A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND CAMPERS
WELCOME TO ESF ONLINE ADVENTURES!
While we cannot be physically together at camp this summer, we can be together virtually! We are incredibly excited about ESF’s Online Adventures and everything it has in store for you and your family. Each day promises to be full of new experiences, exciting learning, and great fun. To ensure that you get the most out of all that we have in store for you this summer, we have put together this Camp Handbook. Please be sure to read this booklet, as it outlines important information about ESF’s Online Adventures.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to you this summer and thank you for joining us on this new adventure. If there is anything we can do to ensure that you get the most out of your ESF experience, please let us know anytime at wecare@esfcamps.com.
Michael J. Rouse Executive Director & Co-Founder
WHO WE ARE
ESF Summer Camps has been a vital influence in the camping industry since its evolution in 1982. The ESF Dream was the inspiration of brothers Michael and Bill Rouse. Their motive in founding the organization was to create a camp filled with non-stop action and pure fun for children of all ages.
The dream came to life with the creation of their first camp for children in 1982 at The Haverford School in Haverford, PA. The two-week tennis camp sold out and from this success, ESF (Education, Sports and Fun) Summer Camps was born. Over three decades have passed and the organization has grown from 1 camp with 35 campers to more than 70 summer camps with nearly 3,000 campers.
Traditional values and goals are reflected in every aspect of ESF Camps. From our carefully planned programs to our emphasis on individual achievement in a family atmosphere, ESF is truly a special place for campers and their families. That is why so many of the campers return year after year. All ESF camps fill up quickly and have waiting lists of children interested in attending. This is the best reward ESF can receive.
The ESF Team is comprised of dedicated professionals who are in the forefront of their respective fields and are motivated by a passion for superior performance and quality service. Together, they continue to keep the dream alive and bring limitless adventures to children of all ages. Their motivation and driving force ultimately comes from the happy faces, the good times, the new experiences and the knowledge that ESF remains true to making every child feel special. When a summer at ESF helps children to learn, to grow and to discover new talents within themselves, the ESF Team realizes that they have accomplished their mission!
OUR VISION
Design and operate the world’s best experiences that fuel optimism and happiness in the young and the “young at heart”, their families, our team, and the communities we serve in order to enhance their lives while inspiring others to do the same.
OUR MISSION
Provide the finest camp experience for people of all ages - an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. ESF is committed to quality and excellence in everything that we do. We provide carefully designed programs and activities, a dedicated, experienced and well-trained staff, along with a caring, safe environment with premier facilities. Through education, sports, and fun, we offer opportunities for campers and staff members to believe in themselves and to achieve their full potential.
OUR VIRTUES OF CHARACTER
These are the character muscles that must be exercised individually to drive the right behaviors within our organization:
• Positivity
• Kindness
• Respect
• Gratitude
• Effort
• Resiliency
• Trustworthiness
• Community
All activities are designed to take place in the camper’s home or backyard with minimal guidance from caregivers, providing 4-6 hours of daily engagement.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
ESF Online Adventures consists of a unique, innovative, age-appropriate, projectbased curriculum that includes high energy and engaging interactive activities designed to build connections and promote community and camaraderie. We are excited to invite families on a new adventure, infused with robust, online interactive experiences utilizing the Canvas and Zoom platforms. Our online experience will apply the same traditions, activities, and special ingredients of an ESF in-person camp experience including morning assemblies, group challenges, icebreakers, and even virtual dance parties!
HERE ARE SOME OF THE MANY FEATURES OF ONLINE ADVENTURES:
• Different programs will be offered for Day and Senior campers in grades 1-6.
• Campers will be grouped by grade level and instructed each day by ESF partners, Lead Teachers and Group Specialists in live classes with low staff to camper ratios.
• All activities are designed to take place in the camper’s home or backyard with minimal guidance from caregivers, providing 4-6 hours of daily engagement.
• ESF’s Canvas and Zoom platforms bring you a safe, secure, and buttoned up delivery of engaging experiences that are educational, safe, meaningful, and fun.
• All online adventures are designed to reduce screen strain to the greatest degree possible. Activities are scheduled around numerous power boost breaks, and teachers are cognizant of over-exposure. Since our interactive learning is collaborative in nature, intense focus on screens is reduced.
• A Camp Starter Kit will be sent to each camper including an ESF t-shirt and an extra added surprise.
• Customized STEM and Art supply kits, aligned with our unique programming, will be mailed to each camper in advance. Each kit will include a personalized letter and a customized ESF label.
• Live programs will include Art, STEM, True Life Adventures, Special Events and more.
• Pre-recorded programs will include morning assemblies, kid workouts and more.
• Campers will be provided with a platform to share their accomplishments in our online ESF Camper Spotlight.
• Weekly Challenges provide opportunities to get parents and siblings in on the fun!
• Each week, we will focus on one Virtue of Character and get crazy with a Wacky Wednesday theme.
WACKY WEDNESDAY THEMES
WEEK OF WORD OF THE WEEK WACKY WEDNESDAY
June 22nd
Respect
Bandana Day
Wear 1 or 2 or 3 or more bandanas to your Zoom sessions today!
June 29th
Positivity
Red, White, & Blue Day
See you online in your red, white and blue. Stars and Stripes too!
July 6th
Kindness
Luau Day
It’s always sunny at Online Adventures! Wear Tropical Attire today!
July 13th
Gratitude
Silly Sunglasses Day
Cannot wait to see you in your silliest sunglasses!
TYPICAL DAY CAMP SCHEDULE
Jaguars (Rising Grades 1st - 2nd)
TIME EVENT
8:45 – 9:00 Assembly
9:00 – 10:00 Art
10:00 – 10:15 Break / PowerBoost
10:15 – 11:00 STEM
11:00 – 11:15 Snack / PowerBoost
11:15 – 12:00 Special
12:00 – 12:30 Yoga & Mindfulness
12:30 – 1:00 LUNCH
1:00 – 1:30 Kids Work Out
1:45 – 2:45 Weekly Challenges
TYPICAL SENIOR CAMP SCHEDULE:
Voyagers (Rising Grades 3rd & 4th)
Mountaineers (Rising Grades 5th & 6th)
TIME EVENT
8:45 – 9:00 Assembly
9:00 – 10:00 TLA
10:00 – 10:15 Snack / PowerBoost
10:15 – 11:00 Special
11:00 – 11:45 Art
11:45 – 12:30 STEM
12:30 – 1:00 LUNCH
1:00 – 1:30 Fit & Fun Workout
1:45 – 2:45 Weekly Challenges
TRUE LIFE ADVENTURES SCHEDULE
Mountaineers (Rising Grades 5th & 6th)
WEEK EVENT
Week of June 22
Week of June 29
Week of July 6
Week of July 13
Songwriting & Music Production: Part 1
Songwriting & Music Production: Part 2
Sport Stacking with Speed Stacks
Super Hero & Comic Book Creations
TRUE LIFE ADVENTURES SCHEDULE
Voyagers (Rising Grades 3rd & 4th)
WEEK EVENT
Week of June 22 Sport Stacking with Speed Stacks
Week of June 29
Week of July 6
Week of July 13
Super Hero & Comic Book Creations
Songwriting & Music Production: Part 1
Songwriting & Music Production: Part 2
ONLINE ADVENTURES
ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF
Online Adventures is led by year-round ESF Executive Team members, as well as teachers who are carefully selected based on relevant experience and expertise. All Team members participate in training prior to the start of the program and continue with professional development throughout the summer.
• Michelle Sklar, Online Adventures Director msklar@esfcamps.com 609-548-5401
• Melissa Williams, Program Coordinator mwilliams@esfcamps.com 860-250-0066
• Debbie Russo, Program Coordinator drusso@esfcamps.com 610-633-0729
ONLINE ADVENTURES PREPARATION LIST
To be prepared and ready to engage in all that Online Adventures has to offer, we recommend that you have the following items available each day:
• A computer or tablet.
• A place to set up your computer or tablet with space to spread out your materials.
• A space for fitness sessions (outdoor area optional)
• STEM and Art boxes, mailed directly to your home the week prior. If you do not receive these boxes by the Friday prior to camp, please call the Online Adventures Director.
• Check the weekly announcements in Canvas for any additional materials/ equipment needed.
CODE OF CONDUCT
ESF encourages fun, friendship and safety in a positive atmosphere. We have established behavior guidelines that revolve around the “Three R’s” that all campers follow:
1. Respect yourself
2. Respect others
3. Respect your environment
NETIQUETTE
• Treat other campers online as you would like to be treated yourself.
• Don’t engage in cyberbullying.
• Never reveal personal information online.
• Dress appropriately and be aware of your background. (Wear your ESF camp t-shirt as often as possible!)
• Avoid inappropriate or objectionable language.
• Protect your own privacy and keep the privacy of others.
• Be polite, respectful, and an attentive listener.
• Be helpful and understanding of everyone’s tech abilities.
• Remember that using technology is a privilege!
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Safety and security are our top priority, especially when we are conducting our programs in the virtual world. We are committed to abide by the following safety and security protocols:
• Our supervision ratios will be maintained at 1 Team member to every 8 campers.
• Campers will never be alone in a virtual room with a Team member.
• Live programs will be recorded for safety purposes only and will be stored securely in our ESF Dropbox. Photographing campers is strictly prohibited.
• Teachers will utilize a variety of Zoom security protections including the ability to:
* Mute a participant.
* Stop a participant’s video.
* Prevent screen sharing.
* Rename a participant.
* Put a participant on hold.
* Lock the meeting to prevent new participants from entering.
* Place participants in a waiting room before admitting them to the meeting.
• In the case of a camper health emergency during a live program, the teacher will call the primary parent on file to alert them of the emergency. If that parent cannot be reached, the teacher will call the secondary parent and then, if needed, the emergency contact.
• Our Team members will observe each camper daily for general health signs, health complaints, cold symptoms, and unusual cuts, burns, and bruises. ESF is committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect and our Team members are considered Mandated Reporters. This means that Team members have a legal responsibility to report any suspected abuse or neglect of a child to the proper protective services in each state.
FOR PARENTS
At ESF, Inc., we are committed to protecting the privacy of children who use our websites and platforms. We respect your right as a parent to understand our information practices, including the types of personal information we may collect from children, the uses to which we may put that information, and whether and with whom we may share that information. Read ESF’s Children’s Online Privacy Policy below for details on our practices. Our Internet Safety and Security tips that are detailed in this handbook are designed to help start a dialog with your child(ren) about staying safe online, while enjoying all that online experiences have to offer.
CHILDREN’S PRIVACY POLICY
ESF, Inc. is committed to protecting the privacy of children who use our websites and platforms. ESF’s Children’s Online Privacy Policy explains our information collection, disclosure, and parental consent practices with respect to the information provided by children under the age of 13 (“child” or “children”), and uses terms that are defined in ESF’s general Privacy Policy. This policy is in accordance with the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”), and outlines our practices in the United States regarding children’s personal information. For more information about COPPA and general tips about protecting children’s online privacy, please click link to Protecting Your Child’s Privacy Online
QUICK START GUIDE TO CANVAS
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
ESF Online Adventures are delivered in Canvas and Zoom.
• For best performance, Canvas should be used on the current or first previous major release of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android operating systems making it accessible from most computer devices.
• It is recommended for campers to download and install Zoom on their computers. Zoom can be downloaded at: zoom.us/download
WHERE AND HOW TO LOG IN
ESF will send a Welcome Email every Friday with instructions on how to access your personal ESF Online Adventures portal. Campers will login at esfcamps.instructure.com. The convention for camper accounts:
• Username: first initial-last name
• Password:
If campers experience issues logging in, they are encouraged to use the Forgot Password feature on the esfcamps.instructure.com login page. Camper accounts are connected to the primary parent email used for registration.
ACCESSING YOUR CAMP
After login, you will be taken to a Dashboard with a camp tile similar to the example shown at right. Click on the tile to enter your virtual camp’s main page.
CAMP MAIN PAGE
The camp main page has links for each day of the week, announcements, Camper Spotlight and our Weekly Challenge.
HOW TO NAVIGATE YOUR VIRTUAL CAMP
Your virtual camp is laid out on a daily basis. Campers should click on the appropriate day of the week image on the camp main page. This will take them to all the sessions scheduled for that particular day. On the day of the week pages, campers will see an agenda with links that take them directly to the session for that day. Also, at the top of the day pages, are links to our Weekly Challenge and Camper Spotlight.
WEEKLY CHALLENGES
The Weekly Challenges are posted in this space each week. Campers can share their accomplishments by uploading photos and video.
CAMPER SPOTLIGHT
The Camper Spotlight is a space where Campers can share projects, activities, ideas they are doing at home that relates to Camp. Here campers can upload photos and videos.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
Below the agenda and links for weekly challenge and camper spotlight is the day’s schedule. The schedule consists of large icons that are links to sessions.
ENTERING A SESSION
Campers will click the session logos for the schedule session. Live sessions will be held in Zoom. Students will click on the icon and be taken to a new page where Zoom will open. Campers will see a popup like the one below. Click “Open Zoom” to enter the session. For security purposes, please use the camper’s first and last name to identify themselves.
HAVE A GREAT ADVENTURE!
