons.
• Implements appropriate discipline procedures when necessary.
• Attends mandatory staff training session and conduct staff meetings as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be mature, responsible and able to complete duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate well with the public, and skilled at interacting with children.
• Skilled in supervising children of varying age levels in a group setting.
• Be First Aid and CPR certification before camp begins.
• Have a valid Texas Class C Driver’s License.
• Complete departmental day camp staff training.
• Previous experience supervising children in a day camp setting.
• Be experienced in supervising staff.
• Have strong organizational skills and have the ability to adapt easily to change.
• Must pass city criminal background check prior to hiring.

• Supervises programs and activities of the program during all scheduled hours
• Maintains supply inventory.
• Effectively follows lesson plans and instructions from Director.
• Completes incident and accident reports effectively relating to participating patrons.
• Communicates courteously and effectively with the other city employees, citizens and program patrons.
• Attends mandatory staff training session and conduct staff meetings as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Be mature, responsible and able to complete duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate well with the public, and skilled at interacting with children.
• Must have experience working with children and the ability to cope with large groups of children and high noise levels.
• be First Aid and CPR certified before camp begins
• At least 16 years of age at the time of application.
• Complete departmental day camp staff training.
• Pass city criminal background check prior to hiring.
• Have knowledge or skills in recreational games, sports, crafts and other activities

Staff must complete the mandatory training program of at least 25 hours, in addition to planning hours with site staff prior to the start of camp.  This training includes a departmental orientation, customer service, behavioral issues and discipline, as well as practical skills on activities for children in games, songs and crafts.

Staff must exhibit competency, good judgment and self-control throughout the duration of the camp.

Staff should relate to the children with courtesy, respect, acceptance and patience.

Staff shall not abuse or neglect children.

FACILITY STANDARDS

Emergency evacuation and relocation plans are posted at each facility.

Day Camp Directors and Leaders are responsible for inspecting the camp sites frequently for any sanitation or safety concerns.  Those concerns should be passed on to the Day Camp Coordinator.

Each camp will have a first aid kit.  It will be checked and stocked on a weekly basis by the on site Camp Directors.  First aid kits to include at the minimum: bandages, first aid cream, rubber gloves, Neosporin, alcohol wipes, hot/cold packs, gauze, tweezers, ace bandages and scissors.

In a situation where evacuation is necessary, the first priority of staff is to make sure all participants are in a safe location.

Program sites are inspected annually by the Fire Marshall.  Each Facility Manager is responsible for compliance with Fire Marshall’s directives.

All fire extinguishers are inspected prior to camp and indicated that they are properly charged.

Medication is only administered with written parental consent.  Prescription medications are to be left with staff in their original container, labeled with the child’s name, date, directions and physician’s name.  Medication is dispensed only as stated on the bottle, and not past the expiration date.

Non-prescription medicine with the child’s name and date on the medication may be brought if in the original container. Non-prescription medication will only be administered with written parental consent. 

Each indoor site shall have adequate indoor toilets and lavatories located such that children can use them independently and program staff can supervise as needed.  Outdoor sites shall provide portable toilets based on number of children attending each day.  Ratio of toilet to children will be 1:17.

All participants must wear appropriate footwear daily.  Sandals and flip-flops will be allowed only in the pool area.

SERVICE STANDARDS-Day Camp Staff

This information will be provided to each staff as a part of the day camp manual:

Camp staff shirts, shorts and tennis shoes are to be worn at all times.

City issued employee I.D. should be worn and clearly visible at all times except during swim time.

Camp participants and parents will be treated with respect at all times.

Camp staff will take it upon themselves to resolve complaints.  Do not refer a customer to another staff person.  If you are unable to resolve the complaint on the spot, take the customer’s name and phone number, investigate complaint resolution and then follow up with the customer.

Camp staff will keep parents informed of camp activities.  A weekly schedule will be distributed on the Monday of each week and extra copies will be kept with the sign in log daily.

Camp staff will note details of behavior of campers (accomplishments, discipline problems, general activities, etc.) and update parents on a daily basis if there is a problem.

Camp staff will monitor the sign in/out log at all times.

Camp staff will clean rooms after each activity.  Floors will be swept/vacuumed, tables and chairs stacked, supplies put away.  This is extremely important due to the fact that rooms are used throughout the day by other groups.

Camp staff will spend 100% of their time actively involved with campers and/or parents.

OPERATIONAL ISSUES

• Discipline Issues
• City Rules and Regulations
• Forms that must be filled out
• Service Standards
• Game/activity leadership
• Ways to interact with children

Sign-in and Sign-out sheets will be used every day. Only adults listed on the sign-in/out release will be allowed to pick up children. An authorized person must enter the building, present appropriate identification and sign the sheet in order for staff to release the child.

Emergency evacuation and relocation plans will be posted at each facility.

Parents will be notified regarding planned field trips and provided the required release forms.

Enrollment information will be kept and maintained on each child and shall include:

• Child’s name, birth date, home address and phone numbers where parents may be reached during the day.
•  Names and telephone numbers of persons to whom the child can be released.
•  Field Trip release form as needed.
•  Liability waiver

Parental consent to administer medication, medical information and release on participant

Staff shall immediately notify the parent or other person authorized by the parent when the child is injured or has been involved in any situation that placed the child at risk.    

Discipline

Positive guidance and discipline of children will be implemented in a consistent manner based on the Richardson Parks and Recreation Behavior Modification and Re-Enforcement Policy:

• All disciplinary actions will begin with verbal warning and then followed up with a parent. 
• First Offense – camper is redirected and reminded of behavior guidelines and camp rules, given time out away from scheduled activities, and given opportunity to correct behavior.
• Second Offense – a parent will be called for child to be picked up to go home for the day
• Third Offense – camper will be withdrawn from camp program for the remainder of the session, or the summer.

Under no circumstances will there be cruel or harsh punishment or treatment.

Incident reports will be completed for any disciplinary cases, and information is to be shared with parents when picking up the child or sooner, when extreme cases occur. Continued disciplinary problems will result in the participant being asked to leave the program.

A deliberate action of harm to any camper or counselor, vandalism, possession of a concealed weapon or controlled substance, emotional outbursts or tantrums, uncooperative attitude or any severe discipline problem disruptive to the program will result in immediate measure to remove the child from camp.

COR Day Camp programs takes a strong stance against bullying as it is indefensible and will not be tolerate in any form. We expect all campers to respect one another in creating a fun and positive environment. When bullying is suspected or reported, our camp directors respond swiftly to address the incidents, contacting the parents of the campers involved. Depending on the extent of the bullying incident, the campers may be expelled from our camp program for the remainder of the summer and no refund will be issued for the remaining week of camp. If allowed to remain in camp, refer to Discipline Policy for details.

Parents we are in this together and we are here to resolve the situation, and not judge or belittle the campers accused of bullying. Together we can help prevent and eliminate incidences of bullying so that camp is a fun experience.

Parents shall be notified in cases of illness or injury.

An ill child will not be allowed to participate if the child has a high temperature and accompanied by behavior changes, or other symptoms until medical evaluation indicated that child can be included in the activities. In the event an injury cannot be administered through basic first aid, staff will call 911.

When an injury occurs, an incident report shall be completed. The form shall be filled out completely with the original sent to Heights Recreation Center Manager office and a copy kept in the day camp files.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN

As a part of the Day Camp Manual, staff will be given the following information:

Children must stay off of tables, counter tops, ping pong tables, etc.

Children should walk in the building.  Running is permitted only in designated areas.

Bouncing and throwing balls is permitted only in the gym.

Active games using equipment that can cause damage to window, shades, lights, and ceilings must be played only in the gym.

Children must show respect for staff and each other.

Children must wear shoes at all times.

Children must be contained and not allowed to filter in with the general public.  You must know where each and every child is AT ALL TIMES.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Texas law requires all child care professionals to report any suspected forms of abuse or neglect. Our summer camp programs will document and report any suspicion of abuse after our own investigation, and will do so only in good faith. The potential of removal of a camper is situational.

ACTIVITIES

Activities for each group will be planned according to the participant age, interest and ability.  The activities should be flexible and promote social and educational advancement.

A weekly calendar of activities will be posted for parents the Monday of that week of camp.

When taking field trips, staff will:

• Count everyone before they leave the program site as well as prior to leaving the field trip site.

• Carry medical information on each child and necessary medications with them on the trip.
• Carry a first aid kit.
• Carry a cell phone for emergency use.
• Encourage participants to wear camp shirts so that children are easily identified.

MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT

Standards of care established by the City of Richardson will be monitored and enforced by City of Richardson Departments responsible for their respective areas as identified:

1. Health and safety standards will be monitored and enforced by the City’s Police, Fire, Health and Code Enforcement Departments.

Staff and program issues will be monitored and enforced by the Richardson Parks and Recreation Department. The Heights Recreation Camp Coordinator shall visit each site on a daily basis. Camp Directors are responsible for visually checking the camp activities on a daily basis. When this staff is not available, another full-time staff person is responsible for the daily check.

FAQ Tip: To find the question you are looking for, press the ctrl and f keys at the same time to open a search bar. For Mac computers, press the command and f keys. Type in 1-2 keywords you are looking for and hit enter. For example, if you are wondering what we do at camp when it rains, trying looking up the words "rain" or "weather".

1. Are you a licensed child care facility?

No, we are not a licensed child care facility. As a municipality, our program has met requirements and been approved to be exempt from licensure under Texas Administrative Code 745.115(3) based on various criteria. One such criterion is our City Council holds an annual public hearing to adopt an ordinance for our Standards of Care. You can read more about what standards we hold our program to on our Standards of Care page. 

2. What is your refund policy?
To request a refund please email the Height's Recreation Manager at Heidi.Scalice@cor.gov. Do not call in refund requests, as messages can get lost.

A refund request MUST be submitted via email at least 7 days before the first day of the camp session. Refunds will not be granted after the camp session has ended nor will they be granted due to the following reasons: weather conditions, summer heat, sunburn, a camper's behavior, absence from camp, or camp assignments. Parents are responsible for making sure children are registered in the correct camp program or session. If an error is found after registration, please call and have it corrected before the camp season. 

Please allow 4-6 weeks for a refund by mail, if payment was made by check or cash. For credit card payments, please allow 1-2 weeks for the refund to appear on your card. 

3. When does registration open? What is the best way to register?
Summer 2025 registration opens for Richardson residents on Monday, April 1 - 7 at 12am (midnight).  Registration is online only and we will not be accepting phone calls or onsite registrations during this time period.

April 8, at 9am - registration opens to the public.

The quickest way to enroll is online at cor.net/parksonline. We recommend creating an account and adding your children to your account before registration opens, so that on registration day you can enroll as quickly as possible. If you have issues logging in, call us at 972-744-7855 before registration opens, as spots go very quickly.

3. How quickly does camp fill up?
Very quickly! In 2023, our Playground and Kinder Camps filled up within an hour. Elementary Camp was full by the end of the first day. Teen camp had spots open through the end of April. The quickest way to enroll is online. We recommend creating an account and adding your children to your account before registration opens, so that on registration day you can enroll as quickly as possible. 

4. The camp I wanted was full, so I joined the waitlist. Now what?
If another camper is unenrolled and a spot opens up, we will call the first person on our waitlist to offer the spot. They have 24 hours to respond before we move on to the next person on the list. We will continue this until we fill the spot. Make sure your phone number on file is accurate and your voicemail box is set up!

Joining the waitlist does not guarantee a spot in camp. Sometimes we are able to get through our entire waitlist and enroll everyone. Other times, we have a waitlist that never moves with 20+ people in line. It is hard to tell how far we will get through the waitlist, so sign up early! 

5. Is there camp on 4th of July? If not, is the price prorated?
For Summer 2026, camps will not be affected by Independence Day since it is on a Saturday.

6. When will the full list of field trips be posted? 
We are working hard to schedule our many, many field trips for this summer! This booking process often lasts until late May, and the full list will likely not be available before registration opens. We will be updating our website as each trip is confirmed, so check back often for updates. Examples of trips we've taken in the past include Ninja Nation, Kid Mania, Rowlett Wetzone, Bahama Beach, movie theaters, ice skating, aquariums, zoos, and more!

7. I am filing my taxes and need the City of Richardson's tax ID number. Can you share it?

Yes, the Tax ID number for the City of Richardson is 75-6000648. If you need a receipt, you can log onto your online account at cor.net/parksonline and click on the "Transaction and Payment History" button, or you can also email the Camp Coordinator to request receipts. Please note that because we are not a licensed childcare facility, you may not be able to claim this program on your taxes. For more information, please see FAQ question #1. 

Additionally, we are not a licensed child care facility and there's is a chance you may not receive the child care tax credit for this reason. While we are not a licensed child care facility, we are strongly upheld by a Standards of Care adopted by the Richardson City Council.

8. My child has special needs and/or disabilities, is this camp a good fit?
We have children with special needs attend our camp every year that are very successful. However, summer camp may not be the best fit for every child based on many factors regardless of special needs or disabilities, such as personality, interests, behavior, etc. Our staff works with parents on a case by case basis to determine if your child's needs can be met with reasonable accommodations. 

Parents know their children best, so here are a few details to help decide if this is the right camp:
- Any campers requiring assistance with matters not directly related to camp activities and/or needing additional care (i.e. toileting, feeding, etc.) must bring an aide while attending camp. We are unable to provide constant one-on-one care as this pulls us out of our staff ratio and makes it unsafe for the rest of the children.
- We maintain a 1:10 staff to camper ratio and can have up to 60 children in a camp. With this many children in one area, camp is often quite noisy which can overstimulate some. 
- Many of our Camp Counselors are in high school, as our minimum age is 16 years old. Each camp has a Camp Director that is over 18 years old. 
- All children must be fully potty-trained. 
- Field trips are at locations all over DFW and may include bus rides up to 1.5 hour long. Many field trips involve being outdoors for a length of time or walking tours (ex. zoos, campus tours, museums).

* If you are planning to register a child with special needs, we ask that you inform the Camp Coordinator of your registration PRIOR to camp starting to provide any tips/strategies that we can implement and any triggers to avoid. We welcome all children to come experience camp and will work our hardest to make it as successful as we possibly can for your child!

9. How is COR Summer Camp structured?
We have 4 different summer camps: Kinder (ages 5-6, max 22 kids), Playground (ages 7-11, max 60 kids), Elementary (ages 7-11, max 60 kids), and Teen (ages 12-15, max 35 kids). Kinder, Elementary, and Teen Camps are all hosted at an RISD facility, often Terrace Elementary School. Playground Camp is hosted at Heights Recreation Center. 

Each camp has a Camp Director on-site who is over 18 with at least 3 years of experience working with youth. This director plans and implements daily activities and directly supervises the camp counselors assigned to their camp. Each camp has 2-7 Camp Counselors depending on the size of the camp. Our Camp Counselors are typically high school-aged or college-aged and are excited to gain work experience. The Camp Coordinator oversees all 4 camp programs as well as the off-season camps such as Recess, Fall Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. 

Our activities are loosely based on our theme for the year and include arts & crafts, gym games, daily playground visits, swimming, and weekly field trips. This is a traditional summer camp that often incorporates themes such as nature, respect, sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, and stepping out of your comfort zone. While we are not a STEM camp and do not focus on academics, Huffhines and Heights Recreation Centers both proudly offer specialty camps such as these, including coding camps, cooking camps, superhero camps, and more! Please refer to our Recreation Guide for more info, or call the Recreation Centers at 972-744-7850 for Heights, 972-744-7881 for Huffhines.

10. My child is 4 years old, may they still enroll in Kinder Camp?
Unfortunately, no. The child must already be 5 years old at the start of camp.

11. My child turns 7 over the summer... My child is 6 but their sibling is older and I don't want to split them up... Can I enroll them in Elementary or Playground camp even though the age minimum for those camps is 7?
All children ages 5-6 will be placed in Kinder Camp. If a child has already tried our Kinder Camp and has not been successful, or if they turn 7 over the summer, then we may allow them to register for Playground Camp on a case by case basis. No exceptions will be made for Elementary Camp. 

12. My child is turning 12 over the summer, can they enroll in Teen Camp? What about my mature 11 year old?
If they turn 12 over the summer, yes. Please call or visit the Heights Recreation Center to enroll at 972-744-7850. If they do not turn 12 until after the summer, they will be placed in a 7-11 camp. 

13. What is the difference between Elementary Camp and Playground Camp?
Elementary Camp is primarily an indoor camp, whereas Playground Camp plays outside in Heights Park during the morning and goes inside the Heights Recreation Center in the afternoon. Elementary Camp travels on two field trips per week, while Playground Camp goes on one. The biggest contributing factors to the price difference comes from the facility cost of renting out an RISD facility, cost of RISD bus drivers, and the extra field trip associated with Elementary Camp.

14. What should my child wear?
Shorts and a T-shirt are a good option. We ask that closed-toe sneakers/tennis shoes be worn at all times, except when swimming. A one piece swimsuit is highly recommended and two-piece suits are discouraged. Sagging pants, revealing clothing, and clothing items with inappropriate themes are not allowed. 

15. What items should my child bring to camp?

• Sack lunch
• Afternoon snack
• Insulated water bottle
• Swimsuit and towel
• Closed-toe sneakers - NO OPEN-TOED SHOES except when swimming
• Sunscreen
• Change of clothes
• Life Jacket or floatation device (for those who don't swim well)

Please label all items with the camper's name! Lost and found items will be donated or disposed of at the end of each camp season. 

16. Do I need to send extra money for field trips?
Admission fees are covered by the camp. If your child wants snacks, drinks, souvenirs or anything additional, they will need to bring their own money.

17. My child takes medication—will your staff dispense the medication?
Medication will only be administered with written parental consent. This includes over-the-counter medication. All medications must be left with staff in the original container, labeled with the child’s name, date, directions and physician’s name.

18. Can non-residents enroll their children in camp?
Yes! You do not have to live in Richardson to enroll, and there is no price difference.

19. Can a spot be reserved for my child without payment?
No. Enrollment requires full payment upfront. We will not hold spots.

20.  Are scholarships available? Is there a discount for families with multiple children?
To inquire about scholarships for any program, please contact our main office at AskRichardsonParks@cor.gov or 972-744-4300. Unfortunately, there are no discounts for multiple children. It is the same rate for every child.

21. Why does Playground Camp get an extra week of camp while the others do not? Playground Camp is located at Heights Recreation Center while the other 3 camps are located at an RISD elementary school. Therefore, the camps at the elementary school are subject to the RISD calendar, and RISD needs to use their schools that first week of August to allow teachers enough time to begin preparing for the school year. 

22. What pools do you visit? Can my child bring their floaties?
We utilize City of Richardson pools. While the pools do not allow inflatable floaties, life jackets and puddle jumpers are allowed and are highly recommended for children who are not strong swimmers. Please ensure they are labeled with your child's name. 

After enrolling your child, parents will be emailed a calendar of our pool and field trip visits closer to the start of the first camp session. Please ensure you provide a current email address during registration. 

23. What do you do if there is inclement weather?
Our staff monitors the weather to see if rain or any severe weather is in the forecast. In bad weather, all campers will be taken indoors where we will continue camp activities. At the pool, the lifeguards will have everyone evacuate the water at the first sign of lightning or thunder. 

24. What are the qualifications of your staff members?
All staff members must be at least 16 years of age, CPR and first aid certified, pass a background and drug screen, and must complete a 4 day in-service training. All directors must be an adult and have a minimum of three years experience working with children. For a full list of qualifications and training, please visit the “Camp Staff” page.

25. What transportation do you use and who drives?
We have a contract with RISD to use their school buses and their drivers who are licensed and trained to operate the buses. They drive us to all our fields trips and swimming pool visits. 

A refund request MUST be submitted via email at least 7 days before the first day of the camp session. Refunds will not be granted after the camp session has ended nor will they be granted due to the following reasons: weather conditions, summer heat, sunburn, a camper's behavior, absence from camp, last minute plans, or camp assignments. Parents are responsible for making sure children are registered in the correct camp program or session. If an error is found after registration, please call and have it corrected before the camp season. If you were to withdraw seven days before the first day, there will be a withdrawal fee of $25 and you will be refunded the rest of the amount. This is to cover our expenses planned and organized for the camp and to find another camper to take your spot. 

To request a refund please email the Day Camp Coordinator directly at Payton.Fowler@cor.gov. Please do not call in refund requests, as messages can get lost.