Summer Camp Handbook 2026

Phone Numbers and Contacts

Important Phone Numbers

Recreation Department Main Phone: 763-493-8333
Camp CAC: 612-710-0473
Camp Norwood: 612-655-1860
Camp Northwoods: 612-655-2372
Camp Willowstone: 612-655-1519

Camp Coordinators

Camp CAC: Robin Thorsen & Vanessa Merrill
Camp Norwood: Roamera Dalton & Heneeya Myrick
Camp Northwoods: Maija Luckow & Breeana Gerber
Camp Willowstone: Daniel Johnson & Amiyah Rucker

Program Coordinator

Amber Rotramel Recreation Supervisor
Phone: 763-203-2407 Email: amber.rotramel@brooklynpark.org

Inclusion Support

Erin Bonikowske Adaptive Recreation Specialist
Phone: 763-315-8462 Email: erin.bonikowske@brooklynpark.org

Using This Handbook

It is important to review this handbook prior to the first week of programs. The information will be helpful to ensure a smooth summer for both you and your child. If you have questions please contact the Camp Coordinator at your camp location or call the Recreation Supervisor.

Summer Calendar

Monday-Thursday, June 15 – August 6, no camp on July 2

Camp times, drop off/pick up times and lunch times

All Day Camps: CAC, Norwood, Northwoods, Willowstone
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Drop off: 8:30-9 a.m.
Pick up: 4:30-5 p.m.
Free lunch served at 11:30 a.m.

Partial Day Camp Norwood
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Drop off: 11:30 a.m. – Noon
Pick up: 4:30-5 p.m.
Free lunch served at 11:30 a.m.

Leader in Training (LIT)
Time: 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Teen Outdoors
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Program Locations

Camp CAC at the Community Activity Center 5600 – 85th Ave N
Camp Norwood, LIT and Teens Outdoors at Norwood Park 8099 Newton Ave N
Camp Northwoods at Northwoods Park at 600 – 107th Ave N
Camp Willowstone at Willowstone Park at 1909 -95th Ave

FAQs

Check-in and Check-Out

All campers must be checked in and out with camp staff by their parent or guardian on a daily basis.

Dropping children off at the curb is not allowed unless the child has a completed permission walker/rider permission slip.

Pick Up and Drop Off Times

Full Day Camps open at 8:30am each day. Early drop off is not permitted. If you need to pick your child up early, please let camp staff know so they can have your child ready when you arrive. Please note that campers may be away on a walking field trip if you come unexpectedly.

All children must be picked up by 5pm each day. Camp staff are not permitted to drive children home. If the parent/guardian does not pick up the child and all other attempts to reach backups have been made, after 30mins staff are required to contact 911. Late pick up policy is: first 2 late pick ups are given a written warning. The 3rd late pick up will result in a one day suspension from Camp.

Electronics Policy

Please do not send electronic devices including Apple watch, electronic games or cell phones with your child to camp. Electronics are NOT allowed during camp. Staff cannot be responsible for loss, damage or theft of these items. Please help your child comply with this rule by leaving devices at home or in the car with you.

Lunch, Snacks, and Water Bottles

Free lunch and snack is available to all of our campers everyday! Lunch is provided by Osseo Area Schools Summer Meals Program. If you prefer to pack a lunch/snack for your child, you are welcome to do so. Please send a lunch box labeled with your child’s name and include an icepack. We do not have refrigerator space or microwaves to store or reheat personal lunches. We will be sharing the menu to all families prior to camp starting.

Note: All camps are peanut/tree nut free.

Please send a labeled water bottle with your child to camp everyday.

Walkers and Bike Riders

Kids walking/riding their bike to camp will need a permission slip completed by the first day of camp. We will have extras if you did not give permission in your camper information form. Children will not be allowed to leave the camp site without a completed permission slip.

Children riding a bike to camp must provide a lock to prevent theft.

Brooklyn Park Recreation will not be responsible for lost or stolen property. In the case of severe weather, walkers and riders will be held at Camp until the storm passes and parents will be notified.

Please do not send electronic devices including Apple watch, electronic games or cell phones with your child to camp. Electronics are NOT allowed during camp. Staff cannot be responsible for loss, damage or theft of these items. Please help your child comply with this rule by leaving devices at home or in the car with you.

Code of Conduct

All campers will be asked to adhere to the Code of Conduct established at their program site during the first week of summer. If serious behavior concerns occur during the program, staff will follow the Behavior Guidelines as listed in the participant information forms and in this handbook.

First Aid and Injuries

Our on site staff are taught to deal with minor injuries. For basic cuts, scrapes, bumps or bruises, staff will administer band-aids, water, and/or ice, complete an incident report if necessary, and inform parent/guardian when picking up the child. In the case of a more serious injury, or a possible concussion, parents/guardians will be notified and 911 will be called if needed.

Pictures

Our staff take pictures during program hours to be used for promotional purposes such as brochure, web site and social posts. If you do not want your child’s picture used for these purposes we offered a photo release request in your Camp Waiver forms.

Communication With Home

Each camp creates a weekly newsletter to let you know what is coming up the following week. We will also be posting photos/videos of camp events on our social media pages so you can view photos and videos of what is happening at camp. Like us on Facebook and Instagram at BP Rec Summer Camp!

We will be using Remind for emergency notifications or weather related cancellations. QR Codes to sign up will be available the first week of camp.

Lost and Found

If your child has lost a personal item, check with the Camp Coordinator or other camp staff. A central lost and found is located at the Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Ave, N.

What to wear to camp

All campers & teens will receive a camp T-shirt. Please be sure to send your kids to camp in close toed shoes that are appropriate for outdoor play activities like running and group games. Athletic shoes or sandals with a secure ankle strap are the best. No flip flops and no Crocs. Kids do get messy at camp! Please do send your child in clothes that can get dirty! We strive to provide a safe and inclusive environment at camp, so please be sure to keep all apparel items with snarky comments, slurs, or political slogans at home. Campers wearing inappropriate apparel at camp will be asked to turn them inside out until the end of the day.

Backpacks

Please send a backpack with your child to camp each day to keep their belongings together. Most camp activities take place outside, so please dress for the weather. Be sure to label items with your child’s name.

Bugs, Rain, and Sunscreen

We have many beautiful trees at our parks, so we also have bugs. Please apply bug spray as needed. If it is raining, campers may still be outside or under the picnic shelters participating in rainy day activities. Please send rain gear on rainy days. We may ask that kids bring a swimsuit and towel to cool off on hot days. Please send extra sunscreen with your camper to reapply throughout the day. We do not provide sunscreen and bug spray for campers. All items must be labeled with first and last name.

Visitors

At this time, parent visits during the camp day are not allowed. If you need to speak to a Coordinator, please let us know and we will schedule a time. Visiting friends or relatives are not allowed to attend camp with your child.

Cancellation Plan for Severe Weather, Extreme Heat or Poor Air Quality:

Severe Weather and Storms:

  • Each of our camp locations has a severe weather shelter
  • There will be a severe weather drill during the first week of camp
  • In the case of sudden severe weather, campers will be brought indoors until the storm passes
  • Lightning may strike as far away as 10 miles from the storm center: If lightning is seen or thunder is heard, or if staff track lightning at least 6 miles from camp, all students and staff will go inside or seek shelter immediately.
  • Outdoor activities may resume after the storm has passed and no lightning has been seen nor thunder heard for at least 30 minutes
  • If heavy, all-day rain and storms are expected parents will be notified of camp moving indoors for the day and parents will have the choice to keep campers at home.

Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat, & Air Quality Alerts

Camps Willowstone, Norwood, and Northwoods: staff will communicate location changes or closures by 7 a.m. the day of camp.

  • Excessive Heat Warning (heat index of 105 or higher): camp will move indoors if the warning is issued for less than 4 hours of the camp day. For warnings lasting 4 or more hours of the camp day, camp will be relocated to the CAC if enough space is available. If space is not available, camp will be canceled.
  • Heat advisory (max heat temp is 100 or higher for at least 2 days): Activities will be modified and campers will have additional time indoors. Parents/guardians will have the option to keep their child at home.
  • Air Quality Alert – Orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups): Activities will be modified and campers will have additional time indoors. Parents/guardians will have the option to keep their child at home.
  • Air Quality – Red (unhealthy): camp will move indoors if the alert is issued for less than 4 hours of the camp day. For alerts lasting 4 or more hours of the camp day, camp will be relocated to the CAC if space is available. If space is not available, camp will be canceled.
  • Air Quality – Purple-Brown (very unhealthy to hazardous): Camp will be canceled.

Camp CAC: During heat advisories, excessive heat warnings, or air quality alerts in orange-red zone, camp will move indoors for the day and camp will NOT be canceled.

Important things to note:

  1. If Camp Norwood, Willowstone, or Northwoods are relocated to the CAC for the day due to weather, transportation will NOT be provided. Drop off and pick up for that day will take place at the CAC.
  2. If a camp is cancelled due to a weather event, credits will be issued to all families.
  3. If families choose to keep their child home during a heat advisory or orange air quality alert, camp coordinators must be notified and a credit will be issued.

Sick Policy & Medical Information

For a full review of our medical policies check out our Medication Assistance Procedure Manual

If Your Child Is Sick

If your child is sick or has a communicable illness, it is necessary to keep them home from programs to avoid infecting other children. If vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever occurs, we require that your child stay home until they have been on antibiotics or are fever, vomiting, and diarrhea free for 24 hours. You do not need to let your Camp Coordinator know your child will be absent unless they will be going on a field trip that day.

If your child becomes ill during program hours, you will be called to pick them up.

Health and Medications

If your child needs medications to be administered during program hours, the Medication Assistance and Information form must be completed. All medication must be given directly to the Camp Coordinator in original prescription bottles or individually labeled dosing containers with camper’s first and last name. Medication will be presented to the child at the specified time, and staff will document if it was taken or refused.

Asthma

If your child has asthma, you will be asked to complete an Asthma Action Plan. The plan will be kept at the program site. Please be sure your child has any necessary asthma medication or equipment with them each day if there is a possibility of having an attack at the program site.

Allergies

If your child has a food or environmental allergy, it is important to fill out an Allergy Action Plan to be kept at the program site. In the case that your child experiences severe reactions and requires medication to be kept at camp, additional medication forms will need to be completed. Camp staff will be notified about any allergies, as well as other program participants if necessary. We will do our best to accommodate allergies and modify program content as necessary. Please communicate any additional suggestions or concerns about your child’s allergy to the Camp Coordinator or Erin Bonikowske at 763-315-8462 or erin.bonikowske@brooklynpark.org.

Seizures

If your child has a known history of seizures, you will need to complete a Seizure Questionnaire. Our seizure protocol follows the Epilepsy Foundation of MN if no other protocol has been established by the parent or guardian. If a seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes, our staff would follow the Epilepsy Foundation protocol and call 911.

Other Medical Conditions

If your child has any other medical conditions that you would like us to be aware of or that may affect program participation, please let us know as soon as possible.

Lice

Head Lice is very easily spread and can happen to anyone. If your child develops a case of head lice, they will be dismissed from camp until the first treatment is completed and no live lice are seen. If a case of head lice is suspected at your child’s camp, notices will be sent home with information about locating and treating lice.

Inclusion Services for Kids With Disability-Related Needs

We welcome people of all abilities to participate in our programs! Please let us know if you require an accommodation specific to a disability-related need, a behavioral support, or other need for inclusion services. For children new to inclusion services, we will contact you to create an inclusion plan . For those who are returning to inclusion services, we will touch base with you to see if anything has changed and make adjustments to your inclusion plan.

For more information on adaptive recreation or inclusion services, contact: Erin Bonikowske, Adaptive Recreation Specialist, at erin.bonikowske@brooklynpark.org or 763-315-8462.

Summer Camp Behavior Guidelines

Mission:

To provide participants, staff, and program supervisors with a clear set of guidelines for promoting positive behavior and good experiences within our programs.

Process for Promoting Positive Behavior:

The Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks Department promotes positive behavior by using clear guidelines, consistent consequences, positive staff interaction, and communication with families. It is the expectation that children enrolled in Brooklyn Park Recreation programs will follow the code of conduct and rules at the program site. If the code of conduct or rules are broken, the following procedure will take place:

First incident: a verbal warning is given

Second incident: take a break from group activities and possibly write a behavior reflection and plan

Third incident: parent will be called, and child may be sent home for the remainder of the day

In the case that a child is exhibiting consistent misbehavior at a program site, a meeting will be scheduled with the child and their parent/guardian to discuss any behaviors which do not coincide with program expectations and a Behavior Action Plan will be drafted. If the behavior continues or the Behavior Action Plan is unsuccess-ful, an additional meeting will be scheduled. The plan will be modified with the expectation of success. If the behavior continues, the Behavior Action Plan is unsuccessful, and other possibilities have been exhausted, program staff may begin limiting or discontinuing participation in the program.

All reasonable accommodations will be made for people with disability-related needs to participate in programs offered by the Brooklyn Park Recreation Department.

Limiting or Discontinuing Participation:

The Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks Department strives to meet the needs of all participants. Occasionally, other options or opportunities may need to be explored.

Some options include:

  • observation by the Adaptive Recreation Specialist to determine if extra staff assistance or program modifications may be helpful
  • a break from program for a period of time determined by supervisor and parent/guardian followed by a probation period in which the participant must demonstrate improved behavior
  • meeting with parent/guardian to discuss a different program option that may be a better fit for the participant
  • termination of participation in program for a period of 1 season as a last resort

Immediate removal from program:

A participant may be immediately removed from the program and sent home if the following behaviors occur:

  • Physical attempts to cause injury to self or others
  • Destruction of property
  • Running away from a program area or hiding from staff
  • Verbal abuse or violent language
  • Possession of illegal or dangerous items
  • Bullying or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or disability

All reasonable accommodations will be made for people with disability-related needs, allergies, or other needs for inclusion services.

Staff Commitment:

The Brooklyn Park Recreation Staff is committed to providing a positive atmosphere for the people in our programs and to taking the necessary steps toward promoting positive behavior. Camp Coordinators and Program Supervisors will be involved in any recommendations for suspension or termination from a program.

Parent Expectations:

It is expected that parent/guardian of participants in Brooklyn Park Recreation programs will contribute to efforts to maintain positive behavior while at program sites and keep an open line of communication between staff.