All students must conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner while attending Summer at Independence camps. Any camper who is involved with inappropriate behavior that raises significant concerns will be subject to immediate dismissal and forfeiture of payment. 

Payment Information

Independence accepts credit cards, checks (made out to The Independence School), or cash.

• Day Camp: A 50% deposit is required at registration. Final payment is due by May 1. A 1.5% per month (18% annual rate) service charge is payable on all past due balances. Registration will not be completed and slots guaranteed until paid in full.
• Specialty Camps: Full payment is required at the time of registration. 

Please note: Children may not attend camp if any balance remains unpaid.

Cancellation & Refund Policies

All cancellations made before May 1 will incur a $75 processing fee.

• Day Camp: After May 1, families may receive a 50% refund if cancellation is made at least two weeks before the registered week begins.
• Specialty Camps: No refunds will be issued after May 1.
• Absences: Refunds are not provided for missed camp days.

Behavior Policy: Campers who engage in serious or unsafe behavior may be dismissed from camp. Payment will not be refunded in these cases.

To ensure a safe, positive, and successful camp experience for all children, campers must be fully potty independent, without the use of pull-ups, to attend our program.

What “Potty Independent” Means

Campers must be able to:

• Use the restroom independently
• Communicate their need to use the bathroom in a timely manner
• Manage clothing, wiping, flushing, and handwashing on their own
• Handle minor bathroom needs without adult assistance

Important Safety Guidelines

For the safety and protection of both campers and staff:

• Camp counselors are not permitted to have physical contact with campers in the restroom
• Staff may provide verbal guidance and reminders only, as needed

Accidents & Clothing

• Campers should arrive each day prepared to manage their own needs

• Families must send a labeled change of clothes in a backpack

• If a camper is unable to manage after an accident, a parent/guardian may be contacted for support

Our Commitment

We strive to create an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all campers. Ensuring that children are developmentally ready for the camp setting helps them feel confident, successful, and comfortable throughout the day.

On-site visitors, inflatable water slides, obstacle courses, and bouncy houses are just some of the things that will be planned throughout the summer. Campers will not be transported off campus to participate in any of these activities. Please note these activities are for Day Campers ONLY as the specialty camp teachers have set schedules planned for the week. 

The Independence School uses photos and videos to share, communicate, collaborate, and promote our teaching and learning. The sharing of photos and videos helps inform current members of the community, former students, and prospective families about The Indy Experience.

As part of our commitment to student safety, we adhere to the following practices:

• As a general rule, photographs of students will not include last names.
• If a student or group of students are being recognized for an accomplishment, first names may be used.
• Students’ images cannot be posted on private accounts or teachers' or staff's personal blogs. 
• Parents of Summer at Independence students should not post photographs of children other than their own without explicit permission from the parents of those children.

If you do not wish photos or videos to be released of your student without your written consent, please email this completed form to welcome@indyde.org or return it to the camp’s front desk. If no documentation is on file, permission to release photos and videos will be assumed.

To help us maintain good health practives, campers should be kept home and/or will be sent home for the following symptoms:

• Fever at or above 100.0
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Suspicious rash
• Any communicable diseases

Please be advised that a doctor's note may be required to return to camp. 

The Independence School utilizes Magnus Health to manage the completion/submission of medical and information forms. This system grants the camp nurse permission to treat and care for the child. To access your account, please click here.

• Parents and/or guardians will be responsible for providing healthy snacks and lunches for the camper.

• All campers should bring their own reusable water bottle to camp. There are water filling stations for campers to use.

• Campers are not allowed to share meals or snacks with other campers. 

• The nurse will contact a parent or designated guardian as soon as it is determined that snack/lunch has not been brought to camp for the day.

• Indy does not offer refrigeration or microwaves. We suggest ice packs and thermoses for cold or hot items.

• No peanuts or peanut products will be used at camp for eating, touching, smelling or cooking. Parents are allowed to pack peanut products for their own children. Peanut/nut free tables will be available at snack and lunch to accommodate any children with peanut or nut allergies.

All medication, including prescription and over-the-counter medications (not checked off on the Magnus Over-the-Counter Medications form), requires a Medication Form to be completed. Over-the-counter medication must be in the original container. Prescription medication must come in the original box or container along with the pharmacy label and be delivered directly to the nurse. 

Procedure for Dispensing Medications During Camp

• ALL MEDICATIONS, including over-the-counter products, require the “Parental Request for Dispensing Medications” form to be completed and sent in with the medication. Medication should also be labeled with child’s name, name of medication, dose and time. Medication must be sent in its own purchased box or pharmacy bottle. Please do not send in medications in baggies!
• HERBAL MEDICATIONS must be sent in original bottle, and the “Parental Request for Dispensing Medications” form must be completed. In addition, literature explaining the purpose, dosage, and side effects, and a physician’s note are required.

Procedure for Dispensing Controlled Substances (Ritalin, Methylphenidate, etc.)

• All medication must be in original container labeled with name, time, dose, date, and number of tablets sent. An adult must bring this medication to school.
• A completed “Parental Request for Dispensing Controlled Substances” form must be sent with medication.
• The nurse will count the tablets upon arrival.
• Any changes in dosage must be accompanied by a written note from the physician specifying the change.
• At the beginning and end of each camp week, any remaining tablets will be counted, and the number indicated on the bottle. It is required that an adult pick up this medicine. Medication not picked up will be discarded.

The Independence School has a Peanut Policy stated below. Please note this only pertains to peanuts and no other food allergens.

1. Parents should not send in food that contains any form of peanut product to share with the class. Please read all labels to ensure that cross contamination with peanuts has not occurred during production.
2. Home baked goods or store bought food may be shared with the class, only if the ingredient labels and/or recipe is provided to check for cross contamination with peanuts during production. 
3. No peanuts or peanut products are to be used in the classroom. This includes the use of peanuts for eating, cooking, growing or smelling. This does NOT mean parents can no longer pack peanut products in their child’s lunch.

This policy is to be followed school wide but does not prohibit parents sending in peanut products for their own children.

Signs and symptoms of possible allergic reaction:

• Flushed face and/or skin
• Rash/Hives
• Itching or swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth
• Dizziness/Fainting
• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
• Itchy ear/eyes or watery eyes
• Coughing or sneezing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing

Please keep us informed of any student whose allergic status changes. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please call us.

It is recommended that ECI-K students have sunscreen applied at home prior to coming to school. Students in grades 1-8 may carry their own sunscreen and will be permitted to apply it independently prior to going outdoors. All sunscreen should be clearly labeled with your child’s name.

Students with asthma or severe allergies must have a care plan completed. These forms can be found below, but must be completed in Magnus Health. The nurse will accept care plan forms from the physician, should they have their own. All plans must be signed by both parents and the physician, then uploaded to Magnus Health.

• Asthma Management Plan
• Severe Allergy Management Plan