(a) Purpose.
To provide basic child-care regulations for recreation activities
operated by the city’s parks and recreation department. This
will allow the department to qualify as exempt from requirements of
the Texas Human Resources Code.
(b) Implementation.
Program will be the responsibility of the parks and recreation
department, with a day camp coordinator supervising the overall program
and day camp directors and leaders administering the program on site.
(c) Programs.
Regulations apply to elementary summer programs: Summer day
camp (kinder and elementary).
(d) Other.
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.
(e) Program
Sites.
(1) DeSoto
Recreation Center, 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd.
*PARD reserves the right to select an alternative site in case
of summer repairs or maintenance requirements.
(f) Day
Camp Objectives.
(1) To
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.
(2) To
provide a pleasant and memorable experience in a loving atmosphere.
(3) To
provide a safe environment always promoting good health and welfare
for all.
(4) To
teach children how to spend their leisure time wisely, in an effort
to meet several needs: Emotional, physical and social.
(g) 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.
(h) 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.
(i) Child-Care
Licensing.
Child-care licensing will not regulate these
programs nor be involved in any complaint investigation related to
the program.
(j) Complaints.
Any parent, visitor or staff may register a complaint by calling
DeSoto Recreation Center at 972-230-9655, Monday through Friday, 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Ordinance 2064-16 adopted 9/20/16; Ordinance 2146-18 adopted 10/16/18; Ordinance 2270-22 adopted 5/3/2022)
(a) Day
Camp Director–Job Descriptions and Essential Job Functions.
(1) Essential Job Functions.
(A) Assists in the planning, budget reporting, scheduling and implementation
of the day camp program.
(B) Supervise summer staff that includes day camp leaders and leaders
in training.
(C) Implement lesson plans as needed and assist day camp staff with keeping
activities on schedule.
(D) Plan and lead activities such as sports, games, arts and crafts,
music and field trips.
(E) Prepare payroll and maintain budget information.
(F) Keep attendance records and camper information forms.
(G) Communicate courteously and effectively with the other city employees,
citizens and program patrons.
(H) Implement appropriate discipline procedures when necessary.
(I) Attend mandatory staff training session and conduct staff meetings
as required.
(2) Qualifications.
(A) Must be mature, responsible and able to complete duties with minimal
supervision.
(B) Must be able to communicate well with the public, and skilled at
interacting with children.
(C) Must be skilled in supervising children of varying age levels in
a group setting.
(D) Must have first-aid and CPR certification prior to start of camp.
(E) Must have a valid state class C driver’s license.
(F) Must complete departmental day camp staff training.
(G) Must have previous experience supervising children in a day camp
setting.
(H) Must have previous experience supervising staff.
(I) Must have strong organizational skills and have the ability to adapt
easily to change.
(J) Must pass city criminal background check prior to hiring.
(b) Day
Camp Leader–Job Descriptions and Essential Job Functions.
(1) Essential Job Functions.
(A) Supervise programs and activities of the program during all scheduled
hours.
(B) Maintain supply inventory.
(C) Effectively follow lesson plans and instructions from director.
(D) Complete incident and accident reports effectively relating to participating
patrons.
(E) Communicate courteously and effectively with the other city employees,
citizens and program patrons.
(F) Attend mandatory staff training session and conduct staff meetings
as required.
(2) Minimum Qualifications.
(A) Must be mature, responsible and able to complete duties with minimal
supervision.
(B) Must be able to communicate well with the public, and skilled at
interacting with children.
(C) Must have experience working with children and the ability to cope
with large groups of children and high noise levels.
(D) Must have first-aid and CPR certification prior to start of camp.
(E) Must be 18 years of age at the time of application.
(F) Must complete departmental day camp staff training.
(G) Must pass city criminal background check prior to hiring.
(H) Knowledge or skills in recreational games, sports, crafts and other
activities.
(c) Other
Requirements.
(1) Staff
must complete the mandatory training program of at least 20 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.
(2) Staff
must exhibit competency, good judgment and self-control throughout
the duration of the camp.
(3) Staff
should relate to the children with courtesy, respect, acceptance and
patience.
(4) Staff
shall not abuse or neglect children.
(d) Criminal
Background Checks.
Criminal background checks will be
conducted on prospective day camp employees.
(e) Drug
Testing.
A prospective employee will be subject to a
drug test prior to hiring.
(f) Staffing
Ratios.
The staff ratio will be 1 staff member per 10
children, ages 5–11 while on site and 1 staff member per 6 children
off site.
(Ordinance 2064-16 adopted 9/20/16; Ordinance 2146-18 adopted 10/16/18; Ordinance 2270-22 adopted 5/3/2022)
(a) Emergency
evacuation and relocation plans will be posted at each facility.
(b) Day
camp directors and leaders will inspect sites frequently for any sanitation
or safety concerns. Those concerns should be passed on to the camp
supervisor.
(c) Each
camp must have a first-aid kit. This shall be checked and stocked
on a weekly basis by the on site camp directors. It shall include
at the minimum bandages, first-aid cream, rubber gloves, Neosporin,
alcohol wipes, hot/cold packs, gauze, tweezers, ace bandages and scissors.
(d) In a
situation where evacuation is necessary, the first priority of staff
is to make sure all participants are in a safe location.
(e) Program
sites will be inspected annually by the fire marshal. Each facility
manager is responsible for compliance with fire marshal’s directives.
(f) The
recommended number of fire extinguishers shall be inspected prior
to camp and indicate that they are properly charged.
(g) 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.
(h) All
participants must wear appropriate footwear daily. Sandals and flip-flops
will be allowed only in the pool area.
(i) Rules
of behavior will be posted.
(4) No
unnecessary entering and exiting the building.
(Ordinance 2064-16 adopted 9/20/16; Ordinance 2146-18 adopted 10/16/18; Ordinance 2270-22 adopted 5/3/2022)
This information will be provided to each staff as a part of
the day camp manual:
(1) Camp
staff shirts, shorts and tennis shoes are to be worn at all times.
(2) City
issued employee I.D. should be worn and clearly visible at all times
except during swim time.
(3) Camp
participants and parents will be treated with respect at all times.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
(6) 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.
(7) Camp
staff will monitor the sign in/out log at all times.
(8) Building
maintenance 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.
(9) Camp
staff will spend 100% of their time actively involved with campers
and/or parents.
(Ordinance 2064-16 adopted 9/20/16; Ordinance 2146-18 adopted 10/16/18; Ordinance 2270-22 adopted 5/3/2022)
(a) Emergency
phone numbers are kept with the day camp director on field trips.
Those numbers include fire, police, and ambulance services.
(b) A day
camp manual is given to every day camp director and leader. An additional
manual will be located at each site where all staff can have access
to the manual, which outlines the following:
(2) City
rules and regulations.
(3) Forms
that must be filled out.
(5) Game/activity
leadership.
(6) Ways
to interact with children.
(c) Sign
in/sign out sheets will be used every day. Only adults listed on 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.
(d) Emergency
evacuation and relocation plans will be posted at each facility.
(e) Parents
will be notified regarding planned field trips and provided the required
release forms.
(f) Enrollment
information will be kept and maintained on each child and shall include:
(1) Child’s
name, birth date, home address, home telephone number, physician’s
phone number and address and phone numbers where parents may be reached
during the day.
(2) Names
and telephone numbers of persons to whom the child can be released.
(3) Field
trip release form as needed.
(5) Parental
consent to administer medication, medical information and release
on participant.
(g) 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.
(h) Staff
shall notify parents or authorized persons of children in the facility
when there is an outbreak of a communicable disease in the facility
that is required to be reported to the county department of health.
Staff must notify parents of children in a group when there is an
outbreak of lice or other infestation in the group.
(i) Discipline.
(1) Discipline
and guidance of children will be implemented in a consistent manner
based on the city’s behavior modification and re-enforcement
policy:
(B) Second offense: Separation/time out (5 min.).
(C) Third offense: Removal from activity (10 min.).
(D) Fourth offense: Removal from activity and sent to director (20 min.).
(E) Fifth offense: Severe clause; removal of child from program.
(2) Under
no circumstances will there be cruel or harsh punishment or treatment.
(3) Incident
reports will be filled out on 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.
(4) A
deliberate action of harm to any camper or leader, 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 measures to remove
the child from camp.
(j) Illness
or Injury.
(1) Parents
shall be notified in cases of illness or injury.
(2) An
ill child will not be allowed to participate if the child is suspected
of having a temperature and/or accompanied by behavior changes or
other signs or symptoms until medical evaluation indicates that the
child can be included in the activities. In the event an injury cannot
be administered through basic first-aid, staff will call 911.
(3) When
an injury occurs, an incident report shall be filled out immediately.
The form shall be filled out completely with the original sent to
the community events supervisor’s office and a copy kept in
the day camp files.
(Ordinance 2064-16 adopted 9/20/16; Ordinance 2146-18 adopted 10/16/18; Ordinance 2270-22 adopted 5/3/2022)
As a part of the day camp manual, staff will be given the following
information:
(1) Children
must stay off of tables, counter tops, ping pong tables, etc.
(2) Children
should walk in the building. Running is permitted only in designated
areas.
(3) Bouncing
and throwing balls is permitted only in the gym.
(4) Active
games using equipment that can cause damage to window, shades, lights,
and ceilings must be played only in the gym.
(5) Children
must show respect for staff and each other.
(6) Children
must wear shoes at all times.
(7) 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.
(Ordinance 2064-16 adopted 9/20/16; Ordinance 2146-18 adopted 10/16/18; Ordinance 2270-22 adopted 5/3/2022)
(a) 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.
(b) A weekly
calendar of activities will be posted for parents the Monday of that
week of camp.
(c) When
taking field trips, staff will:
(1) Count
everyone before they leave the program site as well as prior to leaving
the field trip site.
(2) Carry
medical information on each child with them on the trip.
(4) Carry
a cell phone for emergency use.
(5) Encourage
participants to wear camp shirts so that children are easily identified.
(Ordinance 2064-16 adopted 9/20/16; Ordinance 2146-18 adopted 10/16/18; Ordinance 2270-22 adopted 5/3/2022)
Standards of care established by the city will be monitored
and enforced by the city’s 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.
(2) Staff
and program issues will be monitored and enforced by the city’s
parks and recreation department. The day 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.
(Ordinance 2064-16 adopted 9/20/16; Ordinance 2146-18 adopted 10/16/18; Ordinance 2270-22 adopted 5/3/2022)