Parent Handbook

Camp Information

Location

96 Otis Street
Newtonville, MA 02460

Camp Hours

Regular Camp
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Early Drop-Off
Available beginning at 8:30 AM.

Extended Day
Available until 4:00 PM.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures

The designated camp entrance will only be staffed and unlocked during the following times:

9:00–9:15 AM – Morning Drop-Off
3:00 PM – Full Day Pick-Up
4:00 PM – Extended Day Pick-Up

Outside of these times, the camp entrance will remain locked and unattended.

If you are arriving late, picking up early, or need to enter the building outside of the scheduled drop-off or pick-up windows, please use the main entrance at 96 Otis Street and enter using the door code 2541*

If you plan to arrive outside of our regular drop-off or pick-up times, please call or text us in advance so we know to expect you and can have your camper ready.

All campers must be signed in and signed out each day by a parent or an authorized pick-up person listed on their Sawyer registration.

If someone not listed on your child's registration will be picking up your child, please notify us in advance by updating your Sawyer account or contacting us before dismissal.

Late Pick-Up

Camp ends at 3:00 PM unless your child is registered for Extended Day.

If you are running late, please call or text us as soon as possible. Repeated late pick-ups may result in a late fee.

Camp Groups

Campers are grouped by age to ensure activities are developmentally appropriate, engaging, and enjoyable for everyone. Depending on enrollment, campers may be divided into three groups. During larger camp weeks, a middle group may be added to provide the best experience for every camper.

Little Makers
Ages 3–5

Slice of Art
Ages 9–10

What to Bring Each Day

Please label all belongings with your child's first and last name.

Bring the following items each day:

Backpack large enough to fit all belongings
Labeled water bottle
Morning snack
Packed lunch
Extra snack (if staying for Extended Day)
Large labeled zip-loc bag with a complete change of clothes
Crocs or water shoes for water play
Towel
Bathing suit worn to camp each day (we do not have time to change into swimsuits at camp)
Sunscreen applied before arriving at camp. Please apply a long-lasting sunscreen before arriving at camp each morning. Staff are unable to apply sunscreen to campers. We encourage you to teach your child how to apply sunscreen independently if they may need to reapply during the day.

Water play is offered Monday through Thursday, weather permitting.

Wednesdays
Wear an old white shirt for Color War.

Fridays
Wear your Creation Station shirt for the Art Show.

Snack & Lunch

Creation Station is a nut-free camp to help ensure the health and safety of all campers. Please check all snacks and lunches carefully before packing them.

Each camper should bring:

One morning snack
A packed lunch
A labeled water bottle
An additional snack if staying for Extended Day

Please pack your child's snack separately from their lunch to help make snack time quick and organized.

If your child has food allergies or dietary restrictions, please make sure they are listed on your Sawyer registration and communicated directly with our staff before camp begins.

Medical Information

The health and safety of our campers is our top priority. Please make sure all medical information, allergies, and health concerns are included on your child's Sawyer registration before camp begins.

If your child requires medication during camp, it must be brought on the first day in its original container with your child's name clearly labeled.

If your child uses an EpiPen or inhaler, please hand it directly to a staff member during drop-off on the first day of camp. These medications will be kept in a secure, easily accessible location during camp hours.

If your child has a severe allergy or asthma, please provide an Allergy Action Plan or Asthma Action Plan that includes:

Symptoms to watch for
When to administer medication
Emergency contact instructions

Our staff is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for every camper.

Sick Policy

The health and well-being of our campers and staff is important to us. Please keep your child home if they are not feeling well or are showing signs of illness.

Children should not attend camp if they have:

A fever
Vomiting or diarrhea
A persistent cough or difficulty breathing
An unexplained rash
Any contagious illness that could put other campers at risk

If your child becomes ill during the camp day, they will be separated from the group and a parent or guardian will be contacted for prompt pick-up.

Children must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to camp.

If you are ever unsure whether your child is well enough to attend camp, we appreciate you keeping them home to help maintain a healthy camp environment for everyone.

Behavior Expectations

At Creation Station, we strive to create a camp environment where every child feels safe, respected, included, and encouraged to be themselves. Camp rules are reviewed regularly to help campers understand expectations and make positive choices throughout the day.

We encourage every camper to be:

Caring
Be kind to others, be a good friend, and take care of our art supplies and shared spaces.

Respectful
Use kind words, listen to counselors, and treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Responsible
Follow directions, make safe choices, and take responsibility for your actions.

A Participant
Try new things, be creative, and join in the fun with a positive attitude.

Behavior Guidance

Our counselors use positive guidance to help campers learn, grow, and solve problems respectfully. If a camper needs additional support, we will:

Redirect the camper to a positive choice or activity.
Explain the expected behavior and why it is important.
Offer choices to help the camper make a better decision.
Provide a brief break from the activity if needed.
Work together with the camper to develop a plan for success.

If behavior concerns continue, we will partner with parents to develop a plan that supports the camper while maintaining a safe and positive environment for everyone. If a camper's behavior becomes unsafe or repeatedly disrupts the camp community, Creation Station reserves the right to dismiss the camper from camp.

Lost & Found

Please label all of your child's belongings with their first and last name. While we do our best to keep track of every item, things occasionally get misplaced during a busy camp day.

Lost & Found is located just inside the main entrance on Otis St. Parents are welcome to check the bin at pick-up if an item is missing.

Any items not claimed by the end of the summer camp season will be donated.

Friday Art Show

Families are invited to join us each Friday at 2:45 PM for our weekly Art Show.

Campers will proudly display the artwork they created throughout the week and have the opportunity to share their creativity with family and friends.

Following the Art Show, campers will be dismissed for the day.

Please note: There is no Extended Day on Fridays. All campers must be picked up immediately following the Art Show at 3:00.

Communication

We believe that open communication helps create the best possible camp experience for every child.

If your child will be absent, arriving late, or being picked up early, please call, text, or email us as soon as possible.

If there are any changes at home or anything you feel would help us better support your child during the week, we encourage you to let us know. We are happy to partner with families to help every camper have a positive and successful experience.

If you have any questions before or during camp, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're always happy to help.

Contacting Us

We are a small camp team and do not have a receptionist. During camp hours, our staff's priority is supervising campers, so we do not answer phone calls immediately.

During Camp Hours (8:30 AM–4:00 PM)

The best way to reach us is by text message. If your call is not answered, please leave a voicemail, and a member of our team will return your call as soon as we have a free moment.

If your message is time-sensitive (late arrival, early pick-up, absence, or another change to your child's day), please send a text so we can respond as quickly as possible.

After Camp Hours

For non-urgent questions, please email us, and we will respond as soon as possible during normal business hours.

Call or Text: (857) 240-0234

Email: creationstationtime@yahoo.com

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to review our Parent Handbook. We are honored that you've chosen Creation Station for your child's summer camp experience.

Our goal is to create a fun, safe, and inspiring environment where every camper can explore their creativity, build confidence, and make lasting memories.

We can't wait to welcome your family to camp and look forward to an amazing summer together!

Caroline Silva
Founder & Owner, Creation Station

📞 (718) 216-2993
✉️ creationstationtime@yahoo.com