Aquatics Camp: FAQ

2008 Dates and Hours

Mon - Fri: 9am to 5 pm. We suggest that campers arrive by 8:30am on Mondays only, for check in.
Dates for 2008
Week 1 - June 16-20
Week 2 - June 23-27*
Week 3 - June 30-July 4
Week 4 - July 7-11
Week 5 - July 14-18*
Week 6 - July 21-25
Week 7 - July 28-August 1*
Extreme Fest: August 1-3**
Week 8 - August 4-8
Week 9 - August 11-15

* Merit Badges will be offered during these weeks ONLY
**For Boy Scouts and Boy Scout Leaders only, an overnight camping experience limited to 75 campers.

Who Can Attend

All Boys and Girls, ages 6-14. You do NOT have to be a Boy or Girl Scout to attend Aquatics Camp.

Adventurers - campers ages 9-14.

Voyagers - campers ages 6-8.

If a camper is age 8, and has attended Aquatics Camp before, he/she may register in the older Camper Adventurer Program, with parental and camp director approval.

Costs

The basic cost for the Voyager Program (6-8 year old campers) and the Adventurer Program (9-14 year old campers) is $165.00 per week. No reduced rate is offered for groups or campers attending multiple sessions.
The cost for registered Boy and Girl Scouts is $155 per week.
For information about EXTREME FEST for Boy Scouts only, click here.

Extended Day Care is available for an additional $30 per camper, per week. Extended Day hours operate from 7:15 AM to 6:00 PM. Campers can register for this service when signing up for individual camp activities during online registration.

Camp costs can be supplemented by Camperships on an as-need basis. Camperships range from 50% to 100% of camp costs. To apply, download an application and mail to ATTN: Megan Shaw, Aquatics Camp Director, 521 S. Edgewood Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32217. APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5/1/08
Download the Campership Form

Scheduling

Campers are given their schedules on Monday morning following their swim test. If a camper is registered for a water activity, but is unable to pass the swim test, his/her schedule will be altered by the camp director to include a Swimming Instruction Course until they develop adequate skills for class participation. No camper will be permitted to participate in water activities without the approval of the Aquatics Director and Camp Director.

The schedule will show them what activity to go to each hour. Schedules are made on the day each camper registers online, and are chosen at random based on the classes desired, capacity limits, and availability. Changes can be made up until the Saturday at 12:00 noon, prior to the scheduled week of attendance.

Scheduling of groups of two or more together throughout the day is not guaranteed because of the number of campers and sessions available. Campers can improve their chances of having similar/identical schedules as their friends by registering online at the same time. NO SCHEDULE CHANGES ARE PERMITTED AFTER REGISTRATION. PLEASE BE SURE TO CAREFULLY CHECK YOUR SELECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION. IF A MISTAKE IS MADE DURING REGISTRATION, A $10 CHARGE WILL APPLY FOR ANY NEEDED EDITS.

Registration

The sooner you register, the better your chance of getting the courses you want! Applications are processed simultaneously with the completion of online registration. Payment in full is required upon registration.

Registration will be accepted until the Saturday at 12:00 noon prior to the week of desired attendance. No day-of or late registration will be accepted.

Confirmation e-mails will be sent following completion of the online application.

Before / After Care

Extended Day Care is offered from 7:15 - 8:45 AM and 5:00 -6:00 PM. Adult supervision is provided, but no planned activities are scheduled during this time. IF CAMPERS ARRIVE BEFORE 8:45 OR ARE PICKED UP AFTER 5:15 THROUGHOUT THE WEEK WITHOUT REGISTERING FOR EXTENDED DAY CARE, THEY WILL BE CHARGED THE $30 FEE.

The cost is $30/week regardless of how much or little before/after care is provided. There is NO charge for campers dropped off after 8:45 am and picked up before 5:15 pm.

Employment Opportunities

We are currently accepting applications for new staff members. To be a paid member of staff you must be at least 16 years of age or older. Applications for employment must be completed upon the time of scheduled interviews. You may request an interview by contacting Megan Shaw via e-mail at meshaw@bsamail.org. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Dates of employment are June 9-August 16, 2008.

We do have non-paid Counselor In Training (CIT) positions for 15 year olds (16-17 yr olds can be CIT's, too), and will operate on a two week rotation throughout the summer. CIT's need to complete an application and interview via the methods previously mentioned.

All staff members, paid and non-paid, are required to attend Staff Development Week, June 9-14, 2008.

Download an Employment Application

Merit Badges

Registered Boy Scouts can fulfill Merit Badge requirements during Week 2, Week 5, and Week 7 only. MERIT BADGES WILL NOT BE AWARDED DURING OTHER WEEKS OF CAMP.

Boy Scouts should NOT bring Blue Cards to camp. When registering online, please read the course descriptions to ensure Boy Scouts wishing to complete MB requirements are registering for the appropriate activities. Upon conclusion of each week, Boy Scouts will receive Blue Cards from their counselors, reflecting the completed requirements during the week. From here, it becomes the responsibility of the Scouts and parents to distribute the Blue Cards to the Scout Master, who has the authority to endorse the Merit Badge completion.

What to Bring to Camp

Each camper should bring a towel (preferably with their name on it), closed-toe shoes (No sandals allowed in camp, except at the Waterfront or Pool), sunscreen, bug spray, swim wear, and a lunch or lunch money ($4-$5).

Bring items in a backpack or other bag.

NO electronic devices or expensive toys please! No cell phones will be allowed during camp hours of operation.

Lockers are available for the week. A lock must be provided by the camper.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFD'S) are provided for all campers participating in open water activities.

Privately owned PFD's may be used providing they meet U.S. Coast Guard construction and fitting requirements.

Transportation

During Week 2, bus transportation will be provided from Beaches United Methodist Church in Jacksonville Beach for $75 per camper. Advanced registration is required for this service and is available as an option when selecting activities for the week. Campers wishing to register for this service must complete online registration by May 30, 2008. THIS SERVICE MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF INTEREST.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made two weeks prior to the onset of the registered session will receive a refund, minus the $20 transaction fee. Cancellations made within two weeks of the onset of the registered session are eligible for a refund of 75% of the total amount originally charged. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE GIVEN FOR CAMPERS WHO DO NOT SHOW UP ON THE INITIAL DAY OF THEIR REGISTERED SESSION. Requests to change a registered week will incur a $20 transaction fee. Cancellation and week change requests must be made via e-mail to Megan Shaw (meshaw@bsamail.org). Requests will be honored for week changes, NOT individual class changes.