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Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium

 Camp Parent Guide


Thank you for choosing Wonders of Wildlife/Dogwood Canyon Camps for your child's next adventure this year! Your camper will engage in fun activities, including live animal encounters, crafts, games, field trips, and outdoor activities. The education department is committed to connecting your child to nature and creating a passion for conservation through engaging programs that inspire stewardship of the natural world.


If you have any questions related to camps at

Wonders of Wildlife, please contact

the Education Department at

Phone: 417-225-1162

Email: edu@wondersofwildlife.org

Registration Policies

General Reservation Policy:

·        Reservations are required prior to the program start date.

·        Deposits are not required

·        Full payment is due upon reservation of the program unless using EZ pay. 

·        If wanting to register a child after registration is closed, please call the education department for supervisor approval.


·        Discount codes must be entered at checkout. Discount codes not entered prior to checking out will not be honored.

·        If Springfield Public Schools are closed due to ice or snow, we will reschedule our program for a later date. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled date, a refund may be issued.

 

Refund and No-Show Policy:

·        Refunds will not be issued for no-call no-shows.

·        Refunds will not be issued for any missed camp days.

·        Refunds will not be issued for a cancellation received within two weeks of the scheduled camp date.

·        Refunds, minus a $10 service fee per student, will be given if canceled prior to two weeks before the program start date.

Date Change Policy:

·        Date changes will not be honored two weeks before a program starts.

·        Date changes/transfers will be honored if requested prior to two weeks before the program start date (This will depend on camp availability). There is a $10 service fee per student to transfer a camp date. 


General Information

Camp Hours:

·        WOW camps are for kindergarten-high school: 8:00 am-3:00 pm

The Stay & Play Program is from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; please refer to the dismissal procedures section for details.

·        DWC camps for 3rd grade- high school: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.


Lunch and Snacks:

·        Campers are required to bring their own lunch each day of camp.

·        Campers will not have access to a microwave, nor will they be able to purchase lunch from Fish Tales Café.

·        Afternoon snacks will be provided and will not contain nuts.

·        If your child has a more severe allergy, we suggest packing a snack for them.

·         Campers should bring a water bottle each day of camp and can bring additional drinks for lunch.

Dress Code:

· Campers will be required to wear a 2025 Summer Camp shirt every day. Campers will be given one shirt on the first day of camp. 

· If your child is attending multiple camps, they will receive multiple shirts on the first day of camp.

· Additional shirts can be purchased either in advance or on the first day. You can notify educators during drop-off on the first day of camp or send an email to edu@wondersofwildlife.org. With either method, we can charge your card on file.

· Campers must wear closed-toed shoes every day for safety. Flip-flops and Crocs are not permitted.

· A light jacket is recommended as it can get a little chilly in the classroom.

What not to bring:

· Please do not send your child to camp with the following items: money, personal toys, electronics, cell phones, ipads, pocket knives, collectibles, valuables, and weapons.

· All of the items listed above, if seen, will be taken by educators and given to the parent at the time of pick up.

· Campers do not need to bring money to camp. We will not be stopping in the gift shop or Bass Pro Shops to make purchases during camp.

Sick Policy:

·        We care about each camper's health and well-being. If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, we will contact the parent/guardian for pick-up.

·        Campers must be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to camp. 


Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

Camp is held at the John A. and Genny Conservation Center, 600 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, Missouri 65807. Dogwood Canyon camps will also arrive and depart from this location each day, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Education Department. Finley Farms and DiVentures will be held at each of their respected locations. More details will be sent in the camp reminder email.

Arrival Procedures for Wonders of Wildlife & Dogwood Canyon camps:

Upon arrival on the first day, please park outside the entrance and walk your child into the education center. Once you enter through the front doors, someone will be there to greet you and start the check-in process. You will be required to verify your information on the first day of camp and confirm anyone else who is authorized to pick up your child. If their name is not listed, we are not able to release your child until we have confirmed this person for authorized pickup. 

·        Arrival time for camp is between 7:45 and 8:00 a.m. Children cannot be dropped off earlier than 7:45 a.m.

·        The WOW education team will check in and greet each camper upon arrival. They will then gather together and play board games until all campers have arrived. 

·        If your child is going to be late, please call the education office at 417-527-0000 to notify us.

Dismissal Procedure:

·    Camp dismissal is at 3:00 pm, except for:

      o  Dogwood Camp, which dismisses at 5:00 pm from WOW

. For your child's safety, anyone who is listed as authorized pick up MUST provide a current driver's license or another form of I.D. If you do not have a proper form of I.D. with you at pick-up, we will not be able to dismiss your child until an I.D. is provided.

·         If your child is picked up any later than 3:15 pm, we will automatically enroll them into our Stay & Play program, which is an additional $50/week.

·        Stay & Play: you may sign up your child for our Stay & Play program for an additional $50/week upon registration. Stay & Play is from 3:00 pm- 5:30 pm.

·        Our staff and security team are scheduled until 5:30 pm each day. To keep things running smoothly, there will be an additional $10 charge if your child is picked up between 5:30 pm and 5:45 pm. There is an additional $20 charge if your child is picked up between 5:45 pm and 6:00 pm.

·        These charges must be paid before your child returns to camp the next day.

·        If you need to pick up your child early or running behind, please call 417-527-0000.

· The parent or guardian is responsible for sharing pick-up times and late policy information with those designated to pick up the child from camp.

Emergency Dismissal Procedure:

·        In the event of an emergency and you need to pick up your child from camp, please call the education department at 417-527-0000 or the security team at 417-891-5298. Please pick up your child at the John A. & Genny Conservation Center entrance. 


Wonders of Wildlife Camp Behavior Contract

The Education Department wants to provide every child with an educational, safe, and memorable experience. We want to ensure that our campers make memories that last a lifetime, and it is our goal that campers have a safe and positive experience here at Wonders of Wildlife and Dogwood Canyon. We want all of our campers and families to understand that the physical and emotional safety of our campers and animals is of the utmost importance. This policy outlines what behaviors are considered inappropriate during any program taught by education staff and the consequences that will result if said behavior is not corrected.

Please review the following information with your child:

Examples of Unacceptable Behavior:

·        Failing to follow the Code of WOW(code of conduct)

o  CODE OF WOW/DWC:

o  Respect-be respectful to yourself, your teacher, your peers, the facility, animals, other WOW staff, and guests. Always listen to your teacher's instructions and ask questions if needed.

o  Safety-stay with your assigned teacher at all times. Respecting the personal space of others and keep your body to yourself.

o  Learn- your questions are valued, so please always ask questions. You are here not only to play but also to learn about some very cool animals and places!

o  Fun-if you can be respectful, be safe, and learn, then we guarantee you will have a TON of fun at camp!

·        Disrupting programs (includes being asked multiple times to follow the code of WOW/directions)

·        Using inappropriate language (such as racial/ethnic slurs, swearing, “potty talk”)

·        Zero tolerance to bullying, threatening, or physical abuse. Bullying of any kind is inexcusable and grounds for immediate dismissal from a camp.

·        Mistreatment of animals, property, or equipment

·        Inappropriate cell phone/electronic use

We believe that all children deserve a chance to change problematic behaviors with proper guidance from both our staff and support from their parents/guardians. We utilize behavior management techniques such as warnings, reduced free time, time outs, daily reports to parents from staff, and communications with parents or guardians.

In the event severe behavior continues, we will take more stringent measures, including separation from the group, discussion with an education supervisor, suspension, or expulsion from the program. No refunds will be offered for expulsion. The Director of Education will decide on expulsion.

Please be assured that we have developed this policy with all participants in mind and will implement it fairly with the goal of providing your child a quality experience at Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium. Please call us with any questions or concerns. 


State Regulations

The camps at Wonders of Wildlife are exempt from licensure with the section of Childcare regulations through the state of Missouri.

All educators working directly with children in each camp are required to pass a state of Missouri background check, have a Class E license, yearly mandated reporter online training, and complete an in-house child safety camp training.


Acknowledgment 

Your signature below via smart waiver acknowledges that you have received, read, and understood all of Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife education camp procedures and policies, including behavior and state regulations for 2024.

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