SUMMER CAMP

INTRODUCTION
The following information is presented to provide you with answers to many questions you may have as your child prepares to attend Gladiators Academy Summer Camp. Many of the items listed to prepare for camp are carefully explained. Additional information can be obtained from the camp office and your childs counselor. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the items in this handbook. GLADIATORS ACADEMY SUMMER CAMP MISSION STATEMENT The Gladiators Academy Summer Camp was designed and implemented to provide a safe, challenging, educational, and fun environment for our townships youth while striving to instill positive, lifelong characteristics by building friendships, self-esteem and personal growth. Overview: The Gladiators Academy Summer Camp serves the children ranging from ages 5-12. Hours of Operation: Gladiators Academy Summer Camp is scheduled to open June 3, 2013 and will end August 2, 2013. Our operating hours are 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Gladiators Academy Martial Arts Training Center. The center is located at 101 North Bud St Lafayette, LA. Parents/guardians may drop off and pick up their child at any time during these hours. At 9:00 am, daily scheduled activities begin and groups are separated accordingly. Gladiators Academy Summer Camp ends at 3:30 pm and Late Pick Up will extend until 5:30 PM. If your child is not picked up at the required time, the following late fees will apply: For each minute pass 5:30 there will be a $1.00 charge per minute, this is nonnegotiable. Clothing: Students are provided two camp T-shirts. Students must wear their camp Tshirts on Wednesday and Friday for field trips. Students must also have their jiu-jitsu gi (martial arts uniform) everyday. Sneakers must be worn every day. Bathing suits and towels should be brought on days that your child is scheduled for swimming. Flip-flops must be brought every day to wear when off the mats during martial arts classes . Confidentiality: The names, addresses, phone number, and medical needs of all of our students and staff are confidential.

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Discipline: It is our policy to keep disciplinary issues minimized and to help children monitor their own behavior. The staff presents model age-appropriate behavioral guidelines and reflective communications to encourage children to express their emotions. We encourage self-control, self-direction, responsibility, and cooperation. When practical and safe, the staff will present logical and natural consequences to your child. Aggressive and physical behavior such as fighting, bullying, hitting, biting, etc. by a child toward another camper or staff member is unacceptable. Staff members will intervene immediately should this type of situation occur in order to protect everyone involved and encourage more acceptable behavior. Physical restraint a staff member holding a child will not be used except as necessary to control a situation. Children will be shown positive alternatives rather than just being told no. Parents will be informed if such an incident occurs. If a childs behavior is uncontrollable, extremely disruptive, and/or harmful to themselves or others, a parent may be asked to remove the child from camp for the day. Open communication between home and Gladiators Academy is considered the key to effective discipline. At no time will a child be subjected to physical punishment shaking, hitting, biting, pinching, etc. or verbally abused by the staff. Students who dont comply with our policy will face the following actions: First Offense: Verbal Warning Campers actions will be documented and verbally communicated concerning the inappropriate behavior displayed. The student will then sign the document that states that they have received and understand why they have been warned. Second Offense and Final Warning Campers actions will be documented, and verbally communicated concerning the inappropriate behavior displayed. The camper, counselor, site supervisor, and parent must sign the document that indicates a final warning has been issued. Third Offense Grounds for dismissal or expulsion from camp. *Discipline procedure is subject to change regarding the incident at hand. Any physical confrontation can be means for immediate dismissal.

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Medication: The Gladiators Academy Staff will not dispense medication to the children. Health and Welfare: Sunscreen should be applied to your child prior to arrival at our site. Please label all bottles if sent with your child. Please inform our staff of any emotional or behavioral disabilities. In the event of a situation requiring medical attention, you will be contacted immediately for guidance or to pick your child. If the injury is of a serious nature, you will receive a phone call from the camp office at the time of the accident. All individual or personal issues should be communicated to the Gladiators Academy staff prior to the day they will start attending camp. Operational adjustments are often made throughout the summer to increase the efficiency of our camp. We encourage feedback, so please contact our staff immediately if you feel we need to correct a situation or you have any concerns. Communicable diseases, such as head lice, pink eye and ringworm, must be fully treated before a child is permitted to return to camp. A doctors note must accompany the child when they return. If your child has a fever, they should be healthy for at least twenty-four hours before returning to camp. In the event of an emergency, the child will be transported via ambulance to the nearest hospital or emergency room facility. You will be contacted to meet an accompanying staff member at that facility. A child cannot be transported for care, or receive emergency care at camp unless the waivers for emergency care have been signed. The waiver is on the health form and should be submitted prior the first day your child attends camp. Food Program: Gladiators Academy provides no food during the camp. Students must bring along a lunch daily. No peanut or shellfish items are allowed. Lost and Found: Items that are lost are placed in a specified area of the Recreation Academy. We ask that you follow the directions listed below: 1. Label all articles with name tags or indelible laundry marker. Named items can easily be returned. Do NOT purchase new items for camp. 2. Do not send your child to camp with iPods, PSPs, Sports Cards, or cell phones. 3. Please discuss care of personal belongings with your child before attending Gladiators Academy. Remind them to check the lost and found area for lost items. 4. Please contact us immediately when something is missing, or send a notice with your child advising their counselor regarding the lost item.

5. Avoid sending send books, toys, games, or money to camp unless officially requested. In any case, do not send any valuable items with your child to camp. Students suspected of possessing illegal substances, weapons, or stolen items may have their personal possessions searched. Any illegal substances, weapons, or stolen property will be taken from the camper and distributed to the proper authority and could be grounds for immediate dismissal from camp. Release of Children: Since the safety of your child is our utmost concern, Gladiators Academy Camp maintains a strict policy regarding who is authorized to pick up your child. Written notice is required in advance if there should be an individual not authorized to pick up a student. All notes from parents should be given to the front desk attendant when signing in your child. In the event of an emergency, the Camp Director must be notified by phone as to the name, address, phone number, and brief physical description of the person who will be picking up the child. The Camp Director will inform the Counselor. Once this individual arrives at the camp, a staff member will need to verify the individuals identity by reviewing their form of identification drivers license, any State or Federal I.D. before the child is released. The authorized individual must then sign and note the time of the childs release. Should an unauthorized individual arrive to pick up a child, a parent or emergency contact person will be immediately notified by phone. If the Camp Director is unable to reach a parent or emergency contact person, the child will not be released. NO EXCEPTIONS. Trips: Most weekly trips are scheduled on Wednesdays and Fridays, unless otherwise noted. In the event of inclement weather, parents should check with the camp office about possible postponement. All students participating in a trip must wear an official camp tee shirt, unless otherwise stated. Your child must be enrolled during the weeks of the trips in order to attend a field trip. Special Events: Parents are encouraged to attend Gladiators Academy special events or activities including designated trips. Any parent is welcome to attend any field trip or outing. There will be a special presentation ceremony at the end of the camp were our students will demonstrate or present some of the projects and activities we have accomplished during the camp. We sincerely hope that all parents attend this event.

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CAMPER EXPECTATIONS
My Rights Policy Every child in the summer program is here to have a fun and exciting experience. However, it is very difficult for a child to enjoy him or herself when they are ridiculed because they are different. A childs right will be observed by staff and other children. Every child has the right to be treated with respect. Every child has the right to play in a friendly environment. Every child has the right to be safe from bullies. Every child has the right to be themselves without being ridiculed. Every child has the right not to be threatened. Every child has the right to have fun. Discipline Policy For the safety and enjoyment of every child, the My Rights Policy will be strictly adhered to. Any child found violating the My Rights Policy will be disciplined. The scope of disciplinary action will range from time outs to suspension. Children are to follow the My Rights Policy and these simple rules: Use kind words (no name calling not even jokingly, no foul language). Follow facilitator directions. Field Trip Policy Some children may not be socially ready for outings. If a child exhibits an inability to follow the field trip policy, he or she will have to have an escort or must remain at the Academy if space is available. For the safety of every child, it is extremely important that children follow these simple rules: No standing up on the bus. No shouting or loud talking on the bus. No eating on the bus. No drinking on the bus (except water). Do not leave trash on the bus. Do not leave group. Stay with your assigned partner. Do not stick arm or any body part out of bus window. Do not throw any objects out of bus window. Do not block aisle with your body. Listen to your teacher at all times. Wear proper attire for field trips Remember to always leave your phone on and on vibrate. Because noise levels you may not be able to hear the phone ring put will feel it vibrate. In Case of Severe Weather

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In the event of Severe Weather we will follow these steps: Lightning/Thunderstorm When thunder is heard and lighting is seen all activities are to be suspended. Children are to be put on the bus, remain inside the Academy or visiting facility and should remain calm and quiet. Activity may resume once thunder and lightning havent been heard or seen for 15 minutes. STAY CALM AND REMEMBER TO STAY AWAY FROM WMTT (water, metal, and tall trees). Emergency Evacuation Procedure Camp Counselors are reminded to go the emergency evacuation procedures twice a month. Fire drills will be conducted once a month and counselors are to always know the number of children in their care. Emergency lists and/or books are to be carried at all times. Emergency evacuation procedures and telephone numbers are posted by every telephone in the building. First Aid/CPR First Aid and emergency kits is located on the bus. All counselors are required to designate one person to be in charge of emergency cases when on field trips. This person is responsible for contacting 911 and performing CPR and first aid when needed. The person designated for this duty must be first aid and CPR certified. The person chosen must identify themselves to the Center Director or designated person prior to leaving on field trips. The Center Director or designated person will write this persons name on the field trip sheet and will speak directly to this person in cases of emergency.

PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS
1 2 3 4 Parents must sign their child in and out daily. Staff will not dispense medication to children. Childrens lunches can not contain any peanut of shellfish products. Camp activities begin at 9:00 a.m. Children may be dropped off at 7:30.

5 Camp activities end at 3:30 p.m. All children MUST be picked up by 5:30 pm daily. 6 Parents will be contacted if their child becomes unruly during camp.

7 No profanity or fighting will be tolerated in the camp. Disciplinary action for violation of camp rules lie with the Camp Director. 8 9 10 Children wear closed-toed/backed footwear due to the nature of camp activities. Children also need to bring a pair of flip flops or easy slip on shoes. Permission forms must be signed before a child is taken on a field trip. Daily Checklist o o o o o o o Martial Arts Uniform Tennis shoes Flip Flops Lunch Towel Water Bottle Positive Attitude

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Field Trip Checklist o o o o o o o Camp T-shirt Tennis Shoes Lunch Sunscreen Water Bottle Towel Adventurous Spirit

Challenge Course Program A Brief Description

Challenge course programs are used for a variety of purposes, depending on the needs and wishes of the group. Low element programs are typically lower risk and promote teamwork and communication (conversely, high element programs are more individually challenging, requiring some physical skills, as well as support from group members). Groups work together on activities and initiatives some are more physical, others require more problem-solving skills. A program generally starts with an introduction to the program, including a discussion about safety, a description of the Challenge By Choice philosophy (people participate at the level they are comfortable), and a discussion of the expectations and contributions of the participants. Low-risk games introducing the group to having fun and serving as the foundation of the program often precede the introduction. As the program progresses, the activities become more complicated and require a greater amount of risk and trust by the participants. Activities involve use of dynamic (portable) props and later, the static initiatives (cables and ropes). In keeping with the Challenge By Choice philosophy, participants are encouraged to become involved in the activity at the level they are comfortable. Pushing comfort zones is also encouraged facilitators will often ask (not require) people to go a step further than they think they can. This invitation to learn more about oneself is one way that ropes course facilitators promote learning through the activities. Each activity is debriefed or processed to glean insights about the group and about individuals. The group notices behaviors and comments on how they performed the activity, often making suggestions on how they could work better, more efficiently, etc. The processing integrates the groups stated goals for the program to ensure that the group is getting what they expect/need from the program and from the facilitator. Programs end with a tie-up activity and/or discussion. Goals are reviewed and participants give feedback on the program, the activities, and the facilitator. For longer programs, this may include how the group or individuals will integrate what they learned on the courses into their day-to-day lives.

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CHALLENGE BY CHOICE
This is a fundamental principle on all of our Challenge Courses. In Challenge by Choice the participant, and only the participant, make the choices. For example: The participant will decide if they would like to take part in an activity in a physical manner or in a supportive/advisory manner. The participant will decide when they would like to take part The participant will decide which activities to take part in The participant will decide the degree to which they will take part The participant will decide, in single-person High Element activities, how much vocal support, if any, you would like from others. (Some people ask for a cheering crowd. Some ask for a rousing song - or even a 'cheer leader' type support group! And some like to keep their attention internally focussed.) The participant will decide whether to stick to their initial objective - or revise it as the Challenge session progresses! Everyone fully supports everyone else's choice - without question, without reservation and, most importantly, without asking why someone has made a particular choice.

PRESSURE FREE
So in our courses, Challenge by Choice, means that the participant can choose to physically take part in an activity or they can choose to not do so. The participant may choose to not physically take part for physical, emotional or personal reasons - . That's fine. It's their choice. In the spirit of Challenge by Choice the participants choice is respected by everyone else, facilitators and participants alike. Challenge by Choice replaces the traditional 'challenge by intimidation' or 'challenge by group pressure' approach to outdoor activities. The participants choice is their concern and theirs alone. They do not have to explain or justify the decision. Curiously, we have found that it is not other people's expectations of them that cause people difficulty in choosing to not physically take part. It is their own 'But I should be able to take part!' attitude. And it can be a quite liberating experience for such people to

realise that their decision to not physically take part in no way lowers their estimation in the eyes of other members of the team. 'Challenge by choice' encourages respect for one another, the skill of making one's own choices free of peer-group pressure and promotes an experience where everyone contributes to each others choices and self esteem development.

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GENERAL SAFETY
The Gladiators Academy Challenge Course is a very safe place when all safety procedures are followed, but there is the possibility of serious injury if they are not. For this reason the facilitator has the final say on safety. The foremost responsibility of the facilitator is safety. If the facilitator feels the event is unsafe for any reason, or if the group is acting in a dangerous manner, the event will be stopped.

The Safety Guidelines Are: 1. 2. 3. No stacking more than two people high (try to discourage any stacking, usually there are other alternatives). No jumping off events. No one is to attempt or even touch an event until after the instructor has given the safety considerations, objectives, and parameters of the event and invited the group to proceed. Close-toed, low heel shoes must be worn at all times, i.e. tennis shoes. No one is to step in the middle of another persons back or on the end of a bent knee. Hair long enough to be pulled back must be pulled back and tied. Jewelry of any type including watches and non-prescription sunglasses must not be worn and should not even be brought to the ropes course. Be careful of glasses and contact lenses when participating in events. Restraining straps for glasses are suggested. No gum, candy or other food items are allowed on the course.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10. No knives or other sharp objects are allowed on the course. 11. No smoking, alcoholic beverages, drugs, radios, fireworks, or firearms are allowed in the challenge course area.

12. No one can do an event where they are not tall enough to reach the top rope or cable while standing on the bottom rope or cable. 13. No one can do high courses that cannot properly fit in a harness. 14. People with medical issues that could be aggravated by events may not do those events. 16. Prior to every use of the course the weather forecast should be checked for possible problems with high winds, rain, and electrical storms. Also be aware of current weather conditions. If lightning is present or suspected, all course activity should be ended immediately. After the storm moves by the facilitator must return to the course to take down the equipment. Also, the equipment should be spread out in the shed to dry. 17. An accident report form must be completed for any injury. This does not include minor cuts, bruises, or abrasions that are inherent to the activity. An incident report form must be completed for any incident where safety was compromised, whether injury occurred or not. These forms must be given to the ropes course director. 18. If an injury or incident occurs, facilitator must keep their own log of events and a list of all their actions. They should document as many of their recollections as possible immediately after the event. 19 The facilitator should be made aware of any health problems participants have that may influence them on the course. This includes allergies to bee stings and poison ivy, as well as asthma, diabetes, heart condition, old injuries with chronic symptoms or recent surgeries.

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EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Tim Credeur (Camp Director) 337-356-8649 Josh Artigue (Camp Director) 337-303-2509 Gladiators Academy 337-504-2730 Keith Johnson (Bus Driver) 337-288-3143 Girard Park 337-291-8379 Rok Haus 337-981-8116 Thomas Park 337-291-5561 USS Kidd 225-342-1942 Acadian Village 337-981-2364 Planet Ice 337-504-4174 Lite Center 337-456-1824 Lafayette Childrens Museum Acadiana Center for the Arts 337-233-7060 Lafayette Science Museum 337-291-5544 Lafayette Public Library Moore Park 337-291-8370 Acadiana Zoo 337-837-4325 Lake Fausse Point 337-229-6173 Vermillionville 337-233-4077

FIELD TRIPS DATES AND LOCATIONS

June 5th - Girard Park - Ninja Fitness Trail 7th Rok Haus Ninja Rock Climbing 12th Thomas Park Pirate Ship Battle and Treasure Hunt 14th USS Kid, Baton Rouge LA 19th Acadian Village 21nd- Planet Ice 26th Girard Park Frisbee Golf 28th Lite Center, Acadiana Council for the Arts, Childrens Museum

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July 10th Police and Fire Demonstrations 12th Girard Park - Softball 17th Girard Park Swimming 19th Avery Island 24th Lafayette Science Museum 27th Zoo of Acadiana 31st Moore Park Soccer August 2nd Vermillionville

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General Information
Name_____________________________________________ Soc. Sec. #_____________________ Home Address_____________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________ Telephone: (______)_________________________ D.O.B. ___/_____/_____ Height_________ Age _________ M_________ F________ State , Zip ________________________

CONFIDENTIAL MEDICAL HISTORY

Weight________________

Physician___________________________________ City_______________________ State _________ Telephone (______)_______________________

Person to notify in case of illness of injury

Name_________________________________________ Relationship____________________________________ Address__________________________________________ City______________________________ State____________ Zip____________

Telephone: home_(____)______________________ work_(____)____________________

Insurance

You are responsible for any medical expenses and should be covered by your own sickness and accident insurance. Complete answers are required.
Are you covered by hospitalization and medical care insurance? Yes______ No______ Name of Insurance Company__________________________________ Policy Number_____________________________________________ Telephone_(_____)_________________________________________

Medical Information
If you have any health problems that we should be aware of, please check below and describe: _________ neck, back or shoulder pain or injury __________fainting/dizziness _________ Vision or hearing impairments _________ high blood pressure and /or heart problems _______ known allergy to Bee stings _________ diabetes, seizures or frequent or unexplained _________ Chronic illness or physical infirmity _________Asthma, allergies or breathing difficulties ________ Hypoglycemia

Medications
Do you carry epinephrine?____ Do you carry insulin?______ Are you currently taking medications?_______ Please indicate name amount and condition for which they are used.