summer camp FAqS
Here are answers to some of our most Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Camp.
If you still have questions, please email us at info@treefrogtreks.com or call us at (415) 876-3764.
For our new Blocked Summer Session, our cancellation REFUND policy is as follows:
· Cancel on or prior to 6/12: Refund issued less 10 % cancellation fee
· Cancel between 6/12 and 6/26: Refund issued less 50% cancellation fee
· Cancel after 6/26: Camp fees are non-refundable, no exceptions
It's ALWAYS FREE to switch weeks as long as there's space, and we can ALWAYS hold your fees as a CREDIT if you cancel no later than the Friday prior to camp starting!
We ask that families who decide to cancel their registrations for camp consider holding their fees as a credit if at all possible. Tree Frog Treks depends on the income from camp to operate all year and provide our staff a living wage, and operate our amphibian and reptile rescue center.
What does a typical day look like for a Half-Day Camper?
Sample Half Day-Camp Daily Agenda
9:00 - 9:15 Campers arrive! Campers will be divided into small groups and will remain with the same teachers and group-mates all week. When kids arrive, we’ll have books and specimens out for students to see and touch, or a simple project to work on.
9:15 - 10:15 Morning Assembly and introduction to camp/daily theme, and group game
10:15 - 10:25 Snack
10:30 - 11:30 Science Activity / Art Project or Nature Hike
11:30 - 12:00 Lunch (We ask our teachers to make sure kids actually eat their lunch, wash hands before and after lunch, and have a seat to eat.)
12:00 - 12:45 Nature Exploration or Animal Time
12:45 – 1:00 Rest Time
1:00 – 2:00 Science Activity / Art Project
2:00 - 2:30 Group games *small snack served
2:30 -2:45 Clean up and Pack up
2:45 – 2:55 Closing Circle/ Story Time
2:55 - 3:00 Sign-out and Pick-up. All campers are signed out to guardians/authorized pick-up people only. Campers picked up late (after 15 minutes) will be charged a late fee!
What does a typical day look like for a Full-Day Camper?
Sample Full-Day Camp Daily Agenda
9:00 - 9:15 Campers arrive! Campers will be divided into small groups and will remain with the same teachers and group-mates all week. When kids arrive, we’ll have books and specimens out for students to see and touch, or a simple project to do.
9:00 - 9:45 Morning games and introduction of camp/daily theme. Start morning science projects.
9:45 - 10:00 Snack
10:00 - 12:00 Finish morning project, go on a hike for lunch or meet a TFT animal ambassador.
12:05 - 12:35 Lunch (We ask our teachers to make sure kids actually eat their lunch, wash hands before and after lunch, and have a seat to eat.)
12:40 - 2:40 Science Activity, Animal Time and/or Nature Hike
2:45 - 3:00 Small snack
3:05 - 4:00 Finish afternoon projects or experiments.
4:00 - 4:30 Journal or story time
4:30 - 5:00 Closing Circle / All Camp Games / clean up & gather belongings
5:00 - 5:15 Sign-out and Pick-up. All campers are signed out to guardians/authorized pick-up people only. Campers picked up late (after 15 minutes) will be charged a late fee!
What kind of training do Tree Frog Treks teachers have?
All of our teachers hold a college degree or higher, they have been hired for their experience working with kids. They receive regular trainings with us, as well as professional development from outside sources as well. All of our teachers are trained in CPR and First Aid.
How many campers are in each group?
Half-Day Campers are divided into small groups of 12.
Full-Day Campers are divided into small groups of 12.
How many teachers are assigned to each small group/ what is your teacher/child ratio?
Half-Day Campers have 2 teachers assigned to each group of 12 (1:6 ratio)
Full-Day Campers have 2 teachers assigned to each group of 12 (1:6 ratio)
Will my child have the same teachers if they attend multiple weeks of camp? Can I request a specific teacher for my child?
Your child will be grouped with the same two teachers for the entire three week block of camp. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate teacher requests.
My child is attending camp with a friend. Can I make sure that they’re in the same small group?
Our registration form has a place to enter “friends to be grouped with” and you are welcome to enter the name of your child’s friend there. We will do our absolute best to make sure your request is honored. However, due to the nature of our new “stable group” model for summer camp, we do not have any flexibility with switching students between groups this summer and may not be able to accommodate all friend requests. Remember, camp is a great time to make new friends!
Is Tree Frog Treks a “nut free” camp?
We do not serve any snacks that contain nuts, but we do not require that our families pack nut free lunches for their campers. If your child has severe nut allergies, please let us know on your registration form (there is a place to indicate allergies, special concerns and medications). Please make sure to communicate with your camper’s teachers about the nature and severity of your child’s allergies so they can take the proper precautions and alert other campers and parents to be extra careful with snacks and lunches.
What do you do if it rains? Does Tree Frog Treks have an indoor space?
Here at Tree Frog Treks, we like to say that there is no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing! We’re an outdoor camp, and we keep on trekking if it’s foggy or wet out. If the weather looks bad in the morning, make sure to send your child with a raincoat and boot. If it’s really pouring, our teachers have several locations throughout the Park where we can get out the rain (like the Cal Academy, the deYoung or our own Frog Hall).
What if I need to pick my child up early from camp?
If you need to pick up your child early on a specific day of the week, please let your child’s teachers know at the beginning of the week and we will work with you to make special arrangements for pickup. Please be advised that you may need to meet us at a different location to pick your child up early.
Does Tree Frog Treks provide lunch to campers?
We do not provide lunch to our campers and we encourage parents to pack a litter-less lunch. For example, place sandwiches in Tupperware containers and drinks in reusable bottles. Use a lunch box or fabric bag and include a cloth napkin. If we all pitch in, imagine what a difference we can make in efforts to save, preserve, and maintain our home!
What if my child can only attend a portion of the week of camp? Does Tree Frog Treks offer partial week enrollment?
Unfortunately, the nature of our summer camp doesn’t allow for us to take kids on a partial week or drop in basis. It is extremely important for the safety of the kids that we have them integrate in to their groups and bond with the teachers over the first days of camp. We also build on concepts and projects throughout the week, which makes it difficult for kids to miss days of camp. However, with 3 blocks to choose from, we’re sure you can find something to fit your child’s schedule!
What should my child bring to camp?
Tree Frog Treks will provide healthy snacks, but there is a “must haves” packing list (please remember to label all of your child’s belongings):
Layers of clothing that can get dirty! (We suggest a jacket and long pants as San Francisco weather is often windy, drizzly, foggy, and chilly).
Cloth face mask or bandana
Comfortable, sturdy, walking shoes (no open-toe shoes or Crocs!).
Sunblock and a hat. If your child can not apply cream sunscreen themselves, please send them with spray sunscreen
A small backpack that can be easily carried all day.
A litter-less lunch. Full-day campers and Half Day Campers who are attending Extended PM Care should pack a DOUBLE lunch. Two of everything! Campers will be working hard and will be very hungry.
A refillable water bottle filled with water.
Any prescription medication – Please make sure any medication is listed on the registration form including Epi-pens and relief inhalers!
We encourage children with dietary restrictions or allergies to bring their own snacks.
I have a Half-Day Camper and a Full-Day Camper. Will they see each other during the day or participate in any activities together?
Our Half-Day Campers and Full-Day Campers do not participate in activities together as our hikes, projects and activities are scaled to fit the age of the child participating.
