Apply for Camp Diva Leadership Academy

Camp Rules and Regulations

1. Campers must be signed in and out of camp by a parent/guardian or authorized adult every day.
2. Campers are expected to be respectful and courteous to all campers, staff, as well as others at Camp Diva Leadership.
3. Absolutely no physical or verbal altercations with fellow campers or staff. Fighting, the use of offensive language or any other inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated, and the camper’s parent will be notified immediately and dismissed from the program. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pick up the camper upon the notification of misconduct and/or expulsion from camp.
4. Inappropriate depictions included but are not limited to: drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gang, violence or sex.
5. Smoking is not permitted.
6. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes any intentional written, verbal, or physical act intended to harm another camper.
7. Friends and siblings who are not registered in the camp will not be allowed to participate in camp activities.
8. Shorts must be an appropriate length, no halter shirts, crop tops or tank tops allowed.
9. All apparel may not have inappropriate language or graphics on them.
10. Only sneakers can be worn. No flip-flops or sandals allowed.
11. Clothing should be comfortable and suitable for exercising
12. Do not wear loose jewelry
13. Cell phones, iPods or music players, iPads or tablets, or any other electronic devices are not allowed during camp hours, but cell phones may be used during lunch breaks, tech activities, and some field trips. Girls For A Change is not responsible for lost or stolen electronics.
14. Camp Diva shirts must be worn on all field trips. Additional shirts may be purchased for $15 each.
15. Money may be brought on field trips. We will be teaching money handling and management classes during trips.
16. Girls For A Change is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
17. On pool days, campers must wear a one-piece swimsuit and bring a towel.
18. Bring a light sweater or jacket for cool spaces.
19. Please put your child’s name on all articles brought to camp.
20. What to Bring: Your daughter may want to bring a water bottle each day. Check the calendar for other specific items that your daughter may need to bring with them to camp.
21. Field Trips: A signed field trip permission slip must be on file for each child. Trips are subject to change/cancellation due to inclement weather and staff are not held responsible to contact parents of any changes. All campers are expected to attend all of the field trips, as they are a scheduled activity of the camp. The cost of the field trips is not included in each week’s camp fee. Please be sure your child wears their t-shirt on field trips and plan to arrive early. In addition to weekly all camp field trips, individual camp groups may schedule their own off-site trip and this information will be noted in the weekly calendar. Off-site trips may require an additional fee. Some Buses provided may not have A/C for field trips and/or pool days.
22. Prescription drugs need to be given to a staff member for storage and distribution.
    Medications
    
    • It is the stated policy of DCS, in accordance with VA State Law, that all participants medications must be kept in the First Aid Office. Campers may not carry prescription or over the counter medications with them. This even includes topical sprays and creams. Counselors may not carry medication for campers.
    • Our staff has been instructed to confiscate any medication that is found with a camper and turn it into the First Aid Director/Site Director who will then contact the camper’s primary contact person on file.
    • Exceptions: Asthma pumps and epi-pens. Even for these, however, we must have a medication administration form on file.
    • Counselors will carry asthma pumps and epi-pens for participants in their group. During the elective time, they will switch and the Participant will carry it until they return to their site.
    • Medication Administration Forms are available onsite. A hard copy, signed form must be turned in along with the medication at the camp.
23. All participants are expected to dismiss on time. A late fee of $5/minute will be assessed beginning at 6:01 p.m. If an emergency arises that will delay pick up, we must be notified immediately and another person authorized to pick your child up must come. Charges still apply for late notifications. If a child remains at the camp location beyond 6:30 p.m., the following calls will be made until a response is received:
    1. A call to the parent’s workplace and/or home.
    2. A call to those authorized to pick up the child.
    3. A call to the emergency contact.
    4. A call to the local police department and Child Protective Services.

Pick Up by an Intoxicated Parent/Guardian or Authorized Representative

Girls For A Change will not permit parents or authorized representatives who are intoxicated to pick children up from our camp location. We do not wish to expose the location to any legal action for the improper release of children, but more importantly, we do not wish to expose the children enrolled in our programs to any danger resulting from their parents’ or authorized adult’s impaired faculties. Therefore, we will expect our staff to be alert to the possibility of parental intoxication, and if there is evidence of such intoxication by means of speech, gait, or manner, that staff member will call a second staff member to corroborate. If both staff members agree that the parent is intoxicated, the staff will not permit transportation by that person, and the Richmond Police Department will be called to assist the program staff in determining the course of action to be taken. If the parent insists on removing a child in spite of these actions, a conference will be held that week between the parent and the Director that could result in termination of the child’s participation in the program.

Non-Custodial Parent Policy

A parent of a child enrolled in the program who is not the child’s custodial parent will be permitted unlimited access to the camp location and be afforded the same rights as the custodial parent unless there is court documentation limiting access and contact by the non-custodial parent. This documentation must be on file in our office. Upon entering the camp location, the non-custodial parent must report to the director or designee in the Girls For A Change office.

Grievance Policy for Parents/Guardians

It is the intent of all of the Girls For A Change's program to provide all parents and guardians with an avenue for discussing and resolving any concerns they may have with regard to the care being provided by the organization. When a concern has been identified, the parent should first discuss the issue with the program staff members. It is suggested that in order to facilitate the conversation, an appointment should be scheduled and the individual requesting the appointment should prepare a written list of pertinent discussion points prior to the appointment. Notes of what was discussed and agreed to during the meeting are also encouraged. Once the staff member(s) has/have addressed the issue, based on the response, the parent or guardian should consider the issue resolved. If the staff member was unable to address the issue because of its administrative nature, or if the parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the response or outcome, he/she should then discuss the issue with the Site Director. At that meeting, the parent or guardian should be prepared to discuss what has transpired to-date. The Director will research the issue and respond to the parent in a follow-up meeting, or at the initial meeting if no research is needed.

Consequences

Please remind the Participant(s) that they are often expected to maintain a positive attitude. In order to provide a safe and fun environment for all participants, all rules and regulations must be followed. The Camp Director has the right to take disciplinary action if rules are not followed. Parents and/or guardians will be notified either during or after the camp day, and all infractions will be written and recorded. After two verbal warnings, the participant will have the choice to follow the rule or be dismissed from camp either for the day or for the duration of the week, a refund will not be given.

A zero tolerance policy is enforced in regard to bullying as well as other acts of aggression. Fighting, hitting, or physical altercations of any kind will result in the participant(s) being separated and removed from the camp group until a parent or guardian can pick them up, a refund will not be given.

INFORMED CONSENT FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES DURING COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

This document contains important information about our decision (yours and mine) to resume in-person services in light of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Please read this carefully and let Girls For A Change know if you have any questions. When you sign this document, it will be an official agreement between us. You also assume any and all risks associated with your child’s participation in the Program; and accept personal responsibility for any injury to your child or yourself, including, but not limited to, personal injury, illness, disability, death, damage, loss, liability or expense, of any kind or nature, that or my child may suffer arising out of or in connection with my child or myself becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 while my child is participating in the camp.

What Phase One Reopening Means for Us According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention  

Girls For A Change’s Camp Diva Leadership Academy cannot prevent you or your child(ren) from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while utilizing and experiencing Camp Diva’s or Girls For A Change services or premises. It is not possible to prevent the presence of the disease. Therefore, if you choose to utilize Camp Diva’s or Girls For A Change’s services and/or to enter onto Camp Diva’s or Girls For A Change center, you may be exposing yourself and your child(ren) to, and/or increasing your and your child(ren)’s risk of contracting or spreading, COVID-19.

The safety of our participants and staff is and will always be our highest priority. We are committed to reducing the potential COVID-19 spread by following guidance from the Virginia Department of Health and the American Camp Association. Changes include, but are not limited to: 

This action plan outlines the protocols that allow us to run a safe and responsible Camp Diva Leadership Academy summer camp program during summer 2021 according to the American Camp Association (ACA),The Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the guidelines from the Governor of Virginia. We are confident that we can run the camp in a safe and meaningful way.

As our country and the world continues to deal with lasting effects of the Coronavirus, we have changed and pivoted in many areas of our lives. While doing this, we are also committed to the safety of all of our girls, staff, and volunteers. 

As we reopen, we want to make sure that we are clear on all of our reopening procedures and policies. We have shortened the duration of camp, and it will now last six weeks instead of eight. We hope that this allows our girls and families to enjoy other camps and any traveling prior to camp beginning. Once camp begins we want to save our limited spots for those who are able to use the full six weeks. Because of this, participants can only miss days if they are sick and will have to stay home for a minimum of three days in a row. If a participant misses three days in the row and we do not hear from you, we will close that spot.We ask that all participants refrain from travel for six weeks during your daughter's participation in Camp Diva, and she commits to attending daily and staying the entire time. This includes leaving the center for appointments and returning. We recommend pick up time between 5-6pm.  

Before Arriving

• All program participants will be expected to conduct pre-screening measures, including temperature checks, symptom monitoring, and exposure likelihood. Participants will be required to take and record their temperature for five days prior to the program. 

• We will ask the following questions: 

• Do you have COVID-19 symptoms? A fever of 100.4 F or greater, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, etc., within 14 days prior to the program? 

• Have you been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with, tested for, or quarantined as a result of COVID-19? 

• In addition, all program participants will be required to provide Camp Diva with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the start of the program. If the test is positive, participants will not be able to participate in-person. More details about test submission will be provided closer to arrival times.

Staff Preparedness

All program staff will be trained in alignment with the CDC, American Camp Association, state and local government, the University, and Girls For A Change health and safety protocols and procedures prior to campus arrival, with additional training during program orientation.  

Each program will have designated staff responsible for and responding to COVID-19 concerns. 

Health and Wellness Supplies

Girls For A Change will provide all program staff with portable Health + Wellness Kits that will include, but are not limited to, basic first-aid supplies, gloves, masks, hand sanitizer, a thermometer, and liquid hand soap. Similar kits, with additional supplies, will be stored in every Girls For A Change office.  

During Your Stay 

All program participants are expected to follow the following protocols while attending their program:

• Wear face coverings at all times when outside of their room unless eating  

• Complete a daily symptom monitoring survey  

• Adhere to COVID Test and have results available on the first day of camp . We strongly recommend your daughter is tested 3-4 days before camp to ensure you have the results. Click here for testing results and instructions. 

• Maintain recommended physical spacing from other individuals   

• Respect closures and limits on community spaces, common spaces and study areas, and restrictions on events and social activities, per public health guidance and Girls For A Change guidelines 

• Refrain from sharing food or beverages with others

• Follow hand washing and sanitizing guidelines 

In addition to asking participants to follow these guidelines, Girls For A Change will:

• Regularly disinfect heavily touched surfaces and girls personal Camp Diva supplies in their kits 

• Use outdoor spaces as much as possible for classes, activities, and meals

• Required isolation/quarantine for residents who are exposed to or test positive to COVID-19 (symptomatic or asymptomatic) 

• Routine cleaning of the building scheduled to remove virus that may be on surfaces 

Ensure the lower risk of COVID-19 spread increases in participants settings as follows:

• Girls For A Change branch will only be allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity. 

• Lowest Risk: Small groups of campers stay together all day, each day

• Keep campers together in small groups with dedicated staff and make sure they remain with the same group throughout the day, every day.

• Limit mixing between groups if possible.

• Campers remain at least 6 feet apart and do not share objects. Outdoor activities are prioritized. We will also be staggering mealtimes and activities.

• All campers are from the local geographic area (e.g., city, town, county, community) and commit to only participating in one camp during the duration of Camp Diva Leadership Academy to prevent the spread of the virus. 

• Staying home when appropriate.

• Plexiglass dividers and line spacing indicators being placed at all front and back areas and main office.  

• Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette

• Reinforce handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and increase monitoring to ensure adherence among campers and staff.

• If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used (for staff and participants who can safely use hand sanitizer).

• Mask Wearing

• Teach and reinforce the use of masks. Masks may be challenging for campers to wear in all-day settings such as camp. Masks should be worn by staff and campers. Information should be provided to staff and campers on proper use, removal, and washing of masks.

• Adequate supplies to avoid shared materials  

• Signs and messages 

• Post signs in highly visible locations (e.g., entrances, dining areas, restrooms) that promote everyday protection 

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

• Limit shared objects

• All participants will receive a Camp Diva Leadership Box with general supplies for activities. Keep each participant’s belongings separated from others’ and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas. Staff and participants will avoid sharing electronic devices, toys, books, and other games or learning aids.

• Ventilation-open doors and windows and many outdoor activities under a cool tent. Prioritize outdoor activities where social distancing can be maintained as much as possible.

• Physical barriers, communal spaces, and guides

• Install physical barriers, such as sneeze guards and partitions, particularly in areas where it is difficult for individuals to remain at least 6 feet apart (e.g., reception desks).

Food Service

• Participants must wash hands before and after lunch and snacks 

• Participants can bring their own lunch and snack

• They can eat in separate areas or with their smaller group, instead of in a communal dining hall 

• Participants must bring disposable food service items (utensils, dishes) If meals are offered at any event, it will be pre-packaged boxes or bags for each attendee instead of a buffet or family-style meal. 

• Staff and participants must avoid sharing foods and utensils and ensure the safety of individuals with food allergies and the spread of the virus.

Check-in policy 

Prepare for COVID-19 health checks for participants of COVID-19 symptoms and take their temperature before allowing them to enter the building daily. If the participant was previously absent due to illness or was sent home sick, they must meet the required conditions to return to the program before starting the COVID-19 health check.

Daily Check in-Questions 

In the last 24 hours, has your child had any of the following symptoms, new or different from what they usually have, and not explained by another reason?  Fever or chills  Cough  Sore throat  Shortness of breath or trouble breathing  New loss of taste or smell  Seems sick or like they are starting to get sick

Your Confidentiality in the Case of Infection

• If you have tested positive for the coronavirus, A GFAC staff may be required to notify local health authorities that you have been in the center. If we have to report this, we will only provide the minimum information necessary for their data collection and will not go into any details that are personal. By signing this form, you are agreeing that I may do so without an additional signed release.

• Parents must answer the symptoms questionnaire located on the Girls For A Change website. All responses must be sent on the day that the participant is attending. Camp Diva will still do a visual check when the child arrives.

Daily Activity and Interactions 

• Limit any non-essential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations as much as possible – especially with individuals not from the local geographic area (e.g., community, town, city, or county).

• Limit activities and events such as field trips and special performances.

• We will pursue options for participants to participate in exercise activities in ways that minimize transmission of COVID-19 (yoga, kickboxing, double dutch, mindfulness, etc.). 

Designated COVID-19 Point of Contact Onsite 

• Designate a staff person (e.g., camp nurse or healthcare provider) to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. All camp staff and families should know who this person is and how to contact them.

• Consistent communications and notifying staff and families of camp closures and restrictions in place to limit COVID-19 exposure (e.g., limited hours of operation)

Back-up Staffing Plan

• Monitor absenteeism of campers and staff, cross-train staff, and create a roster of trained back-up staff.

Support Coping and Resilience during the pandemic 

• Encourage employees and participants to take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories about COVID-19, including social media if they are feeling overwhelmed or distressed.

• Promote employees and participants to drink plenty of water, eat healthy, exercising, getting sleep, and finding time to unwind.

• Encourage employees and participants to talk with people they trust about their concerns and how they are feeling.

• Hotline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 if participants, families, or employees need mental health support 

Preparing for When Someone Gets Sick

Any program participant has a temperature or combination of symptoms (as consulted by a medical professional), she will be isolated from her group, and staff members.

 A parent/ guardian will be called to pick up the participant. The participant must adhere to COVID-19 testing before returning to the Girls For A Change Branch. With a negative test result, the program participant will be able to return to their group and continue the program in-person. 

With a positive test result:

If a participant has a fever, over 100.3 degrees, they will be sent home.  If the participant gets tested, they can return after a negative COVID-19 test and 3 days with no fever without taking medicines to lower a fever, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and 3 days since symptoms have improved. The symptoms do not have to be completely gone and they are feeling back normal. 
 

• A Girls For A Change staff person will reach out to the program participant’s parent or guardian and request implementation of their Travel Contingency Plan  

• Care for the program participant will continue, along with isolation 

• All program affected participants and staff will be notified. 

• Contact tracing measures will be set in place  

• We will continue to advise sick individuals of home isolation criteria

• Sick staff members or participants should not return to camp until they have met the CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation. 

• Isolate and Transport Those Who are Sick

• Make sure that staff and families know that they (staff) or their children (families) should not come to camp.

• Immediately separate staff and campers with COVID-19 symptoms (such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath) at camp. Individuals who are sick should be cared for following CDC guidance for caring for yourself or others who are sick.

• Work with camp administrators, nurses, and other healthcare providers to identify an isolation room or area to separate anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms or who has tested positive but does not have symptoms. If the camp has a nurse or other healthcare provider, they should use Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions when caring for sick people. See: What Healthcare Personnel Should Know About Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 Infection.

Clean and Disinfect

• Close off areas used by a sick person and do not use these areas until after cleaning and disinfecting them (for outdoor areas, this includes surfaces or shared objects in the area, if applicable).

• Wait at least 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting. If 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible. Ensure safe and correct use and storage of cleaning and disinfection products, including storing them securely away from children.

Notify Health Officials and Close Contacts

• In accordance with state and local laws and regulations, camp administrators should notifying local health officials, staff, and families immediately to report any case of COVID-19, while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Advise those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to separate themselves, self-monitor for symptoms, and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

           Cancellation Info

• At Girls For A Change, we understand the unpredictability in the world right now. That’s why we are giving our participants and their families the option to protect their investment in their future.  

• You have until June 1, 2021, to cancel your enrollment and receive a reimbursement minus the application fee for Camp Diva. 

         Medical Cancellations

With a note from your doctor, a medical cancellation will receive a refund. If the medical cancellation occurs in the “no refund tier” but more than 14 days before the start of the program, and we can fill your spot, you will only forfeit your deposit.

COVID-19

If your child tests positive for COVID-19, has come in contact with someone who has tested positive, or does not pass our COVID-19 screening procedures within 14 days of the start of the program, you will have the option to receive a full refund minus the deposit. Please note, this does not include cancellations due to feeling uncomfortable about sending your child to Camp Diva. For peace of mind, we encourage you to consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your payments in the event you decide to cancel .

If Girls For A Change needs to cancel before the start of a program, you will have the option for a full refund.If Girls For A Change needs to cancel a program once it begins, we will do our best to provide your family with a full or partial refund; however, we cannot guarantee it at this time. In the very unlikely event that we must send your child home early for a medical reason, we will do our best to provide your family with a full or partial refund; however, we cannot guarantee it at this time. If your child needs to be sent home early for a non-medical reason, we do not provide refunds. Please see our Parent Handbook for more information about how we will support your child.

Tips for Parents During Pickup

Keep hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes in the car.

Wipe down backpacks and lunch boxes before getting into the car.

Discard of any old or uneaten lunch or snack items that cannot be kept.

Keep a separate bag for soiled or dirty items that are returning home with your child.

We're committed to keeping our staff participants and guests safe. Our team has increased cleaning procedures to protect our guests during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Daily Cleaning

• GFAC will  conduct a daily cleaning schedule. Staff will be assigned tasks to make it easier to divide up the cleaning duties. 

• Surfaces that are frequently touched such as door handles, tables, counters.

• Bathrooms

• Eating spaces

Weekly Cleaning

JAN-PRO is a trusted cleaning company. The Jan-Pro cleaning & disinfecting process met GFAC’s expectations pre-COVID and will continue to provide quality, technology, reliable services during Camp Diva Leadership,every time.

For the health and safety of our students, the local public health department requires participants be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before entering the center. 

Due to the time and interruption to education doing this on site prior to camp entry this would cause the CDC does not recommend these screenings be done by our center. We ask that you complete the steps of the student screening below, prior to sending you child to school or any school activities or sports. We ask that you complete the form located on our website and Camp App each morning prior to camp.

• Please discuss and review  COVID -19 guidelines with your daughter before coming to camp 

• Adhere to the social distancing rules in class, on the playground, outdoors,  and field trips.

• Tell an adult if I feel unwell.

• Bring only my lunch box, water bottle, and camp duffel bag to Camp Diva.

• Use only the equipment provided to me by school and no other.

• Enter and exit the school building from the designated door only.

• Follow good hand, nose and mouth hygiene by coughing and sneezing into a tissue.  (Catch it, Bin it, Kill it).

• Follow good hand hygiene – use soap and water for 20 seconds/hand sanitizer.

• Be on my best behavior at all times to maintain the safety of myself and others.

• Follow the expectations provided. If I do not, I understand that I will be sent home until I can safely follow directions. 

• Ensure that my phone is put away safely as instructed and switched off while in camp activities. 

• Ask a staff member to assist me if/when I need to contact my parents. 

Although important, these efforts cannot eliminate the potential for exposure to COVID-19 or any other illness while at camp. Experts have said that people with COVID-19 may show no signs or symptoms of illness, but can still spread the virus, and people may be contagious before their symptoms occur. The fact is that someone with COVID-19 may pass required health screenings and be allowed into Camp Diva. We also know the very nature of camp makes social distancing difficult in many situations and impossible in others. 

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that older adults and people of any age who have severe underlying medical conditions, like heart or lung disease or diabetes, seem to be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in one of these groups, please ensure you have approval from your healthcare provider before attending Camp. No one may attend camp if still subject to a governmental shelter-in-place order. Staff members, volunteers, and  families must each evaluate their unique circumstances and make informed decisions before attending Camp Diva. 

We hope this information will be helpful as you make that choice to join us in the summer. 

Covenant Not to Sue: On behalf of my child(ren), any other parent or guardian for my child(ren), and myself, I hereby release, waive, discharge, covenant not to sue, and agree to hold harmless for any and all purposes Camp Diva, and each of their staff members, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, donors, related parties, or other organizations (“Releasees”) associated with any summer camp program or activity, from any and all liabilities, claims, demands, or injuries, including death, that may be sustained by my child(ren) because of his attendance at camp, or his participation in activities, at Camp Diva. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, I expressly acknowledge that my release, waiver, discharge, covenant not to sue, and agreement to hold harmless includes negligence, as well as any and all claims whatsoever arising from or related to COVID-19.