Parent Guide

Always having the most up-to-date information about your child is a vital component to a successful Robin Hood experience. We put a lot of effort into developing efficient administrative systems that make information gathering as simple as possible. Please provide all requested information in a timely fashion.

An important part of your pre-summer preparations is completing your online forms. Online forms are now available by logging into the same link as your registration.

Complete Your Camp Forms Now

PLEASE COMPLETE FORMS BY JUNE 21!

The following forms are to be completed:

1. Health Form : Please provide the most up-to-date information on your child so our Health Centre staff can best take care of your child should the need arise.
2. Swim Form: Please provide the most current swim level information so our Swim Coordinators can make an accurate placement for your child’s swim lessons. More information can be found about our Swim Program in the SUMMER 2021 SAFETY & OPERATIONS GUIDE
3. Transportation Form: If you have not already done so, please let us know your preferred method of transportation to camp for this summer. Click here.
for the 2021 Transportation Form. Any other details you feel will be helpful for Robin, our Transportation Director. She can be reached all summer long at: transportation@camprobinhood.ca. .: To help our health centre, office, Section Heads and counsellors become familiar with your camper, we ask that you provide a recent photo of your child. It’s easy to do when you are on our online system.

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Other Forms that we distribute just prior to the beginning of camp and throughout the summer as needed:

Our summer calendar has a list of the optional events that take place throughout the summer. You can sign up your child for any of the programs that take place during their registered session. These include:

Note: These events are only available to campers who are registered in the session in which these events take place. Check out our summer calendar for more details.

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Information about completing our forms:

• Completion is Easy!! We have worked hard to make our online process as easy as possible.
• Adhering to deadlines is Crucial!! It is hard to be flexible when deadlines are not met and since safety is our greatest focus, deadlines allow us to be best organized to ensure a fantastic time for everyone.
• You can always update your information! It is always better to submit your forms with the information you have on hand ASAP than wait until your camper begins camp. Whether it’s changes to health or swim information or any forms for that matter, you can always email us at office@camprobinhood.ca and we will make sure a member of our office team updates your information.

Sharing information between home and camp makes everybody feel good about the camp experience. It also allows us to take care of your children to the best of our ability. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Click Here to Access Your Camp Forms Now

Our experience has taught us that Moms and Dads like to have their child(ren) prepared for anything that GTA weather may throw our way during the summer. However, our CRH knapsacks (which we provide!) can only handle so many items! The “cabin” that your child will be assigned to has its own actual “cabin” where all items brought to camp can be stored and kept safe. New for 2021: Your CRH knapsack now has a handy waterproof pouch to keep wet bathing suits separate from all other clothing.

Here are more recommendations of what your child should wear and have packed in their knapsack on a daily basis.

Washable, inexpensive clothing
• We recommend that you NOT send clothing that may upset you and/or your child if for some reason it got dirty, accidentally damaged or went missing.
LABEL ALL ITEMS
• Our staff work very hard to help your child return home with all the items you send to camp, it is super-important that you find a labelling process that works for you. Even labelling with a sharpie (permanent) marker (first AND last names!!) makes returning lost items much easier.
Wear a hat
• One of the reasons our camp won the 2016 Melanoma Network of Canada Sun Safety Award is in part because of our commitment to all campers and staff protecting themselves from the sun.
Sports Academy Campers
• Campers are not required to bring specific sports equipment to camp, however, we do insist that athletic shoes (not sandals) be worn so that campers can play safely on our courts and fields. If your child has a baseball glove (LABELLED!) they are invited to pack one in their knapsack.
Dress for weather
• Since our location in Markham is susceptible to changing weather conditions, we do recommend you pack a few items that will allow your child to be comfortable regardless of what Mother Nature sends our way. Please check the weather daily but don’t assume that the conditions your child left home in will be the same throughout the day (or even the same as you may encounter wherever you are during the day). We recommend packing light items like a windbreaker, long-sleeve shirt, or a sweatshirt for cold windy days and boots and a raincoat for rainy days. We have great indoor facilities to keep our programs going all day long.
Extra clothes at camp
• Some of our younger campers may benefit from having some extra clothes labelled and stored in the cabin just in case these items are needed.
Footwear
• Running shoes and socks are preferred over sandals/open-toe shoes, thus allowing our campers to partake in all of our activities.
Sunscreen to be left in the cabin
• We ask that you apply sunscreen (rain or shine) on your child before they get on to the bus/ or travel with you to camp each morning. On the first day of camp, please provide sunscreen (LABELLED!) that can be kept in the cabin and reapplied at designated times during the day. Our staff are trained on the various age-appropriate ways to assist their campers with putting on more sunscreen. Your child’s Section Head (age-division supervisor) will contact you if we need more sunscreen.

The “What to Pack” Summary

• 1 bathing suit (Campers will be given sufficient time before and after their swim period to change and re-apply their sunscreen)
• 1 towel
• 1 pair of shorts and underwear
• Lunch (if providing)
• Sweatshirt and sweatpants
• Raincoat
• Pool shoes – optional
• Eyeglasses case (if required)
• Earplugs (if required)
• Masks: As the safety of our campers and staff is our highest priority, Camp Robin Hood will responsibly adhere to public health guidelines regarding mask wearing. Our 2021 daily camp program is designed to maximize outdoor activities, and will require campers and staff to wear masks when two metres of distance cannot be maintained. Our staff will be trained to ensure that campers will have plenty of opportunities for ‘mask breaks’ throughout the day (i.e. during activities that ensure two metres distance between campers). In addition, staff will continually assess the impact daily weather conditions have on campers, and implement appropriate ‘mask breaks’ when needed. As per the public health guidelines, campers are required to wear well-fitted masks (e.g. non-medical). Families are responsible for providing masks for their campers on a daily basis. We recommend sending your child to camp with additional masks, to facilitate changing as needed (i.e. when soiled, damp or damaged). The front pocket of the Camp Robin Hood backpack is a perfect spot to house extra masks! Our staff will be supplied with required surgical procedure masks as well as eye protection (i.e. goggles). Staff will be properly trained in the requirements of mask-wearing and use of eye protection in our setting. Hand hygiene will be at the forefront of our daily camp routines. As a result, every time your camper takes off and puts back on their mask, our staff will ensure that proper hand washing and sanitizing procedures are in place. While we are so encouraged that COVID-19 case counts continue to improve and vaccination rates increase, we are hopeful that over the course of the summer, mask wearing requirements as mandated by Public Health will adjust accordingly. However, the current reality of COVID-19 variants and their potential to impact our community are reflective in the protocols we must follow. Camp Robin Hood is committed to the daily health and safety of your child and we are going to have a ton of fun at the same time.

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A Few Words of Advice:

• Pack an appropriate change of clothes for days that start off cool - Even on our coolest days, a t-shirt and shorts should be worn or packed.
• Remind your child to place their wet bathing suit in the handy waterproof pocket of their knapsack. It's also a good idea to pack a plastic bag for wet clothes
• Label everything with first name and last name

Keeping the energy up all day long at Robin Hood is a lot easier when our kids are well fed and hydrated. And as you know, it begins with providing your child with a great breakfast so they can start their day right. Please review the following details about all things “food” at Camp Robin Hood.

All food prepared/provided in our camp kitchen is Nut Free
• if you have any special dietary considerations please indicate them on your child’s health form or contact our office to discuss.
Daily treats and drinks are provided
• camp activities stop mid-day so everyone can enjoy lunch within their designated areas at camp while supervised by our staff. Water and juice are provided at this time. Each afternoon, our staff provide a fun treat that campers enjoy with their friends. Water is available all around camp each day and even on our bus ride home.

Optional Lunch Program

Kids Kitchen – visit this link for all the details and to sign-up
• A la carte menu with a variety of entrees (including hot lunch items, sides & snacks)
• Prices are based on items ordered
• Flexible ordering – order at any time and as often as you like – orders must be placed by 10am the previous business day (Friday for Monday orders)
• It’s easy! Create an account, select Robin Hood as your child’s CAMP, select the correct unit for your child (we will share that info before their first day).
• A valid credit card is required and all food provided by Kids Kitchen is 100% Nut Free.
Please Note: To get started with Kids Kitchen, you must create an account by going to www.kidskitchen.ca and selecting "Camp Robin Hood" as your child's "CAMP". To ensure that your child's lunch is sent to their counsellor, be sure to select the correct group for each child. To order, simply click on the days you wish to order for and select from the available menu. A valid credit card is required and charges for your lunch order(s) will be billed to your credit card at the end of each week.
Sending snacks to camp
• We encourage you to send easy, “on-the-go” types of snacks if you feel your camper would benefit from extra energy.
• Given the fast-paced nature of each day, campers will eat their snacks while travelling around camp between activities.
• Like all food at camp, please ensure that these snacks/treats are Nut Free.
If a camper forgets their lunch
We will contract parents about the missing lunch
Celebrating birthdays at camp
We are not accepting any items from home to give to other campers - due to covid guidance we will find in-camp ways of celebrating.

Our “End of Session” surveys have indicated that one of the things parents most appreciate about Camp Robin Hood is our commitment to timely and effective communication between home and camp. Whether it’s direct communication with camp owners Sari & Howie Grossinger, a member of our office team or a Assistant Director* or Section Head who supervises the area of camp your child has been assigned to, you can count on a professional and timely response to any question or concern you may have.

Getting information or questions to us?

Phone: 416-736-4443
Email:
• General Inquiries – office@camprobinhood.ca
• Transportation – transportation@camprobinhood.ca
• Registration - patti@camprobinhood.ca
Bus Note: Send us a note and hand it to the bus counsellor or to the person who greets you at camp if you drive your child. You can use this bus mail note template or any piece of paper will do.

Whichever method of communication you choose, please know that our office staff are always ready to assist you.

How Do We Get Information To You?

We have several methods of sharing all kinds of information with our families throughout the summer. Here is what you can expect:

• Emails – On a regular basis, our office will communicate specifically on a number of topics including; special days, cookouts, end of session swim reports, extended day permission forms, weather updates when needed, and grouping and transportation updates etc. Please be sure to check your inbox regularly so you don’t miss an email.
• Friday Flyer – This is the name of our weekly newsletter that is emailed to you and has great information about the past week, as well as things to look forward to at camp.It has links to photos, videos and all kinds of information that makes you feel as if you were at camp yourself!
• Facebook & Instagram - We love using these social media platforms to tell the story of camp each day. Make sure you follow us!! We endeavour to post a realistic but limited number of photos each day.
• Phone Calls - From time to time we call families directly. Our policy is to always leave a message and we encourage you to listen to that message before calling us back. By doing so, you are able to let our office know who called you and this will speed up our ability to have you talk to the right person.

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So Who Do I Talk To At Camp?

The following people are those that play a role in responding to your inquiries on a regular basis.

• Sari & Howie Grossinger - Camp Owners and Directors
• Patti Stulberg - Registration Director
• Robin Perlmutter - Transportation Director
• Bev Unger R.N. - Health & Wellness Director at “RobinAid”
• Jordanna Grossinger - Assistant Director
• Lorne Berger - Assistant Director
• Ryan Minster - Assistant Director

Other people you will get to know:

Sue & Darcy are veteran members of our office team and answer our phones daily. Feel free to ask them any question you have and they will know how to direct your inquiry. If our lines are busy, please leave a message and we will return your call as quickly as possible.

Note: Our Assistant Director’s not only oversee the programs and campers in the areas listed above, they also directly supervise the Section Heads responsible for each area. In many cases, our Section Heads will contact parents when needed. Counsellors/Coaches have the primary responsibility of providing direct care to our campers and for this reason they do not have the time to phone parents directly. The good news is that they love to meet parents and provide updates at our monthly Family Nights.

IMPORTANT: Be confident that all inquiries will be addressed by a member of our team best suited to respond.

We are most proud of the positive reputation we have for providing a fun, well-supervised and memorable camp experience for our campers. We are equally as proud that parents tell us that our constant commitment to working with parents provides wonderful “peace of mind” that they have made the right choice sending their kids to Camp Robin Hood. Our dedication to “partnering with parents” has allowed for us to maintain effective two-way communication between home and camp and has allowed us to work together productively should any sticky situations arise.

At its core (and we can’t emphasize this enough) is open and honest communication between home and camp. Our application process encouraged you to provide details about what your child’s strengths and limitations may be in a social environment like camp. Our director Sari Grossinger, a registered Occupational Therapist, has built her professional camp career on her commitment to working with the information provided to make every camper’s experience inclusive and positive.

At this time of year, should there be additional information you would like to share with camp and/or Sari specifically please contact the office by phone or email sari@camprobinhood.ca.

Rest assured that information provided is kept confidential and only shared with those members of our team who need to be “in the know” so that we can work together to help your child and all children at camp have a safe and successful experience with us.

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Safe on the Inside, Safe on the Outside

Every child has the right to feel safe at our camp. The staff we employ are well trained and the program we deliver is inclusive and non-threatening. Aligning ourselves with Ontario’s Code of Conduct and the Safe Schools Policy that have been adopted by the schools in our community, is a commitment that all of us at Robin Hood take very seriously.

Every reasonable effort will be made to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our campers. As challenges present themselves, a problem solving approach will be utilized to support all those involved. Discipline will be fair and progressive, and used as much as a teaching tool as possible. Clear and consistent consequences will be put into place, depending on the situation, by incorporating strategies at camp with supportive reinforcement at home. Our hope, like that of any social/educational setting, is to help create responsible, caring and productive members of society.

Issues of bullying, in all of its forms, can occur in any social environment. At Robin Hood, we are ready to respond at all times to issues of verbal or physical intimidation, put downs of any kind or any situation that creates discomfort for any camper. Our Senior Staff (many of whom are educators themselves) and Directors will be directly involved in the problem solving approaches we utilize. Only through meaningful dialogue at camp and with our families can we effectively deal with this serious issue.

Sari & Howie are committed to your family having a positive experience at Robin Hood. Many of you know them but here is a brief overview of our Directors:

Sari Grossinger: Since graduating in 1990, Sari has been a practicing paediatric Occupational Therapist and plays a key role in meeting the needs of our campers and their families. In addition to working with our own Camper Relations Team, Sari actively mentors Occupational Therapy students throughout the year. By providing personal attention to issues related to camper care, grouping and problem solving, Sari forms the link between camp and home and is a trusted resource for Robin Hood parents.

We are so proud that Sari’s leadership of our inclusion program for campers and staff with special needs has earned Camp Robin Hood a reputation in North America as a place for supportive and inclusive camping. Sari is a former Board member of the Ontario Camps Association and a recipient of the Association’s highest honour, the Dorothy Walter Award of Excellence.


Howie Grossinger: Howie is camp’s main face of fun, developing creative activities, training our staff to the highest standards, and leading our famous flagpole events. Howie joined the Camp Robin Hood family almost 33 years ago and has been positively impacting campers and staff ever since. Married to Sari for 30 years has provided the opportunity for the two of them to devote their lives to creating an environment that provides a safe place for positive growth, independence and boatloads of fun.

Howie is a former high school teacher, department head and uses his educational experience to provide high-value training to our staff. Howie’s experience also includes 10 years as a member of the Ontario Camps Association Board and serving as its President for 4 years. A club volleyball coach for 12 years, Howie received the 2016 Ontario Volleyball Association’s “Coach of the Year” award making him the go-to guy for creating and nurturing teamwork at camp.