Frequently Asked Questions
What are your camp hours?
We are here at Camp SAM from 7AM-6PM Monday through Friday, but the regular camp day runs from 9AM-4PM. Before care from 7-9AM and after care from 4-6PM is available for an additional fee. Campers receive breakfast during before care and a snack during after care.
What should my child bring to camp each day?
Your child should bring a bag or backpack containing a bathing suit, towel, sunscreen (spray preferred), water bottle, complete change of clothes, and a brush or comb. Each camper will have a designated area to store their belongings. ALL items must be labeled with your child’s full name. Please note that campers MUST NOT bring cell phones to camp. All electronics are prohibited at camp.
What should my child wear to camp each day?
Your child should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for outdoor play. We ask that all girls wear their swimming attire under their clothing and that all boys wear their swimming trunks to camp. This will eliminate a trip to the restrooms to change for their pool periods. All campers must wear sneakers to camp everyday due to the nature of the camp activities. They may bring water shoes/ flip flops for the pool area only. Hikes in the Nature Trail, playing on the playground, etc. all require closed toe shoes to prevent injury. Please, apply full-coverage sunscreen to your child before drop-off. Our counselors always remind the campers to re-apply it throughout the day too.
How many campers will be in my child's group?
The typical camp group consists of 12-20 campers, depending on the age group. Camp SAM is organized by age divisions: (5 & 6 year olds), (7-9 year olds), (10-11 year olds), (12-15 year olds). The younger groups tend to be on the smaller side to accommodate our youngest campers who often need more assistance. We pride ourselves on our wide age range and providing a one stop shop for parents. We use progressive programming to ensure that all activities are age appropriate. Our youngest campers are 2.5 years old and our oldest campers are 15 years old.
Our camper groups are tightly knit, and become more like a small family unit. Your child will remain in the same group each week they attend. Each group has 2 counselors which remain the same throughout the summer. Our counselors are 18 years old and above and many are teachers or college students studying education. Many of our counselors are former campers and can remember their first summer at Camp SAM very vividly.
What are your minimum requirements for camp registration?
We have no minimum! Our scheduling is very flexible to accommodate different family needs. We offer 2, 3, 4 or 5 day camp, and you can select any days you’d like. We recommend campers attend for at least 2-3 weeks. This provides your child/children adequate time to become part of Camp SAM’s community and develop strong, meaningful relationships with other campers and our Counselors.
How do schedule changes work?
Upon enrollment, you submit a $100 weekly deposit for each of the weeks you select. After June 1st, this deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable, and turns into a $100 “cancellation fee” on your account if you change a week. It will not be moved to the new week you add. During the summer, if you would like to add a week, add days to a week or change the days within a certain week, you must notify the camp office the Friday prior to that week, by 5PM.
What does drop off/pick up look like?
Our drop-off/pick-up procedures are as follows:
DROP OFF (8:45-9:30am)*
- Drop-Off occurs at the back of the building.
- Please remain in your vehicle with your child and follow the traffic flow of the drop-off line.
- A staff member will greet you at your vehicle to check your child in and assist with getting them to their camp group.
- You may drop off your child as early as 8:45am, without incurring the Extended Care Fee.
*Before Care Drop-Off follows the same procedure from 7:00-9:00am.
PICK UP (3:45-4:15pm)*
- Pick-Up occurs at the back of the building.
- Upon arrival, please park and walk to the sign-out area each day to pick up your child.
- A parent or authorized grown-up must arrive with a valid photo identification each day.
- You may pick up your child as late as 4:15pm, without incurring the Extended Care Fee.
- Please Note: There will be no early pick-ups permitted between 3:00-3:45pm due to our end of day gathering and packing up of items.
*After-Care Pick-Up follows the same procedure from 4:00-6:00pm.
Do you have a behavior policy?
At camp, we enforce a 3-strike policy for inappropriate behavior. If a camper receives 3 strikes in one day, they will be sent home for the day. Should these behaviors continue on a consistent basis, your camper may be removed from camp and asked not to return to camp at Camp SAM’s sole discretion. In this case, no refunds will be given.
The use of threats, racism, discrimination and or physical fights will not be tolerated at our camp. Any camper who engages in these behaviors will face immediate removal from camp and may be asked not to return at Camp SAM’s sole discretion. In this case, no refunds will be given. Bullying will not be tolerated and will be addressed immediately. A camper may be immediately removed from camp and may be asked not to return to camp at Camp SAM’s sole discretion. In this case, no refunds will be given.
Electronics are strictly prohibited from camp. Camp SAM reserves the right to deny, cancel, sever or suspend a child’s enrollment if deemed in the best interest of the camp, in which case the deposit or unused camp fee will NOT be refunded.
Do you do background checks on your employees?
Yes. All staff members go through an extensive interview process and participate in extensive training on camp programming, camp philosophy/approach, and camp safety. Rest assured your children will be well cared for. We also conduct thorough background checks on all staff.
What happens if my child is sick?
There is no credit for sick days, however if your child is ill for an extended period of time and a doctor’s note is provided, certain arrangements can be made. Please see the Camp Director for more information.
What happens on rainy days?
WE JUST KEEP HAVING FUN—THERE IS NO RAINY-DAY SCHEDULE. Activities that already take place under our covered pavilions continue as normal. All outdoor activities “take shelter” under the pavilions, where counselors organize games and activities for our campers. In addition, we have numerous indoor play spaces to accommodate the campers as well including the dance studio, multipurpose room, sport courts, fit kids gym, ninja gym, cheer floors, tumble tracks, playcare room, glam studio and more!
Am I allowed to visit my child during the camp day?
For parents who are planning to visit during the regular camp activity day, an e-mail to Camp Director Priscilla at priscilla@rkcomplex.com in advance is appreciated. We ask that all
visits be scheduled, and be between the hours of 10AM and 3PM. You must check in with the front desk upon arrival to receive your visitor
pass. The visit will last for one period. A Camp SAM staff member will show you to your child’s group and stay with you for the duration of the period, just in case there are any questions. At end of the visit, you can also meet with Camp Director Priscilla, if you’d like.
What does my child need for theme days?
Every Thursday is a camp-wide Theme Day. Some of these theme days include Survivor, Wild West, Camp Olympics and more! The campers and staff absolutely love these days! Performances and exhibitions are presented throughout the day. Counselors will inform campers when they need to bring/wear something special for theme days. You will also receive an email reminder from our staff. If your child dresses for the theme, please have them pack a change of clothes. There is usually a sign at the sign in/out desks with more information on these special events.
Will my child learn to swim at camp?
Our goal is for every child to become a confident swimmer during their summer with us. While we do not provide organized swim lessons during the camp day, our youngest campers in SAM Playcare will receive informal instruction during their pool time, focusing on different skills each day such as blowing bubbles, kicking, treading water, etc.
Is lunch included in the tuition?
YES! All campers receive water, a free lunch and a free snack throughout the day.
There are water jugs placed throughout the campground for campers to refill their water bottles during the day to remain hydrated. The free lunch consists of an entree, side and dessert. PB&J or a cheese sandwich are offered daily as an alternative to the main entree. The daily snacks may include: popsicles, fruit, crackers, string cheese, pretzels, cookies, and more.
Campers may also bring their own snacks or lunch if they wish. Individual food allergies will be taken into consideration.
In addition to the water, free lunch and free snack provided to each camper, the Café is open for campers to purchase additional food items during snack time. Parents can load money onto a card through their Parent Portal. This card can be reloaded at any time during the summer.
Please note: If you are dropping your child off after 9:30am, campers MUST bring a packed lunch.
What other activities can my child participate in at Rastelli Kids Complex?
RKC offers a wide variety of youth and family programs. Your child can host their birthday party here, tumble in the Fit Kids Gymnastics Program, join South Jersey Storm All-Star Cheerleading and so much more. We can also host your party for ANY occasion—birthday, graduation, anniversary, family reunion or corporate outing. We offer sports, outdoor/pool, cheerleading and gymnastics parties. For more information, please call us at 856-401-8111.
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