PARENT RESOURCES
For 50 years we have been making each summer season a pleasant and rewarding experience for camp families. We strive every day to provide a safe, happy, and positive environment for your camper. Everything we do at SSDC is with the intention of providing an exceptional experience on many levels that will stay with each camper and staff member of our Southampton family for life. As Jacque says, “Six Degrees of Southampton Summer Day Camp” is truly a sweet pleasure to watch and experience as members of our camp family grow up into adulthood!
- Camper Profile Form (on the Parent Portal)
- Hampy’s Kitchen Participation- (part of the Camper Profile)
- SSDC Camper Health History (Permission to treat & administer medicine)
- Physician Signed Medical Form (must be uploaded to Parent Portal)
- Varsity Trip Permission Form
- LIT/CIT Trip Permission Form
- What to wear, pack and keep at camp?!
TRANSPORTATION AT CAMP
Transportation by Camp
You will be happy to know that we can drive your children to and from camp each day as part of your tuition. Your child is not only guaranteed to make it to camp on-time but it’s also hassle-free for you.
Getting to and from camp is our first important activity of the day. The camp day truly begins when your child is picked up and does not conclude until he/she is safely returned to your home. We have concentrated on providing a safe and efficient camp transportation program since 1973 through our door to door service. We carefully select the best type of vehicle for each geographical situation and route. SSDC utilizes school buses, mini buses, and school vans.
Buses are driven by Commercial Drivers Licensed (CDL) drivers. All drivers must have a safe personal driving record and pass the camp’s insurance server’s stringent protocol for safe driving. Driver license and background checks are verified through the bus company. All vehicles used by camp for transportation are fully licensed and insured.
In addition to the professionally trained and experienced bus drivers, SSDC provides a Bus Counselor on all buses. The role of the Bus Counselor is to take attendance, be sure that the children are seated, provide leadership to assist the campers in every way possible and help to ensure the safety of all campers.
We provide transportation throughout Bucks County, Montgomery County, and some areas of Philadelphia. Some of our stops include, but are not limited to: Huntingdon Valley, Holland, Ivyland, Richboro, Newtown, Yardley, Feasterville, Langhorne, Southampton, Warrington, Upper Dublin, Dresher, Hatboro-Horsham, Abington, Cheltenham and Jamison. We cannot accept requests for specific drivers or modes of transportation. Your transportation may not necessarily be the same from summer to summer. You will be notified approximately one to two weeks before camp begins concerning your child’s pick-up time by the Bus Counselor.
Special Notes about Transportation:
- Choice of transportation mode for all campers is made by the Transportation Supervisor in conjunction with the camp’s Executive Director.
- All campers are picked up and returned to the same address each day in the same vehicle.
- Based on PA State regulations, some children must be placed in special seating (star seats/5 point harness on a bus)
- Any requests for extra transportation accommodations may result in additional costs.
- Changes in the mode or location of your child’s transportation must be approved by the Transportation Supervisor.
Our job is making sure our campers enjoy every part of their day and their ride to and from camp is no exception! Our Transportation Supervisor will be happy to help you with any questions or concerns about transportation.
Parent Transportation (Parent Self-Trans)
In addition to Camp Transportation, we offer a Parent Transportation Option. The Parent Transportation Option (Parent Self Trans) allows you to drop-off/pick- up your child at camp. If you choose this option, you will be entitled to a transportation rebate. You will receive detailed instructions prior to the first camp day regarding drop-off and pick-up procedures.
The following constitutes Parent Self Trans:
- Campers must be dropped off at camp between 8:30am and 9:05am
- Campers must be picked up between 4:05pm and 4:20pm
- A detailed information packet will be e-mailed to you prior to camp.
Give us a call if you have any specific questions about transportation to and from your area.
This service will not be offered in 2024. If you would like express interest for the 2025 season, please let the office know. The determination to offer this service will be based on demand each summer.
Beginning in 2019, we began to offer a Shore Shuttle to the Margate Library on Fridays. This optional air-conditioned motor coach bus with a lavatory will depart camp at approximately 2:30pm to the Margate Library in Margate, New Jersey and is available at an additional cost by cash or check only. Campers are provided with a snack and drink for the ride to the shore. Campers are supervised by Camp Staff and usually arrive at the Library at approximately 5:30pm. If the shuttle is running late due to traffic, we will let you know.
This shuttle will transport your child to the Margate Library on Friday’s during the camp season (exact dates and times will be confirmed as we get closer to the camp season). There are a limited number of spaces available each week. COST FOR THIS SERVICE WILL BE DETERMINED CLOSER TO THE CAMP SEASON. Camp will accept cash or check to secure your spot.
During the camp season, please call the camp office (215-355-4567) to confirm your child’s interest and/or attendance on the shuttle for that week.
If you’d like to drive your child in and out of camp each day but need to do so outside of our normal hours then you’ll want to participate in our Extended Care Program. A nominal fee will provide extended care coverage for both Early and Late Care during the summer. Extended Care is also available on a drop-in basis for a nominal fee.
Limited space in our Extended Care program opens at 7:00am and closes at 5:30pm. During our Extended Hours we have a few staff members who facilitate different games at camp both inside and outside. Additionally, we provide a small snack and drink for each camper. As you can see, we try and make Extended Care as special as the camp day… which is why some camper’s want their parents to let them stay “just a little bit longer”.
For more information regarding Extended Care please contact our office.
Throughout these past 46 years we have enjoyed the wonderful experience of well run, synchronized, action packed camp season. It provides multiple chances for growth and development in athletic, cultural and social areas. The Dining Room is no exception! Think: Walking Tacos, Sushi, BBQ Brisket and Chicken! Of course, we have plenty of kid-friendly food like chicken fingers and nuggets, pizza, macaroni & cheese; this isn’t the camp food you remember, moms and dads! We even offer a full salad bar and fresh fruit, as well as vegetarian and gluten free options. Oh, and the dining hall is air conditioned with cool music wafting through the air. It’s just more pleasant that way! At Southampton, we see the dining hall as an extension of home. Campers sit with their bunks at the same table every day for during lunch. Food is brought to the table by staff, and campers may help themselves to as much as they want. All counselors make sure plates are looking full, fresh and colorful.
Whether it’s a food allergy or the pickiest of eaters, our staff will make sure your camper feels comfortable, confident and receives the attention he or she requires when it comes to diet. At SSDC our senior counselor’s and their staff are here to help your child navigate the daily lunch menu. We provide meal accommodations to anyone with gluten, vegetarian (our own Performing Arts Director Amy Blum eats strictly vegan and gluten-free!), or any other allergies. Our goal is to reasonably accommodate your child’s dietary needs.
SSDC is not 100% allergen free. Everyday our kitchen staff makes individually wrapped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We also check for cross contamination on all product labels. However, not all of our supplier’s label in this way, and manufacturers may change their labels without notice. Therefore, we are unable to guarantee avoidance of cross-contact with regard to nuts. You and your camper should always ask questions about unfamiliar food. A two-week menu is sent home for you to peruse. If your allergic camper is able to eat in a restaurant, you will find camp to be a great and safe haven.
WOW!!! The summer sunshine is really just around the corner. In order to plan efficiently for your child’s best summer ever, we ask that you complete and return to us by May 1st the following documents: Official Camp Registration, Camper Profile, SSDC Camper Health History & Physician Signed Med Form (These forms can also be accessed on the SSDC Parent Portal)
You will receive or be able to download Club sheets in early spring. Please send them in A.S.A.P. Please follow the directions on the sheet. Rona, “The Club Lady”, will do her best to quickly sort everything out, so clubs can get started the first week of camp.
“The Official SSDC Parent Handbook” is available for download. It is a comprehensive booklet of “This & That’s” regarding all things SSDC.
Our youngest campers, in JUNIOR CAMP, will be invited to “Meet the Senior Counselor” at camp on a specific day and time prior to camp. This generally falls on a Saturday or Sunday, one to two weeks before the first day of camp. Invitations will be mailed as soon as a date can be determined. If you cannot make the appointed time, your Senior Counselor will call to say “Hello.”
Junior campers who can’t make “Meet the Counselor” or new Senior or Varsity campers, who wish to visit camp before the first day, should call camp to arrange a convenient time to check out camp on a self-guided tour and say hello.
Finally, please be sure to discuss any concerns with your child’s Senior Counselor when the counselor calls you family before camp. Please discuss extraordinary medical, social, emotional or behavior issues directly with Rick or Jacque before camp begins. Contact Rick or Jacque with any other questions, comments or concerns.
Southampton is NOT a peanut free, gluten free or any other food free environment. Our campers come to camp with many different kinds of allergies. At SSDC we are certainly sensitive to those with allergies and we pledge to do our utmost best in keeping everyone safe and educated about our campers’ issues. PLEASE BE SURE TO CLEARLY STATE ANY ALLERGIES ON YOUR MEDICAL FORMS AND CAMPER RESUMES. Prior to camp a camp nurse will contact you regarding your camper’s allergies.
Parents of campers who have food allergies and wish to participate in Hampy’s Kitchen (make and taste cooking activity) are required to a sign a permission slip to participate. Over the last 10 years we have sent home a weekly ingredient list for parents who request it. If a parent feels that it is in the best interest of their camper to not participate, an alternative activity will be arranged by our Program Supervisor. This on line form can be found here. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO RETURN THIS FORM PRIOR TO THE START OF CAMP.
As members of the ACA (American Camp Association), we meet and exceed the highest safety standards in our industry. The Southampton Summer Day Camp Health Office is staffed by two full-time Registered Nurses who take care of our campers and staff with extra TLC. Our nurses maintain and ensure a safe and healthy summer for all of our campers. Our caring and skilled medical personnel are at camp at all times to meet each child’s needs.
They are available to speak with you before and throughout the summer regarding your child’s health needs.
Medical Examination Forms must be completed and signed by both the parent and primary physician. This form must be in camp no later than May 1st. If your child will need to take medication at camp, a Medication Form must be completed and sent to camp. Ear molds, Inhalers and Epi Pens must be sent to the office. Please provide a clearly labeled container with your camper’s name and bunk #.
This form is also available for download here
Additional information can be found in the “The Official SSDC Parent Handbook.” Any questions, please call the camp office to discuss.
HEALTHY CAMP UPDATE 2020
The Association of Camp Nurses (ACN) has published an updated guide for camp families titled “A Healthy Camper Begins and Ends at Home.” Please click on the link to download this update. Healthy Camp
The Southampton swim program is top notch! We have 3 heated pools, enabling us to provide age appropriate swim instruction in a comfortable environment. The program is overseen by our Director of Swim Instruction. Our campers successfully progress through the American Red Cross Swim Levels. Each camper has small group instruction every day with the same Red Cross Certified Water Safety Swim instructor to ensure that the camper feels safe and secure. Campers are also scheduled for recreational swim every day where they can enjoy the diving boards and colossal water slides. Parents are updated throughout the summer about their child’s progress. Our parents constantly let us know how amazed they are by their camper’s swimming progress at the end of a Southampton summer!
Thinking about camp for next summer?
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